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DESCRIPTION

Briefly looks at some of the culture, geography, and products of Costa Rica, the second smallest country in Central America. Yesenia, an 11-year-old girl, shares her day of school, work in the family grocery, and play. Examines Costa Rica's 93 percent literacy rate, its stable democracy where most of the adult population vote, and its government-preserved geographical beauty.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS

Subject Area: Economics

• Standard: Understands basic concepts about international economics

§ Benchmark: Knows that exports are goods and services produced in one nation but sold to buyers in another nation (See Instructional Goal #6)

Subject Area: Geography

• Standard: Understands the concept of regions

§ Benchmark: Knows regions at various spatial scales (e.g., hemispheres, regions within continents, countries, cities. (See Instructional Goal #2)

• Standard: Understands the physical and human characteristics of place

§ Benchmark: Knows the human characteristics of places (e.g., cultural characteristics such as religion, language, politics, technology, family structure, gender; population characteristics; land uses; levels of development (See Instructional Goals #1, #4, and #7)

§ Benchmark: Knows the physical characteristics of places (e.g., soils, landforms, vegetation, wildlife, climate, natural hazards) (See Instructional Goal #3)

INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS

1. To depict the life of a Costa Rican youth. 2. To identify and locate Costa Rica. 3. To illustrate the terrain and climate of Costa Rica. 4. To stimulate discussion on life in Costa Rica as compared to other countries. 5. To introduce politics and government of Costa Rica. 6. To identify exports of Costa Rica. 7. To illustrate leisure activities in Costa Rica.

VOCABULARY

1. paradise 2. tropical 3. wholesome 4. motto 5. tortillas 6. disband 7. civil guard

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8. free-range eggs 9. commute

10. ambitious 11. exports 12. imports 13. irrigation 14. preserves 15. terrain 16. ecosystem 17. democracy

BEFORE SHOWING

1. Review prior knowledge of Costa Rica and Central America. 2. Locate Costa Rica on a map. 3. Discuss the concept of “paradise.”

a. Where would it be? b. What would the climate be? c. What would one do there?

4. Discuss how geography affects people’s lives and work.

AFTER SHOWING

Discussion Items and Questions

1. Discuss mottoes. a. What does the motto “La Vida Pura” mean? b. What is a local school, city, or state motto? What does it mean?

2. What countries and bodies of water border Costa Rica? 3. Compare and contrast the local schools to those in Costa Rica.

a. What subjects are taught? b. How long is the school day? c. What months make up the school year and vacation? d. What are the school buildings and classrooms like? e. What opportunities are available for adults?

4. Discuss the foods of Costa Rica. a. What foods are typical of Costa Rica? b. When do students have lunch at school?

5. What allowed Costa Rica to spend more money on public schools? 6. What is the literacy rate of Costa Rica? How does this compare to the United States? 7. What kind of business does Juan Carlos run? How does his business compare to that of a local hardware

store? 8. Discuss Yesenia’s work after school.

a. Where does Yesenia work after school? b. Where is the store at which she works? c. What types of things are sold in the store?

9. What products does Costa Rica export? 10. Where might a Costa Rican family go for vacation?

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11. What is the capital of Costa Rica? 12. What type of government does Costa Rica have? Who participates in the political activities of Costa

Rica?

Applications and Activities

1. Create maps of Costa Rica. a. a three-dimensional topographical map b. a political map c. a map of the parks and recreation areas

2. Plan a trip to Costa Rica. Include: a. cost of transportation, lodging, and meals b. required documentation to enter Costa Rica c. a map of the places to visit d. a written description of areas to visit e. conversion of currency f. clothes that will be needed based on climate and weather information for the areas to visit

3. Research and plan a celebration for one of the Costa Rican holidays. Holidays may include: a. April 11--Juan Santamaría Day b. August 2--Virgin of Los Angeles (Costa Rica's patron) c. September 15--Independence Day d. October 12--Day of the Cultures (Columbus Day)

4. Discuss the Costa Rican literacy rate of 93%. a. Using graph paper, draw a rectangle encompassing 100 squares. b. Using a colored pencil, color in 93 of the small squares. This represents those who can read. c. The uncolored squares represent those who cannot read. d. Find the literacy rate for the United States and repeat steps a to c. e. Compare the results.

5. Research the volcanoes of Costa Rica including: a. Arenal b. Irazú c. Poás d. Rincon de la Vieja

6. Select an example of the flora or fauna of Costa Rica and write a research paper of the topic. 7. Report on an animal found in the rainforest. Include:

a. common and scientific name b. range or location of animal c. food consumption d. drawing or a picture of the animal e. description of the habitat f. description of how it lives g. description of how man has helped or hindered the animal or its habitat

8. Locate and display examples of Costa Rican exports and traditional crafts. 9. Prepare and share Costa Rican products, such as bananas, pineapples, and coffee.

10. Plan a trip to a restaurant that serves foods that are common in Costa Rica.

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COMMUNICATION SKILLS

1. Investigate and use the preferred sign for Costa Rica. 2. Invite a native Spanish speaker or signer to teach simple words and phrases. 3. Label objects around the room in Spanish. 4. Using the words shown in the video and other simple Spanish words, create a spelling test.

RELATED RESOURCES

Captioned Media Program

• Buying a Rainforest #3016 • Central America #2157 • Europe Explores the Americas: Southern Voyages and Settlements #3356

World Wide Web

The following Web sites complement the contents of this guide; they were selected by professionals who have experience in teaching deaf and hard of hearing students. Every effort was made to select accurate, educationally relevant, and “kid-safe” sites. However, teachers should preview them before use. The U.S. Department of Education, the National Association of the Deaf, and the Captioned Media Program do not endorse the sites and are not responsible for their content.

• COCORI: COMPLETE COSTA RICA http://www.cocori.com/index.htm

Comprehensive site for information on Costa Rica. Includes: maps, facts, photographs, articles, currency information, pen pals, and much more.

• PHOTO-JOURNEY THROUGH A COSTA RICAN RAINFOREST http://www.ecofuture.org/ecofuture/pk/pkar9512.html

Sandy Wiseman shares an exquisite journey through a tropical rainforest in Costa Rica near the Rara Avis reserve. Includes wonderful pictures of the rainforest.

• A MYSTERIOUS 10 DAY TOUR OF COSTA RICA

http://www.gakkos.com/silent/science/costa/index.htm

Part of Gakkos, a site for global citizenship, this is a tour of Costa Rica in search of finding how stone spheres were made. Includes interesting geographical and science information.

• THE TICO TIMES http://www.ticotimes.co.cr/

Central America’s leading English-language newspaper, Tico allows you to read the top stories of the day in Costa Rica.