World Culture Day

Welcome

This WebQuest gives students the opportunity to understand not only their own cultural heritage, but also their classmates' cultural legacy in achieving American culture. Students will develop an understanding of the historical wave of immigration by referring to online sources such as articles and videos presented by teachers. Students will see how the different cultures that students now enjoy in the American society they live in have contributed to shaping American culture today. Students will discover evidence to support the idea that cultural diversity can make a unique and positive contribution to a larger society, despite all the differences.

Author: Jae Jung

Grade Level: 7-9

Curriculum: United States History

Introduction

Why would we call it a German chocolate cake, French dressing, English muffins? We know that many celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jackie Chan and Keanu Reeves were not born in the United States. Do you know that our most patriotic song was written by a British composer? You can know that the food, the culture and even the patriotic songs we enjoy come from all over the world.

On World Culture Day, there is a corner that gives presentations in order for visitors to learn about the diverse cultures from around the world that shape the American culture. It is a good thing for each student to study as much as possible about the culture that is to be introduced and make sure it will be a great experience for others to learn well.

What would happen if we don’t care or ignore the diverse nature of American culture? What if younger generations are not educated on this critical issue of diversity? If so, what will be the future picture of our society in dealing with diversity matters? If we weren't influenced by the different cultures from around the world, would American culture be as diverse and interesting as it is now? Culture influences our identity and behavior. The United States is a country of melting spot with cultural coexistence.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau the 2009 population in America was: 80% white, 16% Hispanic or Latino origin (may be of any race), 13% African American, 5% Asian, 1% American Indian/Alaska Native, 0.2% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (Bellfield, 2012). It is important to understand cultural diversity well because this country, workplaces, and schools are increasingly made up of diverse cultural, racial, and ethnic groups. In this unit, students will be able to better understand the diversity matter of the United States by exploring the history of immigrants in this country.

If you want to know more about the diversity issues affecting the US culture, please use below resource sites.

Resources:

20 'foreign' foods that are really American. https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2018/07/09/20-foreign-foods-really-american/764102002/

What is cultural diversity?  https://www.purdueglobal.edu/blog/human-services/what-is-cultural-diversity/

15 Foreign Celebs You Totally Thought Were American https://www.suggest.com/lifestyle/1007/15-foreign-celebs-you-totally-thought-were-american/

20 "American" Traditions We Totally Stole from Other Cultures https://bestlifeonline.com/fake-american-traditions/

Guiding questions:

• How have the immigration history affected the formation of diverse culture in this country?
• How can we do better to understand others with different ethnic and/or cultural background and form a culture of unity and at the same time diversifying?

Tasks to complete:

Perform a web search for the given topic according to the guided steps illustrated below.

• Analyze the searched content to write a report.
• Write a report about the historical events of U.S. Immigration and their cultural effects on the United States.
• Prepare presentation materials to present during the World Culture Day.
• Present and demonstrate to visitors about your findings about the U.S. Immigration history and their culture effect on the United States.

The following is a report format for students to submit:

1). Title

2). Name

3). Pick one of the historical events of immigration and explain it

4). If you find a special story about them, tell it.

5). Introduce their own culture that they brought to the United States.

6). Organize and narrate answers regarding questions about the given five web sources.

7). Fill in the presentation details, including manuscripts and visual or other additional materials for the presentation.

8). For additional resources that you have used, list the references.

Search and find the information related to the U.S. Immigration and diversity matters. Below illustrated sites and the questions attached to them will be some examples you can refer to conduct the web searches. In doing so, consider questions while you visit each link. Write a report and a presentation plan. Interpret and analyze the information, create new information and products to share with others.

• Meet the young immigrants: http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/immigration/young_immigrants/index.htm

Listen to immigrants’ stories. How is their story different or the same as yours? What do you think individuals should do when social and individual belief systems are in conflict? Is it right or not to challenge a society's belief or values?

• Immigration stories of yesterday and today http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/immigration/

Learn how historical events have influenced what America is today. Choose a historically specific event related to immigration that you think has the greatest impact on the United States today.

•  What is cultural diversity?  https://www.purdueglobal.edu/blog/human-services/what-is-cultural-diver…

What do you think is causing the imbalance of power within the culture? Why is cultural diversity a “good thing”?  How is bias created? How can you support cultural diversity?

In writing and presenting your report, please refer to below guidelines.

In more detail, students must do the following things:

• Write a report about the historical events of U.S. Immigration, including time, place, past and present story, etc. Specifically, look for how their culture affects the United States and is now present in the United States. (Don't forget the resources). Specify your research and rationale for immigration to the United States at various points throughout history.
• Prepare presentation materials to present during the World Culture Day. Present to the school on immigration and the culture of certain ethnicities and their role in American culture of World Culture Day. The presentation time is no more than 5 minutes. The presentation's plan is submitted to the teacher's email a week before the event (if you have a video, upload it and include the link in the email).
• After submitting your report and presentation plan, you will have time to check the presentation method and check the necessary equipment with your teacher. Check the assigned time and desk on World Culture Day.
• Demonstrate to visitors what you have researched at a table designated for a World Culture Day.  Host presentation corners in a variety of ways, such as posters, multimedia, data, maps, or give visitors a chance to experience the culture.
• For ethical work, give credit to the source you use. At the bottom of the report, write down the original author(s) name, date, title, and URL link from the source you used. APA by Purdue Owl (It is always good source when you cite the sources) https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/general_format.html

This project will be graded according to the rubric provided below. Complete your assignment according to the rubric as much as possible for better grades.

At the completion of the WebQuest, students will be able to sharpen their perspectives to deeply understand the diverse nature of American culture and equip themselves to search for better ways to make a harmonious society. From the WebQuest, we expect that students will appreciate other cultures. They will see how much different cultures affect their lives. The project would allow students:

• The ability to explore online research information on your own individual.
• A wealth of knowledge about diversity/different cultures
• Learn the value of respect for others.

The next step will be then to think about the practical aspects to apply the learning to individual students’ daily lives. In doing so, the following questions may help them come up with better ideas for practice.

• What new things have you learned?
• How does your learning affect your thoughts and/or attitude toward diversity matters surrounding you?
• Will you have an open mind and a positive attitude when you will face unfamiliar cultures in the future?
• What can you do differently in the future to create an America where everyone is welcomed and accepted?

According to Oklahoma social studies content standards (2020): United States History Content Standards/ Common core curriculum standards.

USH.7 The student will analyze the cause and effects of significant domestic events and policies from 1945 to 1975.

USH.8 The student will analyze the impact foreign and domestic policies from 1977 to 2001.

USH.9 The student will examine contemporary challenges and successes in meeting the needs of the American citizen and society, 2002 to the present.

AASL Standards Framework for learners (2017), A. Think in Domain, V. Explore: 1. Reading widely and deeply in multiple formats and writing and creating for a variety of purposes. And D. Grow, II. Include: 3. Reflecting on their own place within the global learning community. This lesson allows students to share the knowledge gained through a variety of online information and improve their ability to think in an integrated and critical manner. Students will understand the United States within the global era and understand their own place living in the United States.