Fleisher: Cultural Journey Book

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Community Partnerships > Public School Residencies >

Cultural Journey Book

1st Grade

Teacher Partners: Toni O'Karma, teacher
Teaching Artist: Nancy M. Sophy

Each student created an original book focused on the diverse cultures represented in their classroom and community. The first grade class took walking trips throughout their South Philadelphia neighborhood visiting markets and community centers of different cultures including Asian, African-American and Mexican. In addition, they took a trip to the Philadelphia Museum of Art for an interactive visit to the African Art, African Voices exhibition there.

The themes of the children’s book were integrated with the social studies topic of My Family and Cultural Traditions. The children learned to recognize cultural diversity among students, and within the school and community. Students created paintings, collage, prints, and drawings based on different cultural traditions and their field trip experiences. They wrote a narrative for their books to express their observations, discoveries and understanding about cultures, both familiar and new to them.

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