Cultures Around the World: Iceland and Mexico

Iceland

We learned to play a game that the Vikings played. It goes by a couple different names such as Nine Men's Morris or Mills. But we just called it Mills.

Then students used clay to create game pieces. Using markers, they colored half their clay red and the other half blue.

Then, they rolled them into 18 balls, nine red and nine blue, and flattened them.

Each student also created a little pouch in which to hold the game. 

Iceland is known for wool, so, the students created sheep by painting clothespins and a cardboard sheep body black. 

After they dried, they wrapped the sheep bodies with yarn until they were fluffy like sheep's wool.

Amazingly, the day Mr. Brisco brought his baby lamb to school, was the same time we were learning about Iceland!

Another major attraction of Iceland is the Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights. Using shaving cream and paint on black paper, students created the Northern Lights. 

Iceland is surrounded by water, therefore, there is an abundance of fish! The students drew their own fish and decorated them using markers. They cut them out and carefully rubbed the foil fish on graters to create bumpy scales.

The students painted water for their fish. 

I don't have a picture, but for snacktime, we had rye bread and cheese. One of the most interesting things we learned about Iceland is that they make something called volcano bread. Dough is buried in a pot underground where it actually bakes from the natural heat generated by Iceland's volcanic hot springs. Watch the video below to see how the bread is made!

Our Iceland experts!

Mexico

We learned that much of Mexico is hot and dry. Therefore, cactus plants commonly grow there. The students created their own cactus plants using green play dough and stuck in toothpicks for the spines.

We made maracas with spoons and dried noodles to accompany our singing of a fun Spanish song that we learned.

Each student painted a colorful row on our beautiful Mexican paper "rug" and then they tied string together to create the tassels on the ends.

We learned about the Spanish artist, Diego Rivera, and took inspiration from one of his paintings to create a vase of sunflowers using a guided drawing video starring our very own Mr. Burgy!

We love how unique each one turned out!

Students learned about some of the different kinds of animals in Mexico and created unique paper art.

Snack was chips and salsa and sunflower seeds. This was definitely a class favorite! 

Students cut streamers to create a piñata, which we learned are used at most Mexican holidays!

One of the most memorable experiences, though, for the kids was certainly hitting the piñata! They had a blast!

Our Mexico experts!

Cultures Around the World: France & Ethiopia

Each country in the world is unique. They each have their own food, language, clothes, art, and music. Through this study, the students not only are learning facts about each country but they are getting to experience aspects of their cultures through the activities we set up in the classroom. Here are just a few photos as we learn about cultures around the world.

France

We looked at Claude Monet's famous paintings of bridges. We used finger paints to try to mimic his style. 

We also learned a French song, Frere Jacques, on ukuleles we checked out from Wright Memorial Library!

We also discussed the history of the Eiffel Tower--originally, the French people hated it and wanted it taken down. But eventually they grew to love it!

The students used guided drawing with oil pastels to create their own drawing of the Eiffel tower with cityscape in the background.

Here is a 3D this student worked so hard to cut out and assemble!

What is culture without food?! The French are known for their pastries! 

Students used play dough to create croissants, cinnamon rolls, crepes, and baguettes. They even sprinkled real cinnamon on top to get the full pâtisserie effect.

We even traveled to France for our snack! Students ate grapes, cheese, and mini baguettes (pretzel twists).

Ethiopia

The students were encouraged to bring in artifacts from each of the countries we would be studying. Here is a mask from Africa.

We, then, created our own African masks!

We learned about an African game called, mancala, and the students created their own using egg cartons.

Once students finished their work, they got to play mancala against their peers. They had such a great time!

To celebrate the food, the students ate bananas. (Their most important export is actually coffee...but we weren't about to let them try that!)

Speaking of coffee, the kids each made a picture frame decorated with coffee beans and grounds.

Inside the frames are their African animal water color silhouette paintings.

The students made Ethiopian drums out of canisters and then used them to help perform an African song call A-Ram-Sam-Sam.

In Ethiopia, they use a grass called teff to create their special flatbread called injera. The students rolled out play-dough and sprinkled atop some African spices. 

The students learned SO much about each of the countries and they LOVED getting to show you their learning during our Spring Performance! There were three kids at each display waiting for visitors to come by and ask them questions about their country. They were so proud of their work!

Stay tuned as we venture to more countries!