Link to the Smithsonian "Seriously Amazing" site for elementary lessons in cultural diversity. Lessons on diversity help to make ELL students feel a part of the American Community by promoting the importance of embracing people of all ethnic backgrounds.
For example they have a lesson called "A Puerto Rican Carnival" where students can learn about Ramon from Ponce who wants to be a vejigante by reading the picture book Vejigante Masquerader by Lulu Delacre. Students can then view the National Museum of American History’s exhibition of the masks of Puerto Rico through an online link and then they can create their own masks. There is also another set of lessons on Dia de los Muertos.
Another great lesson is "Stories of World Heritage" from UNESCO. There are pictures, videos, and listening sections to learn about how UNESCO is helping to preserve the cultural and natural heritage of ten different groups around the world for future generations. There is also a downloadable set of primary lesson plans to integrate these
stories into a unit on ecosystems.
Finally there is a section on immigration called "Our Story" with lesson ideas and lots of picture book recommendations. This can be integrated into Social Studies lessons on culture, immigration, and history.
For example they have a lesson called "A Puerto Rican Carnival" where students can learn about Ramon from Ponce who wants to be a vejigante by reading the picture book Vejigante Masquerader by Lulu Delacre. Students can then view the National Museum of American History’s exhibition of the masks of Puerto Rico through an online link and then they can create their own masks. There is also another set of lessons on Dia de los Muertos.
Another great lesson is "Stories of World Heritage" from UNESCO. There are pictures, videos, and listening sections to learn about how UNESCO is helping to preserve the cultural and natural heritage of ten different groups around the world for future generations. There is also a downloadable set of primary lesson plans to integrate these
stories into a unit on ecosystems.
Finally there is a section on immigration called "Our Story" with lesson ideas and lots of picture book recommendations. This can be integrated into Social Studies lessons on culture, immigration, and history.