CU 1.06Continent Boxes and Cultural Folders
The child explores a box of real objects and a folder of photographs from one continent, learning about the daily life of people there.
Presentation
- 1
Choose the continent currently being studied. Invite the child to bring the matching box, the continent puzzle map, and the globe.
- 2
Point to the continent on the globe and the puzzle map.
- 3
Open the box and take out one object at a time. Name it, say which country it comes from, and let the child hold it.
- 4
Place each object on the continent map near its country.
- 5
Open the folder and look at a few photographs together. Name what the people are doing and the country.
- 6
Ask: 'What do you see that is like your home? What is different?'
- 7
Point out a basic need that everyone shares, such as food, shelter, family, or music.
- 8
Put each item back in the box in the same order, handling it with care.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Sort folder photographs by category: homes, food, clothing, animals, landscapes
- Match objects to their countries on the continent puzzle map
- Invite a family to share an object, a song, or a food from their home country
- Draw or dictate a page about one country for a class continent book
Control of error
Each object and photograph is labeled on the back with its country; the matching continent puzzle map and control map show where that country is.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Handles real objects carefully and returns them to the box
- Names the continent and at least one country for items in the box
- Describes one way people on another continent are the same as and different from the child's own family
Guide note
Use real photographs of present-day life, including cities, not only rural or historical scenes. Label each item with its country, not only its continent. Avoid costumes and single-story images; show variety within each country. Include North America in the rotation, with photos of Utah and of the many cultures that live here.