Have you heard of Play Pumps? When kids ride the merry-go-round, fresh water is pumped to the surface. Get your students involved in helping to provide fresh water for kids in Africa.

IDEAS from other teachers

"We homeschool our four kids (ages 8-14). I designed a point-system independent study for studying geography and culture. Each one chooses a country from the continent we are studying. Points are given for drawing/coloring a map with labels, learning a few key phrases from their language, making a dish from that country, finding a penpal from that country and writing for at least a month to them, researching government, languages, currency, religions, etc., finding current articles in newspapers or online about their country, etc. They can gain extra points for harder things like interviewing someone from that country or a missionary to that country, raising money for buying a village in that country a goat or other item (if a 3rd-world country), having another family over for supper and fixing a whole meal of authentic food, or having a family over and giving a prepared speech about that country. My kids absolutely loved this project. The first year we did Africa, Europe and Asia--so three independent projects total. The second year we did South America and Australia and then did a group project on Canada. As I said, it was an independent study, so most of the work was student-led, but as we covered the different continents, I used map flashcards and we all drilled and learned capitals and countries and locations on the map, major mountain ranges, rivers and deserts. The drilling took about 5-10 min. per day and the independent study time was up to the individual students....but most of the time they went way beyond what I laid out as guidelines for points, just intrigued with all the amazing lands and people and cultures out there." Submitted by Theresa Huff, Branson, MO

From the LVAEYC Conference:

Family board--each family brings in pictures of their family and special celebrations to post in our room. Bonnie Mease, Owner, Mease Family Day Care
I teach high school students. When we have exchange students (which is yearly), each student is responsible for telling the class about his/her country and then working with the class to prepare a food from his/her country. My child development students (approximately 60) travel to our first grade each year to do a culminating activity after the Japan unit. My students set up 10 stations which the first graders rotate among. This tradition is 30+ years old. Liz Weaver, Child Development Teacher, Annville Cleona School District
At Christmas time, my students and I took a look at common Christmas items in our culture and learned where they came from (i.e. Christmas tree from Germany, cards from England). Also I explained how Santa is called different names (and has different helpers) aroudn the world (i.e. Father Christmas, Le Befana, Pierre Noel, etc.). It helped to encourage the appreciation of other cultures' influence on our lives. Angelo Yoho, Group Supervisor, ECB Luthercare
I work with 6th to 8th graders. We hold an annual multicultural festival. Students pick a country, study, have a display of arts, music, food, dance, and geography. Norma I. Gonzalez, Family Involvement Coordinator, Lebanon School District
My children (at home) and I have oversized, laminated maps. We play "Jump to the State or Country" (using colors if child can't read), then I tell them where they landed (or they do if they can). Sue Hallmark, Assistant Group Supervisor, Luthercare
When friends/Acquaintances travel abroad, I ask them to bring me either an item children use or a household item from the country they visit. Kathy Felty

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