The Global Corner donates Spanish items during International Day

The Global Corner International Learning Center has posters of works from Picasso and several paella pans imported from Spain among the many items left over from their Passport to Spain Program. Twenty-nine schools participated in virtual trips to Spain with The Global Corner. Thousands of Escambia County elementary students learned about Spanish geography, language, dance, art, literature, and food during the 2008-09 school year. Using exciting, hands-on activities, The Global Corner helped the students learn more about the Spanish Explorers who founded Pensacola and about Spain today.

With the Spain-related items now shelved as The Global Corner turn to this year's focus country of Egypt, the organization will donate them to The Pensacola Museum of Art during its seventh annual International Day. Lee Little, the founder and director of The Global Corner said, "In our first two years of operation, we have taught more than 3,000 children about Japan and 7,500 children about Spain. The donation of our 'treasure chest' ensures that The Global Corner's legacy will be kept alive for years to come. As we move on to teach about Egypt, and next year about Brazil, our Spain lessons will continue to increase awareness of that significant culture in our region's history."

International Day is being held on Saturday, October 3, 2009 at The Pensacola Museum of Art in downtown Pensacola. Lesson plans, props, references, and follow-on activities from the Passport to Spain will be used to create the Pensacola Museum of Art's Spain Trunk. The trunk will then join others from various countries and regions such as Africa, Greece, and Japan. "Creation Stations" using the trunks will be set up throughout the museum during International Day. The stations allow children and parents to create crafts inspired by the culture represented by each trunk. Throughout the school year, teachers have the opportunity to bring diverse cultures from around the world into their classrooms by checking out the trunks through The Pensacola Museum of Art.

International Day is an annual free multi-cultural family day at The Pensacola Museum of Art. The museum is located at 407 South Jefferson Street. International Day will begin at noon and run until 4:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the entire community with fun for all ages. Events also include musical performances, dancers, artistic demonstrations, and more that are designed to entertain all the senses while recognizing the cultural diversity of northwest Florida through celebration. The free family multicultural day is made possible by assistance from the Melba B. Meyer Charitable Trust.

The Global Corner International Learning Center has "sparked the natural curiosity of children and brings the world to life, right in their classrooms." Visit their website at www.theglobalcorner.org. The Global Corner is a not-for-profit organization providing this exciting program to public schools at no cost to the students, teachers or schools. Principals interested in having The Global Corner visit their schools are asked to please call Lee Little at 850-332-6404. To sponsor a class, donate or learn more about The Global Corner you may also visit their website at www.theglobalcorner.org or call Lee Little at 850-332-6404.