We extend a sincere thank you to our parents who shared their knowledge during our study of Asia:
China -the presentation focused on Chinese culture, history, and Chinese New Year. The students also tasted dumplings. A few quick facts we learned included the year 2020 is the year of the Rat, a feast that begins Chinese New Year's Eve lasts for numerous hours and is shared together by generations of families while the color red is worn and seen throughout the Chinese New Year season. The Children's House classes had previously shared books about the "Great Race", which is the story of how the order of animals were determined that are associated with the Chinese calendar. Our art projects included Chinese language symbols and Chinese lanterns.
India - dressed in saris, the ladies told our students about Indian culture, animals, and traditions which included The Taj Mahal, Bollywood, tigers and peacocks (the national bird of India). Following the presentation, the kiddos created their own unique version of a Rangoli, a decoration used in Indian homes on the floor often during Diwali. Each child also had the opportunity to taste an Indian desert (similar to fudge) and complete a peacock coloring sheet.
Russia - our parent included videos of Russian dancers, pictures of scenery and, our favorite, a song Russian children use to learn their alphabet, something similar to our ABC song. Along with Russian nesting dolls she also showed a Russian Sarafan (dress), a hat trimmed in rabbit fur and the proper scarf wrap technique used to keep heads warm in cold temperatures. Some interesting facts about Russia:
Russia is large enough to equal two United States in land mass
Grandfather Frost and Snow Girl bring gifts on New Year's Day (they do not celebrate Christmas)
Borscht, a favorite Russian dish made with beets and sour creme on top, is often eaten for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner.
China -the presentation focused on Chinese culture, history, and Chinese New Year. The students also tasted dumplings. A few quick facts we learned included the year 2020 is the year of the Rat, a feast that begins Chinese New Year's Eve lasts for numerous hours and is shared together by generations of families while the color red is worn and seen throughout the Chinese New Year season. The Children's House classes had previously shared books about the "Great Race", which is the story of how the order of animals were determined that are associated with the Chinese calendar. Our art projects included Chinese language symbols and Chinese lanterns.
India - dressed in saris, the ladies told our students about Indian culture, animals, and traditions which included The Taj Mahal, Bollywood, tigers and peacocks (the national bird of India). Following the presentation, the kiddos created their own unique version of a Rangoli, a decoration used in Indian homes on the floor often during Diwali. Each child also had the opportunity to taste an Indian desert (similar to fudge) and complete a peacock coloring sheet.
Russia - our parent included videos of Russian dancers, pictures of scenery and, our favorite, a song Russian children use to learn their alphabet, something similar to our ABC song. Along with Russian nesting dolls she also showed a Russian Sarafan (dress), a hat trimmed in rabbit fur and the proper scarf wrap technique used to keep heads warm in cold temperatures. Some interesting facts about Russia:
Russia is large enough to equal two United States in land mass
Grandfather Frost and Snow Girl bring gifts on New Year's Day (they do not celebrate Christmas)
Borscht, a favorite Russian dish made with beets and sour creme on top, is often eaten for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner.