Task In social studies this year we will be taking a tour of the world. We will visit each continent during the course of the year. The main purpose of this “tour” is to open the world up to the students and help them understand the similarities and differences between cultures of the world. Throughout this project there will be specific objectives that each student/group will be expected to meet through various activities and projects:
1. Each group will gather specific information about their country in 4 different areas.
a. Geography (physical features of the land, climate, long. & lat.)
b. Political (capital, government)
c. Culture (clothing, games, art, literature, food…)
d. Religion
2. Each group will produce a poster describing each of the categories above. The information on the poster will be gathered from a variety of sources. A rubric will be used to assess the final product.
3. Each group will present an oral presentation using their posters. A self-assessment, peer-assessment and teach-assessment will be used.

The first continent we will be visiting is Europe. The countries that will be assigned are England, Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, and Germany. Activity Questions
1. What are the physical features of your country?
2. What is the climate like?
3. What is the capital of your country?
4. What type of government does your country have?
5. Describe the clothing worn by the people?
6. Describe a typical meal served at dinner?
7. Describe a game that is played by children your age?
8. Retell a fable or folktale that is told in your country?
9. Describe the physical features of your country?
10. What is the climate of your country?
11. How do you think the physical features and climate affect the culture of the country?
12. How would your life be different if you lived in that country? How would it be the same?

Resources www.yahooligans.com www.enchantedlearning.com www.scholastic.com

Culminating Question
How is the culture you studied different and similar to your own culture? Project
1. The class will be broken into groups and assigned a country.
2. Each group will do research during class time using a research poster. a. Library b. Internet c. CD ROM d. Classroom books
3. Once their information has been compiled they will break it down and make a poster for their country, including: a. A physical & political map b. Cultural components (recipe, picture and description of clothing worn, description of a game, fable/folktale, art…) c. Religion
4. After each group has completed their poster, they will present their poster to the class. Each group member will be expected give substantial and relevant information during the presentation. The group will also be required to tell a fable/folktale, and demonstrate a game.

Assessment GROUP POSTER RUBRIC Unsatisfactory1 Satisfactory2 Good3 Excellent4

Attractiveness 1 Topics are not organized. 1 Print is not neat or illegible. 2 Topics are somewhat organized into categories. 2 Print is fairly neat with some errors. 3 Topics are mostly organized neatly into categories. 3 Borders are used. 3 Print is neat with very few errors. 4 Topics are organized neatly into categories. 4 Borders are used. 4 Written information is typed with no errors.

Information Gathered 1 Little to no specific information gathered. 2 4-5 specific categories organized neatly on the poster. 3 6-7 specific categories organized neatly on the poster 4 8-10 specific categories organized neatly on the poster.