Primary Source "Global Reads" Connect People Across the World
Over the past few months, Primary Source has launched a series of innovative, all-online Global Read book discussions. These Global Reads are part of an exciting larger initiative to reach teachers, students, and people from all across the country and the world through increased online programming and course opportunities in global education.
The first Global Read engaged more than 120 people from different states and countries to discuss author Mitali Perkins' Bamboo People, a young adult novel set in modern-day Burma. Discussion began with an online forum on January 12th and culminated in a live, online chat with the author moderated by Primary Source.
One participating teacher, David Green from Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, incorporated the book and live chat into a classroom project with his AP seniors. On the value of having students participate in this Global Read, Green comments, "This opportunity…allowed my students to converse with people all over the country on a severely understudied topic. Students legitimately enjoyed the book, and they found the live chat engaging." Green also noted that many of his students expressed interest in participating in similar activities in the future.
Primary Source's second Global Read on March 9th featured Christina Diaz Gonzalez's The Red Umbrella, a young adult novel following a 14-year-old Cuban girl sent by her parents to live in the United States during the tumultuous period of 1960s Cuba. The forums and live chat discussing this book also brought in a group of 4th and 5th grade student participants from Burlington, Massachusetts, who were excited about the chance to interact with people from a broader community.
Both Global Reads were a huge success. With the support of donors, education foundations, and school partners, Primary Source is providing an increasingly wide audience – including teachers of various subject areas, students in different grade levels, and anyone interested in global issues – with global content and resources and to broadening horizons by connecting people from across the world.
Stay tuned for information about upcoming Global Reads and more opportunities to explore global perspectives through literature!
Watch the recordings of the Bamboo People and The Red Umbrella live chats.
