Globes

It’s no secret that I love globes and maps. Whenever I am in a classroom doing one of my programs, I first locate a globe. Then, I inconspicuously give it a quick dusting. If the classroom is lucky enough to have a globe, it is frequently a seldom used object.

I used to bring my own globe, an inflatable one to make the total weight of my program lighter. But this proved unworkable as the beach ball planet keep deflating mid program.

Natural science, social studies and art are the topics I teach, often all three areas are discussed in the course of one presentation. I can’t imagine not having the globe ready at my side.

The other day I was setting up and a first grader asked me why I needed the globe.

“Well”, I replied,” it’s the only planet we have, the only one worth living on and I want to know where I’m at.”

Apparently, many people now don’t care. Driving home the other day, I heard on the radio that one of the public colleges in my state was dropping many majors due to declining enrollment and funding. Majors in both geography and history have been eliminated. I was stunned.

Whether we like it or not, our planet functions as a global entity in economics, science, communications and politics. The days of circling the wagons are decidedly over.

At this time of year the words “Peace on Earth” pop up everywhere. If these words are to be more than a catchy seasonal phrase, children and adults alike need to be educated about the planet and its people.

Below is the model for our classroom globes.

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