1. Explore Clean Water Issues
Why is water important? How accessible is it around the world? Show students the approximately 17-minute-long Senegal segment of the 9/5/03 NOW with BILL MOYERS program (see details above) and have them describe the water situation in this country. De-brief with students about their own experiences with water and those seen in the segment. Then, have them use the Web sites below to create diagrams that show how clean v. unclean water affects people and nations.
NOW's Water Statistics
http://www.pbs.org/now/science/water2.html
The World Health Organization (WHO)'s World Water Day Web site
http://www.worldwaterday.org/2001/report/
Based on their findings, students can create posters and radio/TV public service announcements to develop community awareness of clean water issues throughout the world.
2. Help Educate Women Around the World
Ask students to divide up into six groups (one group per continent excluding Antarctica), and then research education levels of women worldwide. Each group should gather and present the average education and earnings of women from their continent. Then as a class, look for connections between average education levels and average earnings. Where are the discrepancies/similarities? Brainstorm ways in which your class can assist with aid programs that focus on a woman's education and business opportunities. The following Web sites will help get your class started:
NOW's Volunteering for Beginners
http://www.unicef.org/girlseducation/
The EarthWatch Institute: World Health Program
http://www.earthwatch.org/subject/health.html
Partnership on Sustainable Strategies for Girls' Education
http://www.girlseducation.org/Welcome.asp
3. Help A Distant Community
Invite a former Peace Corps volunteer into your classroom, or correspond with a current volunteer. (Note: The Peace Corps has a "Connect with a Volunteer" program that matches classrooms with a volunteer in the field who is willing to correspond with students about the country where he or she lives and works. Visit the Peace Corps Web site for more information.) Ask the volunteer to explain how he or she acquired (or currently acquires) basic necessities like food and water. Have the volunteer also describe the educational system for children within the community where he or she served (or serves). Finally, work with the volunteer to identify and help your class donate materials to the community overseas.
About the Author
Kristy Brugar teaches at Cranbrook Kingswood Boys Middle School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. In 2001, she received the Christa McAuliff "Reach for the Stars" Award from the National Council of Social Studies (NCSS) and the Fund for the Advancement of Social Studies Education (FASSE), which supports teachers developing innovative social studies teaching strategies. She received an Earthwatch Education Grant (2001) and traveled to Japan, South Africa and Zimbabwe with Fulbright awards to enhance her teaching.
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