Lesson Plan
Global Stories Outline
Students will explore and articulate personal experiences tied to global themes, craft a structured narrative, and present a polished story that reflects cultural awareness and empathy.
Connecting personal narratives to global perspectives builds empathy, intercultural competence, and communication skills, preparing students for an interconnected world.
Audience
11th Grade
Time
Four 75-minute sessions
Approach
Interactive storytelling workshops with peer review.
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
30 minutes
- Review the Global Stories Outline unit overview and objectives.
- Familiarize yourself with the Narrative Crafting Toolkit contents.
- Print or distribute digital copies of the Culture Snapshot Quiz and Peer Feedback Slip.
- Set up breakout groups or seating for the Story Circle Exchange.
Step 1
Day 1: Culture Snapshot & Story Brainstorm
75 minutes
- Distribute the Culture Snapshot Quiz and have students complete it individually as a warm-up.
- Lead a whole-class discussion connecting quiz insights to broader global contexts.
- Introduce the unit goals and share a brief example of a personal global story.
- Conduct the Story Circle Exchange: students rotate in small groups sharing quick story ideas and cultural observations.
Step 2
Day 2: Narrative Structure & Planning
75 minutes
- Present the Narrative Crafting Toolkit, focusing on story arc, theme development, and voice.
- Analyze a model student narrative that weaves personal and global perspectives.
- Students use the toolkit’s graphic organizer to outline their own story, identifying key scenes and themes.
- Facilitate quick peer check-ins for formative feedback on outlines.
Step 3
Day 3: Story Drafting & Peer Feedback
75 minutes
- Students draft full personal-global narratives using their outlines.
- Pair students for a guided peer review, using the Peer Feedback Slip to structure comments on content, clarity, and cultural insights.
- Allow time for students to discuss feedback and begin revising their drafts in class.
Step 4
Day 4: Presentations & Reflection
75 minutes
- Students deliver 3–5 minute presentations of their revised stories to small groups or the whole class.
- Peers use the Peer Feedback Slip to note strengths and suggestions during presentations.
- Facilitate a group reflection: how did students connect personal experiences with global themes, and what did they learn about different perspectives?
- Assign final story revisions and reflection questions as homework or for the next session.
Slide Deck
Narrative Crafting Toolkit
Use this toolkit to structure and enrich your global story. We’ll cover:
• Story Arc
• Theme Development
• Cultural Context
• Model Analysis
• Graphic Organizer Prompts
Welcome everyone! Introduce the toolkit’s purpose: to guide you through planning and crafting a compelling personal-global narrative. Emphasize how each slide connects to Day 2 activities in the unit.
The Story Arc
- Exposition: Introduce setting, characters, and cultural background.
- Rising Action: Present challenges or conflicts tied to global themes.
- Climax: The turning point—where personal and global insights collide.
- Falling Action: Show outcomes and unfolding changes.
- Resolution: Reflect on lessons learned and global connections.
Explain each element of the story arc in relation to students’ lived experiences. Prompt volunteers to give examples from books or films.
Developing Your Theme
• Identify your core message (e.g., empathy, identity, interconnection).
• Tie personal insights to broader global issues (culture, environment, social justice).
• Use recurring motifs (symbols, images) to reinforce your theme.
• Ensure your theme emerges naturally through scenes, not just statements.
Discuss how a story’s theme drives its message. Ask students to brainstorm global-competence themes and share examples.
Incorporating Cultural Context
• Use sensory details (sights, sounds, tastes) to ground your story in place.
• Introduce cultural customs, language snippets, or traditions meaningfully.
• Show interactions across cultures—moments of misunderstanding or connection.
• Avoid stereotypes: focus on individual experiences.
Highlight strategies for authentic cultural detail. Warn against clichés. Invite students to recall sensory memories from their own backgrounds.
Model Narrative Analysis
Read this excerpt from a student global story, then discuss:
- What is the story’s theme?
- How does the author weave in cultural details?
- Where is the climax, and how does it reveal personal growth?
- Which elements of the arc are strongest? Where could it be clearer?
Distribute a short model excerpt (project or handout). Read aloud and guide students through the questions.
Graphic Organizer Prompts
Use this organizer to outline your narrative:
• Title & Hook
• Setting & Cultural Details
• Key Scenes (3–5): Brief descriptions
• Theme Statement: What do you want your audience to learn?
• Global Connection: Why does this matter beyond you?
• Emotional High Point: The climax scene
• Reflection & Resolution: Your takeaway
Walk students through each section of the organizer. Encourage them to begin filling in details for their own stories.
Next Steps
Apply the toolkit
Today s work: Complete your graphic organizer and come ready to draft.
Remember : Strong stories connect personal moments with global insights.
Remind students to save this deck for reference when drafting. Preview Day 3 drafting activities: peer review and revision.
Warm Up
Culture Snapshot Quiz
Reflect on your cultural experiences by answering the questions below. Write in complete sentences.
- Describe a tradition or custom your family practices. What does it involve, and why is it meaningful to you?
- Recall a time you felt proud of your cultural background. What happened, and how did it shape your sense of identity?
- Think of a moment you encountered or observed a cultural misunderstanding. What did you learn from that experience?
- List three words or phrases that capture aspects of your cultural identity.
- How does your cultural background influence the way you see the world?
Activity
Story Circle Exchange
Students will share brief story ideas focused on global themes in rotating small-group circles. This low-stakes activity encourages quick brainstorming, active listening, and peer support.
Time: 20–25 minutes
Group Size: 4–5 students per circle
Materials:
- A timer or stopwatch
- Optional: Index cards for jotting key ideas
Instructions:
- Form Circles (2 minutes)
- Arrange students into small circles of 4–5.
- Distribute index cards if using.
- Explain the Protocol (3 minutes)
- Each student gets 2 minutes to present their preliminary story idea:
• Briefly describe the personal experience and its global connection.
• State the core theme or message they hope to convey (e.g., empathy, identity, environmental awareness). - Circle members listen actively, then each offers one positive observation or one question for clarification (60 seconds total feedback).
- Each student gets 2 minutes to present their preliminary story idea:
- Round 1 Sharing (10 minutes)
- Set timer for 2 minutes per speaker.
- After each share, allow 1 minute for peers’ feedback.
- Students jot down insights or suggestions on their index cards.
- Rotate & Repeat (8–10 minutes)
- After all members share, each student moves one seat to their right (or swap circles).
- Begin a new round of 2-minute shares with fresh peers.
- Debrief Whole Class (5 minutes)
- Reconvene and ask volunteers:
• What new ideas or perspectives did you gain?
• How did peer feedback help shape your story direction? - Emphasize that these early drafts are seeds for richer narratives.
- Reconvene and ask volunteers:
Follow-Up:
- Students refine their story outlines using feedback in preparation for Day 2’s Narrative Crafting Toolkit session.
- Collect index cards if you wish to review common themes or questions.
Cool Down
Peer Feedback Slip
Use this slip to give structured feedback on your peer’s story outline, draft, or presentation.
Peer Name: __________________ Date: ___________ Session: (Draft/Presentation) __________
- Strengths: What worked well? Consider theme, emotional impact, cultural details, and clarity.
- Suggestions for Improvement: What could be clearer, more engaging, or more fully developed?
- Cultural & Global Connection: How effectively does the story weave in global perspectives? Any ideas to deepen that connection?
- Questions for the Author: What would you like to know more about? Where do you need clarification?
- Overall Feedback (One-Sentence Takeaway):
Thank you for your thoughtful feedback!