Grade level: 3rd

Duration: 3 classes

Instructional Goal:
To identify the Spanish-speaking Caribbean Islands and compare national symbols.

Objectives:
To locate Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic on a map.
To compare the national symbols of the Caribbean Islands and the U.S.

Student Activities:
1. Day One: Using an overhead projector, the teacher shows students where Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic are located on a map of the Caribbean.

2. Give each student a blank map of the Caribbean. Students identify Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic on a map of the Caribbean. Using markers, the colors of the flags--red, white and blue--students color their maps. The teacher tells students that the flags are national symbols and that each color has a special meaning. The U.S. flag is also a national symbol, too.

3. On the overhead, the teacher shows students the flag from each country and points out the shield (escudo) or star that appears in the middle of each flag. The teacher asks: What is the purpose of shields in flags? The teacher can explain that this is an example of a national symbol. Just like in the United States, the stars on the flag symbolize the fifty U.S. states. The stars and stripes represent part of the national North American identity.

4. Day Two: Each student receives a white chef’s apron and hat. Students work in small groups to decorate their individual aprons and hats to wear during cooking class. They use red, white and blue markers to recreate the cultural symbols (flags, shield, islands, etc.).

Materials:
Red, white and blue markers
Map of the Caribbean copied onto an overhead (and 1 copy for each student)
White Aprons and hats
Overhead projector
Blank Transparencies

Assessment:
Day Three: Students give an oral presentation. Each child explains the symbols that they chose to decorate their apron and hat. Photographs should be taken of the students wearing their "chef’s uniforms" to document this performance product.

Reference Materials: (available at the PIER Resource Center)
Schwabacher, M., Celebrate the States: Puerto Rico, Benchmarks Books, Italy, 2001.

Vázquez, A. M. B. and Casas, R. E., Enchantment of the World: Cuba, Children Press, Chicago, 1987.

Cultures of the World: Dominican Republic, Marshall Cavendish Corporation, New York, 1995.