Presentation Co-op: People and Places
Spring 2006
January 16th, 2008
The purpose of this cooperative learning experience is to expand our knowledge of different cultures around the world. We’ll accomplish this in a creative, loosely structured manner. The idea is to give the children as much room as possible to use their imaginations and come up with interesting ideas of their own. I’ll send out an assignment once a week, usually on Monday.
If you’d like to join us, there’s still time! You can catch up on the assignments, or just skip to the current one. Please let me know if you would like to participate, and tell me which country you will be working on.
We’ll be meeting at the Gulf Gate Library on Wednesday, June 7th from 6:30pm-9:00pm to share our projects. Food is allowed. For more information, email me at robin@sarasotaareahomeschoolers.com or call 416-0001.
March 12, 2006
Assignment #1
Hi all… now that you’ve chosen your country (if you haven’t let me know what it is, please do so), here’s your first assignment. It’s a geography task. Find your country on a map of the world (http://go.hrw.com/atlas/norm_htm/world.htm is a good place to start) and make your own copy of the map. Use whatever medium you wish. i.e.: clay, paint, crayons, fabric collage, etc… use your imagination. Be sure to find out which countries border your country too. What’s the capital? What are the major cities and bodies of water? Be sure your map isn’t too small, at least 8.5?x11?. This is all about being creative and using your imagination and I don’t want to be too specific, that way the kids will be encouraged to come up with something on their own. If you need suggestions, ask the group. Have fun!
March 21, 2005
Assignment #2
The assignment for this week is to find out about your country’s economy. Learn what currency they use. Make a replica of the currency, paper or coins or both. What industry exists within your country/region? Make something to showcase that industry. For example, if they make all of their money by making and selling garden gnomes… make a garden gnome. 
If this is too broad, ask the group for suggestions.
April 4, 2006
Assignment #3
This week’s assignment is to find out about your country’s climate and topography. How you want to represent your findings is up to you. A report, add topography features to the map you’ve already created, a poster, a series of pictures of land features there… whatever you can think of. Most importantly, have fun with it!
April 12, 2006
Assignment #4
This week’s assignment is to find out about the traditions of your country of choice. What festivals do they hold, holidays do they observe? Depending on your country, this could be one of the best chances to be creative. I’m seeing costumes for some countries. Is there a type of dance that is traditional to your country? How do families in your country observe some of the holidays we often observe here, like Christmas or birthdays. I googled “traditions around the world” and got LOTS of information. That’s a good starting point. I can’t wait to see what you all come up with!
April 18, 2006
Assignment #5
This week’s assignment is very easy, but if you want to make it elaborate, feel free! Find out what your country’s flag looks like and make some sort of replica of it.
May 10, 2006
Assignment #6
This week’s assignment is to learn a new language. Okay, so not a whole entire new language, but a few phrases. What language do they speak in your country? Learn how to say a few common phrases like hello, good-bye, please and thank you. Do they write the same way we do? Show us what their writing looks like if it’s different.