Bringing the world to life—
The Global Corner
one child at a time
Thousands of Area Students
Explore Japan!
Inaugural year program reaches more than three thousand students in
Escambia County!
In January 2008, an exciting new adventure began to take place
in area elementary schools. One by one, school cafeterias and
kindergarten and first grade classrooms were turned into
learning centers for The Global Corner’s Focus on Japan. Boys
and girls – and their teachers – had an opportunity to use their
imaginations to take a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun and
experience five hands-on activities that helped them learn about
Japan. They learned key phrases in Japanese in preparation for
their “trip” and practiced bowing as they greeted their teachers
(senseis) during the introduction period. Then, it was off to
Japan to learn …
In origami class, Jones Sensei, helped the students
introduce themselves in Japanese. Her enthusiastic style had
everyone involved in this ancient art of folding paper to make
animals and other objects. While creating origami animals, the
students learned their colors (aka, daidai, kiiru, midori, ao, and
pinku), their shapes (shikaku and sankaku) and the names of the
origami animals (inu, neko, tsuru – and zoo!)
continued on page 2
Annual Report/July 2008
Inaugural Year Objectives
– How Did We Do?
A review of our first six months of in-school operations
Our Mission Statement:
The Global Corner is an international learning center
dedicated to teaching the children of Northwest Florida
about world cultures. Using age-appropriate activities, we
promote understanding of other cultures through the arts,
language, geography, cultural traditions and the food of
other nations. A different country is highlighted each year
as we “Bring the World to Life – One Child at a Time.”
Our Goals:
• Introduce the children of Northwest Florida to the
languages, customs and cultures of people around the
world – and in the process improving basic academic
skills.
• Increase student interest in multicultural education at
all levels beginning with kindergarten.
• Develop a future workforce that will be able to
successfully contribute to multinational organizations
and local companies that trade internationally.
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Thousands Explore Japan!
The Global Corner’s Goals and Objectives
Calendar of Events
Alumni Schools
The Global Corner’s Upcoming “Open House”
Learn Japanese – Boxes Throughout This Issue
Learn Japanese Numbers:
Ichi (1), ni (2), san (3), shi (4), go (5), roku (6), shichi (7),
hachi (8), kyu (9), ju (10).
Our Objectives. Following each objective is an
assessment of the success in that area and a plan to
improve.
• Serve at least 80% of all applicable students in
Escambia County Schools during each school year.
(During the 2007-2008 school year we will provide
activities for Kindergarten and First Grade children
continued on page 3
The Global Corner
Annual Report
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continued from page 1
During the food activity, Pfister Sensei taught the
students about typical meals that Japanese boys and girls eat.
They found out that in Japanese schools, the students serve
the meals to their classmates – and they clean up the school
each afternoon! (Many teachers thought this was a great
idea.) They also learned that in Japan, the word tako means
octopus, which people eat. The highlight of the lesson,
though, was trying out their hashi and pretending to eat gohan.
Jones Sensei
Holmes Sensei led the calligraphy class, where
students learned to write their numbers in Japanese from ichi
to ju. Everyone learned to count while writing the kanji
symbols – and some even learned to do some simple math
problems with Japanese numbers. While time allowed, other
kanji symbols were also taught.
In the music and dance class, Miller Sensei showed
pictures of Japanese instruments and then helped students
learn a Japanese folk dance called the Soran Bushi. Students
then watched a video of professional dancers and saw all the
steps they had just learned.
Nelson Sensei read a story about a young girl
named Kimiko who wanted to fly a koi kite on Children’s
Day – despite the tradition that limited participation to boys.
With a greater understanding of Japanese culture, students
tried on kimonos and obis. They also had an opportunity to
learn the names of the four main islands that make up Japan
and to participate in spinning the globe and finding Japan on
it.
Pfister Sensei
Although this year’s curriculum was designed for
kindergarten and first graders, we had two special days where
our students were older. In the first, we visited Escambia
Westgate School. Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students
with special needs had an opportunity to participate in
origami, music and dance, culture, and food activities. One
of our Japanese volunteers, Hatsue Miki, wrote each child’s
name in Japanese calligraphy. At the end of the visit, she
presented the school with a very beautiful Japanese
calligraphy version of the school’s name – Westgate.
The second special day was a visit to Santa Rosa
Adult School to the English for Speakers of Other
Languages (ESOL) class. The instructor asked us to come
and share information about Japan as a way of introducing
her students to making presentations about their own
countries. It was a fun morning – but our senseis may have
learned more than the students. Three of the students were
from Japan!
In all, we visited more than 20 Elementary Schools
and taught more than three thousand students about Japan.
Even more important is the fact that each school visited has
asked us to return during next year’s Focus on Spain. Ω
Bringing the World to Life –
One Child at a Time
The Global Corner
Annual Report
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continued from page 1
only. In 2008-2009, our curriculum will be expanded to
include K-3. In 2009-2010, we will include K-5.)
o Served 50% of students (delayed start led to only 5
months of in-school operations rather than the 9
months planned.) We will set the pace to serve
80% during the 2008-09 school year.
THE GLOBAL CORNER
2007-2008 CALENDAR OF
EVENTS
•
Create continuing educational activities and web site links
that are utilized by a majority of participating teachers.
This allows them to continue to teach about the focus
country long after the visit from The Global Corner Team.
o Positive feedback from teachers showed that many
used the follow-on activities and website. We
changed the post-visit survey to on-line to facilitate
feedback – but need to stress with principals the
importance of having all teachers participate.
•
Develop a relationship, within the first two years, with at
least 20 business, civic, governmental, and private entities
(as well as individuals) in Northwest Florida to establish
community support.
o Individual support has been positive, but business
support has been lacking. Grant proposal writing
has been largely unsuccessful. The Fundraising
Committee is energized and has established target
goals for FY-08 to fund 20% of the budget from
individuals, 20% from grants, and 60% from local
business support.
