The document discusses how an individual's interactions with their physical and social environment can change how they feel about themselves and others. It also discusses how different cultural groups hold values that may differ from one's own values, and the importance of understanding different value systems and their similarities and differences. The emerging questions focus on how one's actions can influence their environment, steps to change and understand one's environment, and how to understand and respectfully disagree with different cultural values.

1. My Neighborhood Schools on the Upper West Side: Everyone Can Make a Difference! Lisa Berenholz KK Zutter EDUC 513 Online Summer 1, 2009

2. USNCSS Standard: People, Places, & Environments Concept: Modification I want my students to understand that: Content Specific: Individual interactions, both positive and negative, with the environment can change the way a person feels about him/herself and the people they encounter. Global Statement: “As man interacts with his physical and social environment, both her and he environment are changed” (Taba, 1971).

3. USNCSS Standard: Culture Concept: Values I want my students to understand that: Content Specific: Every cultural group holds certain values, many of which may differ than those of our own. We have the ability to educate ourselves about those different value systems and understand their similarities and differences and how it may affect us as individuals and members of society. Global Statement: “Societies and individuals often differ significantly in the values they hold” (Taba, 1971).

4. Emerging Questions How will my actions regarding the environment influence the people around me? What steps can I take to change the physical and social environment that I live in? What steps do I take to better understand the value systems of the different cultures in my neighborhood? Is it OK to disagree with peoples’ different value systems? How can I disagree appropriately?

5. References Taba, H. (1971). A Teacher’s handbook to elementary social studies: An inductive approach. Philippines: Addison-Wesley.