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  Case: Christmas around the world.
My son goes to second grade. The first week of December my son's teacher started a short unit on Christmas around the world. As part of this unit, she asked each child to bring some type of food from a country for a Christmas celebration at school. She assigned the countries to the children and sent notes to children's homes in their communication folders. As a parent I do not have a problem with any of this. Here is what is puzzling to me. I immigrated to the US about 15 years ago from France. My wife is from Romania. My son was born in the US but he has strong French and Romanian cultural roots. I believe his teacher knows about my son's cultural background. However, my son was assigned to bring German food for the Christmas celebration. As a parent, I cannot understand why he was not assigned to bring French or Romanian food. What could be the teacher's reasoning? Should I be upset about this? Wouldn't it be better for my son to represent a part of his heritage in the classroom?
Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!)
The teacher's purpose in this activity is probably to expose the students to cultures other than their own. By having them research and bring food from another country, students are learning about a new culture they are unfamiliar with. Although your son is obviously culturally diverse, it is still important for him to learn about other people and their cultures. You should not let this upset you. Instead, remind the teacher of your son's French and Romanian cultural roots and ask if there can be some activity or lesson in the future where your son can incorporate his background. Perhaps he could even be given class time later to teach his peers about his culture.
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree with you. The whole point of the lesson is to expose the students to different countries.
Rated On: October 17, 2014 1:10 am
Rated By: Ashley
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Great point. Culture assignments are meant to help students broaden their knowledge and awareness.
Rated On: October 17, 2014 6:42 pm
Rated By: uJasuX
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I like your idea of having him teach the class about his culture later on, because that good for the students to know, just like it's good for him to know others culture.
Rated On: October 19, 2014 4:57 pm
Rated By: Angela Avery
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: agreed
Rated On: November 13, 2022 9:10 pm
Rated By: buTuDe