A Peek Into the Classroom: Mrs. Endres’ 6th Grade World Cultures

As lunch ends for grade six at North Hills Middle School, students walk down the corridor and return to the classroom where they were before lunch, and settle down for the second half of that class. In Mrs. Endres’ room, which happens to be one of the science labs at the end of the hall, students quietly find their seats, grab their pens and pencils, and continue with the notes they were taking from the board before lunch. They are learning economic terms to describe the economies and government styles of countries they will study throughout the remainder of the year. “Now you have a reference guide to keep in your World Cultures folders,” Mrs. Endres says, prompting the students to file away their new resource for safe keeping. “So if later in the year I say ‘this country has a free market economy,’ you know what I mean.” 

Next, Mrs. Endres points to the world map, introducing the area below the United States, which has three different names depending on the combination of countries: Central America, Latin America, or Middle America. After explaining the differences, the lecture continues with regard to the main rivers and mountain ranges found in those countries. The goal today is to label a physical map of the area. 

Mrs. Endres continues on to discuss the food, religion, and customs of these areas, and how similar they tend to be. Then they watch a two-minute video that is travel-themed, highlighting areas to visit, even touching on travel costs and transportation options. Back to the maps, Mrs. Endres points out the beaches of the Caribbean.

Now it is time for the working assignment. Each student receives two pieces of paper, one blank map with the outline of the countries, and another with a list of instructions. Students then use their text books for reference to fill in and color the map according to the directions. Some students use colored pencils, others use markers, still others use highlighters. Mrs. Endres doesn’t care what they use, as long as they color the water blue. “Water is always blue on a map!” she reminds them.

Whether the students finish their maps in class or for homework, each student will be held responsible for knowing this region for the “labeling” quiz next week.