by Nichole Smith, Montverde Academy
Third graders at Montverde Academy have been busy exploring cultures from around the globe through their Country Research Projects. This engaging activity encourages students to dive into geography, history, and cultural traditions while developing important research and presentation skills. Students in Ms. Audilia DeAndrade’s and Mrs. Eileen Lemmon’s classes selected countries connected to their own heritage. They interviewed family members or friends with firsthand knowledge of those cultures and gathered information from kid-friendly websites and books from the library.
Meanwhile, in Dr. Beth Steed’s class, although many students chose the country of their own heritage, some chose countries other than their own to research. To deepen their learning, Upper School students and a faculty member from various countries visited the class to share about their cultures and answer questions. The experience offered a wonderful opportunity to connect across divisions while learning to appreciate the rich diversity of the world—and of Montverde Academy! Soon, they’ll present their projects to their classmates, with the option to bring in traditional foods or cultural items to share. Through these projects, students have been gaining a deeper appreciation for the many cultures that make up our global community. Their curiosity and creativity have made this learning experience both meaningful and memorable!
