Culture sharing at school

[DesertMoon]

So my son is in JK and he is the star of the week. So next week he brings in show and tell everyday and they ask us to send in cultural things to better understand each others culture.

I have no idea what to send in. Assyrian culture is mostly steeped in the Catholic faith and it's a Catholic school so idk maybe sending in an eastern Catholic rosary to show? Maybe a flag? An arabic book? I was thinking since I'm American to send him in with some Murica stuff. Idk what would ya'll send?

[kicks]

Wow this is a hard question for me personally.
Just out of curiosity how diverse is your sons school?

I think this is one of those things that is hard for me as an African American. During college and med school I became hyper aware and jealous of my black friends who were first and second generation and knew where they came from.

Obviously I feel American and know I have a western cultural identity but I feel much more comfortable around black people. Yet there is not an object that I can think of that would represent me as a culture. A doll with natural hair?

Sorry I'm rambling.
Does your son speak arabic? If so then I would probably pick something along those lines as language is a big cultural identifier in my opinion.

[DesertMoon]

Apr 1, 2017 17:01:33 GMT -5 kicks said:

Wow this is a hard question for me personally.
Just out of curiosity how diverse is your sons school?

I think this is one of those things that is hard for me as an African American. During college and med school I became hyper aware and jealous of my black friends who were first and second generation and knew where they came from.

Obviously I feel American and know I have a western cultural identity but I feel much more comfortable around black people. Yet there is not an object that I can think of that would represent me as a culture. A doll with natural hair?

Sorry I'm rambling.
Does your son speak arabic? If so then I would probably pick something along those lines as language is a big cultural identifier in my opinion.

He understands and responds in English, he doesn't speak in Arabic though. He knows "our father" in Aramaic but he butchers it. He knows Arabic songs but he wouldn't sing them at school. Idk maybe I'll sent in anew Arabic tambourine or something.

[DesertMoon]

Today was the Assyrian new year. Maybe I'll just send in new years stuff?

[barcelonagirl]

I'd go with the Eastern rosary and the our father in aramaic. Who cares if he butchers it? Does anyone else speak aramaic there?

[DesertMoon]

Apr 2, 2017 9:01:13 GMT -5 barcelonagirl said:

I'd go with the Eastern rosary and the our father in aramaic. Who cares if he butchers it? Does anyone else speak aramaic there?

Lol doubtful it's literally "the dead language" thanks guys. Hell be fine I'm sure, he's 5 he's not exactly able to tell them the rise and fall of the Assyrian empire lol. I'd like to send in Arabic sweets or candy but the school is picky about food...so maybe not.

[DesertMoon]

Apr 1, 2017 17:01:33 GMT -5 kicks said:

Wow this is a hard question for me personally.
Just out of curiosity how diverse is your sons school?

I think this is one of those things that is hard for me as an African American. During college and med school I became hyper aware and jealous of my black friends who were first and second generation and knew where they came from.

Obviously I feel American and know I have a western cultural identity but I feel much more comfortable around black people. Yet there is not an object that I can think of that would represent me as a culture. A doll with natural hair?

Sorry I'm rambling.
Does your son speak arabic? If so then I would probably pick something along those lines as language is a big cultural identifier in my opinion.

Sorry I forgot to respond to your first question.

It's a school east of Toronto and it's very diverse I think his class is made up of east and west (mainly trini and guyana) Indian kids as the majority. There are some African children (Uganda and Nigeria mainly) and some black students. A handful of asian children. I'd have to say the school is a huge mix of white and Indian children mostly. The population of the area is heavy in Indian numbers and closer to Toronto the asian population surges.

[andwhat]

I feel the exact way as you kicks.

[LLL]

I think the eastern Catholic rosary is a great idea

[formerlyak]

When DS was younger and did star of the week and his ancestor report, he brought in Filipino food to share something about his culture. It was a huge hit. Come to think of it, many of the kids used food as part of showing their culture. The latkes were also always a big hit. I do realize this isn't possible at some schools because some have rules about bringing in homemade food, but ours does not.

A lot of kids also wore something of traditional dress from their culture. He wore a barong, which is a traditional Filipino shirt.