Cultural Connections: Celebrating Our Community Diversity

1st Grade Project 4 weeks

Cultural Connections: Celebrating Our Community Diversity

Jessica Cummings

C.1.2

C.1.4

C.1.6

C.1.2

C.1.4

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Purpose

The purpose of this project is to empower first-grade students to explore and celebrate their cultural backgrounds, fostering a sense of identity and belonging within the classroom community. By engaging in activities that highlight cultural diversity, students will learn to appreciate the unique skills and strengths each culture brings to the community. The project aims to enhance students' abilities to compose informative texts and use digital tools to create and publish cultural presentations. Through collaboration with peers and family members, students will develop a deeper understanding of how their interests and cultural heritage can positively impact and enrich their community. This project not only aligns with educational standards but also nurtures a classroom environment that values diversity and encourages students to share their cultural stories.

Learning goals

In this project, students will explore and celebrate their cultural backgrounds while developing key skills. They will learn to compose informative texts by drawing, dictating, and writing about their cultures, utilizing digital resources to enhance their presentations. Students will practice using digital tools to create and publish their cultural presentations, collaborating with peers and family members to gather and present information. They will also explore how their unique cultural skills and strengths can benefit themselves and others, understanding the value of diversity in their community. Through activities like the Global Passport Day and Diversity Quilt Project, students will gain a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity and the role it plays in enriching their community. Additionally, they will engage in critique and revision processes to refine their work, focusing on cultural accuracy, creativity, and engagement. Overall, this project aims to foster a sense of pride in students' cultural identities while enhancing their communication, collaboration, and digital literacy skills.

Standards

C.1.2 - Compose informative and/or explanatory texts, using a combination of drawing, dictating, writing and digital resources, to establish a topic and provide information about the topic.
C.1.4 - With guidance and support from adults, use a variety of digital resources to create and publish products, including in collaboration with peers.
C.1.6 - With guidance and support, collect information from real-world experiences or provided sources to answer or generate questions.
C.1.2 - Compose informative and/or explanatory texts, using a combination of drawing, dictating, writing and digital resources, to establish a topic and provide information about the topic.
C.1.4 - With guidance and support from adults, use a variety of digital resources to create and publish products, including in collaboration with peers.
C.1.6 - With guidance and support, collect information from real-world experiences or provided sources to answer or generate questions.
1.E.ST.2 - Investigate how people can benefit themselves and others by developing special skills, strengths and goods.
1.G.HI.1 - Describe how culture and experience influence the cultural landscape of places and regions within their community and state.

Products

Students will create a variety of cultural presentations that demonstrate their understanding and appreciation of their own cultural backgrounds. These presentations will include informative texts composed through drawing, dictating, and writing, enhanced by digital resources. Each student will contribute a quilt square representing their cultural background to a collective 'diversity quilt,' symbolizing classroom unity and diversity. Additionally, students will participate in a 'Cultural Skills Workshop,' where they will demonstrate and teach a traditional skill or craft from their culture. The culmination of the project will be a 'Cultural Fair,' where students will set up booths to display artifacts, crafts, or digital presentations, explaining their cultural significance and how they contribute to the community's diversity. Through these activities, students will meet standards related to composing informative texts, using digital tools, and understanding the value of diversity in their community.

Launch

To kick off the project, initiate a "Global Passport Day" where each student receives a personalized passport. Set up interactive stations around the classroom, each representing a different country or culture. At each station, students engage in activities such as tasting traditional foods, participating in cultural games, or learning simple phrases in a new language. As they visit each station, students collect stamps in their passports. This immersive experience not only sparks curiosity and excitement but also provides a tangible connection to the diverse cultures they will explore and present throughout the project. This launch activity sets the stage for students to appreciate cultural diversity and begin thinking about their own cultural backgrounds and contributions.

