Funding for the VITAL/Ready to Teach collection was secured through the United States Department of Education under the Ready to Teach Program.
Loading StandardsAfter watching a video about two boys from different countries and their experiences at school, students compare and contrast the circumstances surrounding the boys' experiences.
When learners can take ideas and compare and contrast them, they can better comprehend the complexity of the ideas. Noting the similarities and differences in ideas leads to the abilities to generalize, categorize, sort, evaluate, and understand new information.
(2) 60-minute periods
1. Tell students that they will be learning about two classrooms from around the world. Before viewing the first segment, distribute copies of the Education Around the World handout .
2. Tell students that they're going to watch a video segment called "A Look at a Japanese Classroom" to learn about Ken, a six-year old boy from Japan, and his first day of school. Students should watch and remember two or three things about the Japanese classroom. (Note: You may pause the video to draw students' attention to specific points.)
3. After watching the segment, ask students what they remember about Ken's classroom. Use a transparency or an enlarged version of the handout to model how to complete the chart. Replay the video, asking students to listen for specific information in order to complete the first column of the chart. Afterwards, students copy what you have written.
4. Tell students that they're going to watch another video about schools in other countries. This segment is called "A Look at a Kenyan Classroom" and it is about Joab, a young boy from Kenya. Students should watch and remember two or three things about Joab's classroom. (Note: Again, you may pause the video to draw students' attention to specific points.)
5. After watching the second segment, ask students what they remember about Joab's classroom. As before, model note taking on the board or on a transparency of the handout so that students can transfer notes to their handout. Replay the video as needed in order to complete the chart.
1. Students complete the Comparing Classrooms Venn Diagram.
2. Discuss completed Venn diagrams as a class. As part of the discussion, you might ask students how their classroom compares to Ken and Joab's classrooms. How are they alike? How are they different?
3. Completed Venn diagrams can be placed in student portfolios to demonstrate their understanding of this concept.
For students who need additional teacher guidance:
1. Go over chart with students, marking similarities in one color and differences in another color.
2. Then, help students to organize the similarities and differences on the Venn diagram.
Standards