My Culture Box
5/7/2015
As we progress through our units on the Eastern Hemisphere, you will examine
your culture through a project called My Culture Box. Often we focus on today and
forget about “our yesterdays.” In this project, you will have the opportunity to reflect
on the impact you and your family has had on our rapidly changing world. Your
ancestors started many wonderful customs and traditions in the world and you continue
some of those traditions today. While doing this project, focus on the twelve cultural
universals and the concept of cultural diffusion. These personal cultural displays will be
shared through your culture box and the writings that you put together. You will be
amazed at how diverse our world is and how awesome you are!
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
You need to start by simply brainstorming ideas. Try some of the
following to get your ideas flowing and to generate some discussion in class.
These are suggestions not requirements:
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Sketch out a plan of things you would like to focus on with this project.
Find a shoebox and start a list of items you would like to put in it and how
you would like to decorate it.
Think about what you would like to talk about with the class that would
peak their interest.
On the next two pages, every student will complete all three of the categories
described below. Please follow the schedule and directions carefully and email
or see me with any questions.
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A journal of your topics.
A culture display (your box.
A 5-6 minute presentation.
My Culture Box
5/7/2015
I. ALL ABOUT ME JOURNAL – What to do?
Start an “All About Me” booklet. This will be submitted in final status
only. Make sure all your writing is in final draft status (this means typed or
written in pen neatly). If done in Word, please use 12 font/1.5 spacing and use a
readable font. It can also be submitted as a virtual presentation (Boardmaker,
Powerpoint, website, etc.) with links to pictures, video, interviews, and music or
you can include any part of technology when you are doing your presentation.
You may include memories, poems, stories, webs, thoughts or anything that you
feel will help make your journal special and unique to you. Expect the journal to
be anywhere from 12 to 25 pages. The booklet should contain
information/reflections about 10 of the following items (7 must be in essay
format and 3 can be lists/webs):
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Cultural Web about you. Create a personal web and write your name in the center of the
circle. Around the center of the circle, write the names of people, places, and things that are
important to you. You can also create a web based on a topic of your choice.
Memoir Essay/Social Group Poster/Japanese style family crest or some other writing piece
already completed that reflects your life, passion, or some other component of your life. An
essay written in LA will count if it falls under the criteria. – This is the DOUBLE DIPPER STUFF
Family Tree – Use a blank family tree and fill it out or go to myheritage.com and create one.
Create a timeline about significant people, activities, and events in your life or start a timeline
from birth to now and go over each year.
Describe all members of your family and share some of their cultural traits.
Describe your favorite sport/hobby/activity
Places that you identify with
A toy you loved to play with
Scariest thing that ever happened to me
Something you are good at
My best friendship memory
Something you’re proud of
Something you worry about
Something I survived
A favorite custom, tradition or cultural trait that your family has shared with you.
A hope you have for the future
One thing you think would help make this a better global world
Who do you look up to? Do you have a role model? Hero? Explain
Describe your favorite holiday/celebration and why you enjoy it so much.
The best or worst thing that has ever happened to you.
Places you have traveled to.
Favorite song lyrics
Fun Facts about me.
What my music style says about me?
My biggest fear is ……
NEW FOR 2013! A TEENAGERS BUCKET LIST!
NEW FOR 2013! I LOVE TOO …….
I AM AWESOME BECAUSE I …. (2014)
NEW FOR 2015 – I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT….
My Culture Box
5/7/2015
Include anything you feel would tell us more about you and your culture. Cut out
pictures of sports, nature, musicians, celebrities, sport stars, team logos, and family
photos to emphasize your culture in more detail while we view the journal. Include
these pictures with your writings.
II. CULTURE BOX – How do I set this up?
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Cover your box in construction paper, wrapping paper, paint, or any other
material you feel is appropriate for your box. Students are encouraged to
decorate the box to represent who they are and their ancestors. Some
students will focus on flags or the cultural universals to decorate their box
with. Use glue or tape to put cover together.
Display your name in a unique way on the top of the box. This helps me
figure out who you are.
Share photos of your family and ancestors if you would like to on the box.
Place items inside the box that represent your life. Share items that are
significant in your life.
If items are too large to fit in the box then bring them on the day of your
presentation.
PRESENTATION – How do I share my culture with the class?
 Prepare a 5 – 6 minute (maximum) presentation to the class that
shares information from your box, journal, and your life.
 You will be scheduled to present on a specific day. If there are
problems with the day selected please see me ASAP.
 Any demonstrations, food, music, etc. must be appropriate and set
up by you. Eating utensils, plates, music, etc. must be provided by
you.
 Samples of food, clothing, music, dance, art, etc. that represent your
culture. (we love it when students bake, perform a song, dance,
share their art work, play an instrument), This is in addition to your
ten topics unless it fits in with one of the topics. This would be part
of your presentation.
 I will provide information on how to do a great presentation in a
few weeks.
DUE DATE: THURSDAY May 28, 2015
Parent Signature______________________________
Student Signature_____________________________
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Date___________________
You will also have checkpoint days where you will have a portion of the
project done to receive credit for that day. Not having this done on that
My Culture Box
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5/7/2015
day will result in a “0”. I have a calendar with a daily layout of what you
can do if this is too overwhelming or you just want help along the way.
May 11, 2015 –
Signatures required and you have a shoebox.
May 14, 2015 –
Topics selected and two are written in rough draft.
May 20, 2015 Seven topics are written and box is decorated.
May 23, 2015 Outline of presentation and list of demands for your
presentation. Also, any requirements for virtual presentations must be
met by this day so there are no technology issues.
May 28, 2015 Project due date. Journal, box, and any other
pertinent material needed for project must be turned in today. Food
items, items of value, or items too large to bring in until presentation date
should not be here on this day.
May 28, 2015 – June 4, 2015 – Presentation of projects