Culture and the Environment

Contributor: Danielle Childers. Lesson ID: 10137

When you meet someone for the first time, do you give him or her a handshake, a hug, or a kiss on the cheek? You will learn about culture and the effect it has on the environment, and vice-versa.

categories

People and Their Environment

subject
Social Studies
learning style
Auditory, Visual
personality style
Beaver
Grade Level
Intermediate (3-5)
Lesson Type
Quick Query

Lesson Plan - Get It!

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When you meet someone for the first time, do you give him or her a handshake, a hug, or a kiss on the cheek? Did you know different places in the world have different ways of greeting? In the U.S., most people offer a handshake because the thought of kissing someone the first time you meet seems embarrassing.

In this lesson, you will learn about culture and the effect it has on the environment and vice-versa.

Though it might be embarrassing for some people to greet by offering a kiss, if you were raised in Latin America, it would seem normal for you to kiss 2 or even 3 times on the cheek the first time you meet a person.

The way we greet people is part of our culture. Do you know what the word culture means? Culture is defined by dictionary.com as "the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group."

Culture encompasses and influences many aspects of a person's life. It is something we are taught, and we understand it as “normal” because the beliefs have been handed down for many generations.

Culture includes religion, food, music, dance, recreation, education, language, how we groom ourselves, etiquette and manners, how people date and get married, and so much more!

As you can see, culture is a very important thing to people; it is how they live their life. What are some of the customs and beliefs that are part of your culture?

Look at these pictures. What aspect of culture is being shown in each one?

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Can you think of any nearby stores or restaurants that are of a different culture then you? Have you been to one before? How was it different?

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