Culture & Geography- 3rd-5th Grade (Stage 2)

Use the target language to develop an understanding of the customs, arts, literature, history and geography associated with the target language.

Understand manners and customs of various target language societies. Understand religious (Catholic) practices and customs of various target language societies.

Understand music, dance, folk art, visual art, drama and architecture related to the target language societies. Understand religious (Catholic) music, dance, art, drama related to the target language societies.

Understand literature and various media of target language societies. Understand religious and Catholic literature, Bible stories, Stories of saints and other heroes and heroines of the target language societies.

Understand history of areas where the target language is spoken. Understand the religious (Catholic) history and/or role of the Catholic Church in the history of country(ies) where the target language is spoken.

Understand geography of various target language societies. Understand relation of geography to religious identity in various target language societies.

Use common forms of courtesy, greetings, and leave-takings appropriate to the time of day.

Use common forms of courtesy appropriate to one’s relationship with another person (e.g., adult, peer, parent).

Demonstrate culturally authentic activities (e.g., sing a song, play a game, share food) following simple target language instructions. 

Role-play situations that demonstrate knowledge of activities popular in target language cultures (e.g., customs, leisure time, holiday practices). 

Talk about religious holidays/celebrations and learn songs and prayers that are a part of the celebrations.

Take part in at least one religious holiday/celebration.

Name selected art works associated with a target language culture using target language vocabulary.

Identify some characteristics of selected art forms using arts vocabulary in the target language.

Create a simple art form from a target language society.

Present a short report on a selected work of art and its creator.

Create a simple project/report on a religious song, visual art, or drama from the target language society. 

Read and discuss selected literary works.

Name the main characters, settings, and events from selected samples of culturally authentic children’s literature using audio/visual cues.

Apply target language vocabulary to identify primary media sources.

Talk about literature (e.g., poetry, story, play, legend, comics) of the target language example.

Talk about religious stories of the target language society.

Demonstrate awareness of a special celebration, historical event, or important person in the target cultures in an age- and developmentally appropriate manner.

Identify key historical figures and events associated with areas where the target language is spoken.

Use basic vocabulary to identify historical events and concepts.

Describe Catholic celebrations of target language society, e.g., Christmas, Lent, Triduum. 

Use simple sentences to identify basic geographical features on a map, e.g., rivers, deserts, mountains

Use maps, digital images, graphs, or other geographical representations to describe and discuss the geographical environment (e.g., a scarcity of water, the ocean warming the coast, sites of interest, capitals, the best routes to use) of an area where the target language is spoken.

Understand that important cities are named after saints.