Sacred Stories, Shared Worlds

Step 1: Engage – Discovering What Makes a Space Sacred

• Teachers introduce the project by explaining its purpose and guiding students to explore the topic.
• Begin with a discussion: What makes a space sacred or meaningful?
• Show examples of sacred sites worldwide using videos or a virtual map (YouTube, Google Earth).
• Ask students: Do you know a sacred or special place in your community? Why is it important?
• Create a classroom brainstorm chart of different types of sacred places (natural, religious, historical, etc.).
• Cultural Icebreaker- Exchange “Digital Postcards” – students create a simple photo or video collage introducing themselves and a favorite place (not necessarily sacred) in their daily life. Share via the board section of the platform.

• Form small research teams.
• Assign each group one sacred or culturally significant place.
• Guide students to gather:

1. Photos/videos
2. Interviews with community members or elders
3. Historical or spiritual background

• Help students reflect: What makes this place meaningful to others?
• Tip: Invite a guest speaker (local historian or religious leader) to enrich understanding.

• Guide students in choosing a digital storytelling platform (Ex.: Genially, Canva).
• Students build a “Story Map” that includes:

1. Title and location
2. Narration or voiceover
3. Cultural/spiritual meaning
4. Multimedia (photos, drawings, quotes, etc.)

• Support students in practicing effective storytelling: clear structure, emotional connection, respect for diverse beliefs.
• Through the 'Board' section of the platform, students share a digital map with stories related to the sacred site and explain its cultural or spiritual significance to their international peers.

• After the virtual exchange, ask students to identify:

1. Similar elements between sacred spaces (e.g., rituals, stories, emotions)
2. Differences in how spaces are used or valued

• Facilitate small group discussions to analyze what sacredness means across cultures.
• Feedback Circles: Students review each other’s story maps (via video or comments) and give respectful feedback on:

1. Clarity of message
2. Cultural insight
3. Creativity

• Coordinate with the partner class to schedule a date for the virtual meeting where students will share their learning.
• Create a session plan that ensures all students have an equal opportunity to present their sacred places, describe their significance, and interact with their international peers.
• Facilitate a discussion in which students share the following:

1. What have I learned about another culture?
2. How has my understanding of the sacred changed?
3. What digital or communication skills have I improved?

• Encourage students to reflect on how this experience helped them better understand their international peers and how learning about different sacred places broadened their perspective.
• Record the key ideas and perspectives shared during the discussion on the platform’s board to continue the conversation and provide space for further reflection after the meeting.

Assessment and reflection ✍️

• Evaluate student participation in research and presentation.
• Assess quality of digital content creation.
• Observer student interaction during virtual exchanges.
• Evaluate students on respectful engagement with peers' cultural practices.
• Consider assessing their ability to identify and analyze similarities and differences between cultures.

• Guide students to reflect on how learning about sacred places from different cultures has deepened their understanding of identity and diversity.
• Encourage them to journal or voice-record their thoughts on questions such as:

1. What was one sacred place from another culture that stood out to you? Why did it interest or move you?
2. Did you see any similarities between the sacred places in your community and those from your partner class?
3. How do you think sacred places can help people express who they are or what they believe in?

• Students can also reflect through drawing:
• “Draw yourself in a sacred place that is meaningful to you or your community.” To close, invite them to share one thing they learned about their own culture and one thing they appreciate about another.

• Foster a safe and inclusive learning environment that values diverse perspectives and experiences.
• Provide clear guidelines and expectations for respectful communication and collaboration. We suggest you review the coexistence policies of Class2Class.org.
• Facilitate the formation of diverse international teams, ensuring a mix of skills, backgrounds, and perspectives.
• Provide scaffolding and support throughout the research and action planning process, offering guidance and resources as needed.
• Encourage student agency and ownership of their learning, allowing them to drive the direction of their projects. 
• Celebrate student achievements and facilitate meaningful reflection on their growth and the impact of their actions.