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Students at Cullowhee Valley School advanced their knowledge
of other cultures and the world's holiday traditions during December.
Pre-K through eighth-grade students prepared decorations and adorned
Christmas trees in the theme of other countries.
Cullowhee
Valley School kindergarten students Matthew Conlin, right, and
Zadah Lusky design clay animals for a French creche as teacher
Debbie Madill, wearing a beret, teaches them Christmas customs
observed in France.
"It turned out to be such a creative and innovative
project and one which the students thoroughly enjoyed," said
Anne Loughlin, chairman of the school's global education committee.
"This was a new initiative in our efforts to promote global
education at CVS," Loughlin said.
The Cullowhee Valley PTA purchased 10 trees, and each grade level
was responsible for selecting a country and decorating the tree
in the theme of that nation. The Chinese tree was festooned with
fortune cookies and chopsticks, the British tree was hung with
tea bags and flags, and the Israeli tree radiated with driedels
and stars of David. Each one was unique and original.
Students in grades K-3 also celebrated a Festival of Lights. This
was a project spearheaded by Dawn Fincher, second-grade teacher,
who had brought the idea from the Charlotte school system where
she taught prior to joining the CVS faculty.
Cullowhee students ‘traveled' to a different country for
45 minutes each day. At each location, they learned about the
holiday customs of that country, listened to a folk tale, participated
in an art activity, and sampled food from the country. Each student
took a suitcase and passport. After each visit, students carried
their art projects in their suitcases and received a passport
stamp from that country.
"It was such an exciting way to present information about
other cultures' customs," said Cynthia McGee, who presented
information about Kwanzaa.
"My students and I had such fun," said kindergarten
teacher Debbie Madill, who wore a beret as she served baguettes
and taught the students about Christmas in France.
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