OVERVIEW KATW Photo-Journeys : Connecting the Cross-Cultural and the Cross-Curricular
Our interactive adventure-filled photo-stories of real kids across the world will keep your students fully engaged while deepening the learning experience across the curriculum. Critical thinking questions (see Photo-Detectives - page 6) encourage students to search images for visual clues, helping them to better understand different cultural perspectives and global issues while improving their writing, observational and analytical skills. Sara’s first-person narration transforms each story into an exciting Photo Journey, inviting students to join her on an exploration across cultures, countries - and curriculum.
The Power of Story - and Empathy
Everyone loves stories. Stories help young people to absorb and interpret new information; to imagine what it might be like to be someone - or somewhere - else. The KATW photo stories encourage students to recognise universal experiences and feelings - helping to create a powerful sense of empathy. While sparking students’ imagination and curiousity, these photo-stories can put the unfamiliar into a recognizable context, helping students to better understand other cultures, places and ideas.
Meet Sara the Photojournalist (Bio on page 37 )
Photojournalist and educator J. Sara Klatchko traveled to over 40 countries to document the stories and situations of children across the world. She traveled by longboat in Borneo, oxcart in Myanmar and even a stint on a burro (in the Andes) to tell the stories of children in remote communities, as well as in cities and rural areas. Sara begins each Journey with a brief intro, telling students about her life as a photojournalist: what she does, how she prepares for trips and one of the most important items in her bag (hint - it’s not a camera!). When she sets off ‘on assignment’, she invites students to actively participate. While exploring the world, students are transformed into eagle-eyed Photo Detectives who eagerly search images for visual clues and information - a process that becomes an integral part of each Journey - and story.
On-line, in-class and ebooks
All programs can be presented live on-line for at-home learning, or in the classroom Downloadable ebooks with Teacher’s Guides will be available soon.
The videoconferencing series ‘Exploring the World with J. Sara Klatchko’ - in partnership with MAGPI/Penn - connected schools across America
Grades K - 8
Most units can be modified to suit different grades
Length
Units vary from twenty to sixty images, and last between thirty to forty-five minutes. They can be presented as stand-alone presentations, a series, or Multicultural Photo-Detective workshops.
Content (varies with unit/grade level):
Along with the photographs, each Journey has Photo-Detective/ Critical thinking Questions, maps, country/region/ subject information, vocabulary list, Lesson Plan Ideas and Student Activities. Some Units have separate Teacher’s Guides and handouts.
Handouts include (varies with unit/grade level): -
Venn Diagrams Mind Maps Idea Maps Cross-cultural Visual Analysis Sheets Strategic Reading Charts
Workshops and/or longer presentations may include:
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Breakout sessions Writing assignments (non-fiction) Projects Reading assignments (stategic, comprehension, inference) Critical Thinking Questions
Most Units can be customised to suit different grades, class curriculum and goals.
PHOTO- DETECTIVES
Change how your students see; See how they change Developed for the cross-cultural KATW photos (but applicable to almost all visuals), Photo-Detectives is an exhilerating learning method that transforms the way students observe, analyze and think while promoting literacy, intercultural understanding and empathy. Guided by specific sets of critical thinking questions, fully-focused Photo-Detectives search images for visual clues, then use their critical thinking skills to deduce what the ‘evidence’ means. Ph-Ds find a wealth of information in the details: a river’s color, a mode of transportation, a gesture or type of clothing can reveal a region’s economy, environment, culture. After gathering and analyzing ‘evidence’, Photo-Detectives must communicate clearly what they see - crucial skills good for a lifetime. For at-home students especially, these PhotoDetective Journeys can transform ‘remote’ on-line learning into an engaging, exciting experience that maximizes students’ potential to find connections between their own life/experience and that of other Kids Across the World.
