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THE
PEOPLE OF SIBERIA - Exploring similarities and differences
in culture helps students become aware of and appreciate other cultures,
and understand their own culture better
Teaching
Objectives
- Diversity
of People, Places and Cultures (Michigan Social Studies Benchmark
II.1)
- Students
will describe, compare, and explain the locations and characteristics
of places, cultures, and settlements
- Information
Processing (Michigan Social Studies Benchmark V.1)
- Students
will acquire information from a variety of sources (books, maps,
newspapers, data sets, etc.) and will organize and present the information
in maps, graphs, charts, and/or time lines and interpret the meaning
and significance of the information
-
Group Discussion
- Engage
peers in discussion about different cultures
- Demonstrate
effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills
- Demonstrate
attentive listening skills
Equipment
needed:
A copy of the text and assignments is needed for each student. The Internet,
encyclopedia, and books can be used as resources to gather more information
about the cultures of Siberia, Russia.
Time
required:
1-3 days depending on which parts of this curriculum you use.
The
Assignment:
- Read
the text - click here.
Discuss with students the lifestyles of Siberian cultures and how
they are different than their own. Students in Moscow and in Siberia
will want to know about American culture. Compare how people in Siberia
and people in your area address similar human needs. Questions to
focus on:
- How
are the Dolgans similar to you?
- How
are the Dolgans different from you?
- What
are the different ways that people obtain food?
- What
are the different ways in which people obtain shelter?
- What
are the different ways people clothe themselves?
- How
and why do cultures change over time? How has Dolgan culture changed?
How has U.S. culture changed? Make a list of at least 5 cultural
changes that you have witnessed during your lifetime (think in terms
of technology, fashion, role models, family life, what you do with
friends, etc.)
- Based
on what you know about North American Native American groups, do
you see any similarities between the Dolgan and Native North American?
- Build
a "Culture Capsule" (a variation on a time capsule) which
consists of at least 10 things that represent United States' culture.
Have students work in teams to make a list of things they would include
in their capsule. Emphasize to students that they will be teaching
Russian students about the culture of the United States. Choose only
items that are integral aspects of U.S. culture. Make sure that all
the materials can fit into a small-medium box because at the end of
this trek, there are possibilities of a cultural exchange with Russian
schools who will be sending their own version of a "Culture Capsule."
- Have
student groups discuss what items they would include in their "culture
capsule" and why these items are considered to be representative
of American culture.
- Have students search the
Internet for sources of information on Russian and
Siberian cultures. Here are some valuable sites you can direct them to:
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