Grade: 7th grade Honors

Partner Country: Vietnam

Content Focus:  English & History (interdisciplinary approach)

Sustainable Development Goal: Cultural Responsiveness and Sustainability SDGs 1-17

FCPS Portrait of a Graduate Attributes: Creative and Critical Thinker, Collaborator, Communicator, and Ethical and Global Citizen

Partnership Description:

South County Middle School’s Global Classroom Project incorporates an interdisciplinary approach between English and History classes using Purple Team’s theme: “Make That Change.”  Students focus on how they can become better communicators, creative and critical thinkers, and ethical and global citizens by bringing awareness and taking action to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

Through the pathway of cultural responsiveness, students established international pen pals in Hanoi, Vietnam. Purple Team students created personalized digital postcards for their Vietnamese pen pal and the Vietnamese students will respond. 

As part of a continuous exchange, students will research an historical event and connect it to a SDG.  Their challenge is to collaborate on ways to make that change by bringing awareness and a call to action on the SDGs.  The slides and videos will be uploaded to Padlet and student Google domain.

What is the Global Classroom Project?

Elementary, middle, and high schools throughout Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) participate in the Global Classroom Project, which provides an opportunity for students to work with peers from around the world on authentic tasks and challenges. 

As part of the Global Classroom Project, schools select a Sustainable Development Goal from among 17 goals established by the United Nations as a blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet. 

Throughout the Global Classroom Project, students also learn attributes of Portrait of a Graduate, which prioritizes the development of skills that will empower FCPS students to be productive citizens of a global community and successful in the workforce of the future.