Cultures Around The World
Learning Sequence 8
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Introduction With Gavin
This week, you will explore how different cultures around the world blend their religious practices and structures, like stupas, with the local geography. Your task is to create a model that shows this integration of religion and geography. You can use materials such as clay or recyclable items to build your model.
This project is a fantastic opportunity for you to investigate the unique ways that cultures combine spirituality with their natural environments. You will express what you’ve learned through a hands-on crafting activity. At the end of the week, you’ll present your model to the class. This presentation will demonstrate your understanding of how geography can influence religious practices and your skill in turning this knowledge into a physical creation.
After you watch the video on Nepal’s stupas, Buddhism, and Hinduism, add one more page to your world cultures booklet. On this new page, take a moment to reflect on what you’ve learned from the video. Write down how these religions are practiced in the real world and how the environment influences these traditions.
Also, answer the comprehension questions provided with the video. These questions will help you think deeper about what you’ve learned and connect the teachings to the everyday lives of the people in Nepal.
This extra page will be a great way for you to capture all the new things you’ve discovered and show how much you’ve understood from our exploration this week. Remember, this is your chance to connect real-world learning with the information you’ve gathered!
En Route to Everest - Where are We?
This activity involves tracking a journey to Everest Base Camp on a map each week, offering students a global perspective.
Teachers can use this to encourage research on Sherpa culture and remote villages, enriching students’ understanding of diverse lifestyles and geographical awareness.
This week, we have reached an altitude of 5,100 meters near Gorak Shep. As we continue our course towards Everest Base Camp, located at a remarkable 5,364 meters, you can track our progress each week using the map provided. I encourage you to explore the remote villages we encounter along the way and learn about the distinct lifestyles of the Sherpa people.
Weekly Keywords - Water
Introduce the spelling word list and choose from this list of tasks that can be repeated and expanded upon if necessary.
Copy the words into a spelling list/Vocabulary book for later reference.
Put each of the new words into a sentence and underline the new vocabulary in red pencil
Place the words in alphabetical order in a list.
Use a dictionary to define each of the words and place them into a vocabulary book.
Try to represent each of the words using a picture or a symbol and play the guessing game. (which image is matched to which word)
Write a paragraph containing all of the new vocabulary.
Make a vocabulary wall containing all of the new words.
Use a thesaurus to find synonyms for the words and create a synonym list.
These words are crucial for grasping this week’s lesson on the role of water in Nepalese culture and everyday life. You might recognize some of these words, but remember, practice makes perfect!
Start by reading through the words. Then, try to define them as simply as you can. We’ve included an example to help you begin. You can write these definitions in your books and draw a picture to illustrate each term, or you can choose to complete the task card.
Read and Discuss - Water of the World
This activity encourages students to independently investigate task cards that explore the use of water in cultural and religious contexts, such as in Nepal, designed to improve their reading and comprehension skills.
Students will work together to thoroughly discuss the content and then address increasingly challenging questions. This method promotes independent learning and critical thinking, essential for enhancing their reading skills and deepening their appreciation of cultural and water-related practices.
Each week, you’ll receive a task card that delves into how different cultures manage and respect water, with a particular focus on the role of water in religious practices and everyday life, such as in Nepal.
Please work together to read the provided material thoroughly. After discussing and grasping the content, proceed to answer the comprehension questions included. These questions are designed to test your understanding and increase in difficulty, with Level 4 posing a considerable challenge.
Reflect on the research methods we’ve used to compile this information, as you will use similar strategies in your own projects. This week, we are concentrating on the interplay between water management and cultural practices in Nepal, accompanied by a set of questions on this topic.
Week #8 - The Final Hurdle
This final week of the SDG 15 project encourages students to reflect on their achievements, discuss remaining tasks with peers, and continue their efforts to sustain land health. It’s a chance for both celebration and strategic planning, emphasizing ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship.
Welcome to the final week of our journey with SDG 15 – Life on Land! You’ve been doing an outstanding job, and it’s truly inspiring to witness all the fantastic achievements you’ve made. This week, let’s review all the tasks you’ve completed – tick them off your list and take a moment to feel proud of your accomplishments!
If you did not manage to accomplish all of the tasks, do not worry.
Research Project - Caring For Rivers
Teachers, in this task, students will research and suggest five ways to care for rivers from home or school. By exploring practical actions, such as reducing water usage and preventing littering, students will learn about their impact on river health.
This research encourages critical thinking and empowers students to make a positive difference in their environment. Through documentation and reflection, students will gain an understanding of the importance of preserving our rivers for future generations.
