U.S. Culture Sharing Ideas

-Share differences in non-verbal communication, like the way that people summon each other in the U.S. Talk about the similarities and differences in the way people use non-verbal communication.
-Read articles/web articles on the way U.S. families interact.  Students discuss what is important in families.
-Describe to students what was observed in So Others Might Eat (soup kitchen for homeless), volunteerism & humanitarian aid, and discuss what things are different/the same in their country.
-Take a brochure of Mt. Vernon, the National Mall, or the U.S. Capitol and create a scavenger hunt with a map. 
-Describe the history of George Washington from Mt. Vernon and how he is the father of the U.S.
-Practice ordering at an American restaurant like McDonald's.  Create role-plays.
-Share culture shock examples, like everyone smiling and saying hi, then have students share surprising experiences and describe how they feel in those situations.
-Create a Thanksgiving Dinner activity with one group of students before class.  Then have other students observe and describe what is happening.
-Give students a map of the subway and see if they can get to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum by using the map.
-Assign students to read about the U.S. National Gallery the night before.  The next day test their knowledge by creating a virtual tour in the classroom, using objects to represent monuments and memorials.

Access Student Presentations Discussion