Project: Moving to a new country
Grade Level: Grades 7-8
Project Level:
 Curriculum Area(s): Geography, Social Studies
Features we use:
 SummaryYour students must quickly move to another country. They will get their families involved by surveying family members to create a list of important criteria to look for when choosing a new country in which to live.
Students will choose three possible countries and conduct research on those criteria for each country. They will then use a decision-making graphic organizer to choose the country which best meets the criteria. The results of their inquiry will be communicated in a FirstClass presentation that they will explain to the class.
Teacher guidelines• It will be necessary to gather some research material for students to use, or take them to the library.
• Global Almanacs or programs such as PC GLOBE can be used.
• Use the sample Student instructions form below to introduce the project to your class.
InstructionsSTEP 1: Brainstorm.
Brainstorm a list of criteria in class to provide a bank of ideas for the family survey. Use a graphic organizer, such as a web diagram, to record the criteria. Families will make the final decision about which criteria are important to them and
which three countries to choose from.
STEP 2: Create a survey.
Create a survey form in a FirstClass document and ask the students to conduct the survey with their families.
STEP 3: Gather information.
1 Get students to conduct research to find information on each of the indicators for the three countries.
 Note Let students know what resources they can use, such as the text, an atlas, the library, and the Internet.
2 Create a Data Collection Chart online as an organizer for them to record their information.
STEP 4: Make a decision.
Get students to follow the decision-making process to choose a country.
Note To model the process for them, show a sample decision-making organizer on the board or the computer. Use an easy example, such as how to decide on which kind of pizza to order. Help them follow the decision-making process.
STEP 5: Compile the project.
1 Once students have decided on a country based on the decision-making process, ask them to describe the steps they have just completed in making their decision in a summary.
2 Make sure they include a paragraph on how their family might influence the culture of the new country.
3 Optional: Have them peer-edit each other's descriptions of the process and how the various factors influenced their choice.
STEP 6: Presentations.
Make sure their FirstClass presentations include: an appropriate title, a map of the new country, photographs, sketches, or other information about the country, and a description of the decision-making process.
Student instructions1 Explain to your family that they must move and have three days to decide where in the world you are going to live -- other than Canada or the U.S. Everyone is in a panic! Because everyone is very busy getting ready and because you are a student of geography, you are given the task of helping to choose the country you'll go to.
2 Explain to your family that there are certain factors that must be considered in order to increase your chances of success in the new country.
3 Explain that you must think about such things as the language spoken there, the health care and education systems, available job opportunities, the climate, the political system you prefer, access to clean water, and so on.
4 List your criteria. Try to have at least six or seven items. Research and compare the criteria from country to country before making a final decision.
5 With your family, choose three countries that you will consider moving to.
6 Use a FirstClass presentation to present your findings to the class. Presentations must include an appropriate title, a map of the new country, photographs, sketches, or other information about the country, and a description of the decision-making process.
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