World Cultures
Overview
In this course, students will discover and examine a variety of cultures from around the world. They will actively participate in a diverse array of lessons and hands-on cultural activities in order to gain understanding in the world in which they live.
Standard(s) addressed:
1.4 Students compare and contrast everyday life in different times and places around the world and recognize that some aspects of people, places, and things change over time while others stay the same.
2.2 Students demonstrate map skills by describing the absolute and relative locations of people, places, and environments.
Grading
Students will be graded according to the 6 Character Pillars: Respect, Fairness, Responsibility, Citizenship, Trustworthiness, and Caring. They will be prepared to learn, exhibit good behavior, have required materials, etc. Students' conduct in these classes will be assessed and reflected in their report cards.
Updates
#1: Like the class above, this group also participated in a bonding activity. The students also identified our world’s 7 continents and 4 oceans. We discussed how much of our Earth is made up of water! Next week, we’ll focus on 1 continent and participate in another hands-on activity.
#2: This class completed the same activities as the class above however since this class is about World Cultures, we will intensively study France and learn more about the French culture. Our second activity however concentrated on Claude Monet, Impressionism, and Giverny. These students also did an amazing job at identifying continents and oceans. They also knew shared many details about the French culture.
#3: The students painted beautiful pictures and incorporated many of Monet’s subjects such as: lily pads, flowers, bushes, trees, ponds, and sunsets. They also used many of the same colors as Monet. Next time, the students will learn something new about the French culture.
#4: We began by researching the cave of Lascaux on the internet. The students viewed many cave drawings and saw pictures of the site where the cave paintings were found. The also began their own drawings and will complete them next week.
Check out this site: http://www.culture.gouv.fr:80/culture/arcnat/lascaux/en/
#5: All of the students took their cave drawings outside and got them nice and dirty. They also practiced saying Halloween words in French and drawing Halloween-themed pictures.
#6: This week marks the end of the first trimester and the last day of learning about the French culture. However, I will show them a final review of France (a powerpoint presentation) at the beginning of next week’s class.
#7: Sakura (cherry blossom in Japanese) was the main topic of this week’s class. Students watched a slideshow of photos containing beautiful cherry blossoms that I took while living in Japan. Later, they created their own works of sakura art.
#8: Our students created Dragon masks and were also given free San Jose Museum of Art tickets (parents, look for them). We will finish our creations after the break.
Thanksgiving break (no class)
#9: We almost have our dragon masks completed. A few students were absent and need more time to catch up. Next week, we’ll explore Asia further. I am amazed by how many places our students have visited!
#10: First of all, the overall behavior of this group was really positive during class. Students listened, took turns, and completed a fair amount of work. I know how important academics are but social-emotional skills are equally (or even more) important. I took some pictures of the dragon masks and will post them soon. The students will also finish their bamboo/panda paintings during the next class.
#11: We will have a small food celebration for the last class. I wanted to do it before the Winter Break but the students were too busy finishing their last project and beginning a new one. I hope they have been bringing home their completed work. I’ve really enjoyed having all of these wonderful students these last months. I am really proud of all they’ve accomplished!
#12: The students tasted some Asian snacks and completed unfinished work. I am offering a class next semester about recycling and art so please join if interested!
Global Citizenship (grades 1-2) “World Cultures”
Ms. Samantha Lyons (Associate Teacher for 6th grade)
Friday (11:50-12:40)
