Designed by:  Corey Christopher & Kimberly Malone

OBJECTIVES:

The learner will gather information about China, Australia, and Mexico by visiting designated web sites.
The learner will format Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations.

Culture:  Culture encompasses similarities and differences among people, including their beliefs, knowledge, changes, values, and traditions. Students will explore these elements of society to develop an appreciation and respect for the variety of human cultures.

Learning Expectations:

1.01 Understand the diversity of human cultures.

1.02 Discuss cultures and human patterns of places and regions of the world.

1.03 Recognize the contributions of individuals and people of various ethnic, racial, religious, and socioeconomic groups to the development of civilizations.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

Our class has a new exchange student from another country, so this is an excellent opportunity to help our students become accustomed and aware of other countries and their cultures. We are going to have our students go on 3 virtual field trips to learn about 3 different countries and their cultures.

Materials needed:

Computers, Internet Access, Printer,

Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Crayons.

SCAFFOLDING ACTIVITIES

Before beginning any of the activities, the students will need to complete the following scaffolding activities.

#1 Students will click on the link below and follow the instructions on Page 1 and print out and turn in their spreadsheet. Microsoft Excel:  http://www.compusmart.ab.ca/alummis/excel/exceltutorial.html

#2 Click on the following link to work on your Microsoft Word skills. Follow the instructions and print out your work to turn in when finished. Microsoft Word:  http://www.compusmart.ab.ca/alummis/beginnerword/index.htm

#3 Click on the following link to work on your PowerPoint skills. Follow the instructions and save the file as your last name. Microsoft PowerPoint:  PowerPoint Scaffolding Activity

#4 Click on the following link to work on your printing skills. Follow the instructions and print out your work to turn in for evaluation.  Printing:  Print Scaffolding

You will begin your field trip by visiting the following websites to search for information for your group PowerPoint presentation. Students will work in groups of 4 students; your teacher will assign you to a group. (analysis, synthesis, and evaluation)

 Click here for the instructions for your assignment.

Websites:  

 http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/hh/goplaces

 http://www.elbalero.gob.mx/index_kids.html

 http://www.gigglepotz.com/caustralia.htm

 http://www.about-australia.com/

 http://www.gifs.net/index.php3

For an idea of what your presentation should look like, click here

 Your second assignment is to take all of the information you found in Assignment 1 and organize it into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet; this will also help you with future activities. (application and synthesis)

Click here for the instructions to your assignment.

Once you decide your country of choice you will be designing a travel brochure to explain why you chose this country; you can use the information you gathered for Activity 1 to help you or you can search the Internet for additional facts. (application and synthesis)

Click here for the instructions to your assignment.

Now that you are aware of the countries you have researched, the activity requires you to print out the map worksheet and color in the countries we have discussed. (knowledge)

Click here for instructions to your assignment.

Are you tired and hungry from all of this work? Well, your next assignment is to find out how much it would cost you to have lunch in each of the 3 countries:  Australia, China, and Mexico. (application and synthesis)

Click here for the instructions to your assignment.

Your final activity is to present your group PowerPoint presentation orally to the class. (analysis, synthesis, and evaluation)

Click here for the instructions to your presentation.

ALL ANIMATIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT:  www.animation-central.com & www.microsoft.com