Understanding and appreciating cultural diversity is a great way to help children learn how people are different. The best place to do this is in elementary school. Celebrating what makes different cultures unique helps children deal with differences and recognize similarities. Use cultural diversity celebrations during holiday seasons as a part of social studies lessons or anytime of the year to enhance your curriculum.
Instructions
1. Determine what time of year your school wants to set aside for cultural diversity week. This can be done near holiday celebrations, around Thanksgiving or as a culmination to a year long study in the spring.
2. Assign each classroom a different country to study. The choices should reflect the cultures and countries that are represented in your school. Study your student population to determine what will be offered and then fill in with other cultures that aren't represented.
3. Send home information packets to parents. Ask for volunteers to come in and talk about their culture and how it makes their home different from someone else's throughout the year.
4. Have children do research projects on the country the class is studying. Divide the topics into categories like holidays, language, traditions, legends, food and clothing.
5. Work on these presentations throughout the year, including posters, costumes and story writing about customs and traditions.
6. Have each class prepare a portion of a timeline detailing how their particular culture was introduced to the United States and how it all fits together to make up the diverse society we have.
7. End your study with a multicultural fair at school. This should be done in the evening so parents can come around and see all the different projects and presentations. Each class should prepare refreshments that are unique to the culture they represent.
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