Exploring

Cultural Differences & Influences 1/13/19

This lecture is adapted from: Exploring Community History and Cultural Influence Borrowed from: www.corestandards.org/
https://www.tolerance.org/classroom-resources/tolerance-lessons/exploring-community-

Objectives & Standards Standards with Description

history-and-cultural-influence

!  CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.3
Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text,
Objectives !  CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.3 interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.
!  CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.6
At the end of the lesson, students will be !  CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.6 Analyze a particular point of view or cultural experience reflected in a work of literature from outside the United
able to:  !  CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.1.d States, drawing on a wide reading of world literature.
!  CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.1.d
!  CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.2
!  define culture. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline
!  CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.3 in which they are writing.
!  recognize that some !  CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.6 !  CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.2
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and
differences among people !  CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.1
! 
accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.3
!  CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.1.d
stem from culture and Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and
well-structured event sequences.
that some stem from !  CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.6
Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products, taking
personal traits and ! 
advantage of technology's capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.1
preferences. Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with
diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and
persuasively.
!  CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.1.d
Respond thoughtfully to diverse perspectives, summarize points of agreement and disagreement, and, when warranted,
qualify or justify their own views and understanding and make new connections in light of the evidence and reasoning
presented. Standards
Title Page Objectives & Standards

Borrowed from: teachingwanderlust.com Borrowed from: https://www.mapsofworld.com/

Define Culture World Map In Relation to Characters from

The Sun is Also a Star

!  Let’s review. Jamaica South Korea

!  Without referencing your handout, define culture in

your own worlds.

!  Give examples of what you believe are vital in a

culture.

Educational Hook Dual-Coding Dual-Coding

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Exploring Cultural Differences & Influences 1/13/19

Borrowed from: https://www.mapsofworld.com/

The Basics of Culture

Which character is Whose parents are originally

originally from Jamaica? from South Korea? !  Name 3 basics that define a culture.
Religion
Values
Language
& Attitudes
!  Then give an example for each basic.
!  i.e. Basic: Language – English, French, Spanish,
Mandarin, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Arabic
Aesthetics Culture Education

Law
Social
& Politics
Organization
Technology

Progress Monitoring Question/Dual-Coding Smart Art/Dual-Coding Progress Monitoring Question

Borrowed from Cultures and Traditions From Around the World

https://www.mobal.com/blog/travel-talk/destination-guides/customs-and-traditions-from-around-the-world/

Culture Consider These 3 Statements

!  culture [kəl-chər] (noun) ways of living and beliefs that !  culture [kəl-chər] (noun) ways of living and beliefs that !  No one is exactly like me.  
are handed down from one generation to the next. are handed down from one generation to the next.
!  I have many things in common with the members of
!  Examples of Some Customs & Traditions from !  After reading the definition of culture, take the next 60 my family and community.  
Around the World: seconds to jot down traditions or beliefs that you
!  Tooth Throwing (Greece) believe are common to be passed down to the next !  Every person in the world needs some of the same
!  The ‘Evil’ Santa Claus (Austria) generation? things I need. 
!  Foot Binding (China) !  After you are done: complete the Supplement
!  Tooth Fairy (United States) Culture Handout.
!  No Best Man (Caribbean) !  This will allow you to gain aspect of your own culture.

Dual-Coding Progress Monitoring Question/Animation Dual-Coding/Animation

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Exploring Cultural Differences & Influences 1/13/19

Similarities & Differences Differences

!  Get into groups of 3 or 4. !  Many differences are related to culture—ways of living and !  Various groups often look at people in other groups as
beliefs that are handed down from one generation to the
next. “different.”
!  Share ideas that support the previous statements.
!  Similarities among cultures include, but not limited to: !  Differences that are often pointed out:
!  Any similar ideas? !  People share basic needs (food, shelter, etc.) !  Language
!  Each of us learns a set of behaviors and beliefs from the
!  Any different ideas? people we grow up with (the kinds of homes we live in and !  Religion
foods we eat) !  Aesthetics
!  Even when we talk about the behaviors and beliefs that a
group of people has in common, we are still talking about
culture. 

