We live in an increasingly culturally diverse society. It's important to learn about and celebrate our differences. High school classrooms provide a perfect setting for youth to investigate their cultural history and learn about others. Encourage tolerance and understanding by celebrating cultural diversity with high school students.
Instructions
1. Hold an in-class or schoolwide festival of cultural diversity. Encourage students to bring examples of food, clothing, music or art from their culture to school to share with others. Ask each student to explain the significance of what they brought and answer questions about their culture posed by other students.
2. Assign projects designed to educate students about cultural diversity. For example, ask them to create sand paintings and then write short reports about their cultural and religious significance to Native Americans. Provide them with an opportunity to learn about other cultures by engaging in some aspect of their traditional activity.
3. Create a classroom environment that supports regular discussion about cultural diversity. Foster tolerance by giving students a forum in which to discuss their own cultural experiences with students from differing backgrounds.
4. Incorporate examples of cultural diversity into other subjects. Math word problems, for example, can be written to include aspects of different cultures. Readings assigned for English class should represent diverse voices and experiences.
5. Stage a poster contest around the theme of cultural diversity. Instruct students to create a poster that demonstrates people of different ethnic backgrounds coming together for a common activity. Display the posters and allow students to vote for their favorite.
6. Take field trips to cultural institutions or invite ethnic performers to the school to demonstrate traditional practices. Many cities have museums or cultural centers with dedicated staff members who give presentations to students regularly.
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