This article is an attempt to create new ways for students to appreciate the complexities and diversity of the Middle East's foodways and thus of their people and societies. It takes a broad view of the region that is historically inclusive, stretching from Morocco and al-Andalus (Spain) in the west to Iran in the east and from modern-day Turkey…

The aims of educating for economic, cultural, and pedagogical purposes have existed since the early inception of art education. Looking at how and why these aims evolved in the early era of art and design education has potential for better understanding how and why design should be incorporated into the art education curricula today. This article…

Based on qualitative research conducted in 3 university English as a foreign language classrooms in Chile and 3 community college English as a second language classrooms in California, this article examines the approaches used in teaching culture in these classrooms, the differences in how particular cultures (usually national cultures) were…

The authors describe how three elementary teachers working in very different parts of the United States teach about Mexico. These teachers' practices allow them to enhance the traditional social studies curriculum, help children learn about themselves and other people, and increase children's capacities for global citizenship. (Contains 1 figure.)

By focusing on goegraphy, music, art, and literature, one teacher teaches her students about the history of Russian culture without having to fight student predjudice against the Soviet government. (PGD)

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a large Arab, Muslim country in the Middle East. It has been an economic and political partner of the United States for many years. This unit, designed for elementary students, provides a text, questions, mapping skills, and fun activities. Students read about Saudi Arabia to gain insights and an appreciation of…

The use of a travel writer's approach to social studies instruction, where students gather information to write travel guides about countries they're studying, is illustrated through activities for studies about Egyptian passport and visa applications, currency, history, language, and art. (CB)

Two epic poems from India, "The Mahabharata" and "The Ramayana" have endured for more than 2,000 years as important parts of Indian culture, and the study of these epics can yield insights into Indian life and religion. This paper contains a list of the major characters and an explanation of the major themes in both books. The…

This book contains a collection of recipes by African students from various parts of the continent and by others who have lived and worked in Africa. While primarily a cookbook, it also can help refute generalizations and stereotypes about Africa. Part 1, "Cooking in Africa," is designed to give students background information on the…

German second language instructional materials contain a short text in German on soccer, a vocabulary list with translation, rules of the game (in English), and a diagram of a soccer field with position names in German and English. (MSE)

A New China Studies unit offers insight into the history of one of the oldest cultures. Activities encourage students to explore the China mystique through study of that country's art, folklore, and history. Background information on China is offered. (DF)

The 26 units of Spanish instruction for grades K-8 presented here were developed by participants in a 1995-96 teacher institute. The units are designed to help children and adolescents learn both language and culture through Mexican legends. Activities help introduce the legend, test comprehension, and extend the meaning, to develop deeper…

This document consists of a two-page outline and seventeen photographs of Romanian art objects. This unit focuses on advancing the high school student from the art of Western Europe to the art of Eastern Europe. The curriculum projects are geared for the 11th and 12th grade student. Students begin with a study of Rodin and progress toward that of…

Consisting of an audio-visual series and study exercises for cooperative, interdependent learning opportunities, this curriculum project is designed to provide in-depth learning and to develop positive attitudes about India in junior high school students. The project can also be used to influence curriculum development and to acquaint teachers…

Two teachers in Costa Rica have adopted a thematic approach to French second-language teaching that uses instructional materials about soccer from the French popular press and television, and related class activities, to motivate their students, for whom soccer is culturally important. (MSE)