Dual-Coding Dual-Coding Dual-Coding/Animation

Connection to
Borrowed from the National Book Foundation
https://www.nationalbook.org/books/the-sun-is-also-a-star/
Brief Descriptions of the Main
Characters The Sun is Also a Star
!  Various groups often look at people in other groups as !  Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Natasha Daniel
“different.”
!  Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good !  Jamaican !  Korean American
!  Why may people in one group behave differently from student, living up to my parents’ high expectations.
!  Born in Jamaica !  Born in the United States
people in another? Never the poet.
!  Undocumented immigrant !  Parents expectations for
!  How does ignorance play a role in viewing people and Daniel because their cultural
!  The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought !  Experience shapes who she
is values
their differences? Refer to your notes. us to this single moment.
!  Speaks English !  Speaks English mainly
!  Why is it important to accept and learn about other
!  Tries to identify as American !  Legal citizens
peoples’ cultures?
!  Rejects Jamaican heritage !  Embrace both cultures

!  “American Dream” !  “American Dream”

Progress Monitoring Question

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Exploring Cultural Differences & Influences 1/13/19

American Dream in regards

Borrowed from American Dream, written by Will Kenton
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/american-dream.asp

to The Sun is Also a Star

Natasha
!  Apply what your
knowledge of Natasha’s
culture and experiences:
!  How are they similar to
yours?
!  How are they different?
Daniel
!  Now apply your knowledge
to Daniel’s culture and
experiences:
!  How are they similar to
yours?
!  How are they different?
Progress Monitoring Question
American Dream
Natasha’s family
“The American Dream is the belief
that anyone, regardless of where !  Natasha’s father moved
before his family to follow his
they were born or what class they passion for acting
were born into, can attain their own
version of success in a society !  The idea of the American
where upward mobility is possible Dream to better his families
for everyone. The American Dream lives
is achieved through sacrifice, risk-
taking and hard work, not by !  Risked illegal immigration
chance.” –Will Kenton !  Believed living in the United
States to be better than
Jamaica
!  Children brought to the states
at a young age
Dual-Coding
Daniel’s family
!  Parents immigrated from
South Korea for a better
chance at a live
!  Relatively successful with a
beauty supply shop
!  Immigrated legally
!  Believed living in the
United States to be better
than South Korea
!  Children born in the states
Dual-Coding

Borrowed from TEDtalk

https://www.ted.com/talks/michael_rain_what_it_s_like_to_be_the_child_of_immigrants#t-48675

Now Consider the Following Michael Rain’s TEDtalk

Listen to Michael’s talk about his experience being a child of immigrants. (8:02)

!  What is the “American Dream” to you? !  If you were a member of another culture, how might
you be different from the way you are now? 
!  How would it appeal other people?
!  Imagine being in Natasha’s shoes. !  How can we use what we learned in this lesson to
improve our community?
!  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?

Progress Monitoring Question Culminating Activity Dual-Coding/Animation

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Short Story Activity Wrapping Up

!  Now, imagine you move to a new country. !  Imagine a community that allowed no resident to !  Get in groups of 3-4.
!  When you arrive, everyone is extremely friendly; however, display or practice any element of cultural identity.
!  Share your short stories.
no one smiles. It is culturally frowned upon to smile. !  i.e. smiling to signify happiness/welcoming attitude

!  A typical day would be sunrise to sunset with nothing but a !  After listening choose one to share to the rest of the
!  Write short stories describing a typical day in such a
straight face. community. class.
!  Then answer why that story and if it is possible to live in
!  This place is the best opportunity for you and your family
that community.
(as you or your significant other is carrying a child).
!  Everything in regards to the new country is the same.

Dual-Coding Culminating Activity Culminating Activity

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