The Maple Hill airport was packed with students anxious to catch their flights around the world. Soon the kids would be winging their way to such far-flung destinations as Polynesia, Korea, China and Ireland.
But don’t worry, the Diamond Bar students would be back in time for lunch. They were taking imaginary flights as part of the elementary school’s multicultural experience.
So the students grabbed their handmade passports and lined up for flights on 16 different airlines. Plane captains led them to their exotic destinations.
“We thought it would be fun for the kids to fly to the different countries,” explained Kelly Morris, third-grade teacher turned event coordinator.
The campus was a kaleidoscope of color with students and staff wearing costumes from their native countries. Koreans wore brightly-colored clothing that lent a festive mood to the experience.
First-grade teacher Jeanette Koh was teaching the young travelers a popular game played in Korea. “It’s similar to the American game Sorry,” Koh explained.
Jessica Lee and Hailey Lim, both 8, concentrated as they played the new game. They seemed to be enjoying their cultural experience.
The tae kwon do demonstration was popular with the young tourists. Fourth-grader Beryl Zheng had already earned her black belt.
Generous parents had even brought in Korean cuisine for the hungry travelers to try. For many, this was their first attempt with
chopsticks.
Janet Wu had taken off work to attend with her 5-year-old son Zachary.
“He’s been very excited about the event,” Wu said. “I’m impressed with the great activities the teachers have planned. This takes students beyond the classroom, so they can learn about the world.”
Third-grade teacher Kathy Lagerborg brought in dough to teach the kids how to make pasta, one of the staples in Italy.
In the classroom next door, students lay on their backs as they sketched drawings on paper taped to the bottoms of their desks.
“This is how Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel,” explained first-grade teacher Karen Imperial.
Song and dance highlighted the different cultures. Special ed teacher Joanie Park demonstrated a Maori dance from New Zealand for the students. Later, the kids crafted paper kiwis as part of their Polynesian experience.
“How was your flight? Did you have a bumpy landing?” asked Monica Carletto at the Mexican experience. Everyone enjoyed some churros while they learned about the culture of our southern neighbor.
Last, but certainly not least, we visited the United States exhibit. There, four teachers had dressed up as the presidents pictured on Mount Rushmore.
The instructors were very entertaining as they told the world travelers all about the history of the United States. Everyone seemed happy to return to America.
But for a short few hours, the Maple Hill students romped around the world, learning about the global society they are growing up in.
richard.irwin@sgvn.com
626-962-8811, ext. 2801
Article source: http://www.sgvtribune.com/highlanders/ci_19556008?source=rss
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