iEARN-USA - The International Education and Resource Network

Learning Circle Placement forms are due by January 27, 2007.

If you want to be a part of the January session please click HERE and complete the placement form.
If you have any questions or need more information please contact Barry Kramer or visit HERE for a project description.

Global Art - Sense of Caring: This wonderful project explores global art. The project provides the opportunity for children/youth around the world to exchange artwork accompanied by writing on the theme of " A Sense of Caring". The project is open to ages 5 to 18 with an emphasis on children ages 5 to 12. At the end of 2006, a teacher from Russia shared fabulous artwork created by students age 10. The picturee to the left is a glimpse of the many pieces of artwork displayed in the project's online forum. The picture was drawn by Russian student and reads, "Hi! I have a wonderful family. We are 4 in a family - my father, my mother, my sister and me. My family is nice and friendly. I care about my family. Nastya Trofimova, 5 Grade B, 10 years old." Please visit or join this project, click HERE.

Christmas Card Exchange Project: 2006 was a great year for iEARN's Christmas Card Exchange project. The project connected youth from all different cultures, backgrounds and countries. Facilitated by Judy Barr, of iEARN Australia, the project has encouraged youth to create images of love, peace, and friendship connecting youth in countries including the United States, Taiwan, Canada, Thailand, Australia, Belarus and Poland. Pictured to the left is a photo sent from the African Youth Ministries - Uganda who received cards made by students participating in this project. Over 400 orphans enjoyed reading and sharing greeting cards from friends all over the world.

To learn more about this project, click HERE or download (PDF 3.9 MB) a Christmas Card Exchange booklet highlighting wonderful collaborations of 2006.

Teacher Seeking Penpals for Students: Ukrainian teacher is seeking traditional letter writing penpals for her students to help improve their English language skills and learn about new cultures. The students, ages 11 to 10, live in the small village of Dniprovske located in the South of Ukraine. If interested, please email Galina Gavrilova (teacher) or Diana Gette (alternate contact).

Professional Development

ISSA Conference - January 25-27: iEARN staff will be conducting presentations at the 2007 ISSA (International Studies Schools Association) conference held in Portland, OR. iEARN will host two consecutive workshops on Saturday, January 27th entitled, "Math and Media Focus - Learning Collaboratively with an Authentic Global Youth Audience". If you plan on attending the conference please stop by the iEARN booth, and if you're an iEARN member please let us know if you'd like to participate in the workshop and share your wonderful project work using iEARN's global network.

For more detailed conference information click here, or for iEARN members please email Anindita or call (212) 870-2693 to sign up to co-present during the workshop.

National Association of Independent Schools [NAIS]: iEARN members, Rowena Gerber and Nina Lucchi of Miami Country Day School, and Diane Midness of iEARN USA will present a three hour workshop, "Best Practices in International Collaboration" at the National Association of Independent Schools Conference in Denver, CO, March 3rd. If anyone is interested in attending more information can be found HERE.

Scholarship Opportunity Available for four High School U.S. Teachers: Are you looking for ways to use technology and Global Education into your classroom? Enjoy learning in a collaborative, international and fun environment? Join us in our next session of online professional development courses starting February 19th - April 22nd, 2007. iEARN's nine week online courses will help you integrate international collaborative project-based learning into your classroom and fulfill your curriculum standards. This is a great chance to become an active member of the global learning community and receive a certificate as an "iEARN Master Teacher." Each class has 25 participants and at least 10 countries represented. Earn your professional development credits in a most effective, exciting learning environment. Review the courses HERE or to request a scholarship click HERE or call 212-870-2693

Scholarship Information: For US high school teachers, iEARN has received a grant from the US State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) to encourage interaction between US educators and students and their peers in countries with significant Muslim populations. Any teacher who is interested in interacting via e-mail and online project work with a class in Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman Pakistan, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan can request a scholarship for online training.

iEARN will be at the Channel 13 Celebration of Teaching and Learning Conference in New York on March 23-24, 2007. The theme for this year is "Science and Global Awareness" and attendees include former Vice president Al Gore and NBC' Tim Russert. iEARN students from Ireland, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Cameroon, UK, Israel and the US will participate in discussions on the PEARL World Youth News Project. Students will also present on iEARN's Two Rivers, One World and Solar Cooking Projects. Channel 13 has also announced school awards for use of "Multimedia in the Classroom focusing on Science and Global Awareness". The deadline for submissions is February 2, 2007. For more information, click HERE.

iEARN in the News

Model Global Elementary Schools: A recent report published by the District of Columbia Public Schools [DCPS] and the National Peace Corps Association [NPCA] highlighted a 2005-2006 program entitled, Model Global Elementary Schools, that included six selected elementary schools from the DC area. Together, DCPS and NPCA aimed to "create school-based plans to support bringing a more global perspective into the classroom and school." Schools participated in a training that included resources, presentations, and hands-on sessions to coordinate plans as to how each school can integrate a global learning perspective.

As part of the training, iEARN-USA and other participating organizations conducted training workshops to provide resources and opportunities to explore global learning. Teacher response to iEARN included, " [It's an] excellent resource for communicating with people from other nations. We [students and teachers] have communicated with children from different countries through email and written communication." As a result of the training and workshops, two elementary schools conducted presentations about their iEARN project work at the National Social Studies Conference in December 2006. To download a PDF version (569 KB) of the report click HERE.

USA Teacher Awarded: iEARN teacher Freda Goodman was recipient of the 2005-2006 Social Studies Teacher of the Year. Awarded by the Georgia Virtual School. Congratulations Freda!