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Reading Globally, K–8
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Reading Globally, K–8
Connecting Students to the World Through Literature



168 pages | Corwin

"The authors illustrate how to teach to the standards using literature. More important, they explain why it is essential to do so if we are to prepare our children for life in a 21st-century global society."
—Carol Gallegos, Literacy Coach
Hanford Elementary, CA

"The authors skillfully weave global-text titles, authors, websites, and strategy instruction throughout the book."
—Victoria Seeger, Instructional Coach
Pleasant Hill Elementary School, Topeka, KS

Discover how global literature can prepare your students for global citizenship!

With an increasingly diverse nation and an ever-smaller world, global awareness is a necessity for today's students. This unique and indispensible handbook shows how teachers can use global literature to help students expand their worldview while developing increased respect for cultural diversity.

The authors explain how to infuse global literature throughout the K–8 curriculum, from locating and selecting appropriate, high-quality books to developing related activities and projects for a variety of subject areas. Teachers, librarians, and reading coordinators will find:

  • Insights on how reading global literature prepares students for life and work in an interconnected world
  • Numerous examples of outstanding books for Grades K–8 and a fully annotated bibliography of hundreds of titles on the enclosed CD-ROM
  • A wealth of teaching ideas for the entire curriculum, supported by classroom vignettes
  • Answers to frequently asked questions about funding, cultural authenticity, and supporting state and national standards

Bring the world into your classroom through global literature to enrich teaching and learning!


 

 
List of Figures
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
Introduction
Organization of Book

 
 
1. The Need for Global Literature
The Importance of Global Literature in Children’s Lives

 
The Contemporary Context

 
History and Availability of Global Children's Literature

 
Global Literature Defined

 
Goals for Global Literature

 
Conclusion

 
 
Part I: Infusing Global Literature Throughout the Curriculum
 
2. Literary Theme Studies and an Integrated Curriculum
A Literary Framework

 
Incorporating the Framework Across the Curriculum

 
Theme Studies

 
Integrating the Curriculum

 
Conclusion

 
 
3. Integrated Language Arts
IRA/NCTE Standards for the English Language Arts

 
Conclusion

 
 
4. Social Studies
Topic 1: "Wake Up World" (Primary Grades)

 
Topic 2: World War II and the Holocaust (Upper Elementary/Middle School)

 
Curriculum Strand: Individual Development and Identity (Upper Elementary/Middle School)

 
Curriculum Strand: Individuals, Groups, and Institutions (Primary Grades)

 
Biographies and Memoirs (Upper Elementary/Middle School)

 
Seeking Peace and Justice (All Grades)

 
Conclusion

 
 
5. Science and Mathematics
Children’s Literature and STEM Education

 
Animals: Other Creatures That Share Our Earth

 
Life Cycles and Other Patterns

 
Habitats around the World

 
Environmental Change and the Need for Conservation

 
World Health Awareness

 
Technology: The Benefits, Risks, Costs, and Ethical Issues

 
How Things Are Made and How They Work

 
Scientific and Mathematical Contributions from Diverse Cultures

 
Earning, Saving, and Investing Money

 
Conclusion

 
 
6. The Arts
Music and Dance

 
Art and Artists

 
Drama

 
Conclusion

 
 
Part II: Issues Teachers Face
 
7. How Should I Evaluate Global Books?
How Can I Know If These Books Are Authentic?

 
What Else Do I Need to Know to Make Good Book Selections?

 
Conclusion

 
 
8. Frequently Asked Questions about Global Children’s Literature
How can I fund the purchase of global children’s literature for my classroom and school library?

 
How should we decide what books to buy?

 
How can I work with colleagues to plan for using global children’s literature across the grades?

 
What’s the best way to handle sensitive topics like war, prejudice, human injustices, and cultural taboos like bodily functions or practices?

 
How should I respond if parents object to a book?

 
How can I help my students relate to places, people, times, and events they have never seen, heard, or experienced?

 
How can I help parents understand the importance of global literature?

 
How do I fit global literature into our district-mandated curricula that occupy much of the day?

 
How does global literature contribute to meeting state and national standards?

 
Will using global literature raise test scores?

 
 
9. What’s Next? Going Global and Bringing It Home
Getting Started

 
Final Thoughts

 
 
References
 
Index
 
The CD
 
Further Recommended Reading for Teadhers
 
Resources for Locating and Learning More about Global Children’s Literature
 
An Annotated List of 341 Children’s Books Cited in the Book

"The authors illustrate how to teach to the standards using literature. More importantly, they explain why it is essential to do so if we are to prepare our children for life in a 21st century global society."

Carol Gallegos, Literacy Coach
Hanford Elementary, CA

"This comprehensive volume helps educators at many levels become more skilled at providing high quality, meaningful, diverse literature experiences for students. The authors skillfully weave global text titles, authors, web sites, and strategy instruction throughout the book."

Victoria Seeger, Instructional Coach
Pleasant Hill Elementary School, Topeka, KS

"Using both picture books and chapter books, the authors show specific ways in which literature can be used across the curriculum to help students see themselves as part of a global community."

Nelda Brangwin
Library Media Connection, May/June 2011, Vol 29, #6
Key features
This is a unique and needed handbook for elementary and middle school teachers, showing them how to use global literature across the curriculum, in a very practical, nonthreatening way.

Practical guidance is provided on how to:
  • Integrate the reading of global texts across the curriculum, with specific application to language arts, social studies, science, math, and the arts
  • Locate and evaluate the authenticity and literary merit of potential books, avoiding those that depict stereotypes
  • Get started!

Resources include:

  • Profiles of authors and illustrators
  • An annotated list of children's books and lists of other suggested books
  • Technology connections and webliography
  • Classroom vignettes from K-8 teachers and samples of student work