The Culture Wheel SCAVENGER HUNT
MY LANGUAGE
NOT MY LANGUAGE
Take a photo or video that shows the language or languages spoken at your house
Take a photo or video that shows a language from a culture different from your own.
MY TRADITIONS AND RITUALS
NOT MY TRADITIONS AND RITUALS
Write a short paragraph describing what your family does as a tradition (something that is very typical during a certain time or event - for example, every year we to a Pistons game) or a ritual (things you do in a specific way - like on a birthday or other special day).)
Think about any family in the world that you know does things differently than you do. Write a short paragraph describing a tradition or ritual that is not similar to yours. You can use this website for ideas.
MY TECHNIQUES AND SKILLS
NOT MY TECHNIQUES AND SKILLS
What are you really good at doing? What techniques do you have to accomplish a task? Take a photo or video showing a technique or a skill you have.
Find someone in your family who uses a different technique to do something or has a different skill than yours. Take a photo or video of this other person showing the technique or skill.
MY TOOLS AND OBJECTS
NOT MY TOOLS AND OBJECTS
What tools do you know how to use and use often? What objects are special to you? Take a photo or video of you using a tool or showing the special object.
Do you have a tool around your house that you don't know how to use? What is an object that is special to someone else or is absolutely meaningless to you? Take a photo or video of that tool or object, either in your house or a screenshot of something online.
MY ART
NOT MY ART
What do you consider to be "art"? Pictures, music, dances, poetry... all of these are part of The Arts. What does it take to make art special? How can you tell if art is good or bad? Take a photo or video of either something around your house or online that you consider to be GOOD art.
Can you find a piece of BAD art? What is something that you consider to be not worth the time or effort to make? Can you find art online that you don't understand? Take a photo or video of something that you consider to be bad art or art that you don't get.
MY FOOD AND DRINK
NOT MY FOOD AND DRINK
What is a meal that is absolutely special or delicious to YOU? Why is this food meaningful? Take a photo or video of either food that is special or is absolutely essential that you have
Search online for foods or drinks that you know are from a different culture. Find out what it is and how to make it. Take a photo or a video showing this food or drink. This website has photos of foods from around the world with a description and location for each.
MY VALUES
NOT MY VALUES
What do you believe is good in the world? What do you believe is right and wrong? Do you follow a particular religion or religious values? What does your family value - what you're told again and again are good or meaningful or goals you should have. Write a short paragraph describing these values
Find a religion that is not your own. Look up online what the beliefs are and how they are shown in daily life. What do the people who follow that religion value in life and in themselves? Write a paragraph explaining what values others have that might be similar or different than your own. This video gives a good overview of the world five major religions.
MY GREATER COMMUNITY
NOT MY GREATER COMMUNITY
How do you fit in the community of Traverse City? The community of Michigan? The United States? What is your role in the world? What are the things you do (or your family) that affect the community outside your home? If you can't think of anything, then write about what you wish was true.
What do you do that doesn't affect anyone else? What's the most selfish thing you've ever done? Write a few sentences describing how sometimes you have no effect on the greater community.
MY KNOWLEDGE AND STORIES
NOT MY KNOWLEDGE AND STORIES
What do you know a lot about? How did you learn all of that? What are stories that your family tells you? What is your earliest memory? All of these things are about you and your culture. Write a short paragraph answering one or more of the questions above.
Look online for a folktale or story that is a parallel to one you know well. For example, there are lots of versions of Cinderella from cultures all over the world. Find a story and write a summary of how it is different and similar to a story you already knew. This website has a huge collection of folktales from around the world.