Brian Robinson

LS 521- Spring ‘02

3/20/02

 

 

Web Drop-In #2

 

Comparing Cultures

 

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS GEARED TOWARDS 4TH GRADE, BUT MAY BE MODIFIED FOR OTHER STUDENTS

 

 

Introduction: 

 

Before the days of the Internet, TV, or even airplanes; many people never left their country or had a chance to discover things about other cultures and peoples.  As technology slowly expanded the “view” of the word, people began to realize that other countries were different and also shared some similarities.  This opened many peoples’ eyes to the fact that the world is full of different people.  Think about how different the children in this classroom and school are.  Now think about how different children from other countries must be!  Seeing and experiencing those differences might make it easier for us to understand why other countries may act differently than others.  This is very important because as understanding those differences is a large part of world peace and cooperation.

 

Information: 

 

Given the recent tragedies of September 11th and the war on terrorism, now is the time that we (teachers, parents, children) must be extra aware of our differences with other countries.  This awareness might be needed in order to ensure that there are no misunderstandings.  In order to promote global perspectives in our schools, President Bush and Congress passed a law giving every 4th grade student in the U.S. the money to fly and investigate three countries.  (Of course this part is make-believe, sorry!)  You and a partner are travel buddies!

 

Activity: 

 

Go to the Cultural Connections website (http://library.thinkquest.org/50055/).  Choose three countries to “visit” with your partner.  You must choose each country from a different continent so that you get the most out of your travel budget and the generous offer from the President.  While visiting, think about how each country is similar or different from ours.

 

Assignment: 

 

As a team, you and your partner are to complete the worksheet assignments.  The first part may be done together in the chart, but the second part is for EACH of you to do individually in your Writing Journals.

 

Worksheet

 

Rubric:

 

Outstanding

Satisfactory

Needs work

Section 1

Students followed directions and provided interesting and detailed information.

Students followed directions and provided logical information.

Missing work or directions not followed. Work was sloppy and unorganized.

Section 2

Student wrote two well developed paragraphs featuring supported ideas and original thought.

Student followed directions and wrote with few mistakes.

Paragraph structures incorrect with many mistakes and unconnected thoughts.

 

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