Ardmore Elementary School celebrated Multicultural Week from April 27 to May 1, with students learning about cultures from around the world through music, games, art, research and the school’s annual Multicultural Fair.
During the fair, parent volunteers shared their cultures, languages and traditions with students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Students “traveled” through the gym in small groups with passports and visited countries represented by volunteers, including Korea, Vietnam, England, Egypt, India and China. At each stop, students learned through presentations, artifacts, language and other cultural activities. Parent volunteers were from the countries they represented and spoke the languages of those places, giving students a meaningful chance to learn from people with firsthand experience.
Students also took part in multicultural activities during specials classes throughout the week. In music, students learned songs and dances from several countries. Kindergartners learned the Mexican song “La Zapatero,” the Dutch folk dance “Boanopstekker” and the French-Canadian dance “Les Saluts.” First-graders practiced the Swedish folk dance “Fjaskern” and a rhythm-stick song from Mexico called “Sol Solecito.” Second-graders learned the Mexican dance “Los Machetes” and reviewed the Scottish folk song “Aiken Drum.”
Older students explored music and dance from around the world, too. Third-graders learned the Russian folk dance “Sasha,” performed the Australian song “Kookaburra,” sang the English folk song “I’ve Been to Haarlem” and practiced the English folk dance “Galopede.” Fourth-graders learned “Sansa Kroma,” a song from Ghana, and the Bohemian folk dance “The Heel and Toe Polka.” Fifth-graders explored the Brazilian folk song “Sambalele,” which includes two vocal parts, percussion and mallet instruments. They also practiced the English country dance “The Lucky Seven.”
In physical education, students played games from other countries. Kindergarten through second-grade students played “3 Chiefs,” a traditional game from Nigeria. Third- through fifth-graders played “Hunters and Rabbits,” a game from Belgium.
Students also learned about world cultures in other parts of the school. In art, students studied famous artists and artwork from countries featured in the fair. In the LRC, kindergarten through second-grade students listened to read-alouds. Third- through fifth-graders researched the countries and created WOW fact posters.
Multicultural Week gave students a chance to learn about languages, traditions, music, games and art from around the world. It also helped celebrate the many backgrounds that make up the Ardmore school community. Special thanks to Ardmore’s Multilingual Learning Team, Ardmore staff members and especially the parent volunteers for their planning and support.
