Led by teachers Ms. Caraballo, Ms. Alvarez, Ms. Castro and Ms. Marchica, students read books and created “passport books” for imaginative journeys to countries including the Dominican Republic, Argentina and Peru. Along the way, they learned about different traditions, histories and cultures.
A reading of Juana Martinez-Neal’s Alma and How She Got Her Name brought the lessons closer to home. Caraballo and Alvarez guided discussions about the origins of students’ names, then invited children to speak with relatives about how their names were chosen.
Sharing those family stories helped students discover the special meanings, memories and traditions a name can hold. The activities connected classroom learning with family experiences while encouraging an appreciation for the cultures represented in their school community.
