World Adventure: Unveiling Cultural Treasures Together

3rd Grade

Project
4 weeks

World Adventure: Unveiling Cultural Treasures Together

Kate Williams

Purpose

This project aims to immerse 3rd-grade students in an engaging exploration of world geography and diverse cultures through hands-on activities. By researching and presenting on various countries, students will develop map skills, cultural awareness, and presentation abilities. The project fosters collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking, culminating in a 'World Travel Fair' where students showcase their findings and celebrate global diversity.

Learning goals

Students will develop map skills and an understanding of world geography by exploring and presenting on different countries. They will enhance their research and presentation skills through peer-to-peer critique sessions and creative workshops. By comparing and contrasting cultural elements such as language, food, and traditions, students will gain a deeper appreciation for global diversity. The project will culminate in a 'World Travel Fair,' where students will share their findings and celebrate the uniqueness of each country.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.7: Use information gained from illustrations and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.7: Conduct short research projects that build knowledge about a topic.

Products

Students will create personalized pennant banners featuring a country's flag, map, a notable landmark, and two cultural connections. These banners will be displayed in a gallery walk for peer feedback. Additionally, students will contribute to a collaborative bulletin board connection web, visually linking cultural elements across different countries. At the 'World Travel Fair,' each student will set up a booth showcasing their research and engage visitors with interactive presentations. Finally, students will participate in a 'Passport to the World' activity, collecting stamps and sharing unique facts as they explore each booth.

Launch

Kick off the project with an engaging introduction by Daniel Briggs, who will present music and cultural highlights from around the world. Students will participate in a lively discussion about the diversity of cultures and the role of geography in shaping these unique traditions. This introduction will set the stage for students to embark on their own exploration of world cultures and geography, sparking curiosity and excitement for the hands-on activities ahead.

Exhibition

Students will participate in a 'World Travel Fair' where they set up interactive booths showcasing their research on different countries. Each booth will feature a pennant banner with a flag, map, landmark, and two cultural connections. Visitors will engage with students to learn unique facts, collecting stamps in their 'Passport to the World' as they explore. This exhibition allows students to share their findings and celebrate global diversity through creative presentations and peer interactions.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Kick off the project with an introduction by Daniel Briggs, who will present music and cultural highlights from around the world. Facilitate a discussion about global diversity and the role of geography in shaping cultural traditions.	Students will choose a country to research and brainstorm what they already know about it. They will also generate questions they are curious about regarding the culture, geography, and people of the chosen country.	Guide students in a map skills workshop where they learn to identify continents, countries, and major geographical landmarks using a world map. They will locate their chosen country on the map and explore its geographical context.	Introduce students to the concept of cultural elements. In small groups, they will research key aspects of their chosen country, such as language, food, traditions, and music, using age-appropriate resources.	Facilitate a creative session where students begin designing their country's pennant banner. They will sketch out ideas incorporating the country's flag, map, a notable landmark, and cultural connections.
Deliverables	1. List of research questions for their chosen country. 2. Annotated sketch of the pennant banner design.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with Daniel Briggs for the project launch presentation focused on music and culture. 2. Gather a variety of world maps and atlases appropriate for 3rd graders. 3. Prepare a list of resources (books, websites) for student research on different countries. 4. Provide materials for the pennant banner design, including paper, colored pencils, and templates.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Activities	Students will conduct in-depth research on their chosen country's cultural elements such as language, food, traditions, and music. They will use books, websites, and multimedia resources.	Facilitate a creative workshop where students begin creating their pennant banners. They will incorporate their country's flag, a map, a notable landmark, and two cultural connections.	Guide students to write a short paragraph about a unique aspect of their country's culture, which will be included in their booth presentation at the 'World Travel Fair'.	Conduct a peer-to-peer critique session where students present their initial research findings and pennant banner designs. Peers will provide constructive feedback to help refine their work.
Deliverables	1. Completed pennant banner featuring a country's flag, map, landmark, and two cultural connections. 2. Draft of the paragraph on a unique cultural aspect of their chosen country.
Preparation	1. Prepare a list of age-appropriate research resources, including books, websites, and videos. 2. Provide materials for the pennant banner creation, such as fabric, markers, and glue. 3. Set up a peer critique format and provide guidelines for giving constructive feedback. 4. Arrange for any necessary technology or media equipment to support research activities.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Activities	Students refine their pennant banners based on peer feedback from the previous week. They will make revisions and ensure their designs are complete with a flag, map, landmark, and cultural connections.	Conduct a gallery walk where students display their pennant banners. Peers will provide feedback on the creativity and clarity of information presented.	Guide students in preparing their booth presentations for the 'World Travel Fair.' They will practice articulating the unique cultural aspects and geographical features of their chosen country.	Facilitate a collaborative research task where students explore similarities and differences between their chosen country's culture and one other country. They will compare elements like language, food, traditions, and music.
Deliverables	1. Finalized pennant banner ready for the 'World Travel Fair.' 2. Presentation script or notes outlining key points about their chosen country for the fair. 3. Comparison chart highlighting cultural similarities and differences between two countries.
Preparation	1. Provide materials for any final touches on pennant banners, such as additional art supplies. 2. Set up a space for the gallery walk and prepare evaluation sheets for peer feedback. 3. Prepare guidelines for booth presentations including speaking tips and organizing information. 4. Compile additional resources for students to research cultural comparisons, such as access to diverse multimedia and books.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Activities	Organize the 'World Travel Fair' where students set up interactive booths showcasing their research and pennant banners. Each student will present their country's unique cultural and geographical features.	Facilitate the 'Passport to the World' activity. Students will visit each other's booths to learn about different countries and collect stamps by sharing unique facts.	Conduct a peer-to-peer critique and reflection session after the fair. Students will provide feedback on each other's presentations and reflect on their learning experiences.	Guide the creation of a collaborative bulletin board connection web where students visually link cultural elements shared during the fair, emphasizing global diversity.
Deliverables	1. Interactive booth presentation at the 'World Travel Fair' showcasing country research, pennant banner, and engaging activities. 2. Completed 'Passport to the World' booklet with stamps and facts from visiting other booths. 3. Contribution to the collaborative bulletin board connection web, highlighting cultural connections across different countries.
Preparation	1. Prepare the venue for the 'World Travel Fair' with designated spaces for each student booth and necessary materials for setup. 2. Create 'Passport to the World' booklets and coordinating stamps for students to use during the fair. 3. Develop guidelines and reflection prompts for the peer-to-peer critique and reflection session. 4. Provide materials and space for the collaborative bulletin board connection web, including paper, markers, and pins.