Spring Global Classroom Program
The Global Classrooms program has expanded to incorporate art education projects, transforming classroom presentations into experiential learning activities. To further develop intercultural understanding and awareness of being a good global citizen, students will meet with people from our community from Japan, China, Mexico, and India then together, they will create an art project respective to each country. With an intentional focus to collaborate with Northern Kentucky schools, over 800 elementary students will celebrate cultural diversity and inclusion in our community. In May 2019 with our school partners, we will host a global showcase for parents, students, volunteer artists, and the community to see the progress of this new program.
Due to the generosity of the community contributions to the ArtsWave campaign, the project is partially funded!
Parents Night at Florence Elementary
Our Director of Special Projects, Arnela Hepner presented her home country of Bosnia earlier in January at Florence Elementary Parent Night. Arnela spoke about culture, geography, art, and coffee. Bosnia has the tenth highest coffee consumption per capita in the world. As Bosnians are extremely superstitious, the students were able to create Evil Eyes. Wearing an Evil Eye as an amulet is believed to provide protection against evil forces.
Rei Suzuki presented Japan at Florence Elementary School, highlighting the culture, clothing, authentic cuisine, she had the opportunity to teach them common phrases in Japanese. Following the presentation, students made origami airplanes with colorful paper and competed in a small airplane throwing competition.
The art of Rangoli
Our Global Guide, Prateek Srivastava presented India to students at Ockerman Elementary and Latonia Elementary earlier this year. Prateek spoke Hindi with the students, discussed the diversity of the countries ethnicities and religions. He talked about the significance of rangolis in festivals, as Rangoli is mainly created to welcome prosperity, health, and joy in one’s home. Following the presentation, students made their own colorful and creative rangolis.
The art of Origami
Our Global Guide, Mayo Kowada presented Japan to elementary students at Latonia Elementary School in early February. Mayo highlighted the language, culture and authentic Japanese cuisine. She talked about how school life is different in Japan and discussed her experience as a student. Following the presentation, students practiced the art of origami.
Harue Marquardt presented her home country of Japan at Sixth District Elementary School. She began the presentation highlighting characters from Japan! Believe it or not the students already knew Hello Kitty, PokemonGo, Mario CART, and Totoro!
Seeking volunteers to be Global Guides from China, Japan, India, and Mexico. Sign up.
