Student Resources
Teacher Resources

Cultural Expressions

Research Scenario

"A few weeks ago the cashier at the grocery store, seeing my dark hair and dark eyes, counted my change back to me in Spanish. Three days later the waitress at the pizza place made the same mistake. Happens all the time since I moved to Miami. As though without buckskin, braids and beads I don't exist."

-Deloras (Dee) Lane, "Invisible Indian". Reflections on a Gift of Watermelon Pickle, 2nd edition.

Writers are shaped by their own culture and experiences. Representing a different culture in a believable, realistic way requires the writer to conduct research for facts and deeper understanding.

How could a children's book reflect the unique characteristics of a culture?

Task & Product

 

You will write a children's story portraying the values of a chosen culture. Before you begin writing your story, you will need to conduct research in order to write the children's story that reflects the unique qualities of that culture.

Here are some cultures that may be of interest:

  • Mexican (or any other Latin American culture)
  • Chinese
  • Korean
  • African (choose a specific country)
  • Indian (South Asian)
  • Irish
  • Italian
  • Other cultures? (check with your teacher for ideas)

Visit CultureGrams for a quick overview of various countries.

Some of the cultural elements you may want to include are:

  • clothing
  • food
  • traditions/customs
  • recreation
  • music/art
  • school
  • religion

You may think of other aspects of your culture to incorporate into your children's story.

Assessments
The following scoring tools may be used or adapted by your teacher to evaluate your research process and your final product and presentation. You will be graded on your daily work on the research process as well as on your final product and presentation.
Research Process Assessments:

Final Product Assessments: 

Questions

 Essential Question:

How could a children's book reflect the unique characteristics of a culture?

Subsidiary Questions:

  • What type of clothing do they wear?
  • What types of food do they eat?
  • What are the traditions and customs?
  • What types of sports or activities do they participate for recreation?
  • What music or art is part of the country's tradition?
  • How would you describe the educational experience?
  • What religion is practiced?

Gather and Sort

Use a variety of resources for gathering information about your culture.

Sort your research findings using the Culture Web provided or you may create a graphic organizer of your own.

Be sure to avoid plagiarism and remember to cite your references. Check a research guide for details about the proper citation of sources. For MLA guidelines and examples, click here.

Organize

Analyze your research notes to determine if you have adequate information to create your children's book for elementary students.

Synthesize your findings by creating a first draft of your book.

  • Which facts would be most useful and interesting to a young child?
  • Which facts are unnecessary and should be eliminated?
  • What pictures would best illustrate the information you are presenting?
  • Does your book title thoughtfully reflect the culture?



Evaluate your book for quality and completeness. Refer to the rubric for assessment.

  • Revise or edit your first draft, as needed, based on your first self-assessment.

Conclusion

Presentation: You will exchange your children's book with another classmate. Be sure to take notes on the culture your peer chose or your teacher may have you read your book aloud to a small group.

Reflection: Suppose your best friend's family was moving to a new country. What information do you think would be most important for them to know in order to have a better understanding of the culture?

Extension Activity: Visit an elementary school to help celebrate their Multicultural Day. You can share your children's book with them and earn Service Learning Hours.