In this ongoing class, we will explore different places and cultures around the world. There are no prerequisites for this class.

This class has been designed differently than a semester-long class. Using the ongoing class format, we can spend as much or as little time on different places or regions as we need to so the students can fully appreciate and grasp the concepts. So, from the syllabus, one class could take as little as the hour meeting time scheduled, or it could continue into the next meeting time. I am fully committed to teaching this class based on the individual student’s needs, and also because some cultures take longer to learn about – they have a more thoroughly documented history than some of the others.  

We talk a lot in my classes. I believe that education is a conversation, and children learn and retain more information if they are part of the discussion! It is a lecture-based class, but I use slides, games, video clips, and sound files (for the music and language). It is highly interactive, but I also understand that some students are more introverted than others and I take that into consideration.

We will look at: 

* North America: regions (US + Canada + Caribbean + Latin America), sovereign countries (23) and (17, not including Greenland) dependent territories

* South America: 12 countries + 3 territories (France/UK)

* Europe: 50 countries, 5 independent states, 8 territories

* Africa: 54 recognized sovereign states, 2 independent (unrecognized), 12 non-sovereign territories

* Asia: West (N East, Middle East) 25; Central (5); South (8); North (Ural/Siberia/Far East Russia); East (8); SE (11)

* Oceania (4 regions: Australia, Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia)



Within each region, we will discuss the following:
* Geography
	Climate, landmarks, cultural sites, flora/fauna, agriculture
* Humanity
	People and animals, food, traditions, housing, travel, languages, music, art, clothing
* History
	Civilizations, advancements, technology, governments, economies, legacies, and 
        modern standing



Important to note: Any mention of religion within these cultures will be completely from an unbiased, historical, and academic viewpoint. Every topic - whether natural disasters, conflicts, or any potentially sensitive event  - will be handled delicately and appropriately (or omitted) because of the age of the students. No insensitive or inaccurate images or videos of any culture will be included. The purpose of this course is to introduce young learners to the diversity in our world, not to perpetrate stereotypes or the inaccurate historical biases.



Syllabus: Exploring World Cultures (Ages 7-10)

Concept 1: Introduction to World Cultures
- Understanding the concept of culture
- Introduction to different cultures around the world
- Appreciation of and sensitivity to differences in other cultures

Concept 2: Exploring Continents
- Geography of continents and major countries
- Basic map reading skills (using digital maps and paper maps - Google Maps/Google Earth/atlases)

Concept 3: Ancient Civilizations - Egypt
- History, culture, and achievements of ancient Egypt
- Introduction to hieroglyphics and Egyptian mythology

Concept 4: Let's Visit Asia - China
- History, landmarks, and traditions of China
- Chinese calligraphy and basic phrases
- the Dynasties 

Concept 5: Native American Cultures (pre-European immigration)
- Overview of various Native American tribes (map of indigenous tribes shown)
- Traditional clothing, dwellings, and customs

Concept 6: Journey to Europe - Greece
- Greek mythology, history, and ancient society
- Introduction to Greek alphabet and learning basic phrases

Concept 7: African Cultures
- Diversity of cultures across Africa
- Traditional music, dance, art, food
- the diversity of the landscape - deserts, jungles, cities

Concept 8: Exploring Oceania - Australia & Pacific Islands
- Indigenous cultures of Australia and Pacific Islands
- Understanding the significance of Dreamtime stories

Concept 9: Exploring South America - Incan Civilization
- History and achievements of the Incan civilization
- Introduction to Incan architecture and technology

Concept 10: Cultural Festivals Around the World
- Exploration of diverse festivals and their significance

Concept 11: Famous Explorers and Cultural Exchange
- Exploring historical figures who connected cultures
- Understanding the impact of cultural exchange through exploration
- Understanding that some explorers had a negative impact on the landscape and peoples

Concept 12: Let's Visit the Middle East - Ancient Mesopotamia
- History, culture, and contributions of Mesopotamia
- Introduction to cuneiform writing

Concept 13: Arctic and Antarctic Cultures
- Understanding the unique cultures of polar regions

Concept 14: Exploring Asia - India
- History, traditions, and diverse cultures of India
- Introduction to traditional Indian attire, holidays, and food

Concept 15: South American Cultures - Amazon Rainforest Tribes
- Diversity and traditions of tribes in the Amazon Rainforest
- the flora and fauna of the Amazon

Concept 16: Art Around the World
- Introduction to diverse art styles and artists globally
- How different cultures create their art

Concept 17: Ancient Rome and Its Legacy
- History, culture, and influence of the Roman Empire
- learning a few Latin phrases

Concept 18: Exploring Asia - Japan
- History, traditions, and cultural symbols of Japan
- Basic origami and traditional games

Concept 19: Exploring Africa
- History and cultural achievements of ancient African empires
- the geography and mineral rich lands that led to colonization
- modern cultures in modern times

Concept 20: Cultural Cuisine
- Exploring diverse world cuisines and their ingredients

Concept 21: Exploring Australian Cultures 
- Traditions, art, and spirituality of native Aboriginal Australians
- immigration of European settlers

Concept 22: Europe 
- Angles, Saxons, Celts, and the Germanic tribes against Roman occupation
- Feudal societies: an overview of medieval society, knights, and castles
- How kingdoms became nations

Concept 23: Exploring North America - Native American Tribes (post-European immigration/colonization)
- Diversity of Native American tribes and their traditions
- The occupation of native lands
- Reservations

Concept 24: Asian Festivals and Celebrations
- Learning about festivals like Diwali, Lunar New Year, etc.

Concept 25: The Silk Road
- History, trade, and cultural exchange along the Silk Road

Concept 26: Exploring Polynesia 
- Differences between Samoans, Maori, Tongans
- Traditions, food, art, and cultural significance 
- the importance of ritual dance

Concept 27: Global Clothing Styles
- Learning about traditional clothing from various cultures throughout history

Concept 28: Exploring Central America - Mayan Civilization
- History and cultural contributions of the ancient Mayans

Concept 29: Colonization around the World
- Africa, India, North and South America, Islands
- The effects and legacies of colonies

Concept 30: Folklore
- Each culture has legends and folklore, we will examine the stories and talk about the similarities between tales from our own and other legends and folklore

Concept 31: Globalization in our Modern World
- how technology has made our world smaller
- how cultures can be experienced through travel

Concept 32: Reflection and Celebration
- Recap of learned cultures and customs (admiring, but not appropriating other cultures)
- Sharing thoughts of your own culture

Just to reiterate, there are 32 concepts. This does not mean there are only 32 lessons. We will study each concept. Some concepts may take only 1 lesson. Some may take more time because the amount of information to be learned  will have more sources than others.