Summary
In this third grade unit, students will explore aspects that make countries different from one another. Students will be introduced to vocabulary and connect the content to Oklahoma. Then, they will work in groups to research the same concept with their own chosen country. This lesson serves as day 2 of the unit.
Essential Question(s)
What is culture? How do cultural aspects impact community?
Snapshot
Engage
Students watch a video of tribal dancing in Oklahoma.
Explore
Students read a passage that details similarities in tribal customs related to the video.
Explain
Students review the definition of culture.
Extend
Students will explore photos of art from different places and generate examples of culture.
Evaluate
Students complete the second page of their Country Research Packet.
Materials
Lesson Slides (attached)
Country Research Packet (1 per student; attached)
Country Research Packet Scaffolded (1 per student; optional; attached)
Country Research Packet Spanish (1 per student; optional; attached)
Internet access/devices
Passage (attached)
Engage
Display slide 2. Play the video. Pass out I Notice…I Wonder Notes to each student for use during the video. After the video, have students discuss their notes with an Elbow Partner. Introduce them to the essential questions on slide 3. What is culture? How might culture impact life in different places?
Explore
Students will read the passage with a partner. The passage discusses many customs present from the video. It compares and contrsats the tribal customs with those of tribes in similar regions. Students should still be taking notes on their I Notice…I Wonder chart. Consider also using a Venn diagram. Do you find answers to the things you wondered during the video?
Explain
Display slide four and share the definition of culture with your class. Discuss from the notes what questions students have that were or were not answered. Ensure that students understand the importance of the choices made in the video, from the clothing to the instruments to the dance moves.
Extend
Display slide 5. How do art and clothing styles differ in different places? Using slides 6-7, display the art and clothing styles of different areas to generate examples. Display slide 8. Ask students what other way that culture may impact life in a place? Have students think-pair-share an example of a cultural aspect they are familiar with (could be personal but does not have to be!) Following the discussion, students should be able to generate a class list of examples of culture. Discuss with students how the different variables may impact life in Oklahoma. Then, discuss how that may be different from person to person or place to place.
Evaluate
Display slide 10. Have students move into their research groups to begin exploring. Walk around and remind students that they are not bound by our examples. Culture can show up in different ways, even in the way we shop or the times that we eat! They should complete the prompts and open notes on page 2 of the packet.
Completion of page 2 of the Country Research Packet serves as an assessment. Packets should be evaluated for thoroughness, cooperation, and understanding.
Resources
K20 Center. (n.d.). Elbow partner. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/116
HiHo Kids (April 28, 2020). Kids Share Their Cultural Tradition. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xerrjjAyZs8
