America's Melting Pot

Designed by
Kathy Stangel
Hometown School, Hometown, Illinois

Introduction | Standards | Implementation | Resources | Entry Skills | Evaluation | Conclusion

Introduction

This is a great WebQuest to use with your students to help them understand the differences between them and other students in the classroom.  With America being the "melting pot" of the world, this is an exciting research project for students to engage in co-existing with other nationalities and customs in our countries. This project will involve cooperative learning as well as independent work as well as use of a lot of resources.

Curriculum Standards
Social Studies Standards Addressed:
State Goals 18A1, 18A2, 18C1, and 14C1

Students will recognize the relationships among the various parts of our nation's cultural life. As America being the melting pot of the world, this lesson will enable students to keep an open mind as to the diversity in our nation.  This lesson will also allow students to learn about the mythology, legends, values and beliefs of other people.

This lesson will take several class periods to complete using independent, cooperative and whole class work segments.  With the high level of computer work needed, students may need time in a computer lab or be able to work on several computers in the classroom.

Students will need continued access to computers, the LRC, and other outside sources, such as being able to interview people of the culture they are researching, public libraries, etc.   Below is a chart of some websites you and your student can research.  This table also appears on the student page.

You may need to send a letter home to parents asking for their participation and cooperation in continuing this project.  Students will especially need help in making recipes, creating costumes and clothing, and being supervised interviewing people from other cultures.

	Cinco De Mayo Mexico Mexico Resources
	Hanukah
	Ramadan
	Chinese New Year
	Navajo Resources
	Kwanzaa
	Coming to America
	Kid Link - Multicultural

Entry Level Skills and Knowledge

At the beginning of this lesson, students should be fairly aware of their surroundings, realizing that all of us do not look, dress, or act alike.  Students should also be familiar with computers, their functions, and hardware.  This lesson is geared towards intermediate grade levels 4-6.

Teachers should be able to understand and use the Internet, its functions and where and how to research a given topic.  Teachers should also be aware of the multicultural diversity of our nation and the many people that create the "melting pot".

To begin the process, you will need to take the following steps:

1. Assign each group which student and Culture they will research.
2. Once student is assigned, allow students to use the Internet and other resources (interviews, text books, encyclopedias, library) to collect information and characteristics for their particular student's culture.
3. By following some of the links above, they can learn about different holidays, different foods and clothing that their assigned student is accustomed to.
4. Using some search engines such as Yahoo, Hotbot, AOL@School, Lycos, etc., students will also be able to find additional information.
5. Encourage students to conduct interviews with neighbors or friends of the family who may be well informed on the culture they are researching.
6. Once they have gathered all of the information, they will present a "party" to the rest of the class showing all they have learned about the student, performing a short skit, wearing similar clothing to what the assigned student wears and preparing one of the many foods their researched culture eats. (You may need to assist in some of these areas as many children won't have the resources to make foods, or find clothing.)
7. Students will create a puzzle and/or worksheet using the following link: Puzzlemaker
8. This is a fun educational experience for all students and a great way to experience other cultures!  Enjoy!

Students grade will be evaluated using the following rubric (Feel free to change anything according to your class's ability level or grading scale): Your Grade