Voyage
to India
HOW IT WORKS
Voyage
to India focuses on India as a country, but especially
on the everyday life of children/students in India. After
learning about the religions, ethnic groups, holidays, geography,
culture, and weather in India, the students then plan a
simulated trip there, where they are transformed into Indian
children. They play NetAid’s World Class game, which helps
to bring them closer to their Indian counterparts by introducing
them to actual Indian students and some of the issues they
face trying to reach their life goals. The Internet allows
students to expand on their game experience by visiting
the World Class site, where they are paired during the Internet
activities and guided to certain pages.
After
completing the activities, the class discusses what they
have learned. Students also go to weatherchannel.com to
track the weather in their city of choice in India. They
also compare the weather in India to the weather in New
York City. After viewing these sites, the students create
their own biography cards (similar to baseball cards) and
pretend to be Indian students. In order to complete the
cards, they chose a religion, an ethnic group, the holidays
they celebrate, and a city to live in, and calculate the
average weather in that city. Digital pictures are taken
of the students for inclusion on their cards.
THE
STUDENTS
Voyage to India was introduced to a third grade class consisting
of 23 heterogeneously grouped students. They worked on this
project approximately three periods a week for four weeks.
This program follows the third grade Social Studies curriculum
for New York State and it can easily be adapted for other
countries of study and other grade levels.
THE
STAFF
Nakia Haskins is a third grade teacher at Juan Pablo Duarte-P.S.
132M. She was also a volunteer teacher for one year in Tamale,
Ghana. As a result of her service abroad, she wants her
students to be aware of issues facing children in developing
countries.
WHAT
YOU NEED
Several computers with Internet access and one printer are
necessary, as is Microsoft Word and written and Internet
material on India. This material, along with technological
support, enhances the children’s learning. A digital camera
is also used.
OVERALL
VALUE
In Voyage to India, all New York State standards are met.
Curriculum areas include social studies, science, math,
technology, art, and language arts. It also promotes the
students’ awareness of life in developing countries and
encourages them to be advocates for education and the underprivileged.
During this voyage, students become fascinated with all
aspects of Indian life. |
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View the Curriculum Unit/Dissemination Packet
CURRICULUM
AREAS
Social Studies
Math
Science
Language Arts
Technology
GRADES
3-5
MORE
INFORMATION
Nakia Haskins
Juan Pablo Duarte
P.S. 132M
185 Wadsworth Avenue
New York, NY 10033
Hardcopy96@yahoo.com
Principal
Ada N. Letelier
IMPACT
II
Catalog 2003-2004
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