Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Cultural Diversity and Territory

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The goal-setting phase is essential to guide both the teacher and students on the focus of the lesson. In this case, the objective is to ensure that students can not only identify but also appreciate the richness of cultural diversity and its relationship with territory. Clearly establishing these objectives facilitates the implementation of practical activities that reinforce prior learning on the topic, preparing students for a more critical and applied understanding.

Main Objectives:

1. Empower students to identify and select cultural elements from various regions of Brazil and the world, recognizing their contributions to the formation of local, regional, and national culture.

2. Develop the ability to relate these cultural elements to the territory from which they originate, promoting a deeper understanding of the interactions between culture and geography.

Side Objectives:

1. Stimulate curiosity and respect for different ways of life and cultural expressions.
2. Foster students' capacity for expression and argumentation when discussing the relationships between culture and territory.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The introduction phase serves to engage students through problem situations that lead them to think critically about how cultural diversity expresses itself in territory. Additionally, contextualization seeks to connect content with students' everyday lives, demonstrating the relevance of the topic in their lives and fostering curiosity and interest in the subject.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine a group of friends from different parts of Brazil gathering for a party. Each brings typical foods from their regions. How can these dishes reveal distinct cultural and geographical characteristics from each state?

2. Think of a festival of folk dances taking place in your city. Which dances best represent the climate, vegetation, or history of the region where they were created? Discuss with your classmates how these dances relate to local geography and culture.

Contextualization

Cultural diversity and its link to territory are not merely academic concepts; they permeate our daily lives, from our social interactions to our food and artistic choices. For example, Carnival, a typically Brazilian celebration, varies in style and tradition from region to region, reflecting local historical and cultural influences. Understanding these connections helps not only to appreciate cultural richness but also to better relate to the world around us.

Development

Duration: (75 - 80 minutes)

The development stage is designed to allow students to practically and interactively apply the concepts of cultural diversity and its relationship with the territory that they have previously studied. Through playful and collaborative activities, students can explore and express what they have learned creatively, solidifying their understanding and appreciation for cultural diversity. This approach not only reinforces learning but also promotes social and presentation skills.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Festival of Cultures

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Promote understanding of how cultural elements are influenced by the territory and their importance in preserving cultural identity.

- Description: Students will be divided into groups of up to 5 people, and each group will represent a culture or region of Brazil. Each group must present cultural elements such as dances, music, traditional costumes, and cuisine, highlighting the geographical influence on their formation.

- Instructions:

• Choose a culture or region of Brazil to represent.

• Research dances, music, traditional costumes, and cuisine from that culture or region.

• Prepare a short presentation that includes a dance or music, showcasing traditional costumes, and preparing a small sample of typical food (it can be a simplified recipe).

• During the presentation, explain how the chosen elements reflect the geography and history of the region.

Activity 2 - Cultural Map

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Visualize and compare cultural influences in different regions of Brazil, exploring cultural diversity in a playful and interactive format.

- Description: In this activity, students will create a giant map on the classroom floor representing Brazil. They should mark the regions they know well for local cultures, placing symbols and short descriptions of the culturally characteristic elements of each region.

- Instructions:

• Draw a map of Brazil on the classroom floor using tape or chalk.

• Research and decide which regions of Brazil to highlight and why.

• Place symbols (for example, musical notes, stylized flags) and short descriptions (brief and objective) of cultural elements in each highlighted region.

• At the end, each group will present their map, explaining their choices and what they learned about the different cultures and their territories.

Activity 3 - Geographic Theater

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Creatively and dramatically explore the influence of geography on culture, developing communication and expression skills.

- Description: Students will create and perform short plays illustrating how geography influences the culture of a specific region. Each group will choose a region of Brazil and create a short story exploring this connection.

- Instructions:

• Choose a region of Brazil to focus on.

• Research the geography of the region and how it influenced local culture.

• Create a short story that illustrates these influences.

• Prepare simple props and rehearse the play.

• Present the play to the class, followed by a brief discussion on what was learned.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

This stage of the lesson plan aims to allow students to articulate what they learned and reflect on the impact of cultural diversity at different territorial scales. Group discussion helps consolidate acquired knowledge, promotes the exchange of ideas and perspectives among students, and develops communication and argumentation skills. Furthermore, by hearing colleagues' experiences, students can gain new perspectives and appreciation for cultural diversity.

Group Discussion

At the end of the activities, promote a group discussion involving all students. Begin the discussion with a brief introduction: 'Now that everyone has had the opportunity to explore different cultures and their connections to territory, I would like to hear what each group discovered and what aspect they found most interesting or surprising. Let's share our experiences and insights.' Encourage students to express their ideas and reflect on how cultural diversity enriches our understanding of the world and people.

Key Questions

1. What were the main geographical influences you identified in the cultures you studied?

2. How can cultural diversity be viewed as an important heritage for a region or country?

3. Was there any discovery or aspect that you did not expect to find during the activities?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The conclusion stage aims to reinforce learning, ensuring that students can consolidate the information acquired and understand the relevance of the topic in their lives. By summarizing and discussing key points, the teacher helps students integrate theoretical knowledge with practical experiences, facilitating retention of learning. This moment is also crucial to highlight the social and individual implications of cultural diversity, encouraging critical and reflective thinking about human relationships and the world around.

Summary

In the conclusion of the class, the teacher should summarize the main points addressed regarding cultural diversity and its interaction with territory, reinforcing the discoveries made by the students during practical activities. It is important to recapitulate how elements such as dances, music, traditional costumes, and cuisine reflect the geographical and historical influences of the regions, highlighting how these cultural expressions contribute to local and national identity.

Theory Connection

During the lesson, students could closely observe how the theory learned manifests in practice through interactive activities that allowed the application of the concepts of cultural diversity and territory. Activities such as 'Festival of Cultures' and the 'Cultural Map' provided a direct connection between theoretical content and lived reality, showing how geography influences and is influenced by culture.

Closing

Finally, it is crucial to highlight the importance of cultural diversity for mutual understanding and respect among people, as well as its value in constructing identities and promoting a more inclusive society rich in perspectives. Understanding these interactions between culture and territory helps students appreciate and preserve local and national traditions while encouraging a more critical and respectful attitude toward cultural differences.