Learning and Writing about Differences and Similarities in Cultures

Yesterday the students began examining the differences and similarities between their traditions, food preferences, clothing, and methods of play with those of children in Pakistan. They also discussed similarities and differences between themselves and other students in their own classroom.

They came up with several ways to show acceptance of differences, and also how to react when someone is getting teased for being different. We used food preferences as an example, since some students do get teased at school for eating foods that other students do not like.

The class concluded that it really does not matter whether or not someone likes to eat things that they don't, and that sticking up for another student does not necessitate a negative or sarcastic response; rather, a gentle reminder or show of support for the person being teased.

The class voted on focusing on traditions and fun as the basis for their comparison/contrast short essay. We used a Venn diagram to illustrate some of the similarities and differences between the kinds of play in the U.S. and Pakistan. They then listed them in a comparison/contrast "pillar" that will be the basis for their writing.

Next time we meet, we will work on finishing our pillar and do our writing. In the meantime, the students are still counting and rolling pennies. We have over $100 thus far.

Our Corporate Sponsor

The students' culture quilt before they added the border.

Our local branch of Fidelity Bank at 21 Main Street agreed to be our Pennies for Peace sponsor! We gave them a large can for donations, and a poster designed by 5th-grade student Riley Korhonen. Both are prominently displayed in front of the tellers.

The students spent part of Friday putting together a formal thank-you letter to the bank. Ms. Lynch decorated it with a photo of pennies, and Michael Sowa was the lucky winner of the opportunity to hand write the entire thing. Ms. Lynch then attached some orange construction paper to the letter and all of the students signed it. I was so proud to take it into the bank.

We also put our culture quilt on display at the end of the second floor hallway near the copier. The students finished it on Wednesday, after which Ms. Lynch and I presented it, along with other projects, to the Shirley School Committee and Superintendent Mac Reid. We explained the project and thanked Principal Pat Fitzgerald and the Shirley Educational Foundation for all of their support. We also thanked Art Teacher Sarah Russell for her help with the collages. This is truly becoming a community-wide effort.

As of the end of school on Friday, the students had counted $82 in pennies, and there are still more to count. Our goal is to raise $600--enough to pay a teacher's salary in Afghanistan or Pakistan for a year--by May 13.

Counting Pennies that Transform Lives

Today we made our first announcement on the intercom about the penny drive. We also went around the school putting up posters that remind students to bring in their pennies. They look great!

I had the privilege of visiting and speaking with the 5th-grade students today, and showed them the 12-minute introductory video about Pennies for Peace. The 5th-graders were very enthusiastic and may help us compose questions for our future Muslim guests, as well as make us some more posters.

Our third-grade class discussion today centered on our culture quilt. We compared and contrasted the food, clothes, fun activities, and traditions we have in the U.S. with those in Pakistan. Next week we will finish that discussion and write some comparison/contrast "pillars" that will be the foundation of some of our writing.

My son Dana is counting Friday's "take" as I write, and we are up to over $35 already! Lura White families "rock!"

How Much Does a Penny Buy?

Today the students wowed me with just how much they had gotten done while I was away. They finished their promotional posters, and created their classroom cultural quilt. The quilt shows how each student likes to dress, have fun, celebrate family traditions, and eat his or her favorite foods.

The quilt will be used to compare and contrast our cultures with those of our classmates and the children of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The posters will be placed around the school to remind students, staff and parents to bring in their pennies to donate to the Central Asia Institute.

Today we decorated our Pennies for Peace containers and wrote our script for morning and afternoon announcements about the campaign. We hope to visit each classroom at the school very briefly to show students what the containers look like and remind them about where they are located.

We are in the process of finding a local corporate sponsor who will allow us to leave one of our penny containers, along with a poster, inside the sponsor's business.

On Friday, we will finish decorating our quilt and look at the differences and similarities between our cultures.

We now have an email address to which you can send any questions or suggestions: lurawhiteforpeace@yahoo.com.