MODULE 3 CONCEPT OF CULTURE AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN TEACHING OF ELEMENTARY GRADES

Palawan State University

College of Community Resource Development
Narra , Campus

Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary

Grades (Culture and Geography)
Module 3

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 MODULE 3 CONCEPT OF CULTURE AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN TEACHING OF ELEMENTARY GRADES

Concept of Culture and its Importance in teaching of

elementary grades

Overview
Elementary learners may be curious of why do they have patterns of behaviours by which
they adapt from their family and the community they live in.
Upon this module, you will learn the concept of Culture particularly its definition and the
importance of teaching culture in the elementary grades.

Learning outcomes:
By the end of this module, students are expected to:
1. Define Culture
2. Analyze the importance of teaching culture in the elementary grades
3. Evaluate the significance of teaching culture in every individual as a responsible and
critical citizens

LEARNING CONTENT

What is Culture?

Culture is a lot more than a list of holidays or food preferences or the language someone
speaks. Culture is the framework around which we build our identity. It influences how we
engage with the world, the perspectives we take, and the expectations we have. Every one of us
has a culture, and most of us have identities built from multiple cultures.

The classic definition of culture is forwarded by an eminent English anthropologist and

scholar Edward B. Taylor who defined it as “that complex whole which includes knowledge,
beliefs, arts, morals, laws, customs and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a
member of society” (Hunt, 1998).

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 MODULE 3 CONCEPT OF CULTURE AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN TEACHING OF ELEMENTARY GRADES

Culture is the patterns of learned and shared behavior and beliefs of a particular social,
ethnic, or age group. It can also be described as the complex whole of collective human beliefs
with a structured stage of civilization that can be specific to a nation or time period. Humans in
turn use culture to adapt and transform the world they live in.

Why is it important to teach culture in the classroom?

It is important to remind ourselves why diversity and cultural awareness is so crucial in the
classroom and the benefits it can have on students now and in the long-term. Teaching diversity
exposes students to various cultural and social groups, preparing students to become better citizens in
their communities. These culturally responsive teaching strategies will help you to promote diversity
in the classroom.

With these culturally responsive teaching strategies in mind, it’s important to remind ourselves why
diversity and cultural awareness is so crucial in the classroom and the benefits it can have on students
now and in the long-term.

Students Become More Empathetic

Promoting awareness and creating a personal connection with diverse cultures in the classroom
can prevent students from developing prejudices later in life. It allows them to empathize with
people different from themselves since they’re more aware of the experiences someone of a
different race or cultural group may face.

Students Gain a Better Understanding of Lessons and People

When working and learning with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures present in
the classroom, students gain a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. It also
teaches students how to use their own strengths and points of view to contribute in a diverse
working environment.

Students Become More Open-Minded

Naturally, by exposing students to a diverse range of opinions, thoughts, and cultural
backgrounds, you’re encouraging them to be more open-minded later in life. This will make
them open to new ideas and be able to attain a greater comprehension on a topic by taking in
different points of view.

Students Feel More Confident and Safe

Students who learn about different cultures during their education feel more comfortable and
safe with these differences later in life. This allows them to interact in a wider range of social
groups and feel more confident in themselves as well as in their interactions with others.

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Direction: Answer the following questions comprehensively.

1. In your own understanding, define culture.

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2. As a student and as a future teacher, why is it important to teach culture in the elementary
grades?
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__________________________________________________________________________

3. Justify the statement below

“A reflection on the educational and cultural aspects of information could result in a better
qualified society made up of responsible and critical citizens.”

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References:

Culture_retrieve from_https://drexel.edu/soe/resources/student-teaching/advice/importance-of-cultural-
diversity-in-classroom/

Culture_retrieve from_ https://courses.lumenlearning.com/culturalanthropology/chapter/what-is-culture/

(Hesse, Muller & Ruβ, 2008).

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Concept of Geography and its Importance in teaching

of elementary grades
Overview

Students at young age are in exploration and wandering stage, they may wonder about the
earth, the physical features of one place to another and the interaction of people to environment.
Upon this module, you will learn the concept of Geography particularly its definition and
the importance of teaching geography in the elementary grades.
Learning outcomes:
By the end of this module, students are expected to:
1. Define Geography
2. Analyze the importance of teaching geography in the elementary grades
3. Evaluate the eradication of ignorance of geography in the elementary learners
4. Compare and contrast Culture and Geography in the teaching of elementary grades

Learning Content

What is Geography?

Geography is the study of places and the relationships between people and their
environments. Geographers explore both the physical properties of Earth’s surface and the
human societies spread across it. They also examine how human culture interacts with the
natural environment and the way those locations and places can have an impact on people.
Geography seeks to understand where things are found, why they are there, and how they
develop and change over time.

