| ---Jeff Spoden |
Global Outlook is a program that offers
students exciting, interactive learning
experiences. Students interact with politicians,
diplomats, academics, scientists, and
activists to develop the broad, international
perspective vitally important to success in the
21st century.
Students will discuss and debate; will
research, write, and present papers; will role
play diplomats at Model UN conferences; will
engage in other authentic activities designed
to promote critical thinking and meaningful
(perhaps even life-changing!) learning.
students exciting, interactive learning
experiences. Students interact with politicians,
diplomats, academics, scientists, and
activists to develop the broad, international
perspective vitally important to success in the
21st century.
Students will discuss and debate; will
research, write, and present papers; will role
play diplomats at Model UN conferences; will
engage in other authentic activities designed
to promote critical thinking and meaningful
(perhaps even life-changing!) learning.
| lobal |
O
utlook.....An education for the 21st century
Business and Trade Micro-Finance Conflict Diplomacy The United Nations Resource Use Environmental Concerns
Terrorism Human Rights Gender Studies Politics Communication World Language Technology Cultural Exchange
Sister Cities and Schools Travel Discussion Problem Solving Engagement
Terrorism Human Rights Gender Studies Politics Communication World Language Technology Cultural Exchange
Sister Cities and Schools Travel Discussion Problem Solving Engagement
| What We Are |
| Why It Matters |
| Northgate High School 425 Castle Rock Road Walnut Creek, CA 94518 Principal - John McMorris Director - Jeff Spoden jSpo33@gmail.com ( 925) 938-0900 x2132 |
| What's Happening Now |
| Mission Statement |
Global Outlook seeks to sustain a
learning community devoted to a greater
understanding of the world and its people.
Our emphasis will be on critical/relective
thinking and complex problem solving.
Reading, thinking, discussing, and writing
about the world and the issues/problems
facing humankind will be our focus.
We will work with people from other nations to
foster the communication and understanding
necessary for modern global citizenship.
We will also be guided by California and
MDUSD standards, benchmarks, and best
practices.
learning community devoted to a greater
understanding of the world and its people.
Our emphasis will be on critical/relective
thinking and complex problem solving.
Reading, thinking, discussing, and writing
about the world and the issues/problems
facing humankind will be our focus.
We will work with people from other nations to
foster the communication and understanding
necessary for modern global citizenship.
We will also be guided by California and
MDUSD standards, benchmarks, and best
practices.
| Model United Nations Students will represent Northgate High at local and national Model United Nations conferences. Our MUN team will be guided by the desire to engage in real-world diplomacy and problem solving. Team members will practice research, writing, public speaking, and debate skills as they learn about countries and important international issues. |
| Guest Speakers GO will bring speakers to Northgate to educate students in a wide range of areas. Diplomats, scientists, NGO workers, businesspeople, authors, scholars, and activists will bring their knowledge and expertise to our students. Additionally, Northgate grads who have done interesting and important work (there are many!) will come back to help our current students develop their own global outlook. |
| Sister Schools and Classrooms GO will work with teachers and students at Northgate to develop relationships with young people in other countries. Classes will be encouraged to adopt “sister” classrooms around the world and students will have pen (or keyboard!) pals to communicate with. |
| International Business We will meet with and learn from real-world businesspeople. Since a number of our students may pursue careers involving international business/trade, and since the Bay Area is so integral to pacific rim commerce, we see this as an crucial component of GO. |
| Micro-finance GO students will work in partnership with KIVA, the computer-based micro-finance organization that funds small-scale projects around the globe. Students will raise funds, decide who will receive loans, correspond with loan recipients, track repayment, and make new loans. |
| Travel We will work with parents and other community members to encourage and facilitate educational travel whenever possible. We believe that our students will gain immeasurably from first-hand experience with other people and places. |
| World Affairs Council GO students will become members of WAC and will attend some of its seminars, featuring internationally renowned guests. |
| Sophomore World Issues Forum All Northgate sophomores will participate in a Spring culminating activity. This "conference" will involve students in research, writing, debate, public speaking, teamwork, negotiation, and problem-solving. Conference topics will include international terrorism, the Israeli-Palestinian situation, environmental concerns, human rights, and many other important global issues. |
| Because the world is far more interdependent than it's ever been before, and success in today's world requires an understanding of the many global factors that impact our lives. As Americans, living in the most economically and militarily powerful nation, it has been easy to ignore the rest of the world. But that insulation no longer serves our students in a world with increasing economic competition, shifting global alliances, and potential environmental calamity. Global Outlook seeks to connect our students to the world in ways that will help them as students, as employees, and as citizens of both the U.S. and the world. |
GO students will receive recognition of participation in the program on their high school transcripts! |
At present, Global Outlook is in its
"start-up" phase. This means that
we are:
1. Beginning to publicize the program to
Northgate students.
2. Meeting with interested parents,
teachers, and administrators to get the
program going.
3. Creating a timeline for the first year's
work.
4. Looking for funding sources that will
assist in the long-term viability of the
program.
5. Organizing our World Affairs
Challenge teams.
"start-up" phase. This means that
we are:
1. Beginning to publicize the program to
Northgate students.
2. Meeting with interested parents,
teachers, and administrators to get the
program going.
3. Creating a timeline for the first year's
work.
4. Looking for funding sources that will
assist in the long-term viability of the
program.
5. Organizing our World Affairs
Challenge teams.
G
To earn a GO certificate and receive official
transcript acknowledgement, students will:
1. Take an International Relations class in the
Northgate social studies department.
2. Participate in at least two Model United Nations
conferences.
3. Be on at least one World Affairs Challenge team.
4. Research MUN countries and issues, and
produce both rough-draft and final conference
papers.
5. Become members of the World Affairs Council
and attend one of its events.
6. Attend at least five guest speaker presentations.
7. Keep a neat, updated GO notebook, with all
material from speakers, books, seminars,
conferences, etc. Journal entries reflecting
thoughts and feelings about GO activities will be
included.
8. Develop an ongoing correspondence with a
student from another part of the world.
9. Read at least one book on the year's OR focus
topic.
10. Complete level IV in any language taught by
Northgate's World Language department.
transcript acknowledgement, students will:
1. Take an International Relations class in the
Northgate social studies department.
2. Participate in at least two Model United Nations
conferences.
3. Be on at least one World Affairs Challenge team.
4. Research MUN countries and issues, and
produce both rough-draft and final conference
papers.
5. Become members of the World Affairs Council
and attend one of its events.
6. Attend at least five guest speaker presentations.
7. Keep a neat, updated GO notebook, with all
material from speakers, books, seminars,
conferences, etc. Journal entries reflecting
thoughts and feelings about GO activities will be
included.
8. Develop an ongoing correspondence with a
student from another part of the world.
9. Read at least one book on the year's OR focus
topic.
10. Complete level IV in any language taught by
Northgate's World Language department.
| Student Requirements |
| Interested? |
| If you're interested in promoting GO in any way, please contact Jeff Spoden at jSpo33@gmail.com or (925) 938-0900 x2132. Possible help might include: *Monetary contributions *Grant writing *Referrals to guest speakers *Connections to international businesspersons, diplomats, etc. *Micro-finance expertise *Travel assistance *Anything else that you believe would help us to provide our students with interesting, educational experiences! |
| World Affairs Challenge Northgate will send teams to this excellent event, sponsored by World Savvy. Students research an important global issue, put together a creative presentation, and perform in front of judges at an all-day event at San Francisco State. This year's topic is Food: Feeding the Planet Sustainably in the 21st Century, and there will be 50 schools and over 500 students participating. |
| What We Do |