2009+Unit+1+-+Cultural+Awareness+and+Acceptance

=**UNIT 1: Cultural Awareness and Acceptance**=

Need the current HOMEWORK that was announced in class? See the assignment (by due date) below:
// **Due Wednesday, Sept 30:** // Cultural Lunch Reminder: Bring a food item that represents your cultural identity. Also, on the index card, include:
 * Name of the Food
 * Country or Culture that it represents
 * Your Name
 * 3-5 sentences that answer "In what ways is this food representative of your culture?" To assist you, consider:
 * Traditional ingrediants and/or ways in which this food is prepared.
 * Traditional occasions and/or ways in which this food is eaten.
 * Special significance that this has for you and/or your family.

//Note:// You will use your card as a label and display for your food. Make it neat, clear and visually appealing.

Due Monday, Sept 28: Below are all of the articles that we've covered in class this unit. Take a look at any that you have not yet read. The more examples that you have from these articles, the more material you'll have to choose from on our upcoming writing assessment. Active reading is recommended, but not required.



//** Due Thursday, September 9: **//

Assignment: Use an online encyclopedia to research the Geographic, Historical and Political context of your novel. The following **Keywords** will help you get started (though you may branch out from them as your investigation deepens). Select 4-5 __important__ pieces of information, record them in the form of detailed bullet points, and be prepared to explain/defend them to your novel study group during class on Thursday.

Tip: Before you start, brainstorm of set of questions that are based on the keywords and the reading of your novel (For example, you don't need to know everything about each war, but you should want to know which groups were fighting and why). Then, use your questions to guide your research. Your answers will make great bullet points!


 * **Novel** || **Keywords** ||
 * Boy Overboard || Afghanistan, Afghan War ||
 * Tangled Threads || Laos, Providence (USA), Vietnam War, Pathet Lao, Hmong ||
 * Refugee Boy || Eritrea, Ethiopia, Eritrean War, London (England) ||
 * Caught in the Crossfire || 9/11, England, Pakistani Immigrants, British/Muslim Relations ||
 * Only the Heart || Viet Nam, Vietnam War, Vietnamese Refugees, Malaysia, Australia ||

Suggested online encylcopedias: [|www.encarta.com], www.britannica.com (Username: !@#Beijing Password: Ktwelve)

Due Monday, September 7: Assignment #1: Actively read in your required novel for your Monday deadline.

Assignment #2: Vocabulary


 * Identify all of the words that you used incorrectly on the quiz (including the back).
 * Write a paragraph (or a few short paragraphs) in which you use the words correctly. Make sure that your use of these words indicates that you know the precise and accurate meaning. Underline each word as you use them and submit this, along with your original quiz, to Mr. Gold on Monday.
 * Tip: Not sure what to write about? Use your novel for inspiration and tell a story about your character that uses these words.

 Assignment #1: On the back of your letter to an Alphan Family member, write a one paragraph response to the question: //As students with diverse cultural backgrounds and foreign living experiences, what connections can you make between this simulation and your own lives?//
 * //Due Monday, August 24://**

Assignment #2: __Actively__ Read the article "The Great Debate on Culture". Use one or more of the following active reading strategies:
 * Highlight important words and phrases (no more than 20% of the text).
 * Record thoughts, questions, or drawings in the margins of your article.
 * Use symbols to show parts that you question (?), are surprised to read (!), agree with (+), or disagree with (-).



**//Due Friday, August 21://** Tonight you will stay in the role of a member of Alpha and write a letter (about a page in length) to one of your Alphan family members in which you describe:
 * Your visit to the Beta culture
 * Your personal interactions/experiences with the Beta culture and its members (Betans)
 * Your current thoughts and feelings regarding the Beta culture and its members (Betans)

What VOCABULARY will help me get the most from this unit? Make sure you can define and use the following words correctly in writing.
// **Due Friday, August 28:** // Provide for each a **definition** (may use dictionary, but paraphrase completely in own words) and a **sentence** (at least as many words as your age, needs show that you understand the word)


 * 1) Culture
 * 2) Culture Shock
 * 3) Third Culture Kids
 * 4) Expatriate
 * 5) Immigrant
 * 6) Ethnic
 * 7) Traditional
 * 8) Overt
 * 9) Identity
 * 10) Minority
 * 11) Diversity
 * 12) Values
 * 13) Cultural Norm
 * 14) Cultural Universal
 * 15) Taboo
 * 16) Perspective
 * 17) Ethnocentrism
 * 18) Prejudice
 * 19) Coexist
 * 20) Stereotype
 * 21) Assimilate
 * 22) Indigenous
 * 23) Tolerance
 * 24) Multicultural

What's in your BINDER ? Use the following list to keep track of all notes you are responsible for. Remember, binders will be collected and graded at the end of the unit. Stay up to date and organized!
(Note: Any item that has an asterix [*] is still with Mr. Gold for grading purposes)
 * 1) "My Name" Assignment
 * 2) Article: The Great Debate on Culture
 * 3) Student Unit Handout
 * 4) 4 Roles Placemat: "The Great Debate on Culture"
 * 5) Bafa Bafa Letter and Reflection
 * 6) Notes: Cultural Iceberg Model
 * 7) Article: Third Culture Kids
 * 8) Article(s): Cultural Conflicts Around the World
 * 9) Vocabulary Quiz - Pretest and Revisions
 * 10) Notes: Plotline of a Story
 * 11) Mind Map on Required Novel
 * 12) Two Paragraph Response: Theme and Connections to Novel*
 * 13) Final Vocabulary Quiz
 * 14) Common Assessment - Individual Instructions
 * 15) Culture Matters Individual Prep Sheet*
 * 16) Notes: The Gods Must Be Crazy