18-Cultural Letter (Dec. 10)
December 10, 2019
Greetings Families:
Our class has been learning about where we are in our world. We have studied from our home and family>neighbors/neighborhood>our city and Duluth community> and now MN, other states and our country. We’ll learn about its roots and the many people who have immigrated to America. This leads us next week into studies about different cultures, countries, and the heritage of people on various continents, and learning about our own heritage, culture, customs, traditions. Please answer the attached questionnaire. We have quite a diverse group of students from many different countries and continents. We’re looking forward to the students learning more about each other, celebrating our differences and having a lot of fun in the process. As the holiday break approaches, we know your time is precious but also a great time to learn about traditions. We’ll have opportunities for Cultural sharing for this and next week and also into Jan. Your child can bring in things to share as well as I invite all families to join us throughout all of this learning. I also hope to have a cultural party before our holiday break. If you did not get that email, please contact me regarding the celebration at the end of next week.
Our Cultural Sharing times can be flexible based on your schedules and ours. Plan for before 10:45 and then 11:45-1:30 . For all of next week and moving forward , we will be celebrating one another’s culture(s), heritage, and or customs. We’ll devote each day to celebrating our diversity with the students and family members that would like to share about their heritage. You may also celebrate or have a lot of interest and knowledge of traditions in a culture other than your own , and that can be shared too. Culture is defined as a way of life of a group of people--the behaviors, beliefs, values, and symbols that they accept, generally without thinking about them, and that are passed along by communication and imitation from one generation to the next. Think of this as a time your child and you can share with the rest of the class things that are special, unique, and important in your family. This may also include traditions non-holiday related.
If it works with your schedule, please let me know days and times that work best for you. It could take 2”,5”,10” maybe even 15”. Do not worry if you are unable to attend or send something, your child will still share with the class the continent(s) and countries in their heritage or connect with those already sharing. I am open to your ideas and we’ll all be excited to learn from each other. I know that this is a very busy time, know that whatever you can do, no matter how small, will be appreciated and enjoyed by us all. Either way, don’t stress. It is just and opportunity and I completely understand if it is too much right now.
Here are ideas from previous students: We have learned/celebrated by tasting foods made (from scratch or other) from our different countries/nationalities, played games, and done simple arts and crafts. Other students in past years have also shared a special artifact, etc., showed and/or taught some dance steps, words to a song, or a few words of a different language. Some students even shared or played music from one of their cultures.
Thank you again for all your help and support! Sincerely, Mrs. Pilate
Child’s Name:____________________________________________________
____ I am unable to do this at this time.
____ I or other family member(s) will be able to participate.
Preferred day/time:______________________________________________
If you are able to do something, please check the appropriate line:
____ My child and I will figure something out to present/share.
____ I will send something with my child.
Country/Countries we’ll focus on:__________________________________________
I plan to contribute do something with (circle what applies):
Games Arts/Crafts Music Language Other__________________________________________________________________
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