Towards a Society for All Ages

1999

Students involved:

twenty five 10th graders (aged 14/16) in the Classroom Twinning Activity
fifteen 10th graders in the Local Activity (Interview with Elderly People)
seventy 9th graders (aged 13/15) in the Unite the Nations Activity

Total: 110 students

Aims:

practice the target language in context and social interaction.

increase awareness for global aspects within the local community.

stimulate young people to think about how they can contribute to the local/global community.

stimulate critical thinking and exchange through a forum for discussion on items of global interest.

raise appreciation of and curiosity for other people and cultures.

Technology:

School:

3 computers with slow connection in teachers' room

7 computers library (slow dial-up connection)

8 computers science room (slow dial-up connection)

1 printer, 1 scanner

Home:

1 computer (slow dial-up connection), 1 printer

Note: many students have computers at home but no Internet connection.

October to November:

a group of students and teacher brainstorm on who to invite for the interview and once the decision is taken, contact the people.
Difficulty: not all speak English or can come on the day. We decide on having one interview in Portuguese and one in English

November 16th: Classroom Twinning/ Unite the Nations Game/ Local Activities

10th graders get together in groups to discuss issues proposed and communicate with students from other countries on forum. A group writes an article based on the discussions held.
Difficulty: computers have a slow connection and many supervising teachers do not know how to help the students with technology)
Perception: many students do not see how they can practically engage in action to solve environmental/society problems. They blame the government or authorities and expect them to find a way out. After much discussion a group suggests calling the attention of people who throw rubbish on the beach . Another suggestion: collect disposable batteries in the building where they live and make an awareness raising campaign so people do not throw them away together with the rest of the garbage.
9th graders participate in the Unite the Nations rally together with their teachers.
Difficulty: librarians complain there is too much noise and that students leave the books lying around
Perception: students have a great difficulty in searching the information (books and Internet)
A group of students interviews 3 elderly people specially invited for the occasion. Mr and Mrs Juzwiak talk about how they fled Poland during the II WW to come to Brazil and how they re-started their life here, while Mrs Angelini explains how she helps elderly people with Alzheimer disease.

Products:

the students´introductions , photos of the event and the interviews are sent to Time headquarters at the end of the day and published later on their site.
An article is published in The Classmate (The English Department´s newspaper online)