Understanding Cultural Influences (Grade 8)

In what ways do immigrant cultures influence American culture? Young historians explore cultural diffusion and diversity in the United States, and interview peers to discuss shared and unique cultural experiences.

What better way to celebrate eclipses than across cultures? Explore myths of solar and lunar eclipses from ancient cultures like the Chinese, Ancient Greek, Mesoamerican, Incan, Egyptian, Ancient Babylonian, and Middle Eastern. Learners...

Focus on the main idea of an informational reading article about the conflict between Aztec and European cultures, and the eventual collapse of the native Latin American cultures. After class members read the passage, they answer four...

What cultural influences were influential on Japanese tradition? Provided is a brief look at the Chinese traditions that shaped Japanese culture. This presentation also includes several images related to Japanese art, architecture, and...

How has culture shaped you? Middle and high schoolers examine different aspects of one's culture, including religious beliefs, social customs, and family traditions, and discuss the ways that their personalities have been formed by these...

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...

What influences the way you dress, or celebrate holidays, or connect with your friends? Explore the cultural traits that are not easily seen with an engaging discussion. Using the model of an iceberg, learners place features of culture...

Explore the melting pot in your own classroom with a lesson that focuses on cultural beliefs, traditions, and traits. Middle and high schoolers examine the details of their own identified cultures before sharing them with peers, and...

Students examine the different features of culture. They determine which features are visible and invisible. They describe how the two types affect each other.

Learners examine the role of fashion and adornment in society. They discover the factors that influence different types of clothing. They also discuss how clothing reveals cultural clues about a society.