Shape your thematic unit around the heritage and cultures found within your classroom, if applicable. When various cultures are not present, consider using well-known cultures present in your neighborhood, town or city to design a relevant study. Ethnicities may include those from Mexico, India, China, France, Spain and Italy. For example, those at a more advanced academic level may study common religions found in those countries, while younger students, such as those in preschool, may benefit from the study of historic and ethnic clothing.
Shape your curriculum around the studied cultures and ensure that the unit is incorporated into all facets of learning to include math, science, social studies and language arts. As an instructor, it may be beneficial to combine efforts with teachers in art, physical education and music before the start of the unit to give each adequate time to prepare culture-specific art techniques, ethnic dance excerpts and short songs in the country's native language. Integrate culture-specific item references in mathematical word problems, read ethnic picture or chapter books, study and replicate flags from studied countries, and devise science experiments that coincide with the culture.
One of the most common times of year to study various cultures is during the winter holiday season, when Christians, African Americans, Jewish citizens, Western Indian natives and Chinese individuals celebrate culture-specific holidays or celebrations. Group Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Diwali and Chinese New Year into a week-long unit and discuss them with relation to the folklore, heritage, customs and reasons behind the holiday. One option is to center each day of the week on one holiday or celebration and structure literary works, lesson subjects and reinforcement activities on each festival.
In a younger preschool class, purchase various colors of knee-high stockings and allow students to find which color best matches their own skin color. They may try the hose on their hands and compare their findings with classmates. Children in lower elementary school may write to a pen-pal from another country and send artwork, photos and mementos to a foreign partner school. Creating a passport using art supplies and white construction paper is another idea for the multicultural unit. Encourage older students to create a travel brochure about the cultural aspects of each studied country to coincide with the unit.