Balancing Tradition and Modernity in Society
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Balancing Tradition and Modernity in Society

Grade 7Social StudiesEnglishHistoryTechnology1 days
This project-based learning experience for seventh-grade students explores the interplay between tradition and modernity within various cultural contexts. Through activities such as a digital time capsule project, cultural explorations, and literary analysis, students research how different countries balance these two forces. The project emphasizes the influence of technology on cultural practices, the impact of historical events, and the role of literature in reflecting societal changes. Students aim to develop arguments and insights on achieving harmony between preserving cultural traditions and embracing modern advancements.
TraditionModernityCultureTechnologyLiteratureHistorical EventsSocietal Change
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can a country find a harmonious balance between preserving its cultural traditions and embracing modernity in aspects such as technology, daily life, and the global landscape?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What are the key components that define a culture's tradition?
  • How does modernity influence cultural practices?
  • In what ways can countries preserve their traditions while embracing modern technology?
  • What are some examples of countries successfully balancing tradition and modernity?
  • How do historical events shape the relationship between tradition and modernity?
  • What role does technology play in shaping modern cultural practices?
  • In what ways can literature reflect the balance between tradition and modernity?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Analyze the influence of modern technology on traditional cultural practices.
  • Evaluate historical events and their impact on the relationship between tradition and modernity.
  • Develop arguments to support a position on how a country can balance tradition and modernity.
  • Examine examples of countries that have successfully balanced tradition and modernity to gain insights.
  • Explore literature as a medium to understand the interplay of tradition and modernity.

Common Core State Standards - English/Language Arts

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.7.2
Primary
Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.Reason: This standard aligns with the project's requirement for students to analyze texts that discuss the balance between tradition and modernity. It ensures students can identify key ideas and summarize the impact on culture and technology.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.1
Primary
Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.Reason: Students will be writing about their findings on balancing tradition and modernity, thus needing to craft arguments backed by evidence from their research.

C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards

D2.Civ.7.6-8
Secondary
Apply civic virtues and democratic principles in school and community settings.Reason: This standard is relevant as students will explore how countries apply civic virtues to balance tradition and modernity, fostering understanding of governance and societal responsibilities.

ISTE Standards for Students

ISTE.7.d
Supporting
Students understand how automation works and use algorithmic thinking to develop a sequence of steps to create and test automated solutions.Reason: The project requires students to evaluate the influence of modern technology on culture, aligning with the goal of understanding and developing solutions using technology.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Digital Time Capsule Project

Students will create a 'digital time capsule' to reflect what they believe are essential aspects of today’s culture that blend tradition and modernity. This project invites them to make predictions about the future while considering how current global cultures manage this balance.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Tradition vs. Modernity Treasure Hunt

Students will go on a cultural exploration to identify aspects of tradition and modernity within their own communities. This will involve gathering examples and evidence of both elements coexisting and noting their observations.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Divide students into groups and assign each group a local area to explore, such as a museum, cultural center, or a historic neighborhood.
2. Equip each group with research tools like cameras, notebooks, and online databases.
3. Have students document examples of traditional practices still in use, as well as modern influences in the area.
4. Instruct students to reflect on how these elements coexist and influence each other.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA presentation that includes photographs, notes, and a reflection on the balance of tradition and modernity observed in their assigned area.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with D2.Civ.7.6-8 as it involves exploration of civic virtues and societal elements that balance tradition and modernity.
Activity 2

Text Analysis Summit

Students will delve into texts that discuss the balance of tradition and modernity in various cultures, identifying central ideas and analyzing their development.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Select texts that deal with the theme of tradition and modernity from different cultural perspectives.
2. Guide students to read and annotate the selected texts, focusing on central ideas related to balance.
3. Have students summarize each text, highlighting how the elements of tradition and modernity are intertwined.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn annotated bibliography with summaries and identified central ideas about tradition and modernity from each text.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMeets CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.7.2 by having students analyze texts to find central ideas and summarize them.
Activity 3

Tech Impact Investigators

Students will investigate how modern technology influences culture and traditional practices. This activity encourages them to evaluate technology's role in shaping, preserving, or altering traditions.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research different technologies (e.g., social media, smart devices) and their impact on cultural traditions.
2. Interview individuals from different generations to understand their perspectives on technology's influence.
3. Compile data and draw conclusions on how technology has reshaped traditional practices over time.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA report detailing the influence of selected technologies on cultural practices, with interviews and data analysis included.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports ISTE.7.d by having students assess technology's role in culture.
Activity 4