Exhibition

To exhibit the students' projects, organize a "Cultural Fair" where students set up interactive booths to display their cultural artifacts, crafts, or digital presentations. This event should be open to families, peers, and community members, including Kindergarten students, to foster a sense of community and shared learning. Each booth will allow students to explain the cultural significance of their displays and how these contribute to the community's diversity. Additionally, incorporate a "Cultural Skills Workshop" where students demonstrate and teach a traditional skill or craft from their culture, such as dance, music, or art, to peers and family members. This hands-on experience will not only celebrate cultural diversity but also provide an engaging platform for students to showcase their learning and skills.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Global Passport Day - Introduce the project and distribute personalized passports. Set up interactive cultural stations. Students visit each station, engage in activities, and collect stamps.	Activity 2: Introduction to Cultural Backgrounds - Discuss the concept of culture and cultural backgrounds. Read a story about cultural diversity and have an open discussion.	Activity 3: Exploring Our Own Culture - Ask students to bring an object or photo from home that represents their culture and share it with the class.	Activity 4: Informative Texts - Begin lessons on composing informative texts using drawing and dictation. Practice writing simple sentences about their cultural artifacts.	Activity 5: Digital Tools Introduction - Introduce digital tools that students will use to create presentations. Conduct a basic tutorial on using tablets or computers.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Completed passports with stamps from Global Passport Day. 2. Deliverable 2: A simple informative text draft about their cultural artifact with drawings or dictation.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Create personalized passports for each student. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Set up cultural stations with activities, foods, and language materials. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Select and prepare a storybook about cultural diversity for reading. 4. Teacher Preparation Task 4: Organize digital tools and ensure all devices are functional and accessible. 5. Teacher Preparation Task 5: Prepare a guide or tutorial for using digital tools for presentations.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Cultural Research - Students research their cultural backgrounds using books, online resources, or interviews with family members. They gather information about cultural traditions, customs, and values.	Activity 2: Drafting Informative Texts - Students begin drafting their informative texts about their cultural backgrounds. They focus on organizing their research into clear, structured paragraphs.	Activity 3: Peer Review and Feedback - Students exchange drafts with a partner and provide constructive feedback. They focus on cultural accuracy and clarity of information.	Activity 4: Digital Tools Practice - Students practice using digital tools to enhance their presentations. They add images, audio, or video clips related to their culture.	Activity 5: Diversity Quilt Planning - Students design their quilt squares, representing their cultural backgrounds. They draft a short description of their design's significance.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: A draft of an informative text about their cultural background, including organized paragraphs. 2. Deliverable 2: A digital presentation outline, with media elements planned for inclusion. 3. Deliverable 3: A draft design of their quilt square with a written description.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Gather and prepare resources on various cultures for student research, including books and links to online materials. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Create a peer review guide to help students give effective feedback on drafts. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Ensure digital tools are available and functioning for practice sessions, and prepare a tutorial on adding media elements. 4. Teacher Preparation Task 4: Provide materials for quilt square design, such as fabric, markers, or paper templates. 5. Teacher Preparation Task 5: Organize a feedback session, setting guidelines for respectful and constructive peer interactions.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Finalizing Informative Texts - Students revise and finalize their informative texts, incorporating feedback from peers. They focus on improving cultural accuracy, creativity, and engagement.	Activity 2: Digital Presentation Creation - Students begin assembling their cultural presentations using digital tools. They integrate their finalized texts, images, audio, and video clips.	Activity 3: Diversity Quilt Assembly - Students create their quilt squares using provided materials. They write a final description of their design's cultural significance.	Activity 4: Cultural Skills Workshop Planning - Students plan a demonstration of a cultural skill or craft they will share during the Cultural Skills Workshop. They outline steps and materials needed.	Activity 5: Rehearsal and Refinement - Students practice presenting their digital presentations and cultural skills demonstrations to small groups. They receive feedback and make necessary adjustments.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Finalized informative text about their cultural background. 2. Deliverable 2: A completed digital presentation including text, images, audio, and video clips. 3. Deliverable 3: Completed quilt square with a written description of its significance. 4. Deliverable 4: A plan for Cultural Skills Workshop demonstration, including steps and materials.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Provide feedback and additional resources for students to refine their informative texts. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Ensure digital tools are available and functioning for creating presentations. Provide additional tutorials if needed. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Supply materials for quilt square assembly, ensuring a variety of options for students to choose from. 4. Teacher Preparation Task 4: Compile a list of cultural skills or crafts students may wish to demonstrate, offering guidance and resources as needed. 5. Teacher Preparation Task 5: Organize practice sessions for presentations and demonstrations, providing a supportive environment for feedback and refinement.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Cultural Fair Preparation - Students set up and organize their booths for the Cultural Fair. They arrange their cultural artifacts, crafts, and digital presentations, ensuring everything is ready for display.	Activity 2: Cultural Skills Workshop Rehearsal - Students conduct a final rehearsal of their cultural skill or craft demonstration. They practice timing and presentation skills, making any final adjustments needed.	Activity 3: Cultural Fair Execution - Host the Cultural Fair, inviting families, peers, and community members. Students present their cultural booths, explain the significance of their displays, and demonstrate cultural skills.	Activity 4: Reflection and Feedback - After the Cultural Fair, students reflect on their presentations and demonstrations. Engage in a group discussion to share experiences and insights gained during the project.	Activity 5: Quilt Display and Celebration - Assemble the Diversity Quilt with completed squares and display it prominently in the classroom. Celebrate with a closing ceremony, acknowledging each student's contributions and the importance of cultural diversity.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Completed and set up cultural booth for the Cultural Fair. 2. Deliverable 2: Final demonstration of a cultural skill or craft during the Cultural Skills Workshop. 3. Deliverable 3: Personal reflection on the project, detailing what they learned about their own culture and others.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Coordinate logistics for the Cultural Fair, including space arrangements, invitations, and any necessary permissions. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Provide materials and support for booth setup, ensuring students have access to any additional resources needed. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Facilitate final rehearsals for the Cultural Skills Workshop, offering feedback and support as needed. 4. Teacher Preparation Task 4: Prepare reflection prompts and organize a group discussion to help students articulate their learning experiences. 5. Teacher Preparation Task 5: Organize and display the Diversity Quilt in the classroom, planning a closing ceremony to celebrate the project's completion.