Around the World

Introduction

What are other countries like? What do people do for fun in other places? Do people eat the same foods as you do? Through this assignment, you and your partner will learn about these things and more. You will be sharing the information you find with your classmates during library class.

Task

You will work in pairs to find information about a country using the Internet and library resources. After completing the worksheet, you will need to create an item that represents the culture of the country you have researched.

Process

1. You will need to decide on the location you would like to research from looking at a globe and a map in the library. Tell Mrs. Smith which country you have chosen. You need to choose a country other than the United States.

2. Both of you need to put your name on the worksheet you were given. (If you do not have one, you can access the worksheet here.)

3. Figure out which continent your country is in using a map or globe. Tell Mrs. Smith the name of the continent.

4. Research the country you have chosen. Use the links under Resources (below) or library resources to find the answers. If you decide to use a search site like Yahooligans or Google for Kids, be sure that the information is accurate. (Remember our class lessons on finding facts in 3 places if you are using a search site.) Also remember to follow the Wake County Schools rules for online activity that we have reviewed several times this year. Do not click on advertisements or on items not related to your project.

5. Write the source after each answer. The source is the name of the book or website you have used. For example, if you used the website "Europe" below, your source would read: http://tps.dpi.state.nc.us/connecteurope/.

6. Complete your worksheet with your partner.

7. Decide with your partner what your created item will be. This can be food, a famous building or structure, or anything of value to the particular country. This item must be homemade (not purchased) and needs to completed in school by the date Mrs. Smith tells you, at which time you will explain it to the class.

8. Ask Mrs. Smith if your idea is acceptable, and then figure out how you will get the items needed for the project (such as clay, markers, construction paper, legos, etc.).

9. Prepare your item.

10. Present your worksheet and item to the class.

Resources

Search by Country
Europe
Africa
Asia
Travel for Kids
Yahooligans
Google for Kids

Evaluation

The worksheets and projects will be graded by Mrs. Smith and your classroom teacher. You will be graded on the information you have found, how well you worked with your partner, and how hard you tried on your assignment. Classes will be graded according to their grade-level grading scale for above average, average, and below average.

Conclusion & Additional Activities

You have learned not only about the country you researched, but also about several other countries. Now you can complete a comparison sheet to compare the country you researched with a country another pair researched. You can access the sheet here. You can also find more websites to visit on Mrs. Smith's website on the Around the World page. Bon voyage!

Teacher Resources

Objectives:
Computer/Technology Curriculum: (K-2) 1.4, 2.5; (3-5) 1.5, 2.5, 3.2
Information Skills Curriculum: (K-2) 1.06, 1.07, 1.08, 1.09, 3.02, 4.05, 4.08, 5.03; (3-5) 1.07, 1.08, 1.09, 2.05, 3.02, 4.01, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.08, 4.10, 5.04
This information can be found at NC Public Schools.