Students as Global Citizens

Although Dr. Maria Montessori was from Italy, her educational philosophy has been implemented in about 4,500 schools in the United States and about 20,000 worldwide. Our school is lucky enough to have such a diverse mix of culture in the community and even luckier to be able to celebrate that. 

One of my favorite days of the school year is United Nations day. United Nations Day is observed annually on October 24. It is the anniversary of the founding of the United Nations in 1945.  U.N. Day has traditionally been marked throughout the world by meetings, discussions, and exhibits about the achievements and goals of the organization. This year our classroom discovered that we are a diverse community of children who come from China, India, Lebanon, South Korea, Ireland, England, Italy, France, Germany, USA and more. In honor of the UN Day celebration, many children proudly don their ethnic costumes and enjoy an exciting morning every October 24. The children learn about the parts of a flag and the meaning of the United Nations’ flag and the flag of USA. Then they are introduced to various flags of the world. It is such an exciting time in our school discussing different cultures and their similarities and differences. Parents are also invited to come and speak to the class and share their traditions and heritage through pictures, food, music, and beautiful artifacts.

USA flag and United Nations flag 

                                   

This time is so momentous occasion to have in not only a class but the whole school as one big community. It is important to teach our students that there are so many different cultures in the world other than our own and that is alright and even more reason to celebrate.