Need an excuse to take your students on a cultural outing or to organize a multiethnic potluck lunch for the class? This would be the time to do it. International Education Week, an annual initiative of the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education that started back in 2000, runs through the end of this week.
The goal of the effort, which is recognized by more than 100 countries, is to encourage international education and exchange programs. The IEW website features tips for K-12 teachers on how to incorporate an international component into their lesson plans. For instance, teachers might show a foreign film to the class, have students participate in a Model U.N., or hold a geography, foreign language, or world history bee.
Schools that plan to celebrate the week are encouraged to submit their events and upload their photos to the site to share with other classrooms around the world.