CARIBOU, Maine — The “Cultures Around the World” event at Teague Park on Dec. 23, 2014 was so well received, staff is considering making it an annual event.
Students only had a half day on the 23rd — right before the big vacation — but teachers came up with a way to use that short time with worthwhile and meaningful education.
Each teacher selected a country for their classroom, and conducted little exercises, readings and crafts to introduce students to what it’s like in other parts of the world.
From taking their first look at Hebrew in Vaughn Martin’s classroom (Israel) to enjoying pierogis in Bethany Downs’ room (Poland), students reported to their teachers that they enjoyed the experience — and the knowledge could come in handy some day.
“I think all of the countries were enjoyed, but the ones offering food were quite popular,” explained fourth-grade Teacher Karen Howe. “We wanted the morning to be both educational and fun, which I do believe we accomplished.”
Student Chloe Sleeper thinks it’s important for people to learn about other countries and cultures in case they travel to other parts of the world.
“It’s kind of fun to learn about it,” she said, “because it feels like you’re traveling to new places and you’re learning a whole bunch of new things, which is really fun.”
Some classrooms had sweets and national delicacies for students to try, but Amy Hunter’s Ireland-themed classroom offered students a way to burn off some of those calories.
After learning how to sing the song “Raggle Taggle Gypsy,” and playing an Irish drum called a Bodhran, the music teacher coordinated with a few students of The Maine Dance Academy to teach Teague Park kids some basic Celtic dance steps to move along with the song they’d just learned.
Students assisting Hunter with the lesson were: Selena Savage, Anna Jandreau, Kerrigan Guerrette and Hannah Doody.
