This civics resource was developed by US and Japanese teachers to support student problem solving. The focus is solving global issues in their local communities by creating classroom and community connections. (English/Japanese)

This lesson plan aims at incorporating technology, in this case the Pages app on iPad, to create pamphlets that demonstrate depth of knowledge of social studies content. 

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of global citizenship, global cooperation, as well as how local solutions have been used to solve shared global issues. The inquiry is designed to open students’ eyes to their role as global citizens. It is also designed for students to uncover the similarities in issues faced by rural American citizens and citizens of developing countries. Students investigate glocal problems, issues demonstrating global interconnectedness. They examine local solutions that have been applied globally and consider the role of global cooperation in bringing solutions to those problems. Finally, students assess the effectiveness of global cooperation in solving shared issues. These tasks prepare students to write an evidence-based argument that addresses the compelling question: How do local communities solve global problems?

A collaborative the shares creates news and analysis about how to solve the issues facing the Great Salt Lake and the populations the live around it. Readings can be used for teacher background knowledge or as assigned readings for student learning.

Students learn about how food security affects the US and the world.
Being food secure means having enough nutritious food for a healthy and active life. Across the world, nearly a billion people face food security challenges. This can be because nutritious food isn’t always available in communities, people can’t always afford it, or people do not consume an adequate variety of foods to stay healthy. In the U.S. and in the world, food security advocates—including many Peace Corps Volunteers—are working with government programs, nonprofit organizations, and local communities to improve food security.