This document discusses a survey given to 2nd and 4th grade students in the town of Thomasboro. The survey found that most students have lived in or visited other places but lack knowledge of other countries. It suggests pen pals or video exchanges with students in other countries to increase cultural awareness and appreciation. This could help expand students' limited experiences outside of their small town.

1. By: Faith Chang and Julie Bazzetta

2.  Bank
 Fire Department
 Grocery Store
 Post office
 Gun Shop
 1 Café/Diner
Grocery Store
 1 Bar
 Community Building
 2 Playgrounds
 2 Churches
 Technology in the
Classroom
Community Building

3. Gun & Knife Shop
Café/Diner
Post Office
Bar Bank

4. Why? Students lack general
outside experiences that can
expand awareness and
appreciation for students of
different
cultures, ethnicities, races and
religions.
A Window into the World

5.  Survey of all 2nd& 4th grade
students…
 1. Have you lived anywhere else besides
Thomasboro? If yes, where?
 2. If you could travel to another country,
where would you want to go and why?
 3. What do you do at home after school?
 4. What is your favorite thing to do in
Thomasboro?
 5. Do you have a T.V.? What shows do
you watch?
 6. Do you have a computer at home?
 7. Have you visited another city, state or
country?
 8. Does your family own a car?

6.  68% have lived outside of
Thomasboro.
 Rantoul, Champaign, Urbana,
Mohommet
 95% have visited another city or
state.
 Rantoul, Champaign, Urbana,
Chicago
 Florida, Ohio, Michigan, New York,
Nevada, Arizona
 81% have family or friends that
live in other states.
 New York, Florida, Arizona,
Virginia, Missouri, Indiana, Montana

7.  When asked if they could travel to another
country and where they would want to go and
why, this is what we found…
 “Africa, I would like to see elephants.”
 “Africa, because it can teach you all kinds of
languages.”
 “Hollywood, to meet celebrities.”
 “Florida, because I like sand and oceans and it’s
fun.”
 “Alabama, sounds like a nice place.”
 “Don’t know any countries…”

8. 14
12
10
8
2nd
6 4th
Column1
4
2
0
T.V. Computer Car
2nd Grade- 12 Students
4th Grade- 10 Students

10. o Concerning Issues of
Diversity
 “I had the hardest time
teaching my kids about
what a curb was because
they had never seen one
before…they just don’t
have enough outside
experiences.”
 “Most of the kids don’t
plan on going to college.
After high school, they look
for a job.”

11.  Concerning Issues of Diversity
 “ Thomasboro is a school of different races…I do
have a curriculum for all grade levels called
"Teaching Tolerance", which does a tremendous job
talking about people of different races and cultures
and acceptance. Overall, TGS has done fairly well
addressing issues of diversity at the school.”

12.  Concerning Issues of Diversity
 “We solve all kinds of issues from Thomasboro to the
world.”

13.  Financial Issues
 Lack of business because of the
closure of the Rantoul Air force
Base.
 Most students are eligible for
free and reduced lunch.
 Parents do not have high paying
jobs (factory workers).
 Not many after school
activities—go to Rantoul or
Champaign/Urbana.

14.  Pen Pals/E-Pals with
another country
 http://www.epals.com/
 Benefits:
 Cultural awareness and
appreciation
 Tolerance
 A direct connection to the
outside world
 Writing/Grammar skills
(proof-reading)
 Connection with other
subject areas

15.  Video Exchanges
 Students would make short
videos about their
school, home life, the
community, etc., and share
this information with another
school outside the country
(pen pal country) using flip
cameras.
 The teacher or the students
(depending on grade
level), could put these videos
together and send them via
email.
 Ex:
 http://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=j9gXSbpdmMk&featu
re=related
 http://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=f0UhLBq81yg