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Students learn about culture and diversity
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Chetek Middle School student Max Reisner (right) discusses cultural differences with Abdirizak Yasin, a high school student from Barron.
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Chetek's seventh-grade class has been promoting culture diversity and acceptance through education. Currently the students are learning about Africa and its cultures.
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Social studies teacher Diane Johnson invited some high school Somalians from Barron to her classroom for lunch Friday. After chatting with the seventh-grade class over a slice of pizza, the Somali students gave a presentation about their country, culture, religion and lifestyle.
Kyle Knapp, Charity Swangim, Kate Duffy and Leah Williams pointed out the differences between Christianity, which is prevalent around Chetek, and Islam. They conversed with Leina Dini, who told them how she adjusted to Minnesota and Wisconsin winters after living in Uganda's capital, Kampala. She shared facts about her religion, such as: offering five daily prayers at dawn, noon, midafternoon, sunset and evening; not eating pork; and not petting dogs.
Dini explained dipping her fingers in henna for fun and when someone gets married. Sometimes decorative designs are done on their arms.
Not only did the seventh-graders have Somali visitors to teach them about other cultures, the students themselves put together an international fair. The fair took place Monday and included a wide selection of countries.
Each learning community selected a country for their informational display. In addition to the displays, groups stamped passports, served food native to their country, played native games and danced to native music.
The Germany group had a real Nazi helmet on display and served German chocolate.
Duffy, Emma Bunton, Swangim and Angie Ramos, of the Peru culture, danced to native music. Lindsey Martineau, who was in charge of the Peru display board, talked about the chinchillas that are native to the country. She said her favorite thing to learn about was the food. The group served turkey, cooked with a Peruvian recipe, to visitors.
The students visited each others' countries as well as showing visitors, including fourth-and fifth-graders from Roselawn and community members, what they have learned.
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©The Chetek Alert 2010
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