Day 12

Grade:
3rd Grade
Subject:
Social Studies
Lesson Topic:
Cultures
Learning Outcomes:
1. The students will respond to a question using Padlet, sharing three facts that they learned
about either Spanish, Italian, or French culture and compare it to American culture.
2. The students will write a letter to a student in another country using proper grammar and

spelling.
3. The students will develop relevant questions about one of the three cultures and share

accurate information about that culture as well as American culture.

Standards:
CC.1.4.3.U With guidance and support, use technology to produce and publish writing (using
keyboarding skills) as well as to interact and collaborate with others.
8.4.3.C Compare and contrast selected world cultures.
CC.1.4.3.R Demonstrate a grade appropriate command of the conventions of Standard English
grammar and spelling.
NCSS Themes: Culture; People, Places, Environment; Global Connections
Anticipatory Set:
To introduce this lesson and engage the students, I will have them turn and talk to a partner. They
will briefly discuss one thing that they learned about one of the three cultures we have been
learning about. This should be something that they did not know before we started this unit and
something that they find fascinating or different. Then, they will tell their partner how what they
learned compares to what they know about American culture.
Procedures:
1. For the first part of this lesson, we will use an app on our iPads called Padlet. Padlet
allows each student to submit a post to a private class board. As each student submits a
written response, it appears on the digital board for all members to view and can be
displayed on the classroom projector for the class to read and discuss. In the end, each
student will have submitted an answer to a question, allowing for all voices and opinions
to be shared.
2. The students will each respond to the following question on Padlet: What is one thing

you learned about each of the three cultures we discussed? Compare and contrast what
you learned about Spain, Italy, and France to our culture. The students will respond in a
bulleted list so that their answers are short, clear, and can be easily discussed.

3. Once all of the responses have appeared on the classroom projector and their iPad

screens, the students will have the chance to read about all of the different facts that our
class learned about over the past eleven days and how the cultures and traditions in other
countries compare to our own.
4. Then, we will have a brief discussion as a class about their responses.
5. For the second part of this lesson, the students will be divided into three groups.
6. In their groups, they will compose a letter to a class in another country- Spain, Italy, or

France. The letter will consist of some basic things that they learned about that culture
and tell the readers some things about life in America. The students are encouraged to ask
questions about the readers, such as what their school/home environments are like, what
they like to do, what their families are like, etc. Also, they should inquire about whatever
it is they are still curious about or want to know about the culture. The letters should be
addressed and signed properly and use proper grammar and correct spelling.
Differentiation:
The first part of this lesson will be done as whole-group. Padlet forces each student to
respond to the question, even those who are quiet and are not usually comfortable
speaking in front of the whole class. The students will respond in a bulleted list, so those
students who struggle with reading or writing do not have to compile lengthy or
extravagant sentences.

Their groups will be broken up randomly. This is because they will be constructing the
letter together, so the students who are stronger writers can guide the other students in the
actual format of the letter, but all can contribute the facts that they posted and questions
they may have. I will visit each group to assist them in formatting the letter if they are
unsure and check grammar and spelling.

Closure:
We will end this lesson with an exit slip. The students will write down the thing they loved most
about learning about different cultures.
Assessment:
1. I will assess the students Padlet responses to see that their facts are accurate and their
comparison or contrast to our culture makes sense.
2. I will be evaluating their letters to see that they have used proper grammar and spelling

and include some facts and questions relevant to what we have been learning about, as
well as accurate information about the cultures.
Materials:
iPads
Paper
Technology:
iPads

Padlet app