The focus is on developing and implementing a year-long study of China that allows for opportunities to reach out and learn about the international community.  Students will engage in learning opportunities that raise their cultural awareness, allow for the utilization of their multiple intelligence, and promote the development of skills in all areas.  Students will gain an increased awareness of other cultures and their own, develop sensitivity by raising this awareness and gain an appreciation for people, cultures and different perspectives. 

Please refer to the thematic unit narrative for more details.

•  What is culture? Community?
• How are we all connected?
• How can we appreciate our cultural differences and understand that we are connected?
• Why is it important to know that we are connected?

Students will listen actively and respond to communication.  Evidenced when students

• (a) discuss, question and respond to what was taught.

Students speak and listen in a non-native language.  Evidenced when students:

• (a) learn words and phrases in Chinese as well as other languages;
• (b) learn to say and write Chinese numbers.

Students use geographical knowledge, evidenced when they:

• (a) fill in a map of China with specific locations under study;
• (b) present a map and refer to key information during their research projects/presentations

Students understand the concept of culture as evidenced by:

• (a) participation in learning opportunities such as brush painting and calligraphy writing, learning about daily cultural practices such as price negotiations and finger counting, and developing an understanding of celebrations such as Chinese New Year, learn of key historical figures and obtain knowledge of important places.

Learning opportunities will incorporate all academic areas as this is a thematic unit utilizing interdisciplinary connections. Assessment and reporting will incorporate multiple assessment strategies and include clear criteria. Lessons will integrate information technology as much as possible. Student process and products will coincide with Vermont Information Technology Grade Expectations such as IT1, IT2, IT3, IT4 and IT5 where students develop a report containing text and visual representations, develop online researching skills and document sources of information.