Seventh Grade Learns About World Citizenship

What does it mean to be a World Citizen?

Seventh grade students in Dave Bennett's social studies class will give you a colorful answer- literally. That's because the students answered the question by creating individual posters that now hang around Bennett's classroom.

"The idea of the world citizen poster came to me from another teacher here long ago, who was doing a similar type of project in his social studies classes," says Bennett. "I think the chance to illustrate ideas, rather than just explain them in writing or speaking, opens up different pathways of thinking and expression for each student. I ask them to think and express their role in the world."

Bennett purposefully does this project early in the school year to set the tone for the rest of their class time together. "We start the school year with this project to spark thinking with a global perspective. I want them to think globally every day in this class. This project gets this going in a beautiful, colorful way."

The students are asked to think about what qualities they offer to the world and what role they can play. For many, their qualities resemble their interests. There's no shortage of posters involving the outdoors, sports, or the arts. Bennett says that's a great way to keep their world citizenship active. 

"The take-home lesson of this poster project is that the world is ours, and that it is up to each of us to do something to make it better. We’re not talking about individually ending hate or solving climate change, but rather doing the small acts that can add up to real change. Overlake seventh graders are a wonderful, generous, optimistic bunch. This project gives them a chance to express that wonder, generosity, and optimism."

As Overlakers, they'll likely use these lessons to guide them throughout their academic careers here. Whether it's choosing a Project Week offering, participating in our service days, or growing their lives through activism, these students bring their uniqueness to the table of ideas in making our world a better place. 

Maybe it's a good time for us to reflect on how we all can be better World Citizens?