Ethnic Pride Celebration at Rutgers Prep

Each December, Rutgers Prep third and fourth graders formally invite their families to school to enjoy our Pioneer Day and Ethnic Pride Festival!

A major unit of study in grade three at Rutgers Prep examines pioneers. Students read Little House In The Big Woods, by Laura Ingalls Wilder, research pioneer and Native American history, and write about this time in History. The unit culminates with our Pioneer Day, highlighted by square dancing, making butter, biscuits, jewelry and dolls, and a spectacular traditional luncheon.

Additionally, each Rutgers Prep fourth grader chooses one of his or her own countries of origin to study extensively. Much of the first trimester is spent doing projects related to this ethnic heritage, including reaching out to parents and relatives to share their recollections, family histories and traditions.  The projects are cross curricular in nature and include, for example, creating fact sheets about the country, writing about Cinderella stories from all over the world, and creating personalized passports, artifacts, scrapbooks, class plays, songs and dances.  All are then presented at our Ethnic Pride Festival culminating in a luncheon featuring authentic foods from around the world.