Cultural Diversity Unites Students

When a Head Start teacher expressed the need for books and games for her students, a 5th-grade class decided it could do more than just raise funds to purchase materials.  The students created books and games, tailoring them to each Head Start student.

Because all of the Head Start students were American Indian, the 5th graders decided to study American Indian cultures.  After preparing a report on what they learned, they were ready to design, write, and illustrate counting books and math games with American Indian themes for the Head Start students.

In this way, these books and games did much more than improve math scores.  The older students gained an appreciation of similarities and differences among cultures, and the younger students received academic materials that reflected and validated their culture.  Both groups made new friends, forging a relationship that grew to include future projects.

Adapted from "Route to Reform: K-8 service-learning Curriculum Ideas," © 1994-95 National Youth Leadership Council.