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In the My Identity, Your Identity Project, students are encouraged to explore and research the elements that form their culture and identities. One of these elements includes the historical landmarks or famous places in their communities, which are an important part of their culture and identities. The purpose of this unit is to help students from around the world appreciate their heritage through historical landmark research, share what they learned with their global peers, and compare and contrast landmarks from different countries.
To do this, students from six BRIDGE countries conducted research and found pictures of historical landmarks or famous places in their country. They began in week one by researching multiple landmarks in order to gain a better understanding of which they would ultimately like to select to study. Then, in week two, they compared and contrasted landmarks found in different countries. The images below are taken from an Egyptian student’s project comparing and contrasting the fortress in St. Augustine, FL with the Qaitbey Fortress in Alexandria, Egypt.
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During week three of the project, students deepened their understanding about the significance of their historical landmark by visiting the site or by interviewing someone who had visited it.
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Week four of the project introduced the idea that landmarks can create social good. During this phase of the unit, students identified historical landmarks that were created to promote peace and researched them to better understand their importance. Students suggested landmarks like the Al Zaytuna Mosque in Tunisia, the Church of the Holy Resurrection in Morocco, the Peace Arch Park on the border of Canada and the United States, and the Chouf Cedar Nature Reserve in Lebanon.
To conclude the unit, students created final projects to teach younger students about historical landmarks from around the world.
As illustrated by this Egyptian teacher’s experience, the My Identity, Your Identity Project not only gives students the opportunity to learn, but also offers professional development for teachers: “At first I was confused about how I can make a conference with another teacher from another country and the difference in the time zones, but we take it step by step and we make many of video conference. It helped me in the class and how to turn the class into a small global world. I learn how to use technology in the class and I know new media connection from my peers from another countries.”
Learn more about the My Identity, Your Identity Project!
