Peace Corps

• Subject(s): Social Studies & Geography, Cross-Cultural Understanding
• Grade Level(s): 3–5, K–2
• Related Publication: E-book | School

Overview

As each of us goes to school, it quickly becomes one of the most important parts of our lives. Although schools are found in every corner of the world, they can be quite different. Learning about schools and schooling around the world can help students understand not only the importance of education, but also how children of every culture have many of the same needs.

Procedures

Activity Ideas

• Welcome to Our School
  Discuss some of the unique features of your school. Explore questions such as:
  • What is our school building like? How old is it?
  • How do we use different areas in our school? (e.g., gymnasium, playground, garden)
  • Who are the staff and students in our school? What makes our school community unique?
  • What would we want a newcomer to know about our school?
Create a scrap book, slideshow or video titled "Welcome to Our School" which includes items such as photos, daily schedule, staff directory, school mascot, and school colors. Have the students write a welcome letter for new students celebrating your school's culture.

• Getting to School
  Have each student write a short story entitled "My Journey to School." In the story, have students describe how they arrive at school each day including their morning routines and preparations, the kinds of transportation they use, the sights and landmarks they pass, and the people they see. Provide students with an opportunity to share their stories, and compare and contrast their daily journeys with those of their peers. Then, research the ways that children in some of the countries highlighted in the e-book arrive at school.

• What's on the Menu?
  Discuss some of the traditional food items we serve for school lunch in the United States. Research what may be served for school lunch in one of the countries highlighted in the e-book. Discuss how mealtimes can be part of a school's culture. If possible, prepare a typical lunch eaten by students in another part of the world, or read a list of ingredients that might be used. Using clay or play-dough, have students re-create the national dish they learned about.

• Playground Games Around the World
  Teach students how to play a game from a different culture ( playjustlikeyou.org ). Have students research different games from around the world, then teach other classmates how to play them.

• Going to School in Another Country
  Begin by reading the e-book Go To School for a Day in Namibia. Discuss some of the differences and similarities that students notice between their school and the ones highlighted in the book. Have students create a picture in which they pretend they are living in Namibia attending the same school mentioned in the slide show. What would their day be like? What would they enjoy about going to school there? Have students share their artwork with the class explaining what they drew.

Role Play

Welcoming a Visitor
Pretend that you are an exchange student visiting from another country. Have students design and give you a tour of your school or classroom, highlighting the purpose of each area or special item. Students could create a virtual tour (slideshow/video), audio tour (like at museums) or actual physical tour. Ask the students questions such as:

• Why do you sit in a circle?
• How do you start your day in class?
• What is the proper way to ask a question?
• Where do you eat lunch?
• Where's the bathroom?