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Cultural Horizons of Wisconsin logo

VIDEO SERIES

Teacher Materials
To View Broadcast Schedule, visit our Digital Parade

Recipient of the 2003 Wilbur Schramm Award of Excellence and
the NETA Judges Award for Instructional Innovation

  
     
 
Cultural Horizons, a production of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board (ECB), is composed of 10 closed-caption video programs of 15 minutes each. Designed for students in grades 4 through 6, the series focuses on culture as a way of life, rather than defining it by race, nationality, or ethnicity. (See the instructional goals.)

Its programs visit with members of various cultures, fostering respect for the diversity that enriches life in the United States and Canada. In its expansive view of culture, the series examines cultural inquiry and preservation, as well as conflict resolution.

Cultural Horizons is set against a backdrop of a warehouse turned learning center, where a diverse group of boys and girls ages 9 to 12 explore culture as something everyone has. With the help of adult hosts Mr. Steliga and Mrs. Ellis, the children realize that each of us has a unique cultural identity that continually changes and evolves. They also learn that they are part of many cultures at once. Each program explores one aspect of culture among diverse groups of people.

While rooted in the social studies, Cultural Horizons is interdisciplinary in scope and incorporates language arts, music, art, and other curricular areas. Its development and design was guided by the curriculum standards of the National Council of the Social Studies.
 Tibetan Buddhists living in Wisconsin
Tibetan Buddhists living in North America celebrate their New Year by hanging prayer flags so the wind can carry the good messages across the countryside. Learn more about Tibetan culture in Program 4, "Growing New Roots."


Instructional Goals

By viewing Cultural Horizons and exploring ideas presented in supplemental materials, students will

  • understand that culture is a way of life, and is not limited to race and ethnicity.
  • develop an appreciation of and respect for cultural diversity.
  • explore the factors that have contributed to cultural pluralism.
  • discover different cultural groups' unique contributions to North America.
  • recognize cultural patterns that exist within and between groups.
  • learn how cultural heritage and diversity affects their lives.
  • understand that various interactions connect North American communities with communities around the world.
  • understand that individuals may choose to identify with more than one cultural background.
  • be introduced to strategies for exploring and resolving conflicts within and between cultural groups.
  • become aware of the rudiments of cultural inquiry and preservation.