Culture Web Quest

The study of a language involves a study of the people who speak a language as much as of the language itself.  Often times, the language itself expresses key cultural ideas, but sometimes, we have to look deeper to examine the people who speak a language and what is important to them.  The most effective way to learn about someone else's culture is to get to know that person in their home context.  However, this is not always possible.  This web quest will take you on a journey to learn more about the culture of Spanish-speakers, and it will help you discover elements of your own culture that are alike or different from Hispanic culture. In this web quest you will encounter answers to questions such as the following: What is culture?  What are representations of culture?  What are interesting cultural values or expressions that demonstrate Hispanic culture? How is Spanish-speakers' culture similar to my own? How is it different from my own?

You will research the culture of Spanish-speakers by researching a definition of culture and by discovering specific examples that illustrate their culture.  You will compile your research in a graphic organizer, and you will then use your graphic organizer to write a five-paragraph essay in English comparing and contrasting your own culture to a Spanish speaker's culture.

For this assignment, you will need to examine at least three different categories or elements of culture.  Before you choose which aspects to include in your essay, begin exploring Hispanic culture.  You will explore Hispanic culture by navigating through the websites provided for you.  Keep in mind, marriage ceremonies, religious practices, food, holidays, clothing, music, gender roles, etc. are all elements of culture that can be discussed in your essay. Choose three categories with which you are familiar with your own culture enough to be able to explain them for your comparison and contrast essay.

As you research, take notes in a comparison/contrast graphic organizer.  You may choose to use whichever graphic organizer(s) you prefer.  You may use one organizer for your entire paper, or you may use one per body paragraph/key idea.

Begin by researching a definition of culture.  Go to http://dictionary.reference.com/

Search "culture." Which definition of culture do you think is most appropriate for our class's purposes in our discussion of culture?

Watch this brief video to see what categories would be examples of culture.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o32l-_U6nGY]

For this assignment, you will need to examine at least three different categories or elements of culture.  Before you choose which aspects to include in your essay, begin exploring Hispanic culture.  Keep in mind, marriage ceremonies, religious practices, food, holidays, clothing, music, gender roles, etc. are all elements of culture that can be discussed in your essay. Choose three categories with which you are familiar with your own culture enough to be able to explain them for your comparison and contrast essay.

Use this website to discover specific aspects of culture. 

www.hispanic-culture-online.com

Across the top of the webpage are tabs to navigate from one page to another. Each of the tabs addresses a different aspect of the culture.  Browse through each tab before you decide on the three elements of culture to include in your essay.

You may also use any of the following websites.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/hispanic-culture-facts.html

http://www.coedu.usf.edu/zalaquett/hoy/culture.html

http://www.gru.edu/diversity/hhm/facts.php

http://www.explore-hispanic-culture.com/hispanic-culture.html

http://www.literacynet.org/lp/hperspectives/hispcult.html

http://www.learnspanishtoday.com/learning_module/culture.htm

http://www.everyculture.com/

When you have decided which elements to include, begin taking notes in your graphic organizer(s).

After you have finished your research, develop a thesis sentence that will indicate the purpose and main idea of your essay.  Each element of culture should be addressed in your thesis.  Using your notes on your graphic organizer(s), write your three body paragraphs describing, comparing, and contrasting your culture with Hispanic culture.  After you have written your three body paragraphs, write your introduction and conclusion. Your introduction should include a definition of culture as well as your thesis statement.  Your conclusion should summarize the main ideas of your essay. When you have completed your final draft, have a classmate edit it for you.  Evaluate your work using the rubric provided, and then make corrections as needed.  Turn in to Mrs. Portwood your final essay along with any drafts and your graphic organizer(s).

Standards Assessed:

The students identify commonly held viewpoints of the cultures, such as those relating to time, education, and meals. (MLI.CU1b)

The students describe customs and traditions of the cultures such as greetings, celebrations and courtesies. (MLI.CU1c)

MLI.CCC2:  The students demonstrate an understanding of the significance of culture through comparisons between the culture(s) studied and the students’ own culture.

The students compare patterns of behavior and interaction in the students’ own culture with those of the target language. (MLI.CCC2a)

The students demonstrate an awareness of elements of the students’ own culture. (MLI.CCC2b)