Curated OER
Resolving a Cross-Cultural Misunderstanding
Students resolve a cross-cultural misunderstanding in a constructive manner. They read about the way in which individuals in the Dominican Republic misunderstood an American Peace Corps Volunteer who was doing something that in the...
Curated OER
Tsunami! Examining Earth's Most Destructive Waves
Students investigate just what a tsunami is, what causes it, how fast it travels, what it looks like, and its devastating effects upon landfall. They read the experience of a former Peace Corps Volunteer who went to Sri Lanka after it...
Curated OER
Explore More About Bottle Construction
Students explore Green Construction. In this lesson based on the experiences of Peace Corps volunteers, students gain insight into alternative construction in Guatemala. They examine the pros and cons of using alternative building...
Curated OER
Out With the Old, In With the New
Students study China's cultural and economic complexities through a slide show that is written, read, and photographed by a Peace Corps Volunteer. They answer the questions: What does SARS stand for? [Severe acute respiratory syndrome]...
Curated OER
Respect for Authority
Students examine the country of Mongolia and how it is trying to form a democracy. As a class, they participate in a class meeting about a new class rule and they voice their opinions. They read excerpts of a letter of a Peace Corps...
Curated OER
Seeing Things From the Someone Else's Point of View
Students examine the cultural trait of sharing, trying to view it from the point of view of someone in another culture. They question what we gain from trying to see the world from the perspective of another person or culture and...
Curated OER
Where in the World Is ...?
Students move themselves around a "world" map on the classroom floor, using lines of latitude and longitude to locate specific spots. They determine the locations of 11 countries where Peace Corps Volunteers are serving and identify in...
Curated OER
Encountering Very Different Ways of Life
Students explore the concept of crossing cultures. They examine how Americans may be viewed by people in another culture and discover that that Peace Corps Volunteers are trained to cross cultures respectfully so that they are accepted...
Curated OER
Water: From Neglect to Respect
The goal of this collection of lessons is to make middle schoolers more aware of the ways in which they are dependent upon water to maintain their standard of living. Learners compare water use in Lesotho to water use in the United...
Curated OER
Brief Encounters: Building Bridges
Students engage in a roleplaying game n order to experience what it is like to encounter people of a different culture. In this lesson on building cultural connections, students will participate in a cultural simulation which will help...
Curated OER
The Hare and the Water: A Tanzanian Folk Tale
"The Hare and the Water," a Tanzanian folk tale, lends a global perspective to literary analysis. Learners spend the first two days reading and storyboarding. On day three, they examine folk tale elements (worksheet included), and design...
Curated OER
Ivan the Fool: Lesson 3
Students read and analyze the Eastern European folktale of 'Ivan the Fool.' They discuss the term 'quest,' identify quests in their own lives, and in small groups design a board game that illustrates the czar's quest to find good wives...
Curated OER
Ivan the Fool: Lesson 1
Learners read and analyze a classic Eastern European folktale. In partners, they read the story, take notes, define vocabulary terms, and write a summary of the folktale.
Curated OER
Resolving a Cross-Cultural Misunderstanding
Students explore the concept of cross-cultural misunderstandings. In this communication lesson, students read a scenario involving communication misunderstandings and discuss cultural perspectives.
Peace Corps
What's Mongolia Really Like?
Understanding different cultural experiences is a challenging and worthwhile objective throughout grade and content levels. This lesson facilitates an appreciation of rural Mongolian life through a simulation of being a nomadic teen as...
Curated OER
Building A Solar Still
Students investigate the water cycle by viewing an online video. In this drinking water lesson, students create solar stills at their campus in order to purify water that is tainted. Students view a video on their computers about...
Curated OER
Bringing Water to a Village in Lesotho
Students research water in Lesotho. In this water lesson, students watch videos showing how water comes to Lesotho Africa, they will compare this to how water is acquired in the US. Students will then create a mobile showing the...
Curated OER
Water Uses and Children's Lives in East Africa
Students explore water usage around the world. In this "water" social studies lesson, students brainstorm ways in which water is used. Students visit the Water in Africa website to view pictures of water usage in Africa. Students...
Curated OER
Generalizations: How Accurate Are they?
Work together to evaluate the accuracy of generalizations. Examine the effects of cultural stereotyping based on generalizations. Students will engage in a class discussion aimed at answering the question, "What are some ways we can...
Curated OER
This Is Tanzania
Students explore Tanzania. In this geography skills lesson, students read This is Tanzania by Richard Lupinsky, Jr. and discuss the impact that volcanoes have had on the nation. Students analyze the imagery in Lupinsky's piece and create...
Curated OER
Conducting Interviews in the Community
Students conduct individual interviews to find out how people in their own communities provide services to others. In this interview lesson, students broaden their perspectives on the meaning of the common good by conducting interviews...
Curated OER
The Value of Exchange
Sixth graders examine the relationship between the Jefferson Peace Medal and the nickels in the Westward Journey Series. They make bartering negotiations to similate the ones made by Lewis and Clark. They note the similarities and...
Staples Foundation For Learning
The President’s Desk
What stories can a desk paperweight and picture frame possibly tell us about the president of the United States? Pupils are transported to the desk of President John F. Kennedy through an engaging interactive site. The guide offers a...
Curated OER
Service Projects in the Dominican Republic
Students look into how Peace Corps Volunteers have provided community assistance in the Dominican Republic. They read primary source documents and be able to identify several kinds of service projects conducted by Peace Corps Volunteers.