Design a Festival Celebrating Asia's Cultural Diversity
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Design a Festival Celebrating Asia's Cultural Diversity

Grade 9Social Studies1 days
In this project, 9th-grade students are tasked with designing a festival to celebrate and represent the diverse cultural identities of Asia. Through research and various activities, students explore the key cultural elements, geographic influences, historical interactions, and religious practices across different Asian regions. By synthesizing their findings, students create a comprehensive festival design that reflects the unique cultural diversity of Asia and promotes global understanding and appreciation. The project involves creating cultural identity profiles, geography-culture connection maps, historical timelines, and role-playing religious influences to build a detailed festival proposal.
Asian Cultural FestivalCultural DiversityGeography and CultureHistorical InfluencesReligion and CultureCultural Identity ProfilesGlobal Understanding
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design an inclusive Asian Cultural Festival that effectively represents the unique cultural identities, traditions, and influences of different Asian regions while promoting global understanding and appreciation?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What are the key elements that define the cultural identity of different Asian regions?
  • How do physical geography and climate influence the cultural practices and lifestyles in various parts of Asia?
  • In what ways have historical events and trade interactions influenced cultural exchange and diversity in Asia?
  • What role does religion play in shaping the cultural traditions of Asian societies?
  • How can cultural festivals promote understanding and appreciation of Asian diversity in a global context?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will understand the diverse cultural identities and traditions of various Asian regions and how these contribute to global cultural diversity.
  • Students will be able to analyze the influence of geography and climate on cultural practices and lifestyles in Asia.
  • Students will explore historical interactions, such as trade and colonization, and their impacts on cultural exchange and diversity in Asian societies.
  • Students will gain insight into the role of religion and other social structures in shaping cultural traditions and practices in Asia.
  • Students will develop skills in conducting research and synthesizing multiple sources to design a culturally representative festival.
  • Students will learn to appreciate and promote global understanding and respect for Asian cultural diversity through the creation of a festival.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.2
Primary
Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of how key events or ideas develop over the course of the text.Reason: Students will research various Asian cultures, determining central ideas from sources to accurately represent each region's cultural identity.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.7
Primary
Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.Reason: The project involves conducting research to design the festival, thus meeting the standard of synthesizing information from various sources to create an informed and cultural representation.

C3 Framework for Social Studies

D2.Geo.4.9-12
Primary
Analyze relationships and interactions within and between human and physical systems to explain reciprocal influences that occur among them.Reason: Students will explore how geographic and climatic factors influence cultural practices across Asia, aligning with this standard on analyzing interactions between human and physical systems.
D2.Geo.6.9-12
Secondary
Evaluate the impact of human settlement activities on the environmental and cultural characteristics of specific places and regions.Reason: The project's exploration of cultural identity in Asia includes evaluating how historical and current settlement activities have shaped cultures, making this standard directly relevant.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Virtual Reality Asian Tour

Imagine embarking on a virtual reality journey through Asia, where you explore iconic landmarks, bustling markets, and local festivals. This immersive experience will serve as the starting point for designing your own Asian Cultural Festival, capturing the rich diversity of cultures across the continent.
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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

Cultural Identity Profile Creation

Students will craft a detailed cultural identity profile for a selected Asian region, focusing on cultural elements like language, traditions, attire, and art forms.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Select an Asian region from provided options.
2. Research the cultural aspects such as language, traditions, clothing, and art forms.
3. Compile the research findings into a comprehensive profile template.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed cultural identity profile of an Asian region, presented on a poster or digital document.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.2 by determining central ideas from sources to represent each region's cultural identity.
Activity 2

Geography and Culture Connection Maps

Students will create a mind map showcasing how geography and climate influence cultural practices in selected Asian regions.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Choose an Asian region to focus on.
2. Research geographic and climatic features of the region.
3. Identify ways these features influence cultural practices, like diet or architecture.
4. Create a mind map linking geographic features to cultural aspects.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA visual mind map illustrating connections between geography, climate, and culture in a specific Asian region.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with D2.Geo.4.9-12 by analyzing how geography influences human and cultural systems.
Activity 3

