How Storytelling and Creativity Can Bring Global Competencies and Career Readiness to Life

At Participate Learning, we are always inspired to see students embody the essence of global leadership in their everyday classroom activities. Recently, we witnessed an incredible example of how building career readiness through global competencies prepares students to lead in a globally connected world. This connection was celebrated through a schoolwide learning event at Jupiter Elementary School, where students were encouraged to make visual links between their academic learning, their identity as global leaders, and one or more of the 10 global competencies emphasized in our Global Leaders framework.

Global competencies are durable skills that last a lifetime, empowering students to interact successfully with others and thrive in the workplace long after graduation. Using the elementary global competency library as a foundation, a resource from the Global Leaders framework, teachers across grade levels designed an experience that used their English Language Arts (ELA) or Spanish Language Arts (SLA) time to bring the competencies to life in tangible, student-centered ways. The creativity and enthusiasm we observed were testaments to both the students’ engagement and their teachers’ dedication to creating meaningful learning opportunities that advance their career readiness.

An Innovative Day of Learning

The event began with a thoughtfully selected read-aloud from the elementary global competency library. Teachers introduced books like The Rabbit Listened, Chicken Sunday, and Thank You, Mr. Falker. Each story served as an anchor for discussions centered on global competencies, drawing connections between the story’s themes and the skills and attitudes that define a global leader.

After each read-aloud, students explored the competencies further through a series of classroom rotations. These activities, designed to span the day’s ELA or SLA time, included creative, collaborative tasks that encouraged students to display their understanding of the competencies. For example, one rotation might involve creating a Venn diagram comparing different characters’ perspectives, while another focused on role-playing to build empathy. Each classroom rotation was designed to culminate in a product or visual representation of the students’ learning, reinforcing how these global competencies are essential not only in school but also in fostering career readiness.

How All 10 Global Competencies Showed Up in Students’ Learning

Here’s a snapshot of the 10 global competencies highlighted in each classroom:

• Critical Thinking: Students looked at the world with a critical eye, analyzing story elements and comparing them to their own lives. Activities such as story mapping helped students question assumptions and explore solutions to character challenges.
• Communication: Students practiced clear communication through collaborative activities, sharing their interpretations of stories and listening to their peers’ perspectives. Paired discussions and small group interactions fostered an inclusive environment that encouraged every voice to be heard.
• Flexibility: Adaptability was a core theme as students worked on group projects that required them to change plans, navigate differing opinions, and adjust strategies. These activities helped them grow comfortable with ambiguity and unknowns, essential career readiness skills for future global leaders.
• Curiosity: Students engaged in mini-research projects based on questions that arose during the read-aloud sessions. Guided by their genuine desire to learn, they used classroom resources to find answers and broaden their understanding of the world beyond their immediate surroundings.
• Empathy: Story characters’ emotions and experiences sparked conversations on understanding others’ perspectives. Whether through role-playing activities or written reflections, students were encouraged to think about how circumstances influence people’s thoughts and actions.
• Global Connection: Activities like puppet shows and sequencing helped students see their place in the broader world, emphasizing interconnectedness and collective responsibility. Through these exercises, they began to envision how they might contribute positively to their local communities and the world.
• Understanding of Global Issues: Through discussions around the books, students gained insight into issues that impact people locally and globally, such as poverty and hunger. They were encouraged to seek accurate information, laying the groundwork for informed, career-ready leaders.
• Intercultural Understanding: Some students created art projects that celebrated cultural diversity, recognizing the beauty of different perspectives. By learning about the unique aspects of other cultures, they developed a better understanding of how to work with others.
• Valuing Differences: Students built stronger connections with their classmates by sharing personal experiences and learning about each other’s backgrounds. They developed an understanding of different perspectives, reinforcing values of kindness and mutual respect.
• Self-Awareness: Reflective journaling activities allowed students to explore their own thoughts and feelings. They considered how their experiences shape their viewpoints and were encouraged to be mindful of their growth as learners and leaders.

Highlights of Teaching Global Competencies in the Classroom

Walking through the classrooms, we were thrilled to see such a variety of activities tied to these competencies. These examples stood out:

• Mentor Buddies: In a buddy activity, fifth graders were paired with kindergartners to work on sequencing a story together. This approach helped foster communication, empathy, and flexibility as older students guided younger ones, adapting to their needs and perspectives.
• Art Projects: Students created visual displays that represented their chosen competencies. Some illustrated critical moments from their books, while others depicted the emotions of different characters. These artistic interpretations allowed students to process their learning creatively and share their insights with peers.
• Story Maps and Venn Diagrams: Many classrooms used these visual tools to deepen students’ comprehension of the stories. By comparing characters or exploring story events, students practiced critical thinking and communication, discussing their ideas in small groups.
• Written Reflections and Poems: After discussing and analyzing the stories, students wrote brief reflections or crafted poems. These reflections revealed a deep understanding of the competencies, as students articulated their insights on topics like resilience, kindness, and the impact of small actions.

It was evident that these rotations fostered a collaborative spirit, and the experience brought both teachers and students closer together in their shared goals. The classrooms were brimming with excitement as students proudly shared their work, and teachers expressed how much they enjoyed facilitating this unique day of learning.

Reflecting on a Day of Cultivating Career Readiness Skills Through Literature

To close out the day, each class gathered for a reflection and debrief session. Students took turns presenting their projects, explaining how they connected their learning to specific global competencies. This opportunity for reflection allowed students to appreciate their own growth and understand their peers’ viewpoints.

During this time, teachers guided students in making connections to the broader significance of their work. They discussed how the competencies they demonstrated today are the same ones they’ll continue to build throughout their lives, helping them become globally engaged individuals who succeed in a global workforce.

Nurturing Tomorrow’s Global Leaders

This event exemplified the power of global competencies in shaping young learners and building career readiness. By grounding the activities in meaningful books and engaging students in creative displays of learning, teachers provided students with a hands-on experience of global leadership in action. From building empathy to fostering flexibility, students gained skills and insights that will support their journey toward becoming thoughtful, action-driven individuals who understand their role in a connected world.

Each classroom activity highlighted how the global competencies—critical thinking, communication, flexibility, curiosity, empathy, global connection, understanding of global issues, intercultural understanding, valuing differences, and self-awareness—are not abstract concepts but practical, career readiness skills that students can use to make a positive impact. Through thoughtful guidance, students gained confidence in their ability to engage with these competencies, helping them envision how they can contribute to their community and the world as global leaders.

We’re grateful to the teachers and students of Jupiter Elementary who embraced this day with such enthusiasm and creativity. Their commitment to nurturing these essential skills and mindsets is paving the way for a future where students are equipped to approach the world with open minds, compassionate hearts, and a readiness to make a difference.