WHY SHOULD GEOGRAPHY BE TAUGHT IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL?

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Geography helps one understand the physical and cultural characteristics of the world.
Geographic education provides the values, knowledge, concepts, and skills to better understand
ourselves, our relationship to the earth, and our interdependence with other peoples of the world.
The locational organization scheme of geography provides a framework for learning the
physical, social, and historical phenomena studied in both elementary and secondary schools.

Formal instruction in the primary and elementary grades is effective in increasing

geographic knowledge and skills (Buggey & Kracht 1986). Elementary students have the
abilities to learn geographic skills in observation, classification, organization, and map reading
and interpretation. Elementary school students also have measurable attitudes concerning people
in other nations and are interested in and able to learn about people in other areas of the world
(Mitsakos 1976; Pike & Barrows 1976). These attitudes often develop, however, without
accurate knowledge of the locations and characteristics of places and the people who live in
them. There is a great need to increase the quantity and quality of geographic education in
elementary schools to overcome ignorance of geography.

Importance of Teaching Children Geography

Geography helps one understand the physical and cultural characteristics of the world.
Geographic education provides the values, knowledge, concepts, and skills to better understand
ourselves, our relationship to the earth, and our interdependence with other peoples of the world.
There is a great need to increase the quantity and quality of geographic education in elementary
schools to overcome ignorance of geography. Place names and locations are stressed in
elementary geography, as are map and globe skills and the recognition of physical landforms
appearing on maps. Teachers promote the study of geography through one or more teaching
strategies: personal experiences, textbooks and printed media, and interactive computer software.

Fundamentally, just as it is necessary to know the alphabet for reading, or multiplication tables
for arithmetic, it is also necessary to learn geography to know where places are, and also some
facts about those places so you can tell why they are different.

Geography, History, and Civics are seldom taught in classrooms today, which a major concern is
considering the increasing focus on globalization and the world economy.

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Future leaders who are oblivious of geographical knowledge will have a hard time analysing
world events and making rational decisions, let alone understanding basic physical systems of
everyday life, like implications of the solar system on climate, water cycles, ocean currents, etc.

Geography Helps You Understand Your Own Country

Studying geography gives you knowledge about different places on earth and how they relate
with each other. Usually, you start by learning about your home community, region, country,
continent, and so on as you gain more experience.

When it comes to your country, you can expect to learn about:

Citizenship

Geography knowledge makes you become a better citizen. Learning geography allows you to
identify and appreciate important events and national and international policies; make better and
informed decisions regarding the best use of national resources; and ask relevant questions about
policies that optimize the landscape and land use. A more informed citizen makes for a better
leader.

. Economics

There is a close relation between economics and geography with regard to the level of
industrialization or energy production; transportation networks and the applications of
technology; the location of natural resources; and many other factors that influence trade patterns
and the economy of the country and region.

. History

Learning geography allows you to identify and appreciate important clues of your nation’s
history, including the influence of landforms and climate on land use, the rise and fall of
civilizations, and migration patterns, among other things. Knowing the history of the landscape
helps you understand the transformation processes that have taken place.

. The Environment

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Geography also covers the relationship between human beings and the environment, and how
natural systems work. Geographers conduct research to identify the role of environmental factors
on population behaviour, and ways in which social processes such as population growth and
technological advances affect the environment. These matters are critical for formulating
environmental policies for global conservation.

Geography Helps You Understand The World

Geography also gives you the tools to gain an understanding of international matters,
multicultural concerns, and environmental matters. You learn to read maps, interpret local and
global information, and understand international networks for trade and other things.

All this information allows you to integrate multiple concepts from humanities, social science,
and science, and apply critical thinking to dealing with current issues at the local, national, and
international level. But it starts with allocating some hours or days per week for the study of
different geographical aspects in the education system.

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Evaluation

Direction: Answer the following questions comprehensively

1. In your own understanding, define geography.

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

2. Is it important to teach geography in the elementary grades? Why or why not?

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

3. Is it necessary to eradicate ignorance of geography in the elementary learners? Why or why

not?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

4. Compare and Contrast Culture and Geography in the teaching of elementary grades (You may
create your own graphic organizer)

References

ERIC Identifier: ED309133

Publication Date: 1989-08-00
Author: Haas, Mary E.

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Source: ERIC Clearinghouse for Social Studies/Social Science Education

Bloomington IN.

Importance of Teaching Geography_Retrieve from_

https://childventures.ca/blog/2016/11/importance-teaching-children-geography/

Importance of Teaching Geography_Retrieve from_ https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED309133

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