Country Case Studies

Students will research examples of countries that have successfully balanced tradition and modernity, drawing insights into practical strategies.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Identify countries noted for balancing tradition and modernity (e.g., Japan, South Korea).
2. Research the strategies used by these countries to maintain this balance.
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies and their applicability to other contexts.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comparative analysis of case studies from selected countries, showcasing successful strategies for balancing tradition and modernity.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsReinforces D2.Civ.7.6-8 as it involves exploring civic engagement and governance strategies for balance.
Activity 5

Literary Reflections

Students explore literature that captures the themes of tradition and modernity, analyzing how authors present these themes and reflect societal changes.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Choose literary works that address the themes of tradition and modernity.
2. Read and discuss these works in groups, focusing on how authors convey the balance between the two.
3. Write reflective essays on how literature portrays the intersection of tradition and modernity.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA collection of reflective essays analyzing the portrayal of tradition and modernity in literature.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsConnects to CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.1 by facilitating argument writing based on literary analysis.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Balancing Tradition and Modernity Portfolio Activities Rubric

Category 1

Research and Inquiry

This category evaluates the student's ability to conduct thorough research, use a variety of sources, and inquire into the balance of tradition and modernity.
Criterion 1

Research Skills

Assesses the ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize information from diverse sources.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates advanced research skills by effectively gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing information from a wide range of reliable sources.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates thorough research skills by gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing information from various reliable sources.

Developing
2 Points

Shows basic research skills by gathering information from limited sources with minimal analysis and synthesis.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles with gathering and analyzing information, relying primarily on minimal or unreliable sources.

Criterion 2

Inquiry Engagement

Assesses engagement in the inquiry process, including question formulation and exploration depth.

Exemplary
4 Points

Engages deeply in the inquiry process, formulating insightful questions and exploring them with depth and creativity.

Proficient
3 Points

Engages satisfactorily in the inquiry process, formulating relevant questions and exploring them adequately.

Developing
2 Points

Shows emerging inquiry skills, with limited question formulation and exploration depth.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles with formulating and exploring questions, lacking depth and creativity.

Category 2

Content Understanding

This category evaluates the student's understanding of how tradition and modernity interact, impact, and balance each other in various contexts.
Criterion 1

Understanding of Tradition and Modernity

Assesses the extent and depth of understanding regarding the interaction between tradition and modernity.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the interaction between tradition and modernity, showing nuanced insights and strong evidence of balance.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates thorough understanding of the interaction between tradition and modernity, with clear examples and evidence of balance.

Developing
2 Points

Shows basic understanding of the interaction between tradition and modernity, with limited examples and evidence.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows limited understanding of the interaction between tradition and modernity, struggling to provide examples or evidence.

Criterion 2

Application of Concepts

Assesses how well the student can apply concepts related to tradition and modernity to real-world scenarios.

Exemplary
4 Points

Expertly applies concepts related to tradition and modernity to real-world scenarios with innovative solutions and perspectives.

Proficient
3 Points

Applies concepts related to tradition and modernity to real-world scenarios in a meaningful way.

Developing
2 Points

Applies concepts related to tradition and modernity to real-world scenarios with some inconsistencies.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles with applying concepts to real-world scenarios, showing limited understanding or insight.

Category 3

Communication and Presentation

This category evaluates how effectively the student communicates and presents their findings, demonstrating understanding and insight.
Criterion 1

Clarity and Organization

Assesses clarity and organization in communication and presentation.

Exemplary
4 Points

Presents findings with exceptional clarity and organization, using effective visuals and coherent structures.

Proficient
3 Points

Presents findings clearly and in an organized manner, adequately using visuals and coherent structures.

Developing
2 Points

Presents findings with some clarity and organization, but with occasional lapses or unclear sections.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles with clarity and organization, making it difficult for the audience to follow.

Criterion 2

Use of Evidence

Assesses the use of evidence to support conclusions and arguments.

Exemplary
4 Points

Uses compelling and varied evidence to support conclusions and arguments, making insightful connections.

Proficient
3 Points

Uses adequate and relevant evidence to support conclusions and arguments.

Developing
2 Points

Uses limited evidence to support conclusions, with some connections unclear or underdeveloped.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to use evidence to support conclusions, with insufficient or irrelevant connections.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

How has your understanding of the balance between tradition and modernity evolved over the course of this project?

Text
Required
Question 2

Which activity or project did you find most impactful in understanding the relationship between tradition and modernity, and why?

Text
Required
Question 3

How effectively do you think you and your peers communicated your findings about tradition and modernity in your final presentations or reports?

Scale
Optional
Question 4

What challenges did you encounter when trying to balance cultural traditions with modern perspectives during your projects?

Text
Optional
Question 5

In your opinion, which country researched in the case studies achieved the best balance between tradition and modernity?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Japan
South Korea
Other