Cultural Exchange gift!

We received a cultural exchange gift from - Virginia - USA

There are colouring sheets & souvenirs.

Peanuts in the shell - "A significant agricultural crop in the Piedmont region of Virginia"

Grits - "A southern favourite." I can't wait to get the tots to try this!

A CD with a Blue Ridge Mountains regional mix of music. Cool!

I cant's wait to share this tomorrow!

Thanks J Coartney!

Update:

Here are my tots trying the grits!

 

 
  Some loved it!  Some didn't!

Can you tell which ones! LOL

Ramadan activities

Jazmin Gaza Begum Kennedy made these with her kids and posted this picture over at Habeebee Homeschooling - nice idea looks great!

http://www.kiddyhouse.com/Ramadan/

http://amuslimchildisborn.blogspot.com/2010/08/toddler-activity-find-moon-for-me.html?spref=fb

http://amuslimchildisborn.blogspot.com/2010/08/ramadan-collage.html?spref=fb

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/notes/tonya-matney-abou-dakka/ramadan-help-for-mamas/10150346936231833

Don't forget to visit http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Habeebee-Homeschooling/168725359807468 for fun activities and more! 

Walking a mile in someone elses shoes

Well perhaps not a mile - but we sure had fun trying to walk in these wooden shoes.
Here are a couple of links with information on the wooden shoe!

http://library.thinkquest.org/11318/thinkqGB.html
http://www.squidoo.com/wooden-clogs
http://www.ehow.com/about_5438931_history-dutch-wooden-clogs.html

We talked about whether or not it was easy to walk in the shoes. Would they like to wear these shoes all the time. A bit of history (simplified) and what they were made of and what they felt like.
Everyone was anxious to try them on but soon found out they were difficult to walk in and quickly went back to their comfy shoes that Mom and Dad bought them.

Traditional costumes

This post reminded me of a book I made to put out for my classroom a few years ago - it's made the rounds and it always brings out more questions to explore. Science is definitely a part of it.
http://science-at-home.org/13-traditional-costumes-from-around-the-world/

I compiled several pages of photos I found on the internet and put it together as a picture book for the children to explore. I laminated the pages - punched holes down the side and used binder rings to secure them. I think the pictures are amazing! There are about 14 pages in all - which includes about 100 photos.

Culture in the classroom

In our school we have families from many different cultures, with many different beliefs, each with distinctive ways of conducting their daily lives. Many of the children may not be aware of the differences and unique qualities of each culture. It's up to the educators to ensure that we are being inclusive in the classroom and sharing those unique qualities, so that we become a cohesive melding of fellowship.
So how can we become inclusive in the classroom?

• Celebrate everyones special occasions
• Include toys and activities from all cultures as a part of regular routine
• Ensure books represent all cultures and are available at all times
• Classroom decor should represent all cultures at all times
• Allow families to give input to the classroom
• Invite parents to share a cultural tradition
• Ask families what they want to see included in your program
• Try and maintain 'home' language if possible
• Do not discourage children from using their own language
• Be sure you are not being offensive to other cultures
• Ask if you are uncertain about introducing certain activities
• Ensure food preferences and requirements are being met
• Have children share pictures and objects from home
• Model attitudes and behaviour
• Embrace and accept differences
• Provide materials that provoke an interest and curiosity
• Address the curiosities of children
• Know that children are capable of understanding
• If you do not know the answers - find out and address when you are informed

With careful consideration, every classroom can be a place where children feel self assured, accepted, and free to express their diversity.