CEClang.61


TITLE:    AMERICAN EXPERIENCES ABROAD --AN INTERVIEW

AUTHOR:   Debbie Schimmer, Yukon Public Schools,
          Yukon, OK

GRADE LEVEL:   4-6TH.

OVERVIEW:  Young people rarely realize how much other
nations impact the United States.  With foreign being
so controversial, students need an opportunity to
examine a broad spectrum of information about our
complex relationships with overseas friends and foes.

PURPOSE:  Through Amateur Radio communication students
will speak to individuals who are in the military, who
are living in or have lived in foreign countries.
These individuals are a valuable source of information.
Students interviewing such people leads to a surprising
variety of information and perspectives.

OBJECTIVE(s):  Students will be able to:
1.  Define culture
2.  Describe examples of what causes cultural
    differences
3.  List steps in a good interview
4.  Locate nations mentioned on a world map

RESOURCES/MATERIALS:
Mustoe, Myles.  Introduction of the shortwave radio in
the classroom.  JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHY, 1988.

Barlow, Dudley.  The Educational Digest, 1991.

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:  In this activity students
are asked to interview a ham operator about their
experiences in a foreign country.  Example of questions
to ask:
1.   During what years were you in the foreign
     country?
2.   What local customs do you most remember?
3.   How was this nation most different from the
     U. S.?
4.   How were the people most like the people in the
     U. S.?
5.   What were the attitudes of the people toward
     the U. S.?
6.   What was the climate & weather like?
7.   In what kind of houses did people live?
8.   How much of the society seemed rich?--Poor?
9.   How did people make a living?
10.  What holiday events did the people like to
     celebrate?
11.  What were the schools like?
12.  How long did the children go to school each
     day?
13.  What were the average age of school children?

In class, students are encouraged to brain-storm and
add other questions.  Also, the people they interview
usually talk a great deal about many topics.  People
usually enjoy discussing their experiences overseas.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:  This activity gives students
opportunity to improve research skills, increase
knowledge about other nations, and to more fully
understand the U. S. role in the world through
communications on the Amateur Radio.  Students show so
much enthusiasm about learning from others, their
experiences are so positive with this activity, they
seem more open to learn about international issues in
the future.