During this research task, we are asking you to think about how we can help our rivers stay clean and healthy. Can you come up with five ways to take care of rivers from our home or school? Let’s brainstorm together and write down simple actions, like not throwing trash into the river and using less water. Your ideas will help us protect our rivers and the creatures that live in them!
Teach a Lesson - Lesson Plan
In this activity, students will apply their understanding of the water cycle and its importance to create presentations for younger students.
They’ll use a template provided to plan engaging lessons, focusing on accuracy and creativity in their designs. After preparation, students will teach another group of children about the water cycle and conservation. This task promotes research, presentation skills, and fosters a sense of responsibility for our environment. Teachers can support students in their planning and delivery of effective lessons
In this activity, we want you to use your new knowledge of the power of water and the water system to prepare a presentation. Your goal is to teach a younger class about the water cycle and why it’s important to care for the water around us. Check out the template presentation
I’ve provided to help you plan your lesson. Remember, accuracy is key when teaching, but your designs should also be engaging to keep students interested. Once you’re done, visit another group of children and share everything you’ve learned. Get creative and good luck
Exploring Water Systems: Research Questions"
This activity challenges students to independently explore the history of world religions using a set of provided questions. Drawing from diverse sources, students will compile detailed insights to enhance a new book chapter. The emphasis is on promoting autonomous learning and synthesizing information from varied perspectives.
As you embark on the journey of understanding water systems, here is a set of research questions to guide your exploration and gather essential details.
Refer to page 7 of the provided book template and utilize these research questions as a roadmap to compile comprehensive information for incorporating a detailed section on water systems into your book.
Adding Your Eighth Page - Water of the World
In Week 8, students will immerse themselves in the multifaceted world of water and its significance across diverse cultures. This assignment prompts them to delve into the ways in which water shapes cultural identities, illuminating its profound influence on daily life and community dynamics.
Through Canva, students will craft visually compelling pages for their booklet, honing their digital skills while showcasing their understanding of water’s cultural importance. This process not only strengthens their proficiency with digital tools but also fosters their capacity to communicate complex concepts in creative and accessible formats.
Week 8 is dedicated to exploring the vital role of water in cultures around the world.
Your task this week is to investigate how water shapes the culture you’re studying. Discover how people interact with water in their daily lives, rituals, and traditions. Explore its significance in religious ceremonies, festivals, and community gatherings.
Think creatively about how to present your findings on water in an engaging and informative manner. Utilize the provided template to structure your page effectively. Click the ‘Create in Canva’ button below to begin compiling your research.
We’ve also prepared a new page for you to add to our book, focusing on the profound influence of water in your chosen culture.
With each passing week, your booklet evolves into a vibrant exploration of cultural richness. Let’s continue this journey and uncover the profound significance of water in people’s lives!
Real-World Learning - Collect Rainwater and Reusing it.
This hands-on activity allows students to create a functional rain catcher, promoting environmental awareness and water conservation. By utilizing recycled materials, they learn sustainable practices.
Collecting rainwater fosters responsibility as they decide how to use this resource impactfully, whether watering plants, cleaning, or sharing with the community. Measuring and recording rainfall nurtures data analysis skills. Overall, it’s an immersive experience connecting academic concepts to real-world impact through water management and environmental stewardship.
During this week’s real world learning activity, we’re going to make a special container called a rain catcher! It will allow us to collect rainwater from the sky.
First, you’ll need to find a container like an empty milk jug, bucket, or barrel that doesn’t have any holes in it. You can decorate it however you want with stickers, paint or markers to make it look fun!
Next, when it starts raining, take your rain catcher outside and leave it in an open area so the rain can fall right into it. Watch as it slowly fills up with fresh rainwater!
Once your rain catcher is full, you can use that water for all sorts of things. You can give water to your plants or a pet, wash toys or bikes, make mud pies, or even use it for a fun science experiment. The possibilities are endless with your very own captured rainwater!
Doesn’t that sound like an exciting way to get water directly from nature’s rainclouds? Let’s get started making our own unique rain catchers!
Weekly Inspiration - The Ocean (The Largest Home on Earth)
This week’s lesson explores the ocean’s diverse ecosystem through a video that highlights the crucial role students play in conserving marine environments. It aims to engage students with the beauty of the ocean and emphasizes their part in protecting this vast, essential global habitat.
This week, we’re going on an exciting journey into the amazing underwater world of the ocean! Watch the video to explore the vibrant sea life and the beautiful coral reefs that make the ocean so special. Discover the important role you play in protecting this vast, blue world, which is the largest home on our planet. Learn about the different ways we can help keep our oceans clean and safe for all its incredible creatures.