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Culture Quest

Lesson Plan

Culture Quest Lesson Plan

Students will explore and appreciate diverse cultures by sharing traditions and completing a quick cultural “treasure hunt.” They will practice empathy, curiosity, and respectful communication.

Understanding and respecting cultural diversity promotes empathy, broadens worldviews, and builds an inclusive classroom environment. This lesson helps students recognize the value of all peoples and traditions.

Audience

8th Grade Middle School Students

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Interactive sharing and a scavenger-style treasure hunt.

Prep

Teacher Preparation

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Objective

2 minutes

  • Greet students and display the lesson title on Culture Quest Slides
  • Briefly explain: “Today we’ll learn about different cultures and why each is valuable.”
  • Pose a hook question: “What’s one tradition your family celebrates?”

Step 2

Culture Sharing

5 minutes

  • Have students pair up and share one cultural tradition or family practice.
  • After 2 minutes, ask 2–3 pairs to share highlights with the whole class.
  • Emphasize active listening and respectful questions.

Step 3

Cultural Treasure Hunt

5 minutes

  • Distribute Culture Quest Treasure Hunt Handout.
  • Display 5 images on subsequent Culture Quest Slides, each representing a different culture.
  • Students match images to the correct culture and write one interesting fact from the slide notes.
  • Circulate to support and prompt deeper observation.

Step 4

Debrief & Reflection

3 minutes

  • Invite volunteers to share one new thing they discovered.
  • Ask: “How can appreciating diverse cultures help our community?”
  • Reinforce the importance of empathy, curiosity, and respect.
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Slide Deck

Culture Quest

Discover and appreciate diverse cultures!

Welcome students! Introduce today’s lesson and set a positive tone. Greet them and explain: “Today’s activity is called ‘Culture Quest.’ We’ll discover and appreciate different cultures.” Then move into the objective slide.

Objective

  • Learn why different cultures are valuable
  • Share a family tradition
  • Complete a cultural treasure hunt

Explain the lesson objectives. Say: “By the end of today, you will: 1) learn why different cultures are valuable, 2) share a family tradition, and 3) complete a quick cultural treasure hunt.” Then ask the hook question: “What’s one tradition your family celebrates?”

Culture Sharing

  • Pair up and share one tradition from your family for 2 minutes.
  • After 2 minutes, 2–3 pairs will share highlights with the class.

Have students turn to a partner. Tell them: “Share one cultural tradition or family practice for 2 minutes. After that, I’ll ask a few pairs to share highlights.” Emphasize respectful listening and follow-up questions.

Cultural Treasure Hunt

  1. You will see 5 images of cultural practices.
  2. Match each image to the correct culture on your handout.
  3. Write one interesting fact about each culture.
  4. Ask me if you need support.

Distribute the Culture Quest Treasure Hunt Handout. Explain: “You’ll see five images of cultural practices. For each image, match it to the correct culture on your handout and write one interesting fact you observe. I’ll circulate to help.”

Culture Image #1

[Image: Diwali celebration with lanterns and fireworks]

This image shows Diwali, the Festival of Lights celebrated in India. Look for lanterns, lamps, and fireworks. Students should match to Indian culture and note it celebrates light over darkness.

Culture Image #2

[Image: Dragon dance during Chinese New Year]

This slide shows a dragon dance, a highlight of Chinese New Year celebrations. Students should match to Chinese culture and note the importance of welcoming good luck.

Culture Image #3

[Image: Maasai beadwork and traditional clothing]

Here you see Maasai beadwork and traditional clothing from East Africa. Students should match to Maasai culture and note how bead colors and patterns convey meaning.

Culture Image #4

[Image: Day of the Dead sugar skulls in Mexico]

This image features sugar skulls and marigolds from Mexico’s Day of the Dead. Students should match to Mexican culture and note how families honor ancestors.

Culture Image #5

[Image: Japanese tea ceremony setting]

This slide depicts a Japanese tea ceremony setting. Students should match to Japanese culture and note the focus on harmony, respect, and mindfulness.

Debrief & Reflection

  • What is one new thing you learned?
  • How can appreciating diverse cultures help our community?

Invite volunteers to share one new discovery. Then ask: “How can appreciating different cultures help our classroom and community?” Reinforce that empathy and respect make everyone feel valued.

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Worksheet

Culture Quest Treasure Hunt Handout

Directions

View each image on the projected Culture Quest Slides. For each image, identify which culture it represents and write one interesting fact you observe.

  1. Image #1

    Culture: _______________________________


    Interesting Fact:


  2. Image #2

    Culture: _______________________________


    Interesting Fact:


  3. Image #3

    Culture: _______________________________


    Interesting Fact:


  4. Image #4

    Culture: _______________________________


    Interesting Fact:


  5. Image #5

    Culture: _______________________________


    Interesting Fact:



Reflection

Which culture surprised you the most today, and why?






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Culture Quest • Lenny Learning