Media –Rich Lesson Plan
Teacher Training Institute
Prairie Public
Name: Anthony Olsen
TITLE:
We Can Make a Difference! Through the Study of Culture
GRADE LEVEL(S);
Grade 12
TIME ALLOTMENT: Three 50 min. class periods. Three days.
OVERVIEW: This lesson is about the importance of introducing culture into the
study of sociology. Before students begin to study the many different aspects of
sociology and the study of human relationships they should have a firm knowledge
of what culture is, why we study it, and the importance of how people interact in
groups.
SUBJECT MATTER: Sociology:
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Explore cultures in terms of the total way of life of a given people both past and
present. It is not enough to just tolerate other cultures from around the world. It is
more important to accept those cultures. We must learn to ACCEPT based on
judging cultures by their standards not ours.
STANDARDS:
North Dakota Content and Achievement Standards: Social Studies Grades 9-12
Standard 6: Students understand the importance of culture, individual identity, and
group identity.
GROUP INTERACTION ACHIEVEMENT DESCRIPTORS
9–12.6.1 Explain how group and cultural influences contribute to human
development, identity, and behavior (e.g., religion, education, media,
government, and economy)
9–12.6.2 Explain the various purposes of social groups, general implications of
group membership, and different ways that groups function (e.g., minority
groups, cliques, counterculture, family relations and political groups)
9–12.6.3 Relate elements of socio-cultural development with other factors (e.g.,
individual differences, personality and assessment, psychological
disorders and treatments)
9–12.6.4 Analyze conflict, cooperation, and interdependence among individuals,
groups, and institutions (e.g., gender roles, social stratification,
racial/ethnic bias)
DIGITAL MEDIA COMPONENTS – VIDEO AND/OR WEB:
Source:http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/newamericans/foreducators_lesson_
plan_06.html
MATERIALS:
Computer Lab.
Sociology Book - The Study of Human Relationships. Or whatever book you are using.
World Wide Web. http://prairiepublic.pbslearningmedia.org
PREP FOR TEACHERS: Teachers must have access to a computer lab or some
schools have a computer cart.
INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY - SETTING THE STAGE :
Day One:
1. Begin by asking student’s what their definition of culture is. Write the
answers they give on the board and discuss. I prefer to use the board because
I can erase and add as I go. I also like to hand off the marker to students so
they can write their own ideas on the board. Get them up and moving!
2. On the board. Have the vocabulary essential for the lesson written down
without the definition. Ask students what the definitions are and let them use
the book.
3. Vocabulary: Cultural Relativism, Ethnocentrism, and Cultural Variations. Also
list The Five Components of Culture: Technology, Symbols, Language, Values
and Norms.
4. Then show the students a short video you can find on Prairie Pubic media.
http://prairiepublic.pbslearningmedia.org/ or use this example of a past
culture - Quest for the Lost Maya. Show the video and discuss the five
components of culture.
http://prairiepublic.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/12c75c61-d8bd-4be98aac-06598bab68f4/12c75c61-d8bd-4be9-8aac-06598bab68f4/
5. End class with a handout of the learning activity that will be taking place in the
computer lab the following day. That handout is comprised of the
culminating activity.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
1. Students will have a complete understanding and know the definition of
culture.
2. Students will see how Cultural Relativism can help achieve a acceptance of
other cultures and provide the tools needed to understand why
ethnocentrisim exists and what we can do to prevent it.
3. Students will present a four to five slide power point to class on a given
culture. This power point will include a knowledge of ALL vocabulary
discussed in the first day of class.
4. Students will include a collage.
5. Student will be able to discuss what ethnocentrisim is and how might
cultural relativism help us keep an open mind towards cultural variations.
CULMINATING ACTIVITY:
Step One: Students will create a five-slide power point on one culture from a list
provided. Provide your own lists from hundreds of different cultures from around
the world.
- Slide one will contain students’ name, grade, class period and teacher.
- Slides two thru four will contain examples of the Five Components of Culture.
- The final slide will be a collage of a specific culture, pictures of people, places,
symbols etc. BE CREATIVE!
Step Two: Each power point must contain the Five Components of Culture.
1. Technology. 2. Symbols. 3. Language. 4. Values. 5. Norms.
Step Three: Students will save to server and be prepared to present to class on day
three of the activity.
Step Four - Day Three: Students will present power point to class. Power point
presentations will be 5 to 7 minutes in length. Use your own Rubric for grading but I
found it is best to keep it simple.
Example:
1. 10pts computer lab behavior and how well they follow rules while in the
computer lab.
2. The power point itself. 20 pts.
3. The oral presentation to class will be 20 pts.
Total of 50 pts.
CROSS-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY:
- Foreign Languages can use this assignment. A good website I found for that would
be helpful is: http://www.learner.org/workshops/tfl/
- Art and Music Classes could use this assignment while pointing out the vast riches
in art and music from around the world.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: This lesson plan gives students real world
knowledge as it pertains to the recognition of prejudice, racism by people, groups
and organizations and governments. It could prompt students to become politically
active in school government or community involvement with new immigrants to
their city or as simple as how best to welcome a new student to their school.
STUDENT MATERIALS: No materials are needed other than access to a computer
lab.