Grade 7 Unit 9 The Wonder of Cultural Encounters
Dive into a transformative journey through history with "The Wonder of Cultural Encounters." This unit explores the era traditionally known as the Age of Exploration but reexamines it as the Age of Cultural Encounters. It challenges students to consider not just the perspectives of the European explorers but also the voices and experiences of the indigenous peoples whose lands were "discovered."
Students will explore narratives that bridge these diverse perspectives, encouraging critical thinking and fostering a deeper understanding of global connections. They will focus on the complexities of trade networks during this period, highlighting both the cooperation and conflicts that arose.
The unit focuses on an engaging, hands-on project where students select a European explorer, research their life and impact, and design a board game that reflects the historical events and cultural clashes of the time. Through this creative process, they will develop time management, organization, and self-regulation skills. An optional journal activity allows them to imagine the explorer reflecting on their life's choices, promoting empathy and deeper historical insight.
This unit encourages students to question, reflect, and build a new cultural awareness, honouring all voices involved in these pivotal historical moments.
This purchase includes one digital curriculum unit with 15 days of lesson plans and 5 days of flexible projects. This unit will inspire you with beautiful images, clear instructions and exciting project ideas.
And that's not all. You will also gain access to the Wonder Hub, which includes supporting documents, videos, resources, and community.
The Wonder of Cultural Encounters
Learning Standards
Language Arts
Concepts: Exploring stories and other texts helps us understand ourselves and make connections to others and to the world. Questioning what we hear, read, and view contributes to our ability to be educated and engaged citizens.
Connections: Students will explore how stories and texts help us understand ourselves and connect with others across time and place. Throughout the unit they will examine the perspectives of both European explorers and the indigenous peoples they encountered, encouraging critical thinking and reflection. Your child will study an explorer of their choice in depth, from the perspective of the explorer and the perspective of the "discovered" people considered. They will create a board game that incorporates these events, lessons and consequences into a learning experience for the players. Bringing and balancing these perspectives within our modern consciousness brings greater awareness and understanding. This unit will teach students to question what they read, hear, and view, contributing to their growth as informed and engaged citizens.
Social Studies
Concept: Economic specialization and trade networks can lead to conflict and cooperation between societies.
Connection: This unit focuses on the economic and social dynamics of the Age of Cultural Encounters. Students will learn how trade networks and economic specialization led to both cooperation and conflict between societies. The unit will highlight European explorers' challenges in establishing trade routes in already populated regions and the ensuing conflicts. By examining these historical events, students will gain a deeper understanding of how these encounters shaped the world we live in today.
Math
Concept: Data from circle graphs can be used to illustrate proportion and to compare and interpret.
Connection: Students will engage with data and probability concepts by creating circle graphs. They will work with ratios, percentages, decimals, and whole numbers to illustrate proportions and make comparisons. This mathematical exploration will help students understand the scale and impact of cultural encounters during this period, using data to bring historical events to life.