The Southeast region of the United States has a very rich and diverse culture filled with wonderful music, foods, and traditions. In this activity, students will create a 3 cell spider map representing different aspects of the Southeast culture. You can choose to have students create larger spider maps if desired, but students should be encouraged to select the topics on their own.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a 3 cell spider map explaining the culture of the Southeast.
Student Instructions
Begin the discussion by generally talking about cultures. Teachers can provide textbook definitions of culture and ask the students to define it in their own words. If there are students from diverse backgrounds and cultures, teachers can encourage them to share different parts of their cultures and give them interactive exercises to start with.
Once the students are more aware of the topic and engaged in the discussion, help them identify different aspects of the Southeast region for discussion. These aspects can be general as well as specific. For instance, students can talk about aspects such as food, clothes, festivals, music, etc.
Culture and history have a very deep connection. The roots of both these subjects are interconnected. Students can analyze this relationship and perform research on the history of the region to investigate the origin of these cultural aspects. Students can also discuss how these cultures and traditions have changed through time and transformed.
With the help of students, teachers can organize a cultural representation day for the Southeast Region. Students can dress according to the theme, bring popular food, prepare performances on music and history of the region, and portray other elements of this culture.
Give students a secure space in which they can raise inquiries. Respond to them politely and promote peer interaction. Teachers can encourage students to ask different questions and share their opinions. It is important to be respectful while talking about different cultures, hence ensure a respectful environment while discussing these aspects.
Specialties like fried chicken, collard greens, cornbread, grits, and barbecue are examples of traditional Southern food. Seafood is also heavily emphasized in coastal regions. Food is an important part of each culture and one of the basic aspects that students can examine to understand the culture on a deeper level.
A big part of Southeastern culture is music. Bluegrass, country, gospel, and the blues are among the genres represented. The area is renowned for its exciting music festivals and has produced several well-known performers.
Although Mardi Gras in New Orleans is arguably the most well-known, the area also organizes a wide range of other festivals honoring music, gastronomy, the arts, and regional customs. Festivals bring all the people together and are a way for people to celebrate their culture and traditions.