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Tropical Culture Quest

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Lesson Plan

Tropical Culture Quest Lesson Plan

Students will explore key aspects of Philippine culture—its food, festivals, language, and traditions—through engaging visuals and a hands-on matching activity, then share their discoveries.

This lesson fosters global awareness and cultural appreciation by introducing 3rd graders to Philippine traditions, encouraging respect for diversity and sparking curiosity about the world.

Audience

3rd Grade

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Visual exploration plus collaborative matching activity

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up and Hook

2 minutes

  • Display the Map of the Philippines Poster.
  • Ask: “Have you heard of the Philippines? Where might it be on this map?”
  • Highlight its location and invite one volunteer to point it out.

Step 2

Presentation

5 minutes

  • Launch the Philippines Culture Slide Deck.
  • Guide students through colorful images of Filipino foods (like adobo, halo-halo), festivals (Sinulog, Ati-Atihan), and simple Tagalog words.
  • Pronounce each Tagalog greeting/name and have the class repeat.

Step 3

Matching Activity

5 minutes

Step 4

Wrap-Up and Reflection

3 minutes

  • Invite 2–3 volunteers to share one new thing they learned.
  • Lead the class in saying “Mabuhay!” (Welcome) and “Salamat!” (Thank you) from the Filipino Greeting Poster.
  • Praise their discoveries and encourage learning about other cultures.
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Slide Deck

Tropical Culture Quest: Exploring Philippine Culture

Today we will explore the vibrant culture of the Philippines! We’ll learn where it is, taste its delicious foods, celebrate its colorful festivals, and speak simple Tagalog words.

Welcome to our Tropical Culture Quest! Explain to students that today they will learn about a beautiful country made up of many islands. Encourage excitement and curiosity.

Where Is the Philippines?

(Image of Southeast Asia highlighting the Philippines)

Point to the Philippines and note that it has over 7,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean.

Display the Map of the Philippines Poster or map image. Ask: “Have you heard of the Philippines? Where might it be on this map?” Point out its location in Southeast Asia.

Delicious Filipino Foods

• Adobo – savory meat dish
• Halo-Halo – shaved ice dessert with fruits and beans
• Lumpia – Filipino spring rolls
• Lechon – roasted whole pig served at celebrations

Show pictures of each food. Pronounce the names clearly and have the class repeat. Ask: “Which one would you like to try?”

Colorful Filipino Festivals

• Sinulog Festival in Cebu – dancing to drumbeats
• Ati-Atihan Festival in Aklan – painted faces and music
• Pahiyas Festival in Lucban – houses decorated with rice wafers and fruit

Introduce each festival with a short story: dancing at Sinulog, painted faces at Ati-Atihan, and colorful decorations at Pahiyas. Show photos.

Learn Some Tagalog!

• Mabuhay! – Welcome
• Salamat! – Thank you
• Magandang Umaga – Good morning
• Kumusta? – How are you?

Explain that Tagalog is one of the main languages in the Philippines. Pronounce each greeting and ask students to chorally repeat.

Great Job, Everyone!

What was your favorite part of our journey?
Mabuhay!
Salamat!

Invite 2–3 volunteers to share one new thing they learned. Lead the class in a final loud “Mabuhay!” and “Salamat!” to celebrate.

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Worksheet

Festivals and Food Matching Worksheet

Instructions: Using the Philippine Festivals and Food Picture Cards, match each picture (A–D) to the correct description (1–4). Write the letter of the picture on the blank before each description, then write the name of the festival or food.

  1. Description: A savory meat dish marinated in soy sauce, vinegar, and spices.
    Picture: _____ Name: _______________________________


  2. Description: A shaved ice dessert layered with sweet fruits, beans, and milk.
    Picture: _____ Name: _______________________________


  3. Description: A lively festival in Cebu featuring dancers moving to rhythmic drumbeats.
    Picture: _____ Name: _______________________________


  4. Description: A colorful celebration in Lucban where houses are decorated with rice wafers and fruit.
    Picture: _____ Name: _______________________________


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Activity

Philippine Festivals and Food Picture Cards

Instructions for Teacher: Print and cut these four square cards (approx. 4"×4") on card stock. Each card features a colorful clip-art style illustration. Have students match them to descriptions on the Festivals and Food Matching Worksheet.

Card A: Adobo
[Clipart: steaming bowl of meat in brown sauce]

Card B: Halo-Halo
[Clipart: tall glass of shaved ice with fruit, beans, and colorful toppings]

Card C: Sinulog Festival
[Clipart: dancers wearing bright costumes, waving flags, and playing drums]

Card D: Pahiyas Festival
[Clipart: a house front covered in colorful rice wafers (kiping) and tropical fruits]

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Reading

Filipino Greeting Poster

Learn these friendly Tagalog greetings! Practice saying each one with a big smile.

• Mabuhay! – Welcome / Hello
• Salamat! – Thank you
• Kumusta? – How are you?
• Magandang Umaga – Good morning
• Magandang Hapon – Good afternoon
• Magandang Gabi – Good evening
• Paalam – Goodbye

Invite a friend, point, and say these greetings aloud to practice your new Filipino words!

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Reading

Map of the Philippines Poster

Take a look at the map below of Southeast Asia. You’ll see a chain of islands circled in red—that’s the Philippines! It sits between the Pacific Ocean to the east and the South China Sea to the west.

[Map Image: A colorful map of Southeast Asia with the Philippines highlighted in red, major islands labeled (Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao), and a star marking Manila, the capital]

Point to the Philippines on this poster and share one thing you notice about its location!

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