The Whole World is My Neighbor

Upton Elementary is collaborating with teachers and students throughout many parts of the globe by participating in Michigan State University’s Lattice (Linking All Types of Teachers Through Cross Cultural Education) Project, The Whole World is My Neighbor. The goal of their project is to bring greater understanding of the everyday lives of children who live in vastly differing circumstances. They believe that it is through this kind of communication that our world becomes smaller and it becomes possible for all of us to view people in far away places as our neighbors.

Geographic Perspective

Knowledge of geography enables us to analyze both the physical features and cultural aspects of our world. By helping us to understand relationships within and between places, a geographic perspective brings an understanding of interdependence within local, national, and global communities. Over time and in varying contexts, students construct an increasingly sophisticated geographic perspective.

Diversity of People, Places and Cultures

The mosaic of people, places, and cultures expresses the rich variety of the earth. Natural and human characteristics meld to form expressions of cultural uniqueness, as well as similarities among peoples. Culture is the way of life of a group of people including language, religion, traditions, family structure, institutions, and economic institutions.

Below are the stories we sent to Michigan State University. To see how they look on

The Whole World Is My Neighbor web site

go to http://www.inghamisd.org/~world/ .

Click on one of the following topics:

Our Homes—Our Schools—Favorite Foods--Traditions—Animals Where We Live—Stories from Our Elders

Then click on a continent icon to read the information about that topic shared

by children living in different countries on that continent.

Our Homes

Mrs. Seymour’s Class

Our School

Mrs. Riggs’ Class

Favorite Foods

Traditions

Animals Where We Live

Stories from Our Elders