Oklahoma Academic Standards:
3. The student will identify the characteristics, distribution, and demographic patterns of human populations and systems of the Western Hemisphere.

5. The student will compare common physical and human characteristics of regions which create identity or uniqueness and influence people’s perceptions of the Western Hemisphere.

Objectives: 

6.3.2   Identify and describe cultural traits of language, ethnic heritage, religion, and traditions practiced among peoples.

6.3.7   Identify and explain topics related to indigenous sovereignty. 

6.5.2   Explain how cultural diffusion, both voluntary and forced, impacts societies of a region.

In a Nutshell

Culture provides the building-blocks for personal human identity.  However, students must also understand that differences in cultural traits can present a potential for conflict between different cultural groups. With this in mind, it is important for students to engage in the identification, comparison, and analysis of cultural traits for the purpose of understanding people who are similar or different than themselves. Students should also understand that regions defined by human features have been and continue to be affected by cultural diffusion - the spread of cultural traits. Students should examine both the positive results of cultural diffusion, such as agricultural practices, as well as the negative affects, such as the loss of unique cultural traditions and identity. 

Teacher Action 

Student Action 

• Assist students in describing multiple factors that influence the perspective of groups in the Western Hemisphere. 

• Assist students to make connections between spatial patterns of human features of the Earth’s surface, related to cultural traits and their diffusion.  

• Assist students to access and use multiple historical and contemporary sources to identify areas of further inquiry and additional relevant sources, comparing similarities and differences of major cultures.

• Explain how changes in transportation, communication, and technology affected the spread of cultural features. 

• Select, organize, and create presentations using multi-modal content encompassing different points of view related to common characteristics of contemporary societies. 

Key Concepts 

Misconceptions 

•  cultural traits, including language, traditions, customs, religious beliefs, food, clothing, family structure, gender roles, traditional occupations

•  culture as learned and cumulative, cultural transmission

•  cultural change over time, cultural diffusion, ethnic hearths

•  forced assimilation, acculturation, cultural misappropriation, efforts to preserve indigenous cultures 

•  indigenous populations, indigenous homeland, sovereignty, self-determination, self-rule 

• Some students may lack prior understandings of the inherent nature of sovereignty for indigenous peoples, as opposed to being authority granted to them by others.

• Some students may find it difficult to understand that all cultures undergoes constant change from exposure and interaction with other cultures. 

• Most students may lack prior understandings related to the differences between acculturation and cultural misappropriation which often leads to misunderstandings or disrespect of a minority culture.  

Instructional Resources