Review by Jennifer Sitkin, Common Sense Education | Updated February 2015
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Global Oneness Project

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Dynamic multimedia resources explore life experiences around the world

Subjects & skills
Subjects
  • Social Studies
Skills
  • Communication & Collaboration
  • Character & SEL
  • Critical Thinking
Grades This grade range is a recommendation by Common Sense Education and not the developer/publisher.
9–12
Great for:
Common Sense says (See details)
Teachers say (1 Review)
Price:  Free, Paid Lesson plans and stories are free. Individual films, screening packages, and educational film toolkits are available to purchase.
Platforms:  Website

Take a look inside

5 images
Monthly stories cover global issues with a personal touch.
Students engage in discussions and complete writing prompts for all lessons.
Additional videos and education kits are available for purchase.
Detailed lesson plans are provided for all stories.

Pros: Multimedia resources aligned to the CCSS include detailed lessons plans to engage students on global issues.

Cons: Lessons may require modification of content and instruction to increase accessibility for a wide range of abilities.

Bottom Line: Unique approach to incorporating global issues into the curriculum; monthly stories capture interdisciplinary topics.

How Can I Teach with This Tool?

The resources on the Global Oneness Project are intended for whole-class instruction, with opportunities for group and individual activities and assignments. The lessons are best used as supplements or extensions to the core curriculum. For example, in a unit on climate change, "The Vanishing Island" provides students with a case study to further their understanding of the human impact of climate change. Depending on the multimedia used to present the story, teachers will need a projection device or individual devices. Teachers are encouraged to create rubrics for the writing prompts to help students clearly understand the requirements and expectations of each assignment. The stories can be integrated into a wide range of courses including history, anthropology, environmental science, and English language arts.

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Put this tool into practice:

The Global Oneness Project produces multicultural stories for classroom use. The stories released each month are presented through short videos, photo essays, and articles. Each story includes a lesson plan aligned to the Common Core State Standards and/or Next Generation Science Standards. The topics address global themes such as cultural sustainability, architectural heritage, changing ecosystems, community, and language. Users can search for lessons by subject, media type, theme, or standard. The lesson plans all follow the same structure, which includes background information, themes, estimated time, materials, and procedures as to how to engage students. The instructional strategies vary from lesson to lesson; however, writing and discussions are the key elements of the curriculum throughout. For example, in "Mongolia’s Nomads," students pair up to view a photo essay, participate in a guided discussion, and respond to a writing prompt focused on cultural sustainability. 

The stories and lesson plans provide students with opportunities to explore global themes and make both personal and interdisciplinary connections. The lessons build on prior knowledge and encourage students to see beyond their local community as they get a glimpse into the rest of the world. Some stories may be difficult to relate to for some students; the subject matter can be serious, and some of the subjects' circumstances are especially dire. Fortunately, the guided questions and writing prompts bring context to each topic and help kids develop empathy and understanding for the subjects at hand. Each lesson helps students develop critical-thinking and communication skills, and there's a special focus on using evidence to support a position in writing. Some of the concepts may be difficult for students to grasp and will require pre-teaching or additional reinforcement during the lesson. Overall, this is a visually striking, thoughtful, and meaningful way to bring topics from around the world into your classroom. 

Overall Rating
Engagement Is the product stimulating, entertaining, and engrossing? Will kids want to return?

Media on high-interest topics helps reel students in, but some kids might need additional context to understand and connect with such serious subject matter. Luckily, the lessons' suggested activities help bridge this gap.

Pedagogy Is learning content seamlessly baked-in, and do kids build conceptual understanding? Is the product adaptable and empowering? Will skills transfer?

Lesson plans encourage discussion and writing by finding personal connections to the stories. Curriculum is aligned to the Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards.

Support Does the product take into account learners of varying abilities, skill levels, and learning styles? Does it address both struggling and advanced students?

Detailed lesson plans are provided with background information, materials, and suggested discussion topics and relevant activities. Multimedia approach makes learning especially accessible for a range of abilities and needs.

Common Sense Reviewer
Jennifer Sitkin Classroom teacher
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Featured review by
Amber P. , Technology coordinator
Technology coordinator
Multimedia resources to inspire and help us be better people!
Global Oneness Project is a great resource that provides multimedia rich resources for teaching and learning across all content areas. There are videos, stories, articles and photos that are tied to common themes and key ideas connected to a deeper worldview, building awareness and empowering change. The materials are provided and are aligned to standards. The resources are multidisciplinary, meaningful and incredibly relevant. They have everything from the Gamo Highlands of the African Rift ...
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