COMPARATIVE CULTURES5.5

5AThe countries of the Western Hemisphere are diverse and the cultures of these countries are rich and varied. Due to their proximity to each other, the countries of the Western Hemisphere share some of the same concerns and issues.

The countries of the Western Hemisphere have varied

characteristics and contributions that distinguish

them from other countries.

Students will explore key cultural characteristics, such as

the languages, religions and contributions, of the

United States, Canada, Mexico, and one Caribbean or one South

American country.

Country USA Canada Mexico  South American Country

Language 

       

Religion  

       

Contributions       

       

Students will compare and contrast key cultural characteristics and contributions associated with the United States with those associated with Canada, Mexico, and a country in either the Caribbean or South America.

RubricHeading of Display Board

_____/10• Name of your country ( Nice and big in

the center – make it attention getting)• Your name clearly and neatly• Have a flag from your country – (you

may draw it or print it from the computer)

Tourism _____/30 • Language o You will need to list 10 English words of your choice and their

translation in the primary language of your country. There are websites that you can Google that can help you with translations.

Example: I’m researching Mexico so I might have… Gato = Cat Hola = Hello • Currency / Exchange Rate – What is their money called / how

much of their money equals $1 of ours? • Points of Interest / Cities / Entertainment o Tell us about 3 major cities that people would choose to visit in

your country. What makes those cities so interesting? Explain landmarks, events, cultural significance or anything else those cities might have to offer tourists and visitors.

People _____/30

• Population (How many people live in your country?)

• Dress / Clothing (What are traditional or cultural clothing styles of the people?)

• Customs (Tell us about some traditions of the people – what do they celebrate?)

• Holidays (Choose at least two to tell us about)• Food (Are there certain foods that are common

or considered a delicacy – something the country is known for?)

Geography ____/20

• Describe the climate of your country and have a map (location of your country)

• Label the physical features on your map (label mountains, rivers, canyons…features of your country) a key must be included with your map.

• List the latitude and longitude of your country, the continent it is located on and any countries that border it.

Free Choice Section – You must choose 2 topics from this section to research and include information about in your report, each free choice section is worth 35 points:

Free Choice 1: _____/35

Free Choice 2: _____/35

• Famous Person - Someone that is well known that either lived/lives in that country or is from that country originally. Why are they famous, what’s so “great” about them?

• Current Event - Find an article of a current even that is happening in your country. Your article should be as current as possible. The article must be attached to your board. You will write a summary about your article, think who?, what?, where?, when? why? And how? to help you write a complete summary of your current event.

• Animal – Information on an animal that is either native to your country or one your country is well known for.

• Historical Event – An important event that helped shape your country’s history, possibly one that they celebrate or honor.

• Tourist Hot Spot – Choose a place / landmark, not previously mentioned in your report and give a deeper look at this particular location and why it would be an important place in this country.

• Family life – Information on daily life in the country you have chosen, housing, jobs, money etc. • School – what is the school day like? Homework? Classroom? Describe what it would be like to

be a student in your country. • Natural Events – Major natural disasters that frequently affect your country (ie: earthquakes,

tornadoes etc). • Government - Form of Government (Do they have a President, King, Prime Minster etc.),

Imports/Exports (What does your country grow or make that they sell to other places?) What are some things it imports? (needs to bring in to their country) Main Industry (What is your country known for, what brings in the most money to your country?) Natural Resources (What natural resources can be found in your country)

Quality of Work ____/30 points • Neatness of overall project• Spelling and grammar• Pictures and visuals in each section help the viewer get

to know your country and aid in your overall presentation.• Overall effort – time in class was used wisely and

efficiently (judged by teacher observation throughout project)

Bibliography ____ /10 points• All sources are cited correctly• Has at least 3 sources and at least one of those is a

grade level appropriate book

Total Points Possible: 200 ___________ / 200

Culture Language A verbal way of communication Religion Spiritual beliefs and related customs Architecture Designing buildings and environments with consideration for their

effect; also designs specific to certain cultures Clothing A covering designed to be worn on a person's body Food Any substance that can be metabolized by an organism to give energy and

build tissue :) Agriculture Farming practices Gender Relations Organized principles that shape and order interactions

between the sexes, as well as the relative social importance of women and men Tolerance The willingness to recognize and respect the beliefs or practices of

others Technology The practical application of science to commerce or industry Music The sounds produced by singers or musical instruments (or

reproductions of such sounds) Art The products of human creativity Education Teaching and learning practices

1. Survival a. food - edible source of energy b. clothing - protective covering for the body c. defense - tools and strategies used to protect people from threats d. shelter - structure used to protect people and their belongings

2. Education - the way people in a culture learn what they need to know in order to be successful in their culture

3. Transportation - the way a culture gets people and goods from one place to another

4. Communication - the way a culture shares ideas and messages

5. Economy - the way people in a culture get what they need and want

6. Technology - manmade tools that make life easier

7. Social Structure - who is considered important in a culture and who isn't

8. Beliefs and Traditions - the ideas a culture believes in and the way they celebrate those beliefs

9. Rules and Regulations - the rules that maintain order in a culture and the structure that maintains those rules

10. Arts & Recreation - the way a culture spends its spare time and expresses itself creatively

Contributions InventionsFoodsTechnologyResearchMedicinesArchitectureMusic

5BCountries in the Western Hemisphere face a variety of concerns and issues specific to the region.

Project Students will investigate a current issue that

two or more Western Hemisphere countries are facing together.

Some examples include environmental issues, immigration, and trade.

Mexico

Mexico

Mexico

Mexico

Mexico

Mexicohttp://www.timeforkids.com/destination/mexicohttp://

www.buzzle.com/articles/mexico-facts-for-kids.html

http://www.atozkidsstuff.com/mexico.htmlhttp://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/count

ries/mexico/

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/countries/mexico.html

http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0107779.htmlhttp://

www.ducksters.com/geography/country/mexico.php