A Silent Culture

South Loop Elementary School

A miniquest developed for Middle Grades by

Frances Denman

Task: The Kuna Indians of San Blas, a tiny string of islands, located off the coast of Panama, still live in much the primitive lifestyle of their ancestors. They have not shown an interest in catching up to the rest of the world in technology or trying to conform to the complexities of modern, highly organized societies. The Kunas have maintained their tribal identity and live a quiet, yet balanced life.

Scientists have longtime wondered, who are the Kunas? Why have they chosen to stay stuck in this time capsule? How can they be convinced to move on?

We believe our advanced forms of medical technology and highly advanced civilization will greatly improve their well-being.

The United States government feels very strongly about the need to understand the Kunas. Therefore, you have been commissioned by the United States government to form a fact finding team to investigate this group. This team will comprise of various backgrounds in order to avoid an impartial view of the Kunas.

Question

What actions should the United States take in investigating the culture of the Kunas of San Blas Islands?

Your team will develop an action plan which will take in account the culture, business, family, human rights, religious, medical and environmental perspectives of the Kuna Indians. The culminating activity will consist of a group report, put together by all of the team members with a power point presentation which reflects the findings of each participant in this project. The group report will represent the team's combined answers to the essential and specific questions below.

Roles

Because the Kunas are such a very private and complex group of people, we should not just look at them for their artistic ability, but we need to see them from different perspectives. Therefore, the plan here is to assign roles, so that each of you will bring back information that will give us a better understanding of their entire culture.

Based upon your interest and expertise, decide which role you will choose from the list below:

ROLES	RESEARCH
Environmentalist	Natural Resources
Medical Doctor	Medical Issues
Human Rights Activist	Fair Treatment of All People
Archeologist	History and Origins
Religious Leader	Spiritual Understanding
Artist	Cultural and Artistic Treasures
International Banker	Financial Matters

Project Goals:

Essential Question:

What is Culture?

Specific Questions:

1. Who are the Kunas?

2. Where are the San Blas Islands located?

3. What type of Art are the Kunas known for creating?

4. How do the Kunas survive on the Islands?

5. What system of government is used to govern the Kunas?

6. How will modern technology affect the Kuna's life style?

7. What do you think can be done to improve the Kuna's quality of life?

The Process:

Week 1	Complete the Cyber Hunt Activity. Discuss your answers with your classmates.
Week 2	Decide which role you wish to take to do your research. Surf the Internet to find information relevant to your area of study and role. Bookmark and save information as it is found.
Week 3	Spend this week reading, discussing essential and specific questions. Develop your action plan for researching and investigating the Kunas.
Week 4	The final week is used to compile your research into a group report and create your power point presentation.

Week One Process:

Start at your assigned station and log on to the Cyber Hunt Activity.

Complete the Cyber Hunt Activity.

Discuss answers with your classmates

Week Two Process:

Choose a group of seven students to work with.

Choose a recorder for your group.

Decide upon the roles for members of your group.

Discuss essential and specific questions.

Research your role. Gather information and bookmark useful sites.

Week Three Process:

Review the role of each group member.

Discuss and share useful information you collected and generate a consensus on what information should be included in the final report.

Develop an action plan for researching the Kunas.

Draft a report.

Week Four Process:

Create a power point presentation.

Complete final report.

Resources:

http://www.folkart.com/~latitude/panama/kuna/kuna.htm

http://public.cwp.net.pa/~bowerman/page3.html

http://www.escapeartist.com/panama/kuna.html

Assessment:

40% Participation

40% Completion of individual assignment

20% Extra designs (graphics, sound, posters, etc.)

Group Rubric

	Beginning 1	Accomplished 2	Exemplary 3	Score
Team Effort	Group did not work well as a team. Did not complete assignments	Worked well as a team. Roles clearly defined. Members took responsibility in completing assigned tasks.	Exemplary team spirit and effort. Each member completed his/her share of work
Visual Presentation and Organization	Missing Power Point Presentation. Graphics not relevant to subject. Business advertisements incomplete.	Power Point presentation well created and presented. Appropriate graphics.	Exemplary Power Point presentation. Appropriate graphics, animation, and sound
Written Assignments	Missing written Action Plan. Report incomplete.	All written assignments complete.	Strategies and Action Plan clearly defined. Presentation report, well done.

Conclusion:

By completing this activity, I hope that you have a better understanding and appreciation of different cultures, and the need to look at challenging questions from different perspectives.

Through your group effort and team spirit, you’ve learned strategies for formulating action plans, analyzing tough questions, and working together to complete a given task.

Hope this experience will lead you to a bright and successful future!

Illinois and CPS Learning Standards:

STATE GOAL 14: UNDERSTAND, ANALYZE, AND COMPARE POLITICAL SYSTEMS, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON THE UNITED STATES.

Question

Roles

STATE GOAL 15: UNDERSTAND, ANALYZE, AND COMPARE ECONOMIC SYSTEMS, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON THE UNITED STATES.