Lesson
3:
What is An Ambassador?
Background
An ambassador
is a goodwill representative or messenger. The symbolic paper monarchs that
U.S. students send to Mexican students are ambassadors that carry messages.
Each symbolic monarch represents its creator and his or her interests, friendship,
and appreciation for the role the Mexican people play in monarch conservation.
Overview: Students define and
list qualities of an ambassador. Through role-playing, they practice the
art of ambassadorship. Learning the language of diplomacy will prepare them
to write meaningful messages on their symbolic monarchs.
Activity
- Ask, How
would you define the word "ambassador?" Document students'
ideas, discuss them, and try to come up with a class definition. Then
look up the word in a dictionary. Ask, How does this compare with
our definition? Finally, have the class come up with a list of
qualities they think ambassadors need to do their jobs well (e.g., being
open-minded).
- Give students
a chance to practice ambassadorship. Share the following scenario:
Imagine your family has just moved to a new place. The neighbors watch
curiously as you unload your two dogs and the sled they pull through
the snow. They wonder about this because it never snows here. Later
the neighbors arrive at your doorstep with a gift of homemade cookies
to welcome you. What happens next?
- As a class,
brainstorm a list of characteristics of good neighbors. Then divide
students into working groups to prepare role-plays about the welcome
scene and what happens next in the scenario above. Ask them to think
about the thoughts and feelings of both families.
- As the
groups share their plays, ask the class to look for the following things:
- Did the
neighbors use courteous words?
- Were their
facial expressions and gestures friendly?
- Were they
respectful in their curiosity?
- Did any
group creatively discuss the use of the sled and dogs in the warmer
climate and new neighborhood?
Discussion
Questions like these will help students see what good neighbors have in
common with ambassadors:
- The new
neighbors in the role-plays brought their experiences and lifestyles
with them to their new neighborhood. How is moving to a new neighborhood
like being an ambassador to another country?
- Have you
ever done something to create good relationships with your
neighbors? Describe it. Have your neighbors ever been inconsiderate?
How did that feel?
- Do you
and your neighbors share any natural resources (e.g., trees, birds)?
Do you share concerns about or care for the resources? If not, why not?
Give examples.
Making
Connections
Explain that
the symbolic butterflies are our "ambassadors" to the children
of Mexico. Ask, What kinds of messages could we write that would communicate
gratitude, friendship, and respect to the monarchs' winter hosts?
Extensions
- How many
foreign government ambassadors live in your country? How could you find
out? Name the countries they come from. Where do the ambassadors live?
- Choose
an ambassador from your country and learn about his or her job.
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