Welcome to World Cultures! We are excited to share updates and information regarding what your child is learning in class. We meet two times per week for thirty minutes, where we study cultures from across the globe! Our Culture Wheel is a great visual tool to help students understand the many components that help shape someone's culture!

World Cultures provides students with authentic learning experiences centered around global awareness. Exploration of diverse cultures through literature, art, music, food, and language provide the base of instruction, while ultimately encouraging discussions and thoughtful reflection about how we perceive similarities and differences between cultures. This course prepares students to engage with others in a culturally responsive manner and help them to understand their role and responsibility in a diverse world.

• What are some special traditions your family has?
• Why do you think differences are important?
• What is the meaning behind your child's name?
• What makes each of your family members unique?

April's focus was on the amazing continent of Europe! Our third and fourth graders had the opportunity to do an independent research project on their country of choice. They filled their "suitcase" with menu's, celebrations, places to see and most importantly the special cultural connections they learned about the people of that country!

Our kindergarten, first and second graders studied four countries in Europe: Norway, Poland, France and Switzerland. The highlight was definitely the 7 Continents Song! http://www.viewpure.com/K6DSMZ8b3LE?start=0&end=0

Note: Please see below for some pictures from Europe.

This month we enjoyed learning about the Iditarod - "The Last Great Race!" Each class was able to choose a musher and follow their journey during the race. It was a great opportunity to learn about the culture of Alaska Natives. Did you know that there are 11 distinct cultures, 229 different nations and 15,000 years of History in Alaska? The kids learned that we use some words in English that come from the Inuit language, like "kayak," "anorak," and "igloo."

Note: Please see below for some books we read and videos we watched!

In January we began our study of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. along with many other important people who believed in equal rights for all. We also dove into the science behind skin color, and what the words race and racism mean. The kids really enjoyed hearing the messages from Dr. King, and how they go hand in hand with our 7 Habits of Happy Kids! A few of our buildings also studied Indigenous Winter Storytelling!

Note: See below for books that we read!

During virtual learning, each school met with their World Cultures classes via Google Meets. Many different topics were covered during this time, including map skills, classrooms across the world, Lunar calendars, Indigenous Peoples' Day, Dia de Los Muertos, (Day of the Dead), Veteran's Day and Diwali. We are so proud of our students for all of their hard work during virtual learning. We know it was not easy to have the in-depth conversations that we would have had in the classroom, but we really appreciate all of you who joined us!

Note: See below for some books we enjoyed!

During our time together in September, we focused on Social Emotional Wellness, and the possibility of transitioning to Virtual Learning. We spent time getting to know each other, as well as learning about the 7 Habits of Happy Kids.

Note: See below for some books that we explored in class as well as the 7 Habits.