This week, a little half-Sikh boy showed up to class with the widest grin possible. Why? He had just gotten his Kada bracelet, one of the symbolic items that Sikhs wear.
That class is currently learning about the Sikh community, the farmers of Punjab, and the Vaiskahi festival, so all the students instantly knew what this boy had on his wrist. Instead of being seen as “odd” or “weird”, the bracelet instantly became the coolest thing to happen in class.
This is what learning about culture does to the kids – to the ones that belong to it, it creates a sense of EXCITEMENT and PRIDE, and to the ones who don’t belong, it creates a sense of understanding and appreciation.
This is the power of teaching culture using an integrated arts method! Makes up for the millions of hours I put into creating my curriculum!
