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Comparison of Utah and Cultures of Various People

Main Core Tie

English Language Arts Grade 4
Reading: Informational Text Standard 7

Additional Core Ties

English Language Arts Grade 4
Writing Standard 1

Social Studies - 4th Grade
Standard 1 Objective 3

Time Frame

1 class periods of 45 minutes each

Group Size

Large Groups

Authors

Karen Bosone
Julie Lee
brooke rauzon
MICHELLE RODERICK

Summary

Students will discover similarities and differences in the lifestyles and geography of Utah and another culture of various peoples.


Materials

Attachments

  1. Venn diagram (pdf) for each student and an overhead transparency for the teacher to use.
  2. A Ticket to Japan, by Tom Streissguth, published by Carolrhoda Books, Inc./ Minneapolis. ISBN 1-57505-127-3, or book from any other culture
  3. Prepare word cards:

    volcanoes, origami, quilts, earthquakes, islands, bowing, shaking hands, hot springs, Pacific Ocean, homes, Tatami mats, paper screens, school, uniforms, backpacks, chopsticks, baseball, soccer, Sumo wrestlers, martial arts, playgrounds, Great Salt Lake, silverware, Arches, sagebrush, coyotes, beds, carpet, permanent walls.

  4. Prepare a large graphic organizer with the words:
    • Utah
    • Both
    • Japan or other culture


Background for Teachers

You may want to complete the lesson titled, "Geography and Daily Life of Japan or any other Culture" with an Anticipation Guide before teaching this lesson.

Teacher should know how to compare and contrast using a Venn Diagram.


Student Prior Knowledge

  1. Information about Utah's lifestyles and geography.
  2. Knowledge of Venn Diagrams.


Intended Learning Outcomes

The students will use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast daily life and geography in Utah with daily life and geography in Japan or other culture.


Instructional Procedures

Before lesson:

  1. Review what was learned in the lesson titled, "Geography and Daily Life of Japan" or other culture. Students can use their Anticipation Guides.
  2. Briefly review how to complete a Venn Diagram.
  3. Tell the students we will be comparing and contrasting Japan (or other culture) and Utah.
During lesson:
  1. Hold up a word card, think aloud about whether it belongs under "Utah", "Both" or "Japan or other cullture." Place the word card under the correct category.
  2. Next, hold up a word card and discuss where it should be placed. Call on a student to place the card under the correct category and explain why.
  3. Repeat until all the words have been placed.
After lesson:
  1. Hand out the Venn diagram (pdf) .
  2. Model filling in the diagram by using a transparency for the first few words.
  3. Have the students finish the diagram, adding words that they think of on their own.


Extensions

  1. Write a personal narrative from the point of view from a student in Utah and a student in the other culture.
  2. Make a bulletin board using charts, graphs and pictures from both cultures.


Assessment Plan

Have the students use their Venn Diagram to write about what they learned.


Created: 08/01/2005
Updated: 02/05/2018
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