TRAIN Educational & Community Services
Multicultural Activities
From catching stars developed by African pygmy tribes to chop stix pick-up or the Hanukkah dreidel, use this list of diverse multicultural activities to help your learners draw connections to unique cultures of the world.
Curated OER
Henna Hand Designs Art Lesson: Make a Unique Self-Portrait
Explore the art and cultural significance of henna hand designs. You engage the class by providing background information that describes who, what, where, when, and why henna designs are used. Then, the class uses the included templates...
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Body Decorations
Body decoration has been practiced for years and years, and it is often associated with a culturally significant event. To celebrate Harmony Day, children discuss the Hindu custom of henna or hand painting. They brainstorm ways people...
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Pre-AP Strategies for French Language and Culture
Build vocabulary, fluency and confidence in your French speakers by having them participate in some of these engaging activities. Several suggestions are given, but you will have to design the actual lesson yourself.
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Paper Dragon Puppet
Students discuss the Chinese New Year and the importance of the dragon in Chinese culture. After examining pictures of dragon puppets, students create simple dragon puppets and have their own Chinese New Year parade.
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The Paper Dress - Circa 1968
You won't believe your eyes when you see these dresses made out of paper. Students create paper dresses by modifying a pattern provided by the teacher, and decorate the dress using 1960's style art. What a fantastic and motivating...
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African Art and Personal Adornment
Students explore the concept of personal adornment. They view and compile a list examples and compare personal adornment in American culture to that in African culture.
San Diego Museum of Art
Tapa-Inspired Pattern Painting
Middle schoolers are encourage to try their hand at traditional Oceania tapa art by crafting their own cloth using brown paper bags. Included in the resource is background information about the cultures of Oceania and their art.
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African Ceramic Portrait Vessel
Students create a piece of art inspired by traditional African pieces.
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Celebrate With Henna Hands Lesson Plan
Students study the historic and contemporary uses of henna body art in different cultures. They determine what henna is and how it is use as a temporary tattoo. As an art project, they trace their own hands and draw an appropriate woman...
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Heritage Deer
Students trace body parts to create a deer in this excellent Kindergarten instructional activity that teaches basic Art skills and cultural awareness. The instructional activity includes a materials list, vocabulary used, a...
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Winter Holiday Activities Extravaganza
Students define culture and explore elements that are part of the custom or culture of a place. In this holiday lesson, students identify the cultures they participate in. Students identify the differences in people's cultures....
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Cinco de Mayo - What is it?
Students, after examining why the fiesta Cinco de Mayo is celebrated, plan a fiesta that includes invitations, games, music, paper flowers, flags and a menu of authentic foods. By completing this assignment, they enhance their education...
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Forensic Detectives: Archaeology at Work
Dig in! Middle schoolers learn about archaeology by exploring the remnants of the Chiribaya bodies found in Illinois. Compare archaeological investigations, and then write a mystery detailing the discovery of a body! Consider bringing in...
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Social Studies: Ancient Egypt
Seventh graders explore the history, geography, and culture of ancient Egypt. They research daily life and compare it with their present lives. Students, in pairs, trace their body outlines on poster paper and work individually to use...
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Fun and Funky Teapots
Students examine many different teapots from different cultures and time periods. They create their own teapot and decorate it. They discuss how to make their teapot unique.
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Platter
High schoolers identify the many cultures whose artistic traditions contributed to the art of viceregal Mexico and specifically to this piece of art. They discuss the many influences on the life and society of viceregal Mexico and note...
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Greek Amphora
Students analyze the Greek Amphora figure in Greek art and complete related activities. In this Greek art lesson plan, students analyze the Greek vase art and the Antimenes painter style. Students research mythology sections for stories...
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Freedom Summer
Students brainstorm and discuss what the concept of "fairness" is and how to identify examples of "fairness." They pull from historical fiction and the Civil Rights Movement to explain how individual are affected by, cope with, and...
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Scarification
Students examine the process of scarification. They use their prior knowledge to discuss how to change the appearance of the human body. They write a summary about what they have learned.
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Animal Jumping Puppets
Young scholars investigate the proportions of body parts and learn how to create moving parts. They cut shapes with detail and learn how to attach string and tie knots. Students practice the defining vocabulary related to puppets.
Lee County High School
Clay Animal Whistles
Investigate North Carolina pottery history by creating clay animal whistles, a traditional leisure activity in the region. They research a particular animal and jot down its attributes to include in their project. Find step-by-step...
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SAT Editing in Context Practice Test 01
Middle schoolers edit a draft of an essay, correct grammatical mistakes, and edit for unity and coherence. They answer 12 questions in 12 minutes in this SAT practice learning exercise.
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Technology Rich Native American Unit
Student groups retell stories from Iroquois storytellers. They role-play Iroquois women, men and children and explain their roles. They read "Knots on a Counting Rope" and make up their own stories. They create timelines. They visit a...