Understand the significance and symbolism of puberty rites and coming of age ceremonies around the world; identify the cultural purposes of these rituals; compare and contrast rituals for boys and girls.

In many places in the world one's social age plays a more important role than one's biological age. Achieving a new status in society is based on participation in formal initiation rituals. The number and type of these ritual, called rites of passage, varies from society to society. Rites of passage may celebrate the changes of puberty, confirm a new adult's status in the society, define sex roles, or proclaim a person eligible for marriage. Often these initiation ceremonies involve a separation and ensuing reunion with the community and may include a period of testing.

2 class periods

• Student Activity Sheet
• Main Ideas Chart Graphic Organizer
• General Performance Rubric

Students will have the opportunity to write a Research Report (see Extension below)

What purposes do coming of age rituals serve? How are gender roles defined by these rituals?

Compare and Contrast Students will delivery an oral history from the point of view of an adolescent who has recently gone through a rite of passage into adulthood. Students will research the initiation ceremony, and the ways the ritual has defined their role as a woman or man in the community and symbolized what it means to be an adult in that community.

Have students research the topic using the provided links. Encourage them to use the suggested graphic organizer.

In Kenya, it is traditional for dancers to be separated by gender, and it is rare for male and female partners to hold each other while dancing. However, when being on the dance floor together is permitted, each group uses the occasion to check out the other gender and do a little flirting.

To start students thinking about adolescence and the meaning of rites of passage, have them examine the photograph.

Key questions students should answer are:

• What emotions might these teenagers be feeling as they prepare for their initiation ceremony?
• What lessons might a society be teaching to these adolescents?

Distribute the Student Activity sheet. Have students work in groups to conduct their research. Remind students to include sensory details and elements of setting and character. Have students consider these topics:

• Status in Community
• Status in Community
• Socialization and Conformity
• Eligibility for marriage
• Meaning of adulthood
• Separation and Rejoining society
• Testing

Students should discuss their findings with their group members. They will then work individually to compose their story. After, they will read their stories to the class.

Review oral presentation skill with the class.

Use the Writing Rubric or the Performance Rubric to assess students' work. Have students use the list of expectations to judge how well they met the criteria.

Ask students: What rites of passage have they gone through or are facing?

Research Report Have students use World Cultures Today to research and write a report on a different rite of passage, such as, becoming an elder, or the significance of funerals.