Summary
Students will recognize and describe the different cultures within their community. They will read selected books by Nancy Loewen and Paula Skelley and complete an “I Notice, I Wonder” chart. Then, students will create a Melting Pot Chart and share important representations of their cultures on the chart. Finally, students will make a piece of art that reflects their own culture.
Essential Question(s)
How are the cultures within my community alike and different?
Snapshot
Engage - Using the Elbow Partner strategy, students will identify and write down their similarities and differences on a Venn Diagram chart.
Explore - Students are divided into small groups. As a group, they read and discuss the book assigned to them.
Explain - Students will write one sentence about their culture on a sticky note and share their recording by taping it on the Melting Pot Class Chart.
Extend - Students will present an important item that represents their culture.
Evaluate - Students will create a piece of art that represents their culture.
Materials
Similarities and Differences Venn Diagram (attached)
Books
Clothing of the World by Nancy Loewen and Paula Skelley
Food of the World by Nancy Loewen and Paula Skelley
People of the World by Nancy Loewen and Paula Skelley
Homes of the World by Nancy Loewen and Paula Skelley
Melting Pot Class Chart (instructions in lesson)
Variety of craft materials such as feathers, beads, pipe cleaners, colored construction paper or card stock, paper plates, paper cups, paint, pom poms, colored pencils, glitter, etc.
Engage
25 Minute(s)
Using the Elbow Partner strategy, students analyze their similarities and differences between them. They write their findings on the Similarities and Differences Venn Diagram.
You may need to guide and encourage students’ interest by asking a variety of questions such as:
What do you notice about your partner?
What color are their eyes?
Are you both the same height? Different?
Do you have questions or wonderings?
Students present their similarities and differences to their class.
Explore
45 Minute(s)
Divide students into small groups. Assign them a book to read from the materials list. As the groups read their books, have them discuss the words in the book and pay close attention to the pictures.
Teacher’s Note: Depending on the diversity of your classroom, you might use the “Lakeshore Children of the World Book Set.”
Have students take out a piece of paper and make an “I Notice, I Wonder” chart. Divide a piece of paper into two parts by folding it in half. At the top of one column, write “I Notice,” where students will write what they notice about the cultures presented in their group’s book. At the top of the other column, write “I Wonder.” Here, students will write their questions about what they read and discussed.
Once they are done writing what they notice and wonder, have students share what they recorded with their classmates using the Elbow Partner Strategy.
Explain
30 Minute(s)
Using the Quick Draw Strategy, students will draw an important representation of their culture on a sticky note. They might want to draw a piece of clothing, favorite food, a symbol, their country flag, etc. Once they are done drawing, have students tape their sticky note on the Melting Pot Chart. Then, students take turns sharing with the class about their drawing. Have students return to their “I Notice, I Wonder” charts and add any new information.
Extend
45 Minute(s)
Have students go home and ask their parents to share with them more about their culture. If possible, have them bring a special item that represents their culture. Examples might be coins, pieces, clothing, jewelry, pictures, pottery, etc. This will be used later on in the lesson.
Begin the next day by having students share what they know about their own culture with their classmates. If students brought a special item, have them tell the class about it and give answers to questions other students may have.
Some of the guided questions might be:
Why is this item important/special to your family?
What part of your culture does it represent?
What is the history behind it?
Do you have questions or wonderings?
Students need to be very careful with these items since they might be considered family treasures. These pieces can be displayed on a table in the classroom for everyone to see.
Evaluate
45 Minute(s)
Have students return to their “I Notice, I Wonder” charts. Ask students to check whether or not their questions have been answered. If not, then students may search the answers to their questions on Kiddle.
Provide students with craft materials and instruct them to use all materials provided to create a piece of art that represents their culture. This could be a piece of clothing, sculpture, flags, a map of their native country map, jewelry, etc.
Differentiation for Gifted Learners
25 Minute(s)
Students can be challenged by creating a puppet of the country they’re most interested in. They may work individually or in groups. If time allows, have them present their final product to their classmates.
Resources
K20 Center. (n.d.) Elbow Partners. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/116
K20 Center. (n.d.). I Notice, I Wonder. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/180
K20 Center. (n.d.). Quick draw. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/51