Field Trip Offerings for Grades 5-9
East-West Themed Tour
Pearl S. Buck experienced a unique life in two different social environments. She spoke, wrote, thought, and experienced Eastern and Western cultures simultaneously with equal value in her everyday life from a child through adulthood. Most of her childhood and early adult life were spent in China while her college education and adult life were spent in the United States. She crossed the sea many times. This program provides students with experiences to appreciate the components of each culture in the world we live in today.
Pearl S. Buck House Tour
A docent-guided tour of the home of Pearl S. Buck emphasizes the distinctive Eastern and Western artifacts in the various rooms of the house. Pearl Buck provided her children with a constant presence of dual cultures enriched with an abundance of art and literary works in their home.
What is East? What is West?
This hand-on-activity has the students determine the differences of the cultures as to regular everyday socio-economic and culture items. A simple sorting game is used to separate the various placards and then discuss them. This is followed by geographic map activity to decipher which areas of world embodies what is Eastern and/or Western aspects. This is somewhat fluid more so in today’s world than in Pearl’s time.
What Time Is It?
A basic understanding of the various time zones throughout the world is introduced. Worksheets are then used for the students to develop an understanding of what the time is in various major cities and regions. They are then to plan a trip and layout the various time zones and days they will experience.
Symbols and Letters
Some Eastern cultures' written language are in characters, while Western cultures' written languages are in letters. Students will be provided copied examples of Pearl S. Buck’s writing skills in both Chinese and English. They will be directed to participate in a simple dual culture writing experience. This will be followed up with a very rudimentary Chinese dialogue interactive lesson.
Book Today! Questions?
Call 215-249-0100 x149 or email sfreise@pearlsbuck.org