Lesson+1+-+Cultural+Identity+and+Me

 = Lesson 1 - Cultural Identity and Me =

Cultural Identity is made up of numerous factors both tangible (such as vegemite) and intangible (Aussie “mateship”). When put all together it forms a sort of impression or feeling about what it is to be a member of that particular culture. However, in places like Australia, cultural identity is a very fluid concept. Australia is a largely immigrant society, which means that the Australian culture is itself made up and influenced by hundreds of other cultures. No definition will ever be 100% accurate because as individuals we experience different parts or place different values on differing aspects.

This activity will be comprised of several parts.

**Part 1:**
Bring to class 3-5 objects that you feel represent who you are. When you bring your items into class, we will use the school's digital camera's to take photos of them. If anything you want to bring into class is too big or valuable to be brought from home, you may bring a photo of it from home and we will upload that or scan it onto the computer instead. We will then load them onto the discussion board and you will add at least three sentences for each picture explaining both what the item is and how you feel it represents you. When you post, be sure to quickly answer these three questions:
 * 1) Where were you born?
 * 2) Where were your parents born?
 * If you or your parents were born in a different part of Australia or the world please share why your family moved to Queensland.
 * 1) Do you speak any other languages?

I have posted my own example for you to model your own posts after.

//__Guidelines for posting:__ Your original post must be in proper Australian English or "school speak". If you would like to post in the language you are more comfortable speaking in, you are welcome to, but you must also translate the text into English so that your classmates can read your contribution. Google provides a free translation service here. There will be no derogatory, defaming or otherwise negative comments towards classmates or other cultures made on the posting board. While your original post must be made in proper Australian English, any comments you make on other posts are welcome to be more informal and you don't need to be concerned with proper spelling or grammar.//

**Part 2:**
Read through everyone else's posts and take note on where students and/or their parents were born. Also look for themes among the items. These themes may be concerned with friendship, family, hobbies, likes, dislikes, etc. Consider as you read how the item represents a different theme and if/how it combines with different items for the same theme.


 * Part 3:**

As a class we will discuss results of individual readings and discuss and compare different themes that were found among the postings. Any themes that show up repeatedly will be closer examined to determine whether or not it was part of the Australian Cultural Identity. After discussing themes through the items, feel free to bring up any elements of what you think it means to be Australian that weren't covered in the earlier discussions.


 * Part 4:**

Make a "Y Chart" on a free page in your book and write out what it looks like, feels like and sounds like to be Australian. You are welcome to use dot points; detail is what matters.