Teaching+Diversity

A Sample Activity Designed to Teach an Element of Diversity to First Grade Students : Ask the child and his or her parents to choose a family recipe that had been passed down from at least one generation before. Ask the parents to help the child prepare the dish, and teach them about the history behind it (if they have not already done so). Arrange a Family Meal Night, and invite all the families to bring the dish to share. Give each child an opportunity to tell the classroom a little about the recipe, whether it be a family story or the origin of the meal. This activity will not only help the children to experience and appreciate an aspect of the cultural diversity that exists between themselves and their classmates, but their families as well. It is also a great chance for parents to divulge information about their family history that the child may not have previously known, which helps them to grow into their cultural identity.

Note: It is a good idea to ask parents to provide the recipe, or at the very least a list of ingredients, so that the families from other cultures will be aware of any potential allergy risks or any parts to the dish that may be against their dietary guidelines (for instance, a Hindi family may choose not to partake in a Mexican dish of beef enchiladas).