Investigate the World
Asia Society's rubric for Global Competency identifies four indicators for the competency "investigate the world" where students will "investigate the world beyond their immediate environment."
To support the first indicator, "Students can generate and explain the significance of locally, regionally, or globally focused researchable questions," the Global Snapshots pages on this website offer inspiration and examples of researchable questions that students can pursue.
Example Global Snapshot
Rangoli at India Fest
Overland Park, Kansas, USA
Rangolis are an art form that uses colored sand or colored rice. Rangolis are designed on the floor.
Researchable question: How are Rangolis made?
Essential question: How does art reflect culture?
Learn more with related content: Indian Folk Art "Rangoli" Uses Colorful Flour and Rice in Stunning Designs
Tip: Use the Primary Source Analysis Tool outlined on the Global Snapshots page to guide students in analyzing photographs.
In this Globl Snapshot example, the researchable question is, "How are Rangolis made?" Students can connect this researchable question to the significance of art on a local, regional, or global scale.
For Example
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Why is it important to understand how a type of art is made? (Why is it important to understand how Rangolios are made?)
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Why do people make art? (Why do people make Rangolis?)
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How does art represent a local culture? (How do Rangolis represent a local culture in India?)
Classroom Applications
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If students have a passion for art they could choose to research how a specific art supply or material (acrylic paints, oil paints, clay, metal, yarn, sand, chalk, fabric, etc.) is used in different ways based on the culture that is using it as a medium.
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Alternatively, students could study a specific type of art (like Rangolis) in depth from one culture, focusing on how it represents that culture. They could then practice that form of art.
Depending on the amount of experience your students have in generating researchable questions, you'll need to provide different levels of support. For those newer to the practice, you could provide a list of researchable questions for students to choose from. For students with some experience, you could provide a few examples and students could then write their own questions. For students with extensive experience, they could be more independent in designing their researchable questions.
Research Template
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Research Planning Template - Google Doc - you can make a copy and modify to meet your needs
To support the second indicator, "Identify, collect and analyze the knowledge and evidence required to answer questions using a variety of international sources, media, and languages." the Global Snapshots on this website give one example of a place to "learn more" about the given topic in the "Learn more with related content" area. You can customize a structure to guide your students' work based on their background in research skills and digital citizenship.
Resources for Research from Read, Write, Think (Customize to your students' topics)
Research Websites
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Google Scholar - research search engine
International Sources, Media, and Languages
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Use the Google Translate website or the Chrome Extension for websites in languages other than what your students speak
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Newspaper Map website - interactive map to view newspapers from around the world
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The Logistics of Creating a Current News Event Google Maps from Langwitches
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Mapping the Nation - interactive map with demographic, economic, and social information
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Pulitzer Center - lesson builder for current events and world issues
Remember to Check Your Sources
Google Earth Resources
Tours in Google Earth - be sure to check out "This Is Home," "A Lesson in Lifestyle," and "Exploring Countries"
Google Earth Preview Passport by Tarah Tesmer
Google Earth Challenge by Tarah Tesmer
Google Earth, the New Mentor Text, resources by Tarah Tesmer
10 Tips for becoming an Earth Engine expert
To support the third indicator, "Weigh, integrate and synthesize evidence collected to construct coherent responses that is appropriate to the context of issues or problems." provide your students with a research structure that supports your students' developmental levels.
Resources for Synthesizing Information
Grades 3-5 from Read, Write, Think (Customize to your students' topics)
Grades 6-8 from Read, Write, Think (Customize to your students' topics)
To support the fourth indicator, "Develop an argument based on compelling evidence that considers multiple perspectives and draws defensible conclusions." guide students in using a persuasion map to create a persuasive piece of writing or a persuasive podcast.
Grades 3-5 (Customize to your students' topics)
Grades 6-8 (Customize to your students' topics)
Podcast Apps
