Students are introduced to folk dancing and explore what it is and what it reflects in a culture. They research various folk dance traditions around the world, then focus specifically on Eastern Europe. Next, students work in small groups to research the cultural elements of one of the Eastern European countries. Finally, students describe why someone might want to visit one of these countries.
Students read an introduction to the experience about Eastern European cultural traditions and review the lesson objective. They watch Bulgarian Folk Dance to observe how folk dance reflects cultural traditions, then post observations about what they noticed in the video.
Teacher MovesHighlight the lesson overview and objective. Facilitate discussion of students’ observations from the video, drawing attention to traditional costumes and synchronized movements. Prompt students to compare the Bulgarian folk dance with folk dancing or social dances from their own culture, noting when and where such dances are typically performed.
Students view images of folk dancing and read Folk Dance - History and Types of Folk Dance to learn about different folk dance traditions. Using a graphic organizer, they take notes on three folk dances, including the country, dance name, and a brief description. Then, using the internet, they research a type of folk dancing from Eastern Europe, describe it, and share a photo. They consider how these dances express cultural values and connect people to their history and heritage.
Teacher MovesEncourage students to capture clear, specific details in their notes about each folk dance. Support students as they research Eastern European folk dances, ensuring they use appropriate online sources and correctly attribute images. Lead a brief discussion about how folk dances in students’ own communities—both traditional and contemporary—reflect local culture and identity. Organize students into small groups and assign each group one Eastern European country for the next scene.
Working in assigned small groups, students research the culture of their Eastern European country using the internet. They investigate several cultural aspects, such as food, holidays and celebrations, arts (music, film, dance), ethnic groups, religion, and sports. Groups create a presentation (posted directly to the discussion wall or via a digital tool such as Prezi, a timeline creator, slide presentation, or Glogster) that explains their country’s culture to classmates. They then present their findings to the class and explain what they learned about the culture of their assigned country.
Teacher MovesGuide groups in focusing their research on clear cultural elements and using reliable sources. Support students in organizing their information into a coherent presentation and in selecting an appropriate digital tool. Provide time for each group to present and facilitate a class discussion in which students ask and answer questions. Conclude by prompting students to identify cultural commonalities and differences among the seven Eastern European countries.
Working individually, students write a paragraph explaining why someone should visit the Eastern European country they researched, drawing on cultural details from their group presentation. They then read classmates’ posts and respond to at least two with a question or positive comment.
Teacher MovesRemind students to use specific cultural examples from their research to support their reasons for visiting the country. Monitor student posts and replies, prompting respectful, substantive comments and questions that deepen understanding of each country’s culture.
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