Discovering Cultures and Countries
By Caroline Wyman
Objective: The children will be able to choose a country and decorate their doll cut out so that it represents a person from that particular country. They will also be able to tell about their country by doing research. Grades 3-5
Development: After sharing family nationalities, ask if anyone might know any other information about the country that their grandparents or great grandparents are from. Discuss out loud and chart some information using a graphic organizer called a web. Put the country in the middle and "web" any characteristics or facts about the country. Have a country ready with web facts already charted. Discuss the interesting facts about the country and people. After this pass out boy doll cut outs to the boys in the class and girl doll cut outs to the girls in the class. Each student will research either a country that is assigned to them or they can choose a country themselves to research. Whichever suits the teacher. They will have to dress their doll according to the customs or country characteristics. Each student will have to explain why their doll is wearing their particular clothing. They will also have to make their own web organizer with facts about their country. This can be extended to research reports depending on the level of skills. The students will also have to be prepared to share their project and present it to the class.
Closure: After presentations create a bulletin board with all of the dolls.
Materials: Doll cut outs and web organizer
Time: Can be completed over time in the classroom and library or give as an at home project. Initial lesson 30 min.
Caroline Wyman has a degree in Sociology and a Masters in Elementary Education and is the administrator for TeacherNet.com.