Elementary Students Bring Eastern Hemisphere to Wyandotte

The halls at Jefferson Elementary School in Wyandotte were bustling Friday with children getting passports stamped and traveling to Italy, Greece, Australia and more.

Rather than spending thousands of dollars visiting countries across the eastern hemisphere, Jefferson teachers brought the countries to the students through play, song and art.

Students put on a play, fashioned flags out of crayon and noodles, danced, played sports and more. The day was all part of a new diversity program at Jefferson instituted by Principal Carol Makuch.

Nineteen teachers participated in the activity, which swept students away to far off countries set in classrooms throughout the school. Students kindergarten through fifth grade visited seven countries--all before lunch.

Some the activities included a six-minute performance of Pinocchio (written by Italian author Carlo Collodi), authentic Greek dancing and Australian kickball.

Australian kickball proved to be difficult for at least one class at Jefferson. New rules and a fast-paced game left some students wishing they were back in the states.

Students also learned trivia like: the yo-yo is the second oldest toy on the planet at about 3,000 years old.

MaKuch said she would like to continue the activity with future classes at Jefferson.

"If this snowballs, we will do it next year and have even more countries," Makuch said.