The Five Essential Questions
Starting each exploration with the Five Essential Questions encourages Ph-Ds to look carefully and critically at specific areas of the image. Taking ‘apart’ a visual helps students to slow down - to see the larger picture through the sum of its parts - and to search for ‘evidence’ instead of jumping to conclusions. Many visual clues - the gesture, background, objects, expression and clothing are ‘cultural clues’ that promote a deeper understanding of cultures across the world.
Finding the story is like digging - you start at the top and work your way down.
Additional sets of questions
provide a guided analysis for observation, discovery, discussion and conclusion by addressing different aspects of the image/story, starting with content and photographic elements, and progressing to emotion/feelings, different perspectives, local/global, similarities/differences.
The tricky part of teaching empathy is you can’t. However...... “You gave students the tools to find the information themselves – to become Photo Detectives. Because of that, they understood these children - their lives. When you are able to understand, you are able to feel.” - Lynne Tilley, 5th Grade Teacher
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Photo-Detective Skills:
They pay close attention - and see more They understand what they see They can effectively communicating what they see Good analytical and critical thinking skills They can differentiate assumption from fact They recognize - and better understand - cultural similarities and differences - The ability to connect the local to the global - The ability to see things from different perspectives - A strong sense of empathy
Connecting the Cross-Cultural with the Cross-Curricular Core Curriculum Integration
KATW Units meet many State (PA) and National Benchmarked Standards (see pages 8 and 9)
Globally Competent Students Across the Curriculum
All KATW Units integrate Social Studies, Geography, World Cultures, Language Arts and Multicultural Competence. Many units include subjects such as environment and ecology, transportation systems, waterways, nutrition, and STEM/STEAM tie-ins
Language Arts
Literacy - Writing Activities may include (depending on Unit and grade): - Caption writing - accurate descriptions that also add new information - Note-taking while on a ‘journey’ - Writing ‘magazine articles’ from the photo-stories, with a focus on the Five ‘W’s - Who, What, Where, When and Why - Comparative writing - using two (or more) images of the same subject, - Writing narrative and non-fiction, both in first person and third person - Putting a series of images into ‘story order’ - and writing the story.
Because Images are Specific
they can be an extraordinarily creative way to get students to write in a meaningful way
Reading Comprehension - Making Inferences is an important skill for fully understanding what has been read. When making inferences, students look for clues in the text, i.e. they become Word Detectives, searching for evidence! - Strategic reading exercises: students read the text that accompanies the photo-stories and complete graphic organisers to make sense of what they’ve read (applicable to some Units).
Multicultural Competence
All KATW Photo-Journeys aim to heighten awareness and understanding of inclusion, cultural diversity, tolerance for all races and cultures, equity - in line with The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child - stressing fair treatment and respect for all people, of all ethnicities and race.
Knowledge
isn’t a commodity to be handed from teacher to student, but something that can emerge from students’ curiosityfueled exploration
Multicultural Competence Skills
- To understand and effectively interact with people across cultures. - Cultural awareness and curiosity - An awareness of one’s own world view; a willingness to acknowledge and understand different cultural practices and world views - Having positive attitudes towards cultural differences - Sensitivity to one’s own and other cultures. - Contextual understanding and sensitivity. - Semantic awareness (some units). - Ability to switch among cultural frames of reference and communication mode.
