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If the World Were a Village



Last updated Friday, September 7, 2012

Author: David J. Smith
Illustrator: Shelagh Armstrong
Date of Publication: 2011
ISBN: 1554535956
Grade Level: 3rd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Sep. 2012

Synopsis: The 2nd Edition of the best-selling book which has sold over 400 000 copies in 17 languages updated with new content and insights about the world's people. First published to wide acclaim in 2002, this eye-opening book has since become a classic, promoting "world-mindedness" by imagining the world's population, all 6.8 billion of us, as a village of just 100 people. Now, If the World Were a Village has been newly revised with updated statistics, several new activities and completely new material on food security, energy and health. By exploring the lives of the 100 villagers, children will discover that life in other nations is often very different from their own. If the World Were a Village is part of CitizenKid: A collection of books that inform children about the world and inspire them to be better global citizens.

Note to readers:
•  Each group has a world map provided. Feel free to have the kids trace and decorate them.
•  Instead of reading the detailed numbers, you can identify what is represented in the pictures.
•  Have each child choose a topic (each page of the book covers a different topic) for the volunteers to read aloud. The volunteers should be the first to choose a topic. Then begin reading the various topics you've chosen. This way the group can skip topics/pages that are of less interest, and the kids will be more actively interested in the material.

Discussion topics:
•  Did you see the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games? How many countries were represented?
•  How do the people in the global village communicate?
•  What do you think is the biggest problem facing the global village?
•  Do you think your neighborhood is as diverse as the global village?
•  What are the world's biggest problems?

Vocabulary:
•  Relevant vocabulary and accompanying definitions are listed within the book.

Craft ideas:
•  Divide a page into four squares representing the four sections of the book. Have the kids draw or write about how their lives fit within the global village.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!