B: Learning Objectives:

1.      Students will see their country from a fresh viewpoint by reviewing its many characteristics, past and future, which will help them gain an appreciation for its many qualities while sharing ideas about its future and citizens. 

2.   This will lead to exploring ideas about occupations and how future jobs might change for teachers, doctors, nurses, lawyers, merchants, farmers, workers, professionals, entertainers or leaders.

C: Discussion Questions:

1. Every country is unique including its cultures, customs, history, industries, and topography. How many cultural groups and languages can you name in our country?

2. Do we all have the same customs?  If not, what are some of the different customs? Where did these customs begin?

3. How old is your county? What part of your country’s history do you think is the most important?  Does your country’s history influence the types of businesses and industries we have?

4. Can you name the different businesses and industries in your country?  Do we use all of the products we produce?  Do we export our products to other countries? 

5. Does our typography influence the type of businesses and industries we have? 

6. Does technology influence how we work and learn?  Will it influence any changes in your country in the future?  How?

7. What will our country be like in the future when you grow up?  Will it be different?  If so, how will it be different? 

8. Since the most important part of your country is its people.  How will these future changes influence the people and their occupations?  Will we still have teachers, doctors, nurses, lawyers, merchants, farmers, workers, professionals, entertainers and leaders?  What will these future jobs be like? 

Now that you have explored some of our country’s characteristics and shared ideas about the future, “Please imagine your country and yourself in the future. If wishes came true, briefly, what will our country be like and what will you be?” 

D. Suggested Starter Activities:

 

1. Begin by briefly pointing out the different characteristics of the country, i.e., those listed in the first discussion question—cultures, customs, history, industries, and topography. 

2. Then have students look at pictures and/or read different sections in books and related literature that describe the country’s characteristics.  One resource aside from traditional materials might be travel and tourist brochures, as they offer very focused and positive country photos and information.

3. Display and/or draw a map outline of the country locating all the major cities and towns on the map.  If the map is drawn, use different colors or shapes to illustrate its topography. 

1. On or near the map list the five country characteristics—cultures, customs, history, industries and topography—each in its own single column.

2. Based upon current information students have gathered, ask them to list key words that fit into each of the columns; can be based upon questions in section “C.”

4. Make a 6^th single column entitled “TECHNOLOGY.”  Using available information resources, ask students to list different technical products and influences that they use or know about.  This could include computers, email, research on websites, television, radio, telephones, DVD players, videotapes, audiotapes, etc.

5. Review what the students have discovered and listed.

6. Make a 7^th single column entitled “OCCUPATIONS.” List the different ones that have been discovered during this project. Make suggestions along with listing as many others as the students can name. When finished, go over the list one at a time asking if the occupation is part of our country’s characteristics and will technology change the occupation. Using an asterisk to mark those that technology will change, ask students to imagine how these changes will affect these occupations in the future.  A few examples might include:

1. Advanced building materials to construct stronger buildings

2. Instead of two-dimensional movies, video, and websites view programming or lessons as holographic images

3. Predicting and controlling horrific weather

4. Medical and biotech discoveries to restore sight, hearing, and crippling disabilities, etc.

5. Unusual ways to grow crops even in poor soil and in climates with little rain

6. Living and working in a manmade space colony or another planet.

E. Assignment:

“Imagine your country and yourself in the future. If wishes came true, what will it be like and what will you be?”   

Students should include the following information in their responses:

1. First Name (Last name is optional)

2. Age

3. City and Country

4. Short description of what you would wish for and why

Send responses to dreams@globalschoolnet.org

Teachers - if you have additional activities or ideas, please share them with us!  Send responses to dreams@globalschoolnet.org

F. Gallery of Reponses:

To access the gallery of student responses click here.