MCNL - Center for the Education and Study of Diverse Populations

Grade 5-8
BENCHMARK
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
In the
language(s)
studied,
students
will:
A. Use appropriate language and gestures which reflect cultural understanding and meaning.
1. Observe, recognize, compare and contrast, and use appropriate behavior including gestures,
personal space, body language, and age-, class-, and gender-appropriate behaviors for the
culture studied:
a. Role-play making a request of peers or elders.
b. Write a “Dear Abbie” letter describing a misunderstanding resulting from culturally
inappropriate behavior.
c. Compile and illustrate a dictionary of cultural gestures.
B. Demonstrate how language influences culture.
1. Use appropriate language reflecting culture, including: register, formal/informal address,
distinctions of time, gender, age, and human/non-human status:
a. Create cartoon strips to illustrate slang expressions.
b. Write a poem using words that distinguish between humans and animals.
c. Research and discuss taboos of language and/or gestures of the language and culture
studied.
d. Use appropriate language when addressing teachers, guests, and peers in the classroom.
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