Culture Class - explicit

Is there time and place for culture classes anymore in a language-oriented curriculum?  Most of us do something during the major cultural holidays, but these celebrations are starting to acquire an * for having to be a support to our language instruction or having to be taught informally and incorporated during language instruction.  Coming from the other side of the argument, I advocate for teaching explicit cultural practices and perspectives for their own right, at least at my heritage school.  

Culture class on ChongYang (Elders' Day) with NHCLS

What do kids enjoy the most of all cultural activities?  I have tried storytelling with craft, Chinese art, major holidays and their practices with food preparation and craft.  Everyone's favorite is the messiest activity of all -- anything to do with food.

More recently, I have parents and community friends joining in during culture classes, so I felt the need to teach at least parts of these cultural classes in English (just where I felt that the culture part needs to be communicated).  During the demonstration of the steps in food preparation however, everything should be in as much target language as possible because action does make the language comprehensible for even the non-native speakers.

For instance, I have done food prep for Chong Yang three different times so far.  Other than the making of the Chong Yang cake, I felt that it is important to explain to the kids the main idea behind Chong Yang -- respect for elders.  The younger kids may not get the thought behind it to begin with, but they will by the third year we do the activity.

When we made Dragon Beard Candies at my Chinese heritage school, participants appreciated how the emperor would have nothing less than sweets that conjure up an imagery of the dragon's beard.  Giving the same candy the name of 'noodle candy' probably would not have worked for the emperor of China:)

Many teachers asked me about where I got the resources for these culture classes.  I have to give credit to the culture workshop which I have been attending for the past three years.  For information on culture workshops sponsored by OCAC see:

http://www.ocac.gov.tw/unit/unit_pop.asp?no=19236&unit_type=1