Ancestry study opens the door for geography lesson
To raise geographic awareness, I asked my 4th-grade students to research their ancestry. As students identified various countries of origin, we placed colored stickers with their names on a large map. We displayed the map in the hallway.
Drawing from that, students wrote essays on why the diversity of America remains important. We discussed what the Native Americans gave us, the gifts our families brought to the country, and what we individually bring to it today. We discussed our commonalities and our differences, coming to realize that we are different, yet the same.
The message displayed on the class project was, "Diversity is a gift from our country to us." Student essays were completed on paper with a special border depicting gift boxes. Each student colored the border differently; two could be somewhat alike, but there had to be a noticeable difference, as there is in each of us.
We placed the diversity essays in the hallway near our map. The display drew the attention of many as they passed by -- students, staff and parents. We noticed many people stopping to examine and discuss the map and its message.
Barbara Schlemmer
McKinley Primary Center
South Bend, Ind.
