1

st
Grade
Teaching Social Studies through Similarities and Differences
Big Idea:
All cultures have similarities and differences.
Daily Objectives:
Given explicit instruction, the students will define culture.
Given pre-determined questions, students will interview a partner to compare and
contrast physical traits.
After listening to a reading of Happy Birthday Everywhere!, the students will write a
journal entry describing a specific tradition.
Given a paper doll and supplies, the students will demonstrate understanding that
people dress according to their culture.
Given explicit instruction, the students will construct a graph relating family size to
culture.
After researching local and state culture, students will construct a lapbook
identifying cultural facts of Tennessee. (2 days)
Given an 8 x 11 quilt square, the students will create a design to represent a family
custom or tradition.
Using completed quilt squares, the students will give an oral presentation describing
their quilt piece and join the quilt pieces to create a classroom quilt of cultural
diversity. (2 days)


Outline of Content:
I. What is Culture?
a. Culture is learned human behavior.
b. Culture includes customs, beliefs, rules, language, food, way of life, and
clothing.
c. It is important to respect the culture of others.
II. Human Cultures Have Similarities and Differences
a. There are individual differences in languages, beliefs, and customs that may
be unique to one's culture.
b. There are similarities within all human cultures.
III. Diversity in Human Culture
a. People learn customs from their culture.
b. There is culture within the family unit.
c. Certain traditions and customs are unique to each family.
d. Individual and family cultures make up a diverse community culture.








Resources/Materials (T=Teacher, S=Student):
Whiteboard T
Dry Erase Markers T
Interview Questions S (see attachment)
Pencils TS
Pre-created Venn diagram TS (see attachment)
Multicultural Paper Dolls (pre-cut) S
Construction Paper S
Markers S
Scissors S
Glue S
Yarn S
Smiley Face Stickers TS
Pre-created Poster TS
Construction Paper Strips S
Lapbook Materials TS
Crayons S
Happy Birthday Everywhere! by Arlene Erlbach TS
Good Night Tennessee by Adam Gamble S



Technology Resources:
Website for word web activity: Day 1
Kidspiration-- http://www.inspiration.com/Kidspiration
Websites for Tennessee's culture for the lapbook: Days 6 & 7
http://www.memphis.edu/chucalissa/
http://tennessee-guide.info/food/
http://dinolingo.com/blog/2011/05/04/american-culture-for-children/

Student Activities:
Day One: Given assistance from the teacher, students will work cooperatively,
brainstorming different aspects of culture to create a word web using Kidspiration.
Day Two: Given pre-determined questions, students will work in pairs to interview
one another about their physical traits and create a Venn diagram consisting of at
least three differences and similarities.
Day Three: After listening to a reading of Happy Birthday Everywhere!, the students
will respond to the journal prompt: To celebrate my birthday, I
Day Four: Given a paper doll and supplies, the students will decorate a paper doll to
represent the dress of their culture.
Day Five: Given smiley face stickers, the students will construct a picture graph of
household members on a teacher-made poster.
Days Six & Seven: After researching local and state culture using web sites and
books provided by the teacher, the students will work in groups to create a lapbook.
A lapbook is a hands-on project in which students research a topic and create flaps,
mini-books, drawings, graphs, diagrams, timelines, or written work that is displayed
on a folder or poster board.
Day Eight: Given an 8 x 11 quilt square, the students will attach the previously made
paper doll and decorate their squares with pictures, symbols, or words that are
representative of themselves.
Days Nine & Ten: The students will give an oral presentation describing their quilt
piece and personal cultures. At the end of the oral presentation, the students will
join the quilt squares to create one classroom cultural quilt.

Student Evaluation Activity
Formative Assessment: The students will work cooperatively brainstorming
different aspects of culture to create a word web using Kidspiration. Information gathered
from this activity will be used to drive instruction.
Summative Assessment: At the end of this unit, the students will create a classroom
cultural quilt using their paper doll and quilt squares. They will give an oral presentation
of their quilt square demonstrating their understanding that their culture is represented
through their lifestyles. After completion of the classroom cultural quilt, the students will
exhibit their understanding that all cultures have similarities and differences through an
exit ticket by choosing one aspect of another students cultural quilt square that is similar
to their own and another students that is different from their own.




Interview Questions
1. What color is your hair?
2. What color are your eyes?
3. What color is your skin?
4. Do you have freckles?
5. Is your hair curly or straight?
6. Is your hair short or long?
7. Are you short or tall?
8. Are you a boy or girl?
9. Are your ears pierced?
10. Have you lost any teeth?