New York State Academy for Teaching and Learning

LEARNING EXPERIENCE

TITLE OF THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE: International Festival
by: JoAnne Kirkby and Tricia Nortz

1. LEARNING CONTEXT

  • The social studies learning standards are NYS #3 and #5. The language arts learning standards are NYS #1 and #4. The primary curriculum focus is social studies, but it also incorporates elements of language arts/writing. The students will need to demonstrate an understanding of location and culture of seven countries. They will 1) make a craft, 2) make a food, 3) design a flag, and 4) write facts.

2. PROCEDURE

  • A table will be set up for each of the seven countries in the gymnasium. All first grade students will be divided into mixed teams and share the responsibility of hosting a booth and traveling. Each booth (country) will display the flag, a food, a craft and other cultural information. The students will "teach" other grade levels about the country. The teacher acts as a facilitator and guides the students throughout the festival.

3. INSTRUCTIONAL/ENVIRONMENTAL MODIFICATIONS

  • The students will be divided into heterogeneous groups. The actual festival will take place in the gymnasium.

4. TIME REQUIRED

  • Planning this learning experience will take approximately an hour or two depending on how many people are involved. The actual setup may take about an hour and the implementation may take a half day. The assessment is ongoing therefore it is hard to give an actual time.

5. RESOURCES

  • Furniture: seven tables, chairs. Equipment: TV/VCR, computer, globe. Supplies: software(atlas), student made crafts, food, flag, and written reports, video of students working throughout the unit.

6. ASSESSMENT PLAN

  • Students will be assessed on their ongoing classroom requirements (crafts, flags, foods, and facts). When the International Festival takes place, students will need to display the knowledge gained. Since this is designed for first grade, there will be no formal grade given, although it will be a good part of overall social studies grade.

7. STUDENT WORK

  • None available at this time. We plan on scanning and displaying student worksheets and products.

8. REFLECTION

  • This learning experience has many different activities incorporated into one, therefore all learners should be able to find some aspect that appeals to them. The students will be engaged in activities that relate to the learning standards that were stated above. We also have activities that relate to math, arts and writing.