Nisma Rafiq

Saudi Gazette

Decorations, flags, ethnic food, and colorful dresses adorned grade 3 classrooms in Dar Al Fikr Schools Primary Building, last Thursday. It was not just any party, but a learn and fund day as students celebrated cultures from all around the world. Students of grade 3 got variety of food from different cultures with a flag of origin on it. Cultural Food Festival was held to celebrate ending of a Cultural Unit in their English books, and to show understanding of how countries had different cultures yet people were the same. “We tried incorporating the sense of equality and respect through Cultural Food Festival,” said Nisma Rafiq, an English Language instructor, “Students learned about cultural differences, and our goal to take classroom lessons to real-life was achieved.”

“It is an interesting event as students brought food from different cultures.” Shuruq Al Johani, English Teacher expressed her delight, “Students brought food from different cultures and it taught us how to embrace and respect the differences.”

Students of grade three; boys and girls learned how to write invitation cards in classroom as part of their curriculum. Later they made invitation cards on art paper, and gave them away to teachers and administration inviting them to their classrooms. Students danced and dressed up in colorful dresses according to cultures around the world.

“It is an amazing day and I love it,” said Hind Baeshan student of grade 3A, “I dressed up as Hawaiian and I got Pineapple for the festival.”

“I Love the Food Festival,” Sulaf Alammari grade 3A was excited, “I am asking my teacher to have it again every week.”

Students of 3D declared it as the best day ever in school. Yusuf from 3C brought Samosas and dressed up in Salwar Kameez. “I got Samosas and they are from India, this is why I am dressed up as Indian.” Muryun Zahid got Pizza and Pasta showing her Italian family roots.

Girls really enjoyed the day with eating, dancing and learning about other cultures”, Said Rama Al Sibai a teacher and an invited guest, “However boys were more interested in food and their unique names.”

Cultural Food Festival gave students the opportunity to share their food interests and tastes while learning history, Geography, sociology and language all at once.