Country Reflections

Hi families! We are beginning Country Reflections and the students will be presenting next month right after Presidents' Day weekend. Please see the assignment listed below.

Countries Around the World Reflection Assignment

Reflections for the 2018 winter term of the school year will be Countries Around the World Reflections. Each student must select any country in the world to research and answer the questions listed below in an artistic and well written reflection. Countries Around the World Reflections will be presented to the class on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, February 21^st, 22^nd, and 23^rd. As always, you are very welcome to attend the reflections.

I will be expecting thorough research with complete sentences. I will give the students more research time in the computer lab in the weeks prior to the reflections.

We have been discussing continents, oceans, and world geography in class so this is a continuation of our current social studies discussion.

The schedule is listed below. You are more than welcome to attend.

Wednesday  2/21	Thursday 2/22	Friday 2/23
Wyatt          9:00 Carter         9:15 Marian        9:30 Kate            9:45 Jaden          10:00 Ethan          10:15	Aly          9:15 Liarah     9:30 Catie       9:45 Grace     10:00	Aniyahsun    9:00 Colton          9:15 Kullen          9:30 Charlie         9:45 Sophia         10:00 Ricky            10:15

Reflection Expectations

1. Each student must select a country.
2. Each student must thoroughly research their country and answer the following questions using complete sentences for EACH question:

      a. What country did you choose and why?

      b. What is the population of the country?

      c. What are the religions of the country?

      d. What form of government is used in the country (monarchy, democracy, republic…)?

      e. What is life like for a kid in the country?

f.  What are the schools like in the country? (please write some details)

      g. What kind of food is eaten by the people of the country?

      h. What is one animal native (from) the country and please describe the animal?

i. What is a really interesting fact about the country that you did not know before this reflection?

j. Please have one page dedicated to listing your sources. Each student should use at least 2 sources. For example, if the students use a history book, they need to write the name of the book and the author. If they use Culture Grams, they need to list that as well.

3. Each student should draw a picture of the country’s flag.
4. Each student should bring a sample of some form of tradition from their country, or bring in a sample of their country’s style of food. Recipes can be found on Culture Grams. If neither of these options are possible, there must be something unique and traditional from their country that they can present, even if it is just a picture.
5. The students must show me a completed rough draft of their report by February 14^th.
6. Final reports should have a cover and back page, and excellent effort in handwriting and detailed artwork or picture clippings for visuals. The presentation can also be presented on a poster board or Power Point presentation. As long as your student follows the directions and answers the research questions, the presentation can take any form.
7. Each student should feel like they are an expert in their country and be prepared to answer questions about their reflection. They are the teacher of that country and are educating the rest of the class!
8. Our school library is packed with excellent historical research books. We also have great school internet sites with helpful information. The students can find out a great deal of information for Culture Grams and by visiting their public library.

I will ask for students to have their country chosen by January 12th. This will give them over a month to prepare and research their country.

The most important thing about Reflections is to make each student feel confident and proud of their work. Please help them in accomplishing this goal.

If you have questions, please email me! That is the best way to get in touch with me during the school day. My email is hnelsen@gsd54.org  (Remember, to ensure that emails get to me, my last name is spelled “en” not “on”.

Thanks Parents and Grandparents! I appreciate all you do to help me help your child! I could not do it without you!

Hannah Nelsen www.classwithmrsnelsen.blogspot.com

Common Core Standards of this Project

W.3.2 Write to inform and explain ideas.

W.3.4 Write for different purposes, audiences, and topics.

W.3.6 Use technology to create pieces of writing and to interact and share ideas with others.

W.3.7 Organize short research projects.

W.3.8 Research and use experiences to gather information.

W.3.8 Take notes to help organize the research in writing.                            

W.3.10 Write on a regular basis with stamina for different tasks, purposes, and audiences.

W.3.5 Plan, edit, and revise writing with the help of peers and adults.

SL.3.6 Speak in complete sentences to make sharing clearer to others.

SL.3.5 Create visual displays to help listeners understand.

SL.3.4 Report on a topic and share important facts.

SL.3.4 Speak at a clearly and at a good pace.

SL.3.3 Ask and answer questions about information heard from a speaker.

SL.3.2 Figure out the main idea and details of what is being heard or seen.

SL.3.1 Explain thinking and ideas based on a discussion.

SL.3.1 Ask questions to create a focus on the discussion.

SL.3.1 Effectively participate in discussions.

SL.3.1 Come to a discussion with prepared ideas to share.

4.2.2 Understands how contributions made by various cultural groups have shaped the history of the community and world.

3.2.2 Understands the cultural universals of place, time, family life, economics, communication, arts, recreation, food, clothing, shelter, transportation, government, and education.

5.4.2 Prepares a list of resources, including the title and author for each source.