Explore Countries and Cultures Lesson Plan

Title: Explore Countries and Cultures

Grade Level(s): 5

Subject Area(s): Language Arts, Social Studies

Unit(s):

Description:

Students will choose a country associated with a family member and research its location, government, language, economy, history, holidays, foods, sports, famous people, and notable structures. They will write to inform using this data. Students will draw a map identifying the capital and major cities or create a timeline of the country's history. Students will make a tourist poster persuading others to visit their country.

Outcomes/Core Learning Goals:

Language Arts
Social Studies
Science

Students will read multiple sources about a topic and organize information for presentation.

Students will examine the contributions
of various ethnic, racial, and religious groups to the development of communities.

Students will observe structures, record the variety of sizes, shapes, materials, and functions of these structures

Students will write to inform others about a topic.

Students will obtain, interpret, organize, and use information from reading, asking questions, observing,and listening.

Students will collect and make sense of data.

Students will integrate information from a variety of sources (e.g., reference materials,computer disks, maps, articles, science writing).

Time Frame:

Class: three to four 45 minute sessions.
Introduction (15 min): What does it mean to have an ethnic background?
Interview Questions Brainstorming (30 min) - optional activity
Hands-on time for making map, poster, flag.

Media Center: three to four 60 minute research periods. Time depends on the number of computers available.

Materials/Technology:

Access to Internet, media center print and non-print resources.
Art supplies (construction paper, glue, color pencils, color markers, etc.)

Teacher Preparation:

Decide on how countries will be chosen by students.

A heritage pathfinder is available. You may also use Ask Jeeves for Kids or another search engine to find additional appropriate Internet sites for student research

If you intend to tier instruction, evaluate reading level of selected sites and other print and non-print resources.

Select one of the websites and review its structure by using Evaluate Your Website with students. This can be done with the whole class or by pairing students and sharing results.

Adapt Works Cited worksheet for students to use.

Prepare a graphic organizer, prompt, and rubric (e.g., 4 point format).

Student Prior Knowledge and Skills:

Students will know how to use keywords in a search.

Students will be familiar with using an Internet browser and basic website vocabulary.

Students will be familiar with using a CD-ROM.

Students will be familiar with the patron's catalog, an electronic encyclopedia, and an electronic atlas.

Students will be familiar with multitasking. This would include switching between the Internet and an electronic encyclopedia and taking notes on the computer using a word processing program.

Lesson Design/Learning Sequence:

  1. Introduce research project to students. Have students find out their ethnic background or provide another meaningful way to assign countries. If appropriate, have students interview an adult family member.
  2. Group students to match number of available computers in the media center. Switch groups every 20 minutes. Other groups will use print resources or the print encyclopedia.
  3. Students will be introduced to the heritage pathfinder to help them find information on the Internet and in the media center.
  4. Students will research their country.
  5. Students will organize the information in a meaningful way.
  6. Students will write a report to inform others about their country. Parents and teacher will proofread rough draft. Final copy will include these items:
    1. Front Cover - country name, student name
    2. Table of Contents
    3. Country Information
    4. About the Author - optional assignment
    5. Works Cited (Bibliography)
  7. Students will make a large flag of their country for display.
  8. Students will draw a map or a timeline of their country.
  9. Students will make a tourist poster persuading others to visit their country.

Assessment/Evaluation:

Students will complete the assignment. It will be evaluated according to a rubric (e.g., 4 point format).

Additional Activities:

Parents will be invited to participate in an International Luncheon. Students will provide a food dish from their country to share. Options: dress in traditional clothing, display artifacts, play traditional music.

Additional Resources:

Students may use family knowledge, interviews with family members, newspapers, and the public library for additional information.

Developed by:
Travilah ES teachers Vidya Ambrosi (fifth grade) and Mary Beth Castonguay (media specialist)

Date: November 12, 1998

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Last Updated on December 16, 1998
Maintained by Mary Beth Castonguay, School Library Media Specialist
<MaryBeth_Castonguay@fc.mcps.k12.md.us>