Southeast Asia: Society and Culture


World Cultures South and Southeast Asia Southeast Asia: Society and Culture
Students create a map to explore the languages and major religions of Southeast Asia. Then they focus on the diversity it represents. Next, they learn about some of the most well-known foods in Southeast Asia. Finally, students choose a food from one country and research its historical, religious, and cultural significance.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

1:1 Devices
Teacher Pack

The Pack contains associated resources for the learning experience, typically in the form of articles and videos. There is a teacher Pack (with only teacher information) and a student Pack (which contains only student information). As a teacher, you can toggle between both to see everything.

Here are the teacher pack items for Southeast Asia: Society and Culture:

Preview - Scene 1
Exploros Learnign Experience Scene Navigation


Engage


Overview:

In this experience, students use maps to explore the languages and major religions of Southeast Asia. Then they focus on the diversity it represents. Next, they learn about some of the most well-known foods in Southeast Asia. Finally, students choose a food from one country and research its historical, religious, and cultural significance.

Objectives:

  • Identify the religious and cultural diversity in Southeast Asia.
  • Describe the importance of food in revealing history and culture.


The Broadway musical Oliver Twist included a song called “Food, Glorious Food,” with a stanza that goes like this:

 

Food, glorious food!

Eat right through the menu.

Just loosen your belt

Two inches and then you

Work up a new appetite.

In this interlude—

Then food,

Once again, food

Fabulous food,

Glorious food.

 

It’s true that food is one of the most important aspects of our lives. In addition to needing it to survive, what part does food play in our societies? In this experience, you’ll explore the way that food expresses cultural aspects of Southeast Asia.

Objectives:

  • Identify the religious and cultural diversity in Southeast Asia.
  • Describe the importance of food in revealing history and culture.


someone sitting in a canoe by a dock with pots of food

Look at the photo above.


How is this similar to or different from what you might see in your own culture and society?

Post your answer

Discuss student responses. Then explain that food is just one way that societies and culture reflect themselves.

Sometimes middle school students can be insensitive to the food culture of other people. Be alert to this and remind students that everyone has a food culture, and aspects of their own might seem strange to people who have never experienced it before.


Students will be using the National Geographic Mapmaker site and tool in the next scene. If they need additional guidance on using the tool, refer to the Making Maps: Tutorial experience.

When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.


End of Preview
The Complete List of Learning Experiences in East and Southeast Asia Unit.
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