A "Taste" of Other Cultures

            By:  Angela P. Arismendi
 

Introduction:

This unit is designed to expose students to and broaden their awareness of the many different cultures around the world.  Students will research a chosen country on the internet using search engines and focus on typical foods of the area.  Students will then create a brief Powerpoint presentation using some basic information they find on their countries as well as the recipe they choose to make at home.  Students will then present their slideshows to the class along with the food they make at home.
 

Grade Levels:
5th and 6th grades
 

Subject Area:
Social Studies & Multicultural Studies

Learning Objectives:

• Students will broaden their internet capabilities by using various search engines to research their chosen countries.
• Students will be able to comfortably and confidently design slideshows using Microsoft Powerpoint.
• Students will familiarize themselves with their kitchens at home and be more comfortable when cooking on future occasions.
• Students will improve their public speaking skills and feel more at ease when speaking in front of their peers.
• Students will be more educated about the various countries of the world and their typical dishes after all the presentations are complete.

G-1A-E1    identifying and describing the characteristics and uses of geographical representations, such as various types of maps, globes,  graphs, diagrams, photographs, and satellite-produced images;

G-1A-E2    locating and interpreting geographic features and places on maps and globes;

G-1B-E1    describing and comparing the physical characteristics of places, including land forms, bodies of water, soils, vegetation and climate;

G-1B-E2    identifying and describing the human characteristics of places, including population distribution and culture;

G-1B-E4    defining and differentiating regions by using physical characteristics, such as climate and landforms, and by using human characteristics, such as economic activity and language;

G-1C-E4    identifying and comparing the cultural characteristics of different regions and people;

G-1D-E4    describing the use, distribution and importance of natural resources;

G-1B-M4    describing and explaining how personal interests, culture and technology affect people's perceptions and uses of places and regions;

H-1D-E1    identifying the characteristics and historical development of selected societies throughout the world;
 
 

Technological Connection:

• Students will use the internet to locate information on their countries; students will acquire favorite search engines, websites and search techniques.

• Students will use Microsoft Powerpoint to create and design a slideshow using the information they find; it is important for students to use this software to demonstrate that integrating technology with learning is not difficult, and that the final product is exciting and most impressive.

Time:
This activity will span five 1 1/2 hour sessions.  Student presentation time should be reserved for last and may vary depending on the number of students in the class.

Day 1
The assignment is given out and students choose a country of interest. Countries should be approved by the teacher before any research begins.  The teacher should expose the students to various search engines, such as www.google.com, www.yahoo.com, www.dogpile.com, www.factmonster.com, etc.  Students are made aware of the guidelines and criteria for grading.  Then, students should begin their research.

Day 2
The teacher answers any questions the students have about the information they find.  Recipes should be chosen by the end of class and should also be approved by the teacher.

Day 3
The teacher gives a brief introduction to Microsoft Powerpoint for those students who are not familiar with the software.  At this point, the teacher assumes the students have been exposed to the program in previous grade levels.  Students continue their research and begin to create their slideshows.

Day 4
Students continue their slideshows.  They are advised to go home and begin collecting the ingredients needed for their recipes.

Day 5
Students complete their slideshows and presentation dates for the following week are assigned by the teacher.
 
 

• Presentations should take no longer than 15 minutes apiece (assuming there are no technical problems).

Assessment:
Students will be graded by means of a rubric.  Each aspect of the project is assigned a point value.  The total project is worth 100 points.

Click Here to View Rubric
Each student is graded on four categories: their research, slideshow, presentation and food. Each of these categories is worth 25 points apiece. Then each category contains 5 subcategories for grading. Each one of these is worth 5 points.

• Research:  Effort, Use of Search Engines, Cooperative Learning, Assistance to Others, Questions Asked
• Powerpoint:  Comfort with Use, Know-how, Appearance, Creativity, Pertinent information
• Presentation:  Nervousness, Loud speaking voice, Eye contact, Hesitation, Preparation
• Food:  Effort, Creativity, Followed Directions, Typical dish, Recipe posted on slideshow

Click Here to View Sample Project
 
 

Resources:
Louisiana Department of Education