Peace Corps
Introducing Culture
Growing up within a culture leaves a lot of ideas and values unspoken. Take a closer look at the cultures in which your learners live with a discussion activity that addresses cultural identity and traits of those living within the...
Curated OER
Let's Go To Mexico
Students are able to use the Internet to conduct research. They research Mexican culture and traditions. Students compare and contrast Mexican and U.S. food and clothing. They convert United States currency to Mexican pesos. Students...
Curated OER
Cultural Values Messages in the Giant Kites of Guatemala
Students describes ways in which the arts serve as expressions of culture. They explain how some forms of cultural communication contributes to societal cohesion and/or division. Students detect and analyze explicit and implicit messages...
Curated OER
Searching for Meanings Beneath the Surface of the Poem
Students analyze poetry. In this cultural perspectives instructional activity, students read the poem "Soccer Until Dusk" by Mark Brazaitis. Students analyze the poem and consider the cultural perspective it reveals.
Curated OER
What is Good Use of Time?
Young scholars analyze the best uses of time in other cultures. In this time use lesson, students read the poem 'Soccer Into Dusk' and 'The Meaning of Time' as analysis of time usage in other culttures. Young scholars complete a...
Curated OER
Searching for Meanings Benath the Surface of the Poem
Students read "Soccer Until Dusk". As a class, they discuss the various settings and actions in the poem and discuss the life in Guatemala and compare it with the United States. To end the activity, they complete a journal reflection...
Rainforest Alliance
Forests of Guatemala
With 90 percent of its land area covered in forests, Suriname, a country in South America, contains the largest percentage of forests throughout the world. Here is an activity that brings classmates together to learn about the...
Curated OER
What Is Good Use of Time?
Students delve into questions about how best to use one's time-in one culture or another. They explore the kinds of choices students will make about their use of time and consider the statement: "We are shaped by the values of the...
Curated OER
Mixing Up the Melting Pot
Students examine the cultures of indigenous peoples and how they have or have not assimilated into modern society. They create reports with recommendations on how the Nukak of Columbia could be assimilated into society.
Curated OER
Me Oh Maya
Students compare basketball to Mayan ring-ball. They write a newspaper article that may have been published during Mayan times.
Curated OER
Visual Elements in the Giant Kites of Guatemala: Shape, Rhythm, and Color
Students view pictures of and discuss geometric shapes included in kites from Guatemala. They discuss the repetition of shapes and how that creates a motif. Students draw three concentric arches across their paper. They create a design...
Curated OER
Radial Balance in the Giant Kites of Guatemala
Students view images of the giant kites of Guatemala. They discuss the designes. Using the last image as a model, students create a radially balanced design with some variety within a motif. They write a short paragraph describing a...
Curated OER
Afghanistan Today: Civil War and Human Rights
Learners examine the relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. They analyze the role of religion and cultural identity in shaping governments. They also examine the United States foreign policy.
Curated OER
Afghanistan and Its Neighbors: Model Summit
Students examine the relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. They discover the role of religion and cultural identity in the war in Afghanistan. They explore the arguments for and and against...
Curated OER
Learning About Guatemala Through Its Kites
Students are introduced to Guatemala and to the tradition of giant kites. They decorate the kite sail and construct the kite. Students identifies possible causal factors contributing to given historical events.
Curated OER
Mystic Lands: Maya: Messages in Stone
Students explore an ancient Mayan city. In this world history lesson plan, students watch a video about the ancient Mayan civilization, discussing information prior to and after watching the video. Students then come to understand more...
Curated OER
Old Mayan Mural
Students read a story called Scientists Discover Oldest Mayan Mural and answer vocabulary and comprehension questions about it. In this current events Mayan mural lesson plan, students respond to literature by answering questions,...
Pulitzer Center
Food Insecurity
Food insecurity, whether as a result of food scarcity or a lack of nutritious food, is a growing and serious problem in the world today. After discussing the concept of food insecurity, learners listen to an NPR radio broadcast on the...
Curated OER
Appreciating Diversity: A Multicultural Lesson Based on the Traditional Clothing of the Maya
Students compare the traditional Mayan clothing to their everyday clothing. In this multicultural appreciation lesson, students look at images of traditional Mayan clothing and discuss its importance.
Curated OER
Weavers Tell Their Stories
Students examine the practice of weaving by Mayan women. They read personal accounts and write a sentence stating the main idea. They also write a short report on weaving as a cultural and economic way of life for the Mayan women.
Curated OER
'Magic' Pablo Lesson
Students examine what goes into hero worship and establishing unlikely friendships. They probe the deeper meanings in "'Magic' Pablo" through small group dialog and use a variety of ways to process the story's meaning. They see the...
Curated OER
Searching for Meanings Beneath the Surface of the Poem
Students examine poems from Latin America and the Caribbean. They compare different perspectives and subjects in the poems. They research Peace Corps volunteers as well.
Curated OER
Clay Wipe Away: Ceramics
Discuss Pre-Colombian South American art with your class, then get out the clay and create some. Pupils practice using the wipe-away technique to create a ceramic tile similar to those made by the Maya. Great web links and a...
Curated OER
Where is Mesoamerica?
Students create a map of Mesoamerica using construction paper, clay or by drawing it. In this World Geography activity, students determine the location of Mesoamerica, make a map, then present their map to their class.