•
Collaborate with other educational and community
development groups to maximize the impact of The Global
Corner.
o Cooperation of the Escambia County School
District has been superb. They have allowed
presentations to principals’ and vice principals’
groups, helped distribute flyers, and have helped
develop on-line survey forms. We will work on
informing community and leadership groups to
help the business community understand the
importance of the program.
NOVEMBER 8TH
FOCUS ON JAPAN “OPEN HOUSE”
PLACE: SOIREE
TIME: 5:00 – 7:00 P.M.
Guests enjoyed Japanese food, music, and refreshments
and learned about the plans for the upcoming Focus on
Japan. Origami, calligraphy, and a cultural activity were
enjoyed by all participants.
JANUARY 9TH
FIRST DAY OF IN-SCHOOL OPERATIONS
PLACE: WEIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
TIME: 8:30 A.M.
Students had a special treat when our Japanese volunteers
stopped in and gave a dance presentation in celebration of
the first visit by The Global Corner’s Focus on Japan. The
children and adults were mesmerized!
MAY 29TH
LAST DAY OF IN-SCHOOL OPERATIONS
PLACE: SHERWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
TIME: 8:30 A.M.
The day before the end of the school year was very exciting
for Sherwood Elementary School first graders. In
celebration of being the very last school to “visit” Japan
with The Global Corner, each child and teacher received a
special Japanese treat.
Learn Japanese Colors, Shapes, and Animals:
Aka – red
Midori – green
Shikaku - square
Daidai – orange
Ao – blue
Sankaku - triangle
Kiiru – yellow
Pinku – pink
Inu – dog
Neko – cat
Tsuru – crane
Zoo - elephant
There are a number of measures that have been very positive.
First, all five teachers have enthusiastically agreed to return next
year when they will leave Japan behind and turn their sights
toward Spain. Curriculum development and testing is taking
place this summer in preparation for an early fall resumption of
in-school operations. Second, principals, teachers and students
are universally pleased with the product. All feedback has been
positive, and all schools visited noted plans to invite The Global
Corner back in 2008-09. Third, our volunteers have provided
an invaluable service – taking care of everything from creating
each day’s nametags, to helping in the classrooms, to sewing
child-sized kimonos and obis. We could not ask for a better
team! Ω
The Global Corner
Annual Report
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The Global Corner Budget
FY 2007
1 July 07 – 30 June 08
Income:
Civic/Community Groups
Individual Contributions
In-kind Support
Total Income
$ 1,000
$27,391
$11,044
$39,435
Expenses:
Teachers’ Salaries
Professional Fees
Communication (phone, fax, web)
Fundraising Costs
Equipment and Supplies
Printing and Copying
Postage
Marketing and Promotion
Rent & Utilities
Depreciation
Insurance/Registration Fees
Total Costs
Ending Cash Balance
$16,442
$ 2,980
$ 174
$
0
$ 2,608
$ 1,017
$ 396
$
0
$
0
$ 1,389
$ 895
$ 25,902
$ 2,489
Learn More Japanese Words:
Kimono – type of clothing
Obi – sash
Koi – carp
Hashi – chopsticks
Gohan – rice
Sensei – teacher
Ohayo Gozaimasu – Good Morning
The Global Corner Proposed Budget
FY 2008
1 July 08 – 30 June 09
Income:
Foundations
Individual Contributions
Corporations/Businesses
Total Income
$ 35,000
$ 35,000
$105,000
$175,000
Expenses:
Teachers’ Salaries
Professional Fees
Communication (phone, fax, web)
Fundraising Costs
Equipment and Supplies
Printing and Copying
Postage
Marketing and Promotion
Rent & Utilities
Total Costs
$121,750
$ 10,500
$ 1,200
$ 1,000
$ 7,767
$ 10,060
$
200
$ 3,500
$ 2,430
$158,407
With more than twelve thousand students in K-3 in
Escambia County Schools, the cost per student is
approximately $12.50.
THE GLOBAL CORNER’S
FOCUS ON SPAIN 2008-09
AUGUST 14TH
FOCUS ON SPAIN “OPEN HOUSE”
PLACE: SOIREE
TIME: 5:00 – 7:00 P.M.
Guests will enjoy the food, refreshments, music, dance and
culture of Spain as we kick off next year’s activities:
•
The Spanish Heritage of Northwest Florida
•
Music and Dance of Spain
•
Spanish Art
•
Spanish Literature
•
Spanish Culture – A Day in the Life
Come join us and learn about The Global Corner and the
exciting activities scheduled for 2008-09. Call 850-332-6404
for reservations.
The Global Corner
Annual Report
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Making a neko (cat) in Origami Class
Dancing the Soran Bushi in Music & Dance Class
Learning about Kimiko in Geography & Culture Class
Writing san (three) in Calligraphy Class
Using hashi (chopsticks) in Food Class
Writing in Japanese in Calligraphy Class
Bringing the World to Life – One Child at a Time
The Global Corner
Annual Report
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The Global Corner, Inc.
P.O. Box 12785
Pensacola, FL 32591-2785
PLACE
STAMP
HERE
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
Mailing Address
Street Number and Name
City, State 98765-4321
Alumni Schools – 2007-2008
Weis
Hallmark
Oakcrest
Cordova Park
Beulah
Bratt
Byrneville
Suter
Scenic Heights
Jim Allen
Westgate
Hellen Caro
Molino Park
NB Cook
Pleasant Grove
Lincoln Park
Sherwood
Allie Yniestra
Blue Angel
Navy Point
Montessori School of Pensacola
Santa Rosa Adult School
The Global Corner
Annual Report
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