If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to

him in his own language, that goes to his heart.

—Nelson Mandela, Former President, South Africa

Attention teachers of social studies, science, language arts, religion!

Recognizing and understanding cultural differences is critical for us to work and live in greater harmony. Students face this reality in the classroom, amongst their neighborhoods, and in the world at large.

The Peace Corps' World Wise Schools program provides a wealth of resources, including a program to match classrooms with current volunteers and high quality classroom resources. You can download the curriculum materials for free. Please check it out! ICTC members will find a copy to peruse in the resource center.

The Coverdell World Wise Schoolsprogram of the Peace Corps provides innovative educational resources that promote cross-cultural understanding, broaden perspectives, and encourage public service among America's youth. The materials are based largely on the experiences of Peace Corps Volunteers.

Web site: www.peacecorps.gov/wws

Activities

Correspondence Match Program
Since 1989, World Wise Schools has helped more than 3 million US students communicate directly with Peace Corps Volunteersin more that 100 countries. Through the exchange of letters, artwork, artifacts, and other educational materials, Peace CorpsVolunteers lead your students in an exploration of the countries and cultures of the world

For more information visit:www.peacecorps.gov/wws/correspond

Speakers Match Program
Speakers Match links returned Peace Corps Volunteers in the United States with classroom teachers. Anyone wishing to host Peace Corps Volunteers to speak about their experiences in other countries can contact Speakers Match to request the name and contact information of a potential speaker who has returned from Peace Corps service.

For more information visitwww.peacecorps.gov/wws/speakersmatch

Free Classroom Resources

Publications:
In addition to the programs that connect teachers and students directly with Volunteers, World Wise Schools offers supporting classroom materials that teach the fundamental principles of understanding culture, geography, and service. Publications, also posted on the Web, are designed for use in social studies and language arts classes as well as foreign language and science classes. For more information on how to request guides such asBuilding Bridges (with exercises to teach tolerance and cross-cultural understanding) and Uncommon Journeys(Peace Corps-written literature with accompanying lesson plans), visit
www.peacecorps.gov/wws/publications

Other Web-based Resources:
Podcasts: Subscribe to stories and folk tales written and read by Peace Corps Volunteers, released weekly and available online in a growing archive. Visitwww.peacecorps.gov/wws/multimedia/podcasts

Slide Shows:
Watch picture shows online, narrated by the Peace Corps Volunteers who created them. Visitwww.peacecorps.gov/wws/multimedia/slideshows.

E-Newsletter:
Sign up for a free monthly topical newsletter, World Wise Window, that will provide you with ideas and links for timely studies. Visitwww.peacecorps.gov/wws/enewsletter.