Children Around the World History/Social

Children Around the World

History/Social Studies

Grades: Adaptable 1-5 (Elementary)

Duration: 2-3 class periods

How the responsibilities and lifestyles of children differ around the world.

Standards: Variable and adaptable based on time, grade level and focus need. For example:

Understands selected attributes and developments of differing societies. (1-2); Understands family life now and in the past (3-5); Understands selected attributes and historical development of societies (3-5).

Geography -- Understand the characteristics and uses of maps, globes and other geographic tools and technologies (3-5); Understands the physical and human characteristics of place (3-5); Understands global development and environmental issues (3-5).

Language Arts -- Be able to read and understand different types of texts, varied literature, and wide levels of vocabulary; Be able to effectively use information sources and research techniques; Use various communication standards for specific audience needs; Understand and respect human diversity and discuss varied cultural adaptations through literature and writing (1-5).

Materials Needed: Various books (fiction, non-fiction) dealing with children in other cultures; magazines like National Geographic, Internet access, computer, writing paper, pencil, dictionary or reference volume. The materials can be as varied as the level and number of students, whether students work in groups or individually, or which continent and geographic area of focus for the period, lesson, or time.

Procedures:

1. Discuss the concepts of family, and ask students to think about the role of children in other cultures.

2. Use a world map or globe; pick at least four parts of the world for discussion. If using the documentary People Around the World, for instance, talk about river town around the Nile, rain forests in South America, Tibetan plateaus, or Asian rice farms. Discuss differences, expectations of children, what it is like to be a child, and the concept of children.

3. Students can work individually or in groups. Either way, they should:

a. Research a particular child in another country.

b. Take notes, using proper research techniques.

c. Prepare a 1 page overview of the child's life in that country asking questions about education, homes, technology, work, etc.

d. Compare/Contrast with their own lives.

e. Work on an artistic representation of that country's culture.

f. Individually, present to small group; or group present to class with each member providing information on a specific part of the child's life in another country.

4. As a take-home activity, write a reflective essay (2-6 paragraphs, depending on level) about what you learned from this assignment, how you think the child's life differs from yours, how it is similar, and what you might change about your own life based on this assignment.

Analysis - Background -- Differentiated Instruction recognizes that students have varying background knowledge, language, preferences in learning, and interests. DI is a process designed to approach teaching and learning for students of differing abilities in the same class -- in the same lesson.

Differentiated Access -- each student will have access to a variety of written and kinesthetic materials that move from the explicit to the implicit; in this case from the concept of location of countries, shapes, products from that country, etc.