1. Comparing/Contrasting Countries This year in social studies we will be learning about different communities around the world. We are going to learn about the United States, Brazil, Kenya and China. In describing and comparing these communities, we will see how the people in other communities are similar to us and different from us. To do this we will be using the word culture throughout this year. This word includes many different things. When you look up culture in the dictionary, you find that culture is the way of life, ideas, customs and traditions of a group of people.

2. What is Culture?  the beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular society, group, place, or time  a particular society that has its own beliefs, ways of life, art, etc.  a way of thinking, behaving, or working that exists in a place or organization (such as a business) Immigration https://jr.brainpop.com/socialstudies/citizensh ip/ellisisland/preview.weml

3. 2016 Federal Holidays of the U.S.

4. The United States is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. Nearly every region of the world has influenced American culture, as it is a country of immigrants, most notably the English who colonized the country beginning in the early 1600s. U.S. culture has also been shaped by the cultures of Native Americans, Latin Americans, Africans and Asians. The United States is sometimes described as a "melting pot " in which different cultures have contributed their own distinct "flavors" to American culture. Just as cultures from around the world have influenced American culture, today American culture influences the world. The term Western culture often refers broadly to the cultures of the United States and Europe. Scrambled States of America http://bkflix.grolier.com/sw/ node-33980/bk0041pr http://bkflix.grolier.com/sw/ node-33980/bk0041pr

5. Culture of the U.S.

6. Cultural Diffusion Every country is influenced by ideas, products, and customs of other countries. We call this “cultural diffusion.“ (That means the spreading of some characteristic of culture from where it originated to other countries.) Examples of cultural diffusion from other places into America-pizza, Saint Patrick’s Day, Chinese New Year, Paris fashions, etc.)