Every year, Netivot lower elementary school students study one continent as part of their cultural curriculum. They began months ago with the study of geography and landforms, moving into the fundamental needs of humans and how they have been met differently over time as technology and communication has evolved. They have focused their research on the needs of food, shelter and clothing.

This year, they are studying Europe with a focus on several countries. The children were each placed into small groups containing mixed age levels to complete their research. They were able to develop independent learning skills such as using a table of contents, index, glossary and captions under photos to gain information. The children were given lovely developmentally appropriate nonfiction books to use as resources.

First graders interviewed the third graders in their groups! Third graders came prepared to those interviews with their research and did wonderfully. Each child was expected to complete their own research and they met this challenge beautifully while helping each other out as needed.

This project also incorporated expository writing. Kita aleph worked on writing full sentences and began editing their work while kitah bet and gimmel learned how to first take notes, then create rough drafts of full paragraphs which were edited to then create final drafts.

They also studied a sampling of the arts in Europe, discussing and creating in the style of Monet and Van Gogh. They will soon have a Food Festival, where the children will prepare a sampling of food from the countries they have studied and enjoy tasting them.

This unit gives the children the opportunity to explore the rich cultures of the world along with the people, animals and terrain of the continent of focus. Students also learned about the critical practical life skill of public speaking and the importance of looking up, speaking loudly and clearly, and being respectful while their friends are presenting.