Historical Influences Craft Timeline

Students will construct a timeline highlighting significant historical events and trade interactions that have influenced cultural exchange in Asia.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research key historical events and trade interactions in Asia.
2. Identify events that significantly influenced cultural practices in specific regions.
3. Design a timeline containing these events with descriptions and illustrations.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed timeline that showcases historical impacts on cultural exchange in Asia.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with D2.Geo.6.9-12 by evaluating historical impacts on cultural and environmental characteristics in Asia.
Activity 4

Religion and Culture Role Play

Through a role-play activity, students will explore different religions and their roles in shaping cultural traditions in Asia.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Select a religion practiced in Asia and research its impact on cultural practices.
2. Develop a short script illustrating the religion’s role in shaping traditions and daily life.
3. Perform the role play for the class, highlighting key cultural influences.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA role-play scenario that demonstrates the impact of religion on cultural practices.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports understanding of how religion shapes cultural traditions, aligning with learning goals related to religion's role in cultural development.
Activity 5

Festival Design Project

Students will synthesize their research and create a comprehensive design plan for an Asian Cultural Festival.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Revisit previous portfolio activities for information on culture, geography, history, and religion.
2. Identify key elements to include in the festival that reflect the diversity of Asian cultures.
3. Draft a proposal detailing the festival's layout, cultural showcases, and educational goals.
4. Prepare a presentation to share the festival design with peers and instructors.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed festival design proposal with a focus on Asian cultural diversity, presented to peers for feedback.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.7 by synthesizing research to create a cultural representation and promote global understanding.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Asian Cultural Festival Design Rubric

Category 1

Cultural Identity Representation

Evaluates how well students identify and represent the cultural identities of different Asian regions, based on thorough research.
Criterion 1

Research Quality

Assessment of the depth and accuracy of research conducted on cultural aspects of Asian regions.

Exemplary
4 Points

Thorough and meticulous research presented, covering a wide range of cultural aspects with accurate and relevant information.

Proficient
3 Points

Detailed research conducted with mostly accurate and relevant cultural aspects represented adequately.

Developing
2 Points

Basic research done with some inaccuracies or gaps in cultural representation.

Beginning
1 Points

Minimal research evident with significant inaccuracies or missing information on cultural aspects.

Criterion 2

Cultural Elements Synthesis

Evaluation of how effectively students synthesize research findings into a comprehensive cultural profile.

Exemplary
4 Points

Effectively synthesizes cultural research into an insightful and cohesive profile, demonstrating strong connections between cultural elements.

Proficient
3 Points

Adequately synthesizes research into a coherent cultural profile with clear connections between elements.

Developing
2 Points

Attempts to synthesize cultural research with some logical connections and partial coherence.

Beginning
1 Points

Limited synthesis of research, showing disjointed or unclear connections between cultural elements.

Criterion 3

Cultural Presentation

Assessment of the clarity, creativity, and effectiveness of presenting the cultural profile to peers.

Exemplary
4 Points

Delivers a highly engaging, creative, and clear presentation that effectively communicates cultural profiles to an audience.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides a clear and creative presentation that conveys cultural profiles effectively.

Developing
2 Points

Presents with basic clarity; some creative elements but lacks engagement or depth in communication.

Beginning
1 Points

Presentation is unclear or lacks engagement, with minimal effort to creatively convey cultural profiles.

Category 2

Geographic-Cultural Analysis

Evaluates the understanding and analysis of how geographic and climate factors influence cultural practices in Asia.
Criterion 1

Geographic Research

Quality and depth of research on geography and climate of Asian regions and its impact on culture.

Exemplary
4 Points

Conducts comprehensive research with detailed and accurate geographic information influencing cultural practices.

Proficient
3 Points

Gathers significant geographic data with mostly accurate depiction of cultural impacts.

