What Is Culture?What Is Culture?

Behaviors, values, social skills, knowledge, attitudes shared by a group of people.

Culture gives Culture gives MEANING to REALITYMEANING to REALITY

Characteristics of CultureCharacteristics of CultureIt’s LearnedIt’s Learned

Characteristics of CultureCharacteristics of CultureIt’s Shared - but DifferentiallyIt’s Shared - but Differentially

Characteristics of CultureCharacteristics of CultureIt’s based on Symbols (words, images, objects)It’s based on Symbols (words, images, objects)

What is being communicated tothe children through this symbol?

Characteristics of CultureCharacteristics of CultureIt’s Patterned & Integrated: itforms a relatively It’s Patterned & Integrated: itforms a relatively

coherent systemcoherent system

Characteristics of CultureCharacteristics of CultureIt’s AdaptiveIt’s Adaptive

But not always

Characteristics of CultureCharacteristics of CultureIt ChangesIt Changes

1973, 2.5 lbs, 30 min. talk, 10 hrs recharge,

$4000

2010, 4.8 oz, 5 hrs talk, $99.

Inuit 1900 Inuit 1990

1900 2010

Characteristics of CultureCharacteristics of CultureSi Se PuedeSi Se Puede

Ideal vs. Real CultureIdeal vs. Real Culture

Ideal: what people believe they Ideal: what people believe they should doshould do Obey the speed limitObey the speed limit RecycleRecycle Not procrastinating on reading assignmentsNot procrastinating on reading assignments

Real: what people can be Real: what people can be observed doingobserved doing SpeedingSpeeding Look in the classroom waste cans!!!!Look in the classroom waste cans!!!! Last minute crammingLast minute cramming