GNS: Learning New Cultures

École Westhaven School has been busy this month with learning about different Asian cultures, traditions, and celebrating Lunar New Year. Mr. Meier’s Kindergarten and Ms. MacPhail’s Grade 1 classes loved learning about these cultures through discussions, pictures, items, and picture books. 

One of the books they read was Ramen for Everyone, a story that celebrates diversity, perseverance, and culture. After reading this engaging book, students were able to complete activities like retelling, sequencing of events, and relating to the character. They then came together to have a ramen sampling.

Students were able to customize their ramen by choosing their own toppings like carrots, corn, cabbage, and even seaweed! Each bowl of ramen was unique, just like each student in our school is unique. The classes also read the book, Anna’s Kokeshi Dolls, which is about counting and the art of the kokeshi doll. Students got to create their own doll after reading the story, which they loved. The book is also in English and Japanese, which allowed students an opportunity to learn numbers 1-10 in Japanese. They were blown away by the use of characters instead of letters in the Japanese language.

These ideas and activities came from the resource, “The Experiences and Contributions of Japanese Canadians: A Resource Directory to Support the Alberta Programs of Study, Kindergarten to Grade 12.” Ms. MacPhail has been a part of this ongoing project, which is a collaboration between the University of Alberta and the Edmonton Japanese Canadian Association. She is responsible for the resources and lesson ideas outlined in the elementary section of the Directory. Many teachers in GYPSD, were also a part in reviewing this Directory and completed lessons in their teachings.

GNS: Learning New Cultures