Developing
2 Points

Conducts basic research with some inaccuracies in geographic information or cultural implications.

Beginning
1 Points

Insufficient research, with significant gaps or inaccurate geographic and cultural analysis.

Criterion 2

Geography-Culture Connection

Assessment of how well students identify and articulate the connection between geography, climate, and culture through mind maps or other methods.

Exemplary
4 Points

Clearly articulates and visualizes complex connections between geography, climate, and culture with innovative and insightful perspectives.

Proficient
3 Points

Identifies clear connections with some innovative insights, adequately visualized in mind maps.

Developing
2 Points

Attempts to present connections with general insights but lacks depth and clarity in visualization.

Beginning
1 Points

Barely identifies or explains connections between geography and culture, with minimal visualization.

Category 3

Historical and Religious Influences

Assesses the student's ability to synthesize historical and religious influences on Asian cultural practices.
Criterion 1

Historical Impact Analysis

Evaluation of the understanding of significant historical events or interactions and their cultural impacts.

Exemplary
4 Points

Deeply analyzes and clearly communicates the historical events' profound impacts with comprehensive historical timelines.

Proficient
3 Points

Adequately analyzes and communicates historical influences with some depth and coherence.

Developing
2 Points

Basic analysis of historical impacts with some clarity but lacks depth and comprehensive understanding.

Beginning
1 Points

Little to no analysis of historical events, with gaps in understanding and communication of cultural impacts.

Criterion 2

Religious Cultural Representation

Assessment of how effectively students represent religious influences through creative role-play or scripts.

Exemplary
4 Points

Innovatively communicates religious influences in cultural practices through engaging and accurate role-play or scripts.

Proficient
3 Points

Effectively represents religious influences with clear and creatively written role-play or scripts.

Developing
2 Points

Attempts to portray religious influences with basic creativity but lacks depth or clarity in representation.

Beginning
1 Points

Minimal representation of religious influences with unclear communication and lack of creativity.

Category 4

Festival Design Synthesis

Evaluation of students' ability to integrate research findings into a cohesive and comprehensive cultural festival design proposal.
Criterion 1

Festival Proposal Planning

Assessment of the clarity and comprehensiveness of the festival layout, cultural showcases, and educational goals.

Exemplary
4 Points

Designs a highly detailed and cohesive festival plan with innovative, culturally diverse elements, effectively addressing educational goals.

Proficient
3 Points

Develops a detailed festival plan with a variety of cultural elements and clear educational objectives.

Developing
2 Points

Creates a basic festival plan with some clarity and diversity in cultural elements but lacks depth.

Beginning
1 Points

Produces a minimal festival plan with limited detail or coherence in cultural representation.

Criterion 2

Presentation of Festival Design

Evaluation of how well students convey the festival design to an audience through presentation.

Exemplary
4 Points

Presents the festival design captivatingly with clear, engaging communication and command over audience interaction.

Proficient
3 Points

Clearly presents the festival design with solid communication skills and audience engagement.

Developing
2 Points

Presents festival design with basic clarity, showing limited audience engagement and communication effectiveness.

Beginning
1 Points

Presentation lacks clarity and engagement, with difficulties in effectively conveying ideas.

Reflection Prompts

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

Reflect on how your understanding of Asian cultural identities and traditions has evolved through the festival design project.

Text
Required
Question 2

How effectively do you think your festival design represented the diverse cultures of Asia?

Scale
Required
Question 3

What challenges did you encounter when researching Asian cultural practices and how did you overcome them?

Text
Required
Question 4

To what extent did the project's activities help you appreciate global cultural diversity?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Not at all
Slightly
Moderately
Significantly
Extremely
Question 5

Which aspect of the project did you find most engaging or rewarding, and why?

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Required
Question 6

How confident are you in your ability to conduct cultural research and synthesize multiple sources after completing this project?

Scale
Required
Question 7

Identify one key learning outcome from the Asian Cultural Festival project that you can apply to future academic or personal pursuits.

Text
Optional