Seventh Graders Inaugural American Culture Fest

Middle School Seventh Graders Participate in American Culture Fest

In late September 2018, North Shore 7th graders participated in an American Culture Fest in their social studies classes. Each student was encouraged to bring in something from his/her heritage. Examples included a food, a game, a story or any custom from their nationality. Teachers encouraged their students to speak with their parents/guardians and think about what best represented their heritage. 

The 7th graders were also asked to create a mini-presentations based on the following questions: “What is your nationality?,”  “Why is it associated with your nationality?”,  “Who invented it and when was it invented?”, “Are there any facts or interesting stories about it?”, “Is it now part of American Culture? If so, how did it first arrive in America?”

In Social Studies classes, the 7th graders studied American culture. Students learned that the United States is not made up of one ethnicity, race or religion. The United States is a country of immigrants that was founded on an idea that all “men are created equal” and anyone who is willing to risk everything can immigrate from his/her homeland to try to make a better life for themselves and/or their families here. This idea was later referred to as the “American Dream.” Wikipedia defines American culture as, “primarily of Western culture (European) origin and form, but is influenced by a multicultural ethos that includes African, Native American, Asian, Polynesian, and Latin American people and their cultures.” Additionally, American culture is constantly changing and adapting to the new groups that emigrate here.

This is one of the many hands-on learning experiences at North Shore Middle School that help students better connect their own personal experiences to the curriculum. Thank you for assisting your children in the American Culture Fest and thank you to the North Shore Middle School teachers including Ms. Larkin, Mr. Freund, Mr. Gill, and Ms. Balli for organizing this educational event.

Article and photos by Shelly Newman with assistance from Ms. Nicole Larkin