Learning to be a global citizen

In a school that proudly points to its diverse global student population, Lawrence Woodmere Academy’s lower school proclaimed Feb. 13 International Day with performances that highlighted the music and dance of six countries.

For six weeks before last Friday, the students read books, did projects and learned a variety of facts about six countries: U.S., pre-schoolers; India, kindergarten; Russia, first-grade; Spain, second grade; Peru, third grade and England, fourth grade.

“I want them to understand the cultural differences, the different customs and traditions  of the country,” said second-grade teacher Lisa Del Prete.

The information cut across all the subjects from science to math as the students learned about the Euro — the currency of the nations in the European Union — and the distance from their country to the U.S.

“We are wearing saris,” Sofia Caraballo said, explaining the traditional garb for Indian women. “The tigers and the bread, naan,” said fellow kindergartener Jenna Pohlman, when asked what she will remember learning the most.

Before the performances, the audience, comprised mostly of proud parents and extended family, were treated to a video of what the children did and learned to prepare for the day. After parading into Hessel Hall dressed in clothes representative of their topic nation, the students introduced their country, sang a song and then danced. Puppets Zach, Frannie and Paddington Bear, manipulated by several fourth-graders, introduced the nations. 

“I learned that the guards at Buckingham Palace never move,” said fourth-grader Yael Bar. “They will move if there is danger.”

The performance closed out will all the kids singing “We Are the World.” Then International Day visitors had their LWA “passport” stamped and they were allowed to enter the gym, where the cultural artwork created by the students was on display and foods native to the countries were served. 

Second-graders Alejandro Caraballo and Dean Eigen said they enjoyed being part of the global activities. “Learning about the animals and adopting a stuffed pet lynx,” Caraballo said was the most fun. “I like learning how you do a Spanish dance,” Eigen said, about being taught the flamenco.  

Along with the fun, education is at the core of International Day. “This is learning at LWA,” said Sherri Fromowitz the assistant director of the lower and middle schools. “They are learning the qualities of becoming a global citizen.”