Exploring Cultural Differences & Influences

Guided Notes
Miss. Dickey 10th Grade English
Unit: Nicola Yoon’s The Sun is Also a Star Multicultural Literature
Objectives
! define culture
! recognize that some differences among people stem from culture and that some stem from personal
traits and preferences.
Define Culture
! Let’s review
! Without referencing your handout, define culture in your own worlds.

! Give examples of what you believe are vital in a culture.

World Map
In Relation to Characters from The Sun is Also a Star
Jamica South Korea

Which character is originally from Jamaica? Whose parents are originally from South Korea?

The Basics of Culture

Fill in the radial chart below.
The Basics of Culture Cont.
! Without looking at the previous page.
! Name 3 basics that define a culture.

1. ________________________________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________________________________
! Then give an example for each basic
! i.e. Basic: Language – English, French, Spanish, Mandarin, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Arabic

1. ________________________________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________________________________
Culture
! Culture [kəl-chər] (noun) ways of living and beliefs that are handed down from one generation to the
next

! Examples of Some Customs & Traditions from Around the World:

! ________________________(Greece)
! In Greece, a child’s tooth is thrown onto the roof for good luck.
! ________________________(Austria)
! Krampus Night. Celebrated in Austria on December 5th, Krampus is described as Santa
Claus’ evil twin brother!
! ________________________(China)
! Foot Binding, a beauty ritual for women to keep their feet from growing too large, is a
painful Chinese tradition that only stopped in the 1930s.
! ________________________(United States)
! In many Western cultures, children leave teeth under their pillow for the tooth fairy to
collect – usually in return for some money!
! ________________________(Caribbean)
! At a Caribbean wedding ceremony, the groom never has a best man.
Culture Cont.
! After reading the definition of culture, take the next 60 seconds to jot down traditions or beliefs that
you believe are common to be passed down to the next generation?

! After you are done: complete the Supplement Culture Handout.

! This will allow you to gain aspect of your own culture.
! Handout available here: http://www.tolerance.org/sites/default/files/general/181.
TT_Handout_POE_Culture Worksheet.pdf
Consider These 3 Statements
1. No one is exactly like me. 
2. I have many things in common with the members of my family and community. 
3. Every person in the world needs some of the same things I need.

! Get into groups of 3 or 4.

! Share ideas that support the previous statements.
! Any similar ideas?

! Any different ideas?

Similarities & Differences

! Many differences are related to culture—ways of living and beliefs that are handed down from one
generation to the next.
! Similarities among cultures include, but not limited to:
! People share basic needs (food, shelter, etc.)
! Each of us learns a set of behaviors and beliefs from the people we grow up with (the kinds of
homes we live in and foods we eat)
! Even when we talk about the behaviors and beliefs that a group of people has in common, we are still
talking about culture.
Differences
! Various groups often look at people in other groups as “different.”
! Differences that are often pointed out:
!
!
!

! Why may people in one group behave differently from people in another?

! How does ignorance play a role in viewing people and their differences? Refer to your notes.

! Why is it important to accept and learn about other peoples’ cultures?

Brief Descriptions of the Main Characters
! Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never
come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street
and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica.
Falling in love with him won’t be my story.
! Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations.
Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha
makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.
! The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie
before us. Which one will come true?
Connection to The Sun is Also a Star
Natasha Daniel
! Jamaican ! Korean American
! Born in Jamaica ! Born in the United States
! Undocumented immigrant ! Parents expectations for Daniel because their
! Experience shapes who she is cultural values
! Speaks English ! Speaks English mainly
! Tries to identify as American ! Legal citizens
! Rejects Jamaican heritage ! Embrace both cultures
! “American Dream” ! “American Dream”
! Apply what your knowledge of Natasha’s ! Now apply your knowledge to Daniel’s
culture and experiences: culture and experiences:
! How are they similar to yours? ! How are they similar to yours?

! How are they different? ! How are they different?

American Dream
“The American Dream is the
belief that anyone, regardless of
where they were born or what
class they were born into, can
attain their own version of
success in a society where
upward mobility is possible for
everyone. The American Dream
is achieved through sacrifice,
risk-taking and hard work, not
by chance.” –Will Kenton
American Dream in regards to The Sun is Also a Star
Natasha’s Family Daniel’s family
! Natasha’s father moved before his family to ! Parents immigrated from South Korea for a
follow his passion for acting better chance at a live
! The idea of the American Dream to better his ! Relatively successful with a beauty supply
families lives shop
! Risked illegal immigration ! Immigrated legally
! Believed living in the United States to be ! Believed living in the United States to be
better than Jamaica better than South Korea
! Children brought to the states at a young age ! Children born in the states
Answer Questions about the American Dream
! What is the “American Dream” to you?

! How would it appeal other people?

! Imagine being in Natasha’s shoes.

! Why is the “American Dream” such a motivating factor for people to immigrant here?

! What is needed to be sacrificed in order to get here?

! What are you willing to sacrifice?

Now Consider the Following

! If you were a member of another culture, how might you be different from the way you are now?

! How can we use what we learned in this lesson to improve our community?

Michael Rain’s TEDtalk

! Listen to Michael’s talk about his experience being a child of immigrants. (8:02)
! Joint down some notes in the space below:
Short Story Activity
! Imagine a community that allowed no resident to display or practice any element of cultural identity.
! i.e. smiling to signify happiness/welcoming attitude

! Write short stories describing a typical day in such a community.

! Consider the following when writing:

! Are the fictitious communities desirable or interesting places to be? Would it be possible or
desirable to create such a community in reality?

Write your short story below:

Wrapping Up
! Get in groups of 3-4.
! Share your short stories.
! After listening choose one to share to the rest of the class.
! Then answer why that story and if it is possible to live in that community.