Academic Standards met by the KATW Photo Journey Units National Standards for Social Studies Culture and Cultural Diversity Time, Continuity and Change People, Places and Environments Individual Development and Identity Individuals, Groups, and institutions Power, Authority and Governance Production, Distribution and consumption Science, Technology and Society Global Connections Civic Ideals and Practices Geography Basic Geographic Literacy The Physical Characteristics of Places and Regions The Human Characteristics of Places and Regions The Interactions Between People and Places Economics Economic Systems Markets and the functions of Governments Economic Interdependence The Arts and Humanities Production, performance and exhibition of dance, music, theatre, and visual arts Historical and Cultural Contexts Critical Response Aesthetic Response Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening Types of Writing Quality of Writing Speaking and Listening * Reading is a new component for several units in the new (2020) workshops Environment and Ecology Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources Agriculture and Society Threatened, Endangered and Extinct Species Humans and the Environment Environmental laws
Science and Technology Inquiry and Design Earth Science Technological Devices – Computer literacy Science, Technology and Human Endeavors Arts and Humanities Visual Arts Dance Music Art Communicating experiences, stories or emotion World Languages Greetings and Leave-Takings Flags Landmarks Names Culture-specific foods and crafts Concepts of Time and Punctuality Family and Peer Relationships Daily Routine Knowledge of Stereotypes Cultural Sensitivity History Historical Analysis and Skills Development Food and Consumer Sciences Family Housing Taking responsibilities for your own actions Food Supplies Nutrition and Health School Literacy Learning Environments
KATW Assembly Celebrating Diversity and the Common Bonds We Share
Kids ACROSS THE WORLD A Photographic Journey
Lively story-telling and award-winning photography will introduce your students to children from over 40 countries, helping them to better understand and appreciate cultural similarities and differences. Stories of individual children - seamlessly connected by universal themes such as play, work, school, healthcare, family and protection - encourage students to ‘step into’ the lives of kids across the world, enabling them to see the world from new perspectives; to link the global with the local – and to find connections between themselves and children from many different cultures and countries. “You have a special talent ...for meeting students on their level, and helping them to understand how cultures are different, yet the same.” - Pat Trevi, Language Arts Specialist, McDonald El School The assembly is presented within the framework of Sara the photojournalist who sets off to document the stories of kids across the world. Your students will be part of this extraordinary journey - guided by maps and intercultural tips, such as how to say ‘hello’ in different languages.
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Grade Level: Different presentations for different grades, from pre-K to 8.
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Length: 30 minutes (for K-1) to 45 minutes for older students, plus at least 15 minutes for the Global Toy Museum
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Curriculum: The assembly ties into many curriculum subjects, including social studies, world cultures, science, language arts, environmental studies, geography - and even math!
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A Teacher’s Guide and Q & A Handouts with classroom activities, country/cultural info, curriculum tie-ins and worksheets are sent to schools before the assembly.
Interactive Photo-Detective questions encourage students to look closely at the images, and to find visual ‘clues’ - sparking their curiosity about the world while creating a sense of empathy. “You kept both assemblies (K-3 and 4-6) mesmerized with your wonderful stories and pictures. Thank you so much! - Maureen Coffey, Principal, Inglewood El School
5% of the assembly fee goes to helping children, families and schools across the world.
Sara’s Photo-Journey & Bio J. Sara Klatchko has traveled to Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belize, Borneo, Botswana, Cambodia, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Czeckoslovakia, Ecuador, Egypt, England, France, Galapagos, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Laos, Malaysia, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe to document the stories of kids across the world Award-winning photojournalist and educator J. Sara Klatchko lived in Barcelona, England, Australia and Hong Kong for twenty-one years, producing global stories (for television/print) that heightened understanding between cultures, communities and countries. In America, she founded Kids Across the World Media and Education, a project that documents the stories and situations of children across the world. These specific theme-based stories - often produced in collaboration with international development agencies and advocacy organizations – are developed into magazine stories, exhibitions, ebooks and as an on-line series and have proven to be a phenomenal way to teach young people about the world in a unique and interactive way.
On assignment in Thailand documenting the stories of refugee children
Handing out school supplies bought with a donation from an American school - Burma
Passionate about the power of photography to bring international content into the curriculum, she’s a popular conference speaker - including a Keynote at the World View conference in Chapel Hill - about the importance of multicultural visual literacy to deepen the learning experience across the curriculum. She has developed ‘cross cultural’ professional development seminars, global collaborative initiatives with schools in Philadelphia and the Galapagos Islands, and developed a series of educational photo-based ebooks for schools nationwide. Her work has been published worldwide, exhibited in solo museum shows, and featured on NPR, PBS, and the BBC World Service.
On assignment in Belize -working on a story about cultural identity