Posted by Ram Wagle on 23 Feb 2009

GPS2 – GLOBAL PROBLEM SOLVING/PUBLIC SPEAKING

Global problem solving and public speaking are inextricably linked courses for eighth grade at the Orchard School. Students research global problems and generate their personal solutions to global issues. GPS2 facilitates the formal presentation of this research to the community.

In public speaking, all students present different types of speeches: an oratorical interpretation by memorizing and presenting a selected Famous American speech, a speech to inform and a speech to activate based on their PowerPoint presentation.

The students focused on the main topics of environmental, homelessness/poverty and human rights. Working in groups of four, students research one of several subtopics under each main topic. Students attempt to establish global partnerships to assist them in their research. Community service activities related to their main topic are a required component of this class. Students create a website, a statistical PowerPoint presentation, a public service announcement or commercial, and a brochure. All products are required to have a call to action.

The products generated from GPS2 are formally presented to the parents and the community at the conclusion of the class.

We have chosen to expose students to one other major area of global studies: conflict and peace. This is accomplished through a speaker series. The speaker series is: In Search of Peace and Dignity.

The websites linked here are totally created by the students and are evidence of their research and collaboration with their peers.