Early Cultures in the United States!

Introduction

Introduction:

1. Culture is the way of life shared by a group of people including their ideas and traditions. Culture reflects the values and beliefs of groups in different ways. Culture influences viewpoints rules and institutions in a global society.

2. For this Webquest you will research different cultures, put your findings in a well organized brochure, and express what you’ve learned about the various cultures in a culture collage.

3. The main focus of this Webquest is to understand the many early cultures that came together to make up the US. Also, you should be aware of the similarities and differences of these early cultures and the issues that unite and divide them.

Core Content: education.ky.gov/curriculum/docs/documents/cca_41_ss_es.doc

Task

The Task:

1. You are working for the Washington Times Newspaper. Your editor in chief has given you the assignment of creating a brochure that informs all Americans of the different cultures that are contributing to the new growth and development of the country. You will also construct a Culture Collage, with the worksheet provided, with pictures you find throughout your research that represents various cultures coming together as one.

2. Requirements for this brochure must include researching characteristics of the four main cultures in early America (Spanish, English, French and West Africa). At least three of the following characteristics must be listed for each culture.

  • Art, literature, music and religion
  • Food, clothing, shelter, and communication
  • Government, economy, education and religion

Process

The Process:

    1. Like any good reporter you must first understand what you are writing about. Watch the YouTube video on culture, and think about  the various types of early cultures that came together in the US.

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VqSlWCOOPQ

    2. Now you are ready to begin the research for the brochure. After gathering the facts of the four main cultures in the early US, it is time to educate yourself about each so you can provide the correct information. The first culture is West African; use the website to gain the facts you need about West Africa.

West Africa

http://www.med.umich.edu/diversity/pdffiles/2%20february/february%20afr…

     3. After your research and recording of West Africa it is now time to move on to the next culture that influence the early US. The French, use the source from every culture to research about the French and their culture to include in your brochure.

French

http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Du-Ha/French-Americans.html

    4.After expanding your knowledge and the belief and values of the French people. Use your journalist expertise to inform your readers about the Spanish. Think about how their different or similar to the other cultures you’ve researched. Remember as you construct your brochure you are keeping it neat and organized. Don’t forget to keep your facts about each culture grouped and you make sure not confuse the reader.

Spanish

http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Pa-Sp/Spanish-Americans.html

     5. It is now time to research your last culture. Use the website to finish your brochure by research and informing Americans of the culture of the English people. As you finish your brochure ask yourself this: Have I included various facts about the four major cultures of the early US? And, Is my pamphlet clean and neat so my readers will enjoying looking at it?

English

http://www.everyculture.com/Cr-Ga/England.html

Collage

    6. The last step is the insert Culture Collage you received at the beginning of your Web quest. Use the knowledge you’ve gained to construct a collage of pictures that represent the various cultures you are informing Americans about.  

Evaluation

Evaluation:

For the brochure you will graded by a rubric covering five major categories (Graphic/Pictures, Content, Sources, Knowledge, and Writing). Click the link to read the criteria you will need to include in your brochure to receive the best grade.  file:///G:/Senior/P-5%20Social%20Studies/Your%20Rubric%20Making%20A%20Brochure%20%20Early%20America.htm

The Culture Collage that was completed with the brochure will be graded by an answer key based on the pictures you chose to represent the culture.

Conclusion

Conclusion:

By the end of your research you should have constructed a brochure that includes characteristics of the four main cultures in early America (Spanish, English, French and West Africa). At least three of the following characteristics must be listed for each culture.

•             Art, literature, music, religion, food, clothing, shelter, communication, government, economy, education and religion.

Also an insert culture collage should be completed using different pictures representing different cultures coming together as one. Images must be cited on the brochure.  Ever wonder about kids your own age and their values and beliefs? What about what they do for fun? Or what they eat for supper? Check out these additional links to expand your knowledge on kids from cultures all around the world: http://www.exploreandmore.org/world/default.htm

http://www.timeforkids.com/around-the-world

Credits