Diversity Week 1: Environment

The first week of teaching about cultural diversity focused on the different environments in various countries. which in this case were China and Mexico. This was a transition into diversity from a study we did on trees.

In circle time we discussed how trees are different throughout the world. For instance, Bonsai trees are popular in China, while palm trees can be found at the beach in Mexico. We talked about how there are many mountains in West Virginia, but some places have no mountains at all.

For my center in week one, I showed the groups of students a globe and pointed out China and Mexico. I explained the North Pole, South Pole, and Equator and the weather at each place. I told the students to look at where West Virginia is located in relation to the North Pole and the Equator and discussed the weather here. Then they predicted how the weather is in Mexico since it is much closer to the Equator. After a discussion on winter weather in the United States versus Mexico, the students drew a picture of winter in each country. All of the students that participated in this activity drew aspects of winter. They included snow and snowflakes in West Virgnia, and had birds, palm trees, and the ocean in Mexico. I think this activity worked really well for all of the ability levels.