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Culminating Activity
Vermont Standards
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Unit Title:Folktales From Thailand

Unit Author: Judith Dickerman-Nelson

Grade Level: Middle Level

Unit Overview:
 This is a unit to teach students about the culture of Thailand by using folktales and storytelling as the main focus.  Additionally, students will learn about Thai dance, Tai Chi, Buddhism and Thai food. Students will write their own folktales as a culminating activity to the unit.  Finally, they will either read/perform their own folktale or one they have read over the unit for others in the school.

Essential Questions:
 How do we learn about another culture?

Culminating Task:
  1. Perform a folktale for others;
  2. Write own Thai folktale;
  3. Create a book of their story with illustrations.

Vermont Standards

Vital Results:
1.13:

Students listen actively and respond to communications evidenced by restatement and response.

1.15:

Students use verbal and nonverbal skills to express themselves effectively.  Evidenced by use of accepted conventions of the English language and assuming roles in group communication tasks.

1.16:

Students use a variety of forms such as dance, music, theatre and visual arts to express themselves effectively.  Evidenced when students exhibit elements and techniques of the art form, including expression.

1.9:

In written narratives, students organize and convey information, fictional or actual, in a coherent whole evidenced by the creation of an imaginative story in which events are clearly related to the resolution of a problem with a clear plot, point of view, setting and conflict.

 
Field of Knowledge Standards: Arts, Language and Literature Standards
5.8:

Students read a variety of types of literature, fiction and non-fiction.

5.12:

Students participate as members of a literate community, talking about books, ideas and writing.

 
Learning Opportunities

Opportunties to learn in a variety of student roles, alone and with others:

  • Collaboration in small and large groups;
  • Students teaching other students, formally and informally.

 

Time to Complete Unit:  6-8 weeks

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