A Taste of Italy At Kean

As part of learning how to write lesson plans and units, the students in Dr. M. Ann Walko’s social studies methods classes developed a unit on Italy. As a culminating activity, the students who are training to become teachers, held an Italian Street Fair featuring exciting hands-on strategies to engage students in the learning process. The activities and unit plans integrate all disciplines and grade levels.

This unit of study will be presented to the Consulate of Italy and to UNICO National-the largest Italian-American organization dedicated to Service Above Self. The Italian Tribune, an ethnic newspaper in the local area will feature the work of the students and cited them for presenting a multicultural aspect of people who have made positive contributions to society. The students will also be featured in ComUnico, a newspaper which covers the entire United States.

The unit on Italy is a comprehensive guide to help teachers with ready-made lessons and templates and serves as a model to study other countries to help create cultural understanding.