Lithuania+Classroom+Activities

=Classroom Activities= toc

Standards:

 * 16.D.1(W): Identify how customs and traditions from around the world influence the local community
 * 17.A.1a: Identify physical characteristics of places, both local and global (e.g. locations, roads, regions, bodies of water)

Objectives:

 * Using maps and other physical representations, students will be able to identify where Lithuania is located and some of the physical traits the country has.
 * Using the story //In America// by Marissa Moss, students will be able to better understand why some people immigrate to the United States.

Materials:

 * Globes (One for each student)
 * Map of Eastern Europe
 * Physical (Topographic) Map of Lithuania
 * Computer with Internet Access
 * Document Camera
 * //In America// by Marissa Moss

Summary of Activity
The lesson will start out with students having time to explore the globe. Students will be able to identify continents and major bodies of waters. From this exploration, students will be asked to identify where Europe is as well as Lithuania for those students who know where Europe is located. A map of Eastern Europe will be brought up on the computer to help students further identify the location and students will be asked to find Europe on their own globe. From this point, the globes will be collected and the students’ attention will be turned to the topographic map of Lithuania that has been brought up on the computer. Students will have time to explore the country of Lithuania. Together, we will point out any bodies of water that are apparent as well as where the capital is located. A brief history of Lithuania will be shared with the students. After, there will be a discussion about the similarities and differences between the United States and Lithuania.

To further enhance this lesson, the story //In America// by Marissa Moss will be read aloud. It is a story about a grandfather telling his grandson about his decision to come to America from Lithuania. Leaving Lithuania also means leaving his brother. This story is a perfect way to get students thinking about the topic of immigration and why some people decide to come to the United States. It also helps students realize that when people immigrate, they also face the possibility of leaving some things and some people behind. After the story is read, we will discuss these ideas and students will also be encouraged to share their thoughts on this topic.

References:

 * Map of Eastern Europe
 * Topographical Map of Lithuania

Standards:

 * 18.A.2: Explain ways in which language, stories, folk tales, music, media, and artistic creations serve as expressions of culture

Objectives:

 * Using research, students will be able to compare how Lithuania and the United States celebrate birthdays and how this relates to their culture

Materials:

 * Computers with Internet Access
 * Dry Erase Board
 * Dry Erase Markers

Summary of Activity
Students will start this lesson by exploring the Lithuania website that I have created. From this, students will gain more insight and information about Lithuania. We will then have a class discussion on the Lithuania culture. From this, students will be challenged to find information on how people in Lithuania celebrate different events with a focus on birthdays. In groups, students will have time in class to research this information and they will also be able to spend time at the library using all resources that are available to them. The groups will then share their findings with the class and discuss commonalities among their findings and record this on a chart. Students will then be asked to relate these ideas to the Lithuanian culture.

Students will then discuss how people in the United States celebrate birthdays. They will be drawing from personal experience and their families and then be asked to expand their thoughts to how other cultures celebrate this occasion. From these ideas, the students will compare and contrast how Lithuanians celebrate birthdays and how people in the United States celebrate birthdays. Students will then be asked to expand their findings of Lithuanian celebrations to other culture’s celebrations.

References:

 * Lithuania Website
 * __Lithuanian Birthday Celebration__

Standards:

 * 26.B.1d (Visual Arts): Demonstrate knowledge and skills to create visual works of art using manipulation, eye-hand coordination, building and imagination
 * 27.A.1b: Identify how the arts contribute to communication, celebrations, occupations and recreation

Objectives:

 * Using the provided materials, students will be able to create Bravery Badges that demonstrate their building abilities and imagination
 * Using Bravery Badges, students will be able to see how the arts contribute to celebrations

Materials:

 * Construction Paper of Various Colors
 * Scissors
 * Pencils
 * Markers
 * Crayons
 * Glue
 * Hot Glue Gun (For Instructor Use Only)
 * Hot Glue Gun Sticks
 * Pins

Summary of Activity
The lesson will start with students being introduced to Lithuania’s Patron Saint, St. George. Attributes and information of St. George will be shared with the class. Students will then discuss what it means to be brave. They will then relate information from St. George to how he could be considered brave. Inform students that the St. George Cross is an award that people receive when they have done something courageous and brave.

Students will then be informed that they will be making their own badges to be given to someone that they believe is brave. They will be asked to individually brainstorm who they think is brave and what that person has done that makes them brave. Once students have an individual in mind, they will create their own Bravery Badges to give or send to that person. When students finish creating their Badges, the instructor will glue a pin to the back of the Badge using the hot glue gun.

References:

 * Bravery Badge Lesson Plan Idea from Crayola


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Created by Amber Neyra © alneyra@ilstu.edu Date Created: November 28, 2011 Date Last Modified: December, 2011