THE EVENT
Classes: Entire school
Number of students: 770
Subject: cultural awareness
THE SCHOOL
Location: 751 W. Tripp Lane
Number of teachers: 35
Principal: Al Church
School district: Murray
THE LESSON
The objective: To raise the cultural awareness of the junior high students. For an entire week the school studied Mideastern culture, including lessons in dance, religion and food.
"We did it to increase an awareness on the part of our students and staff about Mideastern culture," said teacher Kevin Moody. They chose the Mideast because of the attention paid to that region during and after the Persian Gulf war.
We're living in a global age, said Principal Al Church. And increased knowledge leads to increased under-standing. "It's a part of the world that dominates not only in the news but our economy." The children say:
Raza Ali Patel, who's Islamic, appreciated the activity because it allowed fellow students to get to know his culture better.
"The activities went well," Patel said. "People kind of experienced what I do. They got to know me better and my culture."
Students sampling Mideastern cuisine were both pleased about the experience and leery of trying something new. "The food is very dry," said 14-year-old Mike Sierra.
"It's different," said Lynndi Tye, 13. "It's strange, but it's kind of fun. You kind of feel it (culture) better after you eat the food."