Class: VI-VIII

Assignment Background: Students are required to critically thinkand analyze about customsor social practices in your country. Following this they will be  required to recommend if the practices or customs they have identified needs to be preserved or changed, giving appropriate reasons for their recommendations. Their report should beminimum 200-250 words(length can vary depending on the level and age of students), should be posted on the iEARN (International Education Resource Network www.iearn.org) to be read and responded by other participating students and teachers  around the globe. You will be required to read and comment on other students work globally as well.

Students Activities/Assignment Sheet:

	Subject of your research: Identify a particular custom or cultural practice that you observe in your community or country at large , that you recommend tpo preserve or change.
	Research: Your research may involve reading books, magazines and newspapaer, class discussions, talking to people about their views for your chosen custom and tradition. Keep a list of the books/magazines and newspapers you have read as well as record of people you talked to.
	Make a list of the reasons justifying your recommendations.
	Write the first draft and show it to the teacher for comments.
	Self evaluate your report, using the following guide.
	Post your report online in the iEARN civics forum under the discussion heading ŒCustoms and Traditions.

Students Checklist for Self Evaluation

	I have clearly stated the custom and practice that I have identified for research.
	I have given a short description of the identified custom or tradition.
	I have clearly written the recommendations for changing or preserving.

Middle: (5 points)

	I have given strong and well articulated arguments/reasons to support my recommendation.
	I have also described how the recommendation that I have made will improve the society.

Ending: (1 point)

I have briefly described how as a youngster the entire process of critically thinking and discussing about this issue andinvolving in this research have affected me as a youth.

Presentation and Conventions (1 point):

	My report is written, typed and word processed neatly.
	There are proper headings and subheadings underlined or highlighted.
	There are very few or no grammar, punctuation and spelling errors.