A Culture Unit
Dear Sixth Graders,
The unit that we are about to begin is about culture. How does this relate to Language Arts, you may ask? Well, as you may already know, there are many different cultures in our country, not to mention our world. Often we only get to interact with people from just a few other cultures, which really is sad because we have so much to learn from people who come from other traditions. Reading is a fantastic way in which to broaden our horizons. By reading stories from other cultures, we begin to understand that our way isn't always the best way, and we learn to appreciate the variety of people that God has created. Culture isn't just about people groups- culture also has to do with individuals. Each of you has your own culture. Each of you come from families that may have different traditions, beliefs, and interests. The culture you come from influences how you see the world, so it is very important for you to understand your own culture.
Throughout this unit, we start out by talking about our own cultures. You will have the opportunity to interview a classmate and write a poem about where you come from. After we learn about our own cultures, we will learn about cultures throughout the rest of the world. You will have the opportunity to research a country and learn more about the culture of the people in that country. In order to help you better understand what it might be like to live in a place in which your culture is not the norm, we will be reading the book It Ain't So Awful Falafel as a class. I think all of you will love it. We will also be reading The Sneetches, a book that will help us understand how different cultures have been (and still are) discriminated against.
I am really looking forward to learning with you. I hope you enjoy it, and I hope you take away from this lesson both Language Arts skills and life skills.
Mrs. Cole
The unit that we are about to begin is about culture. How does this relate to Language Arts, you may ask? Well, as you may already know, there are many different cultures in our country, not to mention our world. Often we only get to interact with people from just a few other cultures, which really is sad because we have so much to learn from people who come from other traditions. Reading is a fantastic way in which to broaden our horizons. By reading stories from other cultures, we begin to understand that our way isn't always the best way, and we learn to appreciate the variety of people that God has created. Culture isn't just about people groups- culture also has to do with individuals. Each of you has your own culture. Each of you come from families that may have different traditions, beliefs, and interests. The culture you come from influences how you see the world, so it is very important for you to understand your own culture.
Throughout this unit, we start out by talking about our own cultures. You will have the opportunity to interview a classmate and write a poem about where you come from. After we learn about our own cultures, we will learn about cultures throughout the rest of the world. You will have the opportunity to research a country and learn more about the culture of the people in that country. In order to help you better understand what it might be like to live in a place in which your culture is not the norm, we will be reading the book It Ain't So Awful Falafel as a class. I think all of you will love it. We will also be reading The Sneetches, a book that will help us understand how different cultures have been (and still are) discriminated against.
I am really looking forward to learning with you. I hope you enjoy it, and I hope you take away from this lesson both Language Arts skills and life skills.
Mrs. Cole
Here are a few things you will learn:
1. You will learn what culture is. 2. You will learn more about yourself- where do you come from? 3. You will learn to write a poem using what you have learned about your own culture. 4. You will develop awareness of other cultures. 5. You will learn about other students in your class. 6. You will learn how to write a research paper. 7. You will learn more about Creative writing. 8. You will learn more about writing a journalistic article. Here are a few state standards that we will cover: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.7 Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.8 Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources; assess the credibility of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and providing basic bibliographic information for sources. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.5 With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1-3 up to and including grade 6 here.) CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.1.D Establish and maintain a formal style. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.1.E Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from the argument presented. |
Here is what the next nine weeks will look like:
For all other details, please click on the link below that applies to you. Enjoy!