QUESTION: Texts - International Affairs, Global Studies, "The World is Flat"-stuff, etc.?

[Corto Waltese]

I'm new to MCP, so if there's already a thread for this query, I'd appreciate it if someone could point me in the right direction- and you have my apologies for being redundant.

I've been tasked with designing curriculum for an international affairs class geared for 5th-8th graders.

The purpose of the class is to teach students about the international system from the micro (culture: food, flags and clothes) to the macro (why does country X hate country Y, what are the roots behind Country Z's saber rattling, etc.) in order to acclimate them to the global marketplace of the future.

Are there any textbooks out there that cover this ground?
I know this is a very young group to be teaching some of this stuff to, but I have my orders, so march I must.

Has anyone taught a class like this to these grade levels?

Any help is appreciated.

[Kathy Wegley]

Our district has been studying this same task.  We went to the Asia Society Conference last year and went to make workshops on globalization and the middle school student.  You may find some resources there. http://asiasociety.org/education.  Also from this conference there were many global connect projects that students of this age level could join and through out the year your students would work with students from other countries to solve common problems using Skype and other meeting room software.  Good Luck and I look forward to hearing about your progress!

[Corto Waltese]

Thanks!

[Betsy MacDonald]

You might also check out the flat classroom project and get them involved in one of their projects. I believe 'Digiteen' and 'Eracism' are their projects geared to that age.