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Anticipatory Set: Introduction to Latin America

Adapted from: In Motion: The African-American Migration Experience.

This anticipatory set will encourage students to begin thinking about our Latin American neighbors and the cultural connections that bind us together.  This Anticipatory set will also be used as a diagnostic tool to measure what students know prior to the lesson and compare it to what students learned by the culmination of this web based lesson.

As the world becomes increasingly interdependent, it is important for every person to acquire the skills for communication with others and to attain cross-cultural understanding. Apart from picking up a new language and gaining insight into the history and culture associated with it, their learning experience extends to understanding the different cultures associated with the language of the native speakers and thus gives them the advantage of thinking from a different point of view. Spanish culture is part of American culture and acquiring knowledge of Spanish will not only expose you to more professional opportunities but will also open doors, while traveling, allowing you to see and do things that other travelers do not. 

Activity Time: 5-10 min: Hand Out KWL Chart and/ Post it on the SmartBoard

1.    Ask students to write in their journal the word "American" in the middle of the page with a circle around it.

2.    Then, give them three minutes to write down all of the things that come to mind when they think of things that are considered American (for example, ice cream, July Fourth, baseball games, Norman Rockwell paintings, nursery rhymes, "The Star Spangled Banner," hamburgers, and Levi's).

3.    After the time is up, ask a few volunteers to share what they wrote.

4.    Then, discuss with students the fact that other countries also have items that make them unique. Ask students if they know of any item that would pertain particularly to another country (for example, a lei in Hawaii, chopsticks in Japan, chocolate in Switzerland, etc).

5.    Ask students if they know of any items that would pertain to Latin America. If they do, write them on the board and ask the student to explain them if possible. If students don't know any, tell them that it is fine, because they are about to learn about the cultures and countries of Latin America.

(Part of this discussion should include the issue that as a largely egocentric society, many Americans know very little about the heritage and culture of other countries.)

 

 

 

KWL Chart

 

                          

KNOW	WANT TO KNOW	LEARNED
Day 1	Day 2	Day3