Culture - Day 1 grades 7+ learning activities

These activities will help youth build cultural awareness and learn to identify their roots. They can be done alone, but work best with friends over a video chat such as Skype, Zoom, Facetime, etc.

Mindfulness Activity

Trivia Question: In what country is the world’s tallest building?
*you can find the answer at the end of this activity plan

A) Dubai
B) USA
C) Brazil

Mindfulness Activity:

  • Sit down so you are comfortable.
  • Think about your favourite ice cream.
  • Imagine how cold it is on your tongue.
  • Imagine eating it as slowly as you want. Enjoy!

I am Unique Because

For this activity, connect with one or more friends on a video chat like Skype, Zoom or Facetime. If you can’t access one of these, connect with someone who lives with you.

  • Have all the players raise one hand.
  • Choose one person to go first. This person will say, "I am unique because…" and finish the sentence with something about themselves. For example, "I am unique because I can speak Spanish."
  • If you don't share that quality, put one finger down.
  • The goal is to be the last person who still has fingers up.

Family Tree

Supplies:

  • Pencil
  • Crayons
  • Blank paper

Learn about your family roots and make a family tree. Try to do as much as you can without help from your family at first.

  • Draw a tree on a piece of paper.
  • Write your name in the leaves of the tree.
  • Write the names of your siblings and other close family members.
  • Draw and colour in your family tree with fun, creative colours.
  • Talk to older people in your family to make sure you haven’t missed anyone.
  • Under each family member’s name, write where they were born and where they currently live.

This is a good opportunity to connect with family members and learn about their history. See how big your tree gets and what you learn from everyone.

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Cultural Foods

Baking and cooking is a big part of many cultures and family traditions.

  • Research a recipe that is linked to your culture or a traditional family recipe you have always wanted to try.
  • Ask your parents if you can make it together.
  • Write down the recipe as you go and take note of any special techniques that are used to make the dish.

If you aren't sure what recipe to try, chocolate chip cookies are an easy treat to bake. Make sure you have permission before using the stove or oven.

Chocolate chip cookie recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons hot water
½ teaspoon salt
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  2. Cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
  4. Dissolve baking soda in hot water. Add to batter along with salt.
  5. Stir in flour, chocolate chips, and nuts.
  6. Drop the batter by large spoonfuls onto an ungreased pan.
  7. Bake for about 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges start to turn brown.

Review Questions

Think about:

  • What parts of your culture are you most proud of?
  • Why do you think it’s important to know about your culture and where you come from?
  • What else do you want to learn about your culture?

Trivia Answer

Mindfulness Activity: A) Dubai, the building is called the Bruj Khalifa​

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