Grade 6 - Understanding Cultural Influences

This organizer contains the following sections:
Prescribed Learning Outcomes
Suggested Instructional Strategies
Suggested Assessment Strategies
Recommended Learning Resources

PRESCRIBED LEARNING OUTCOMES

It is expected that students will:

identify elements of Francophone cultures that are different from or similar to their own
give examples of the presence of Francophone cultures in their community

SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

Because students at this grade level will be asked to share aspects of their cultural backgrounds, it is important to establish an atmosphere of trust in the classroom. When discussing similarities and differences, avoid stereotyping. Instead, emphasize the ways in which diversity enriches the classroom experience and brings life to the study of French.

Invite the class to brainstorm a list of all the special events celebrated by their families (e.g., Festival of Light, pow-wow, birthdays). Each student chooses an important family event and creates a poster, using symbols or drawings and some French terms. Students present their celebrations to the class, using their posters as prompts, and the class completes a Celebrations of Our Class chart. Headings might include: Nom, Fête, Date, Faits intéressants.
After students present their family events, have them research a Francophone family event or celebration that is similar to their own. They may obtain information through travel agents, tourist bureaus, the Internet, and so on. Students present their findings to the class using visual prompts.
Using the local telephone book, have students find Francophone resources, places, and associations.
Have an ongoing letter or e-mail exchange with a Francophone school in Canada. Throughout the year, the corresponding class will be asked to respond to group surveys to determine preferences in sports, music, food, video games, etc. Collect or read letters before they are sent.

SUGGESTED ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES

As students talk and write about their own cultural experiences and engage in classroom cultural activities, their responses reveal the extent of their cultural understanding. Students' attitudes not only play a key role in their development of cultural understanding, but reveal the extent of their openness and interest through their participation and the questions they ask.

As students present their special events or celebrations, look for evidence that they:
- include all required information
- speak clearly
- have researched the topic
- use visual prompts
As students discuss cultural events and customs, observe and note evidence of their interest and understanding. For example, to what extent do students:
- ask questions of each other
- volunteer information about their own families and communities
- speculate about reasons for particular customs or behaviours
- offer to find out the answers to questions
- volunteer information they have discovered about other cultures
While students search through phone books, observe and note evidence of their interest and full participation in the activity.
As students exchange letters, look for evidence that they:
- ask appropriate questions
- provide requested information
- complete the task
Using the information obtained in the surveys, students will speculate about how their lives might be different or similar in Francophone communities. Look for evidence that they:
- participate in the surveys by voicing their opinions
- recognize similarities and differences

RECOMMENDED LEARNING RESOURCES

Multimedia

Acti-Vie 1, 2
Savoir faire: Visages 2

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