Registration open for Jan-May 2015 session of iEARN Learning Circles

Looking for a way to connect your students with global peers?  Sign up by January 25th (registration deadline extended!) for the upcoming session of iEARN Learning Circles, which will run from January 30 - May 25, 2015 (15 weeks with a 1-week break in April). 

Learning Circles are highly interactive, project-based partnerships among a small number of schools located throughout the world. There are two sessions each year, September - January and January - May.

Registration is now open (through January 25) for the next session of iEARN Learning Circles, which will run from January January 30 - May 25, 2015.

Over 15 weeks, you'll have a chance to work with a small number of classrooms from around the world on a Learning Circle theme of your choice.

The structure of a Learning Circle comes from its design of phases. The first phase, "Getting Ready" at the start of the course, prepares you for participation in the project. In the following phases you get to know other circle members and progress to working together under your selected theme, but with your own curriculum. Your circle closes with each classroom presenting a final product that demonstrates the quality of learning that has taken place. Learn more about Learning Circles at www.iearn.org/circles.

Learning Circle session topics include:

• Computer Chronicles: Promotes writing across the curriculum. Interaction online revolves around producing a newspaper called The Computer Chronicles. Each class has the opportunity to sponsor one or more sections of the newspaper as their Learning Circle project.

• Places and Perspectives: Encourages students to explore regional history, culture, government, and geography by sharing their knowledge with people from different locations.

• MindWorks: A writing theme designed to enhance creative and expository writing as well as develop different forms of self-expression. The goal is to help student learn how to communication their thoughts and feelings in writing, then share and compare them with other students from distant places.

• My Hero: A joint venture between Learning Circles and the My Hero project. This Circle will bring together students and teachers who are interested in collaborating with other schools from diverse areas of the world on the topic of My Hero through writing, photography, and digital video.

• My Hero: A Call To Action: An advanced level mulit-media project for teachers and students who are interested in putting the principles of the My Hero project into action. Students and teachers will explore the use of the My Hero multi-media page. Several training sessions about making a short film will be offered. **
  See more Information about this option below.

• Early People Symbols Project: Elementary and Middle School students will explore the meanings of their cultural symbols. They will start by doing research (Internet, local libraries, museums, art books, and artifacts such as rugs, wall, ceiling, floor drawings, pictographs, etc.) in their communities. Then, they will briefly tell the story related to the symbol using journals, Voice Threads, PowerPoint Presentations, videos or digital photos. Students are also invited to create a drawing or painting using these symbols.

• Global Issues (Education): Encourages students to investigate education as a fundamental human right as well as the broad range of issues regarding education throughout the world. Students will develop global education perspectives by sharing regional and global practices. Projects will range from identifying current issues to investigating new and unique educational practices being used around the world.

• Global Issues (Environment): Allows students to discuss a broad range of environmental social, political, and economic issues with concern and affect the Earth's entire population. Projects will focus on identifying and developing solutions for the countless issues that face the Earth's inhabitants. This curriculum encompasses many subject areas including sociology, science, government, history, and economics.

In addition to hands on support throughout the session, educators have access to a comprehensive Learning Circles Teachers Guide. 

To participate in an iEARN Learning Circle, educators must first register in iEARN, and then once your account is active, fill out a Learning Circles Placement form.

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From the My Hero team -- PLEASE JOIN US For a Special: CALL TO ACTION MY HERO Learning Circle beginning the end of January. Contact Wendy Jewell, Facilitator, for more info or to register. http://collaborate.iearn.org/space-21/ or [email protected]

Bring the world into your classroom and your classroom into the world.

The MY HERO Global Learning Circle is a joint venture between iEARN.org and The MY HERO Project. Elementary, Middle and High School classes from around the world collaborate in projects that celebrate heroes through writing, art, music and short films.

Classes choose a hero or a heroic organization in your community and show them your support in whatever way you see fit. Our team will mentor you and your students in the process of documenting their activism with Skype sessions, blogs, diaries, art and or short films. We will provide you with an activist tool kit from a well known global organization.This media can be shared with classes taking part in the circle.

MY HERO International Film Festival Director Wendy Milette will mentor those interested in making films. Victoria Murphy, Director of the MY HERO Gallery will curate an online Gallery of Heroic Art work shared in the circle. Students can also write songs, or essays and share their media online.

Working together we can further promote the positive work of your students and the local organizations they support. MY HERO Learning Circle Facilitator Wendy Jewell and IEARN Global LC Coordinator Barry Kramer will support teachers taking part in this learning circle.

Looking forward to hearing from you and working with you and your students in this very special circle.