English V - Week 2 - Cultural Differences

Introduction: In today's class we will continue to talk about rules of politeness and respect in different cultures and families. We will also explore the topic of traditional and modern diet. Follow your teacher's instructions to complete the tasks below.

Warm Up: This or That? 

Let's play a little game to get started. Spin the wheel and make a choice between the two options. Say which one you prefer and why. You have to choose one. Don't sit on the fence!

Spin the Wheel

Task 1: Group Discussion

In the first part of today's class we are going to talk about parenting styles and rules and behavior for children. Click play on the video timer and discuss the following questions for 5 minutes. 

• Do you consider yourself to be a polite person? What does that mean to you?
• Complete the sentence with the best idea and explain the reason.

• Children and teenagers today are _____ (more polite than / less polite than / as polite as) children and teenagers of the past.  

• How can parents raise children to be polite and respectful of others?
• When you were a child what were some of the rules in your house about polite behavior?
• Parents also have the challenge of helping their children develop good habits. What were some of your bad habits when you were a child? 

• Which of these things do you think should be:
  
  

  • Controlled strongly by parents?
  • Controlled a little by parents?
  • Left to the child to decide?

  
  

  • Watching TV
  • Practicing a musical instrument
  • Going out to play with friends
  • Doing homework
  • Choosing which subjects to study in school
  • Choosing activities outside school
  • Using the internet

Task 2: Reading - Cruel to Be Kind

You are going to read about a parenting style called "tiger mother parenting" and express your opinions about it. Go to page 82 in your book and read the article "Cruel to Be Kind" and answer these questions. You do not need to write, only discuss. If your e-book is not working, CLICK HERE.

• What is a "tiger mother"?
• What are a tiger mother's attitudes about watching TV, practicing a musical instrument, going out to play with friends, and doing homework?
• What are the results of Amy Chua's "tiger mother" parenting?
• Are the typical parents in Costa Rica "tiger parents"? If not, what name could you give to their parenting style?

Task 3: Setting the House Rules

Imagine your family will receive a group of high school exchange students from other countries. These international teenagers will live with you for 6 months and they come from very different cultures. Create a list of house rules for them to understand appropriate and polite behavior in the house and in different social situations. 

CLICK HERE then go to your group's section of the document.

Task 4: Talking About Food

For our final topic today we are going to talk about modern and traditional diets. 

CLICK HERE to go to the Jamboard. On the first page use the sticky note function to write examples of what you consider to food from a modern diet. On page two write examples of what you consider to be a traditional diet. 

• What is a balanced diet? Is your diet balanced? Why or why not?
• We live in a tropical country. What elements of the Costa Rican diet are tropical?
• Look at the places geographic regions below. What do you think their traditional diet is like?
• Desert
• Arctic

Task 5: Listening Practice

Go to page 84 in your book. Listen to the audio about the traditional diet of people from northern Alaska and discuss the questions in exercises 2, 3, and 4. 

If you are having trouble playing the audio, CLICK HERE.

Task 6: Critical Thinking

Discuss the questions below with your partners. Try to use the phrases used to, didn't use to, usually, and get used to when appropriate.

• How have your eating habits changed in your life? 
• What did you used to do differently in the past?
• What do you usually do now?
• Did you have to get used to a new way of eating?

• What are some of the significant changes to the Costa Rican diet and lifestyle in the last 50 years?
• Finish the sentence, "When my grandparents were my age, people didn't use to..."

• Do you think Costa Rica has a meat eating culture? 
• What are some of the consequences of eating too much meat for the individual? For society? For the environment?

• What are some alternative sources of protein?
• Some cultures traditionally eat insects. Have you seen this before?
• What do you think about it?
• Do you think Costa Ricans could get used to eating insects?