These are warm-up activities highlighting multicultural appreciation for K-12 students. They can be used as an introduction to your PowerPoint Presentations or as ice breakers to help motivate students through participation with their peers.

• Elementary School Presentation Warm-Ups
• Middle School and High School Presentation Warm-Ups

Presenter Warm-Up Activities: Elementary Students

Encouraging discussion on familiarity with geography: Go Back Top

1. "Map Scraps"
   • Purpose: For students to challenge their map skills and knowledge.
   • Procedure:
     • Provide each student with a copy of a "map scrap" and set of questions.
     • Instruct students to examine the scrap, and answer the questions provided (they can use classroom atlas/other reference materials).
     • Review answers with the class.
   • Materials:
     • Copy of map scrap for each student
     • Questions for each student (adapted)
     • Copy of answer sheet for presenters (adapted)
     • Classroom atlas and/or other reference materials
   • "Map scraps" and questions/answers (adapt depending on age level) can be found at: Geography Club Activities
2. "Flags of the World"
   • Purpose: For students to gain an understanding of the use of colors and symbols that represent countries. They will also learn to identify symbols and colors that are common to certain cultures and geographic regions.
   • Procedure:
     • Display the flag of the United States to students. Ask them what the colors represent and the significance of the design (stars and stripes).
     • Hand out activity sheet to students (recommended for upper grade levels). Students can utilize the internet resources/world flag images for assistance.
     • Review answers with the class.
     • Have students create their own flag for their school or class.
   • Materials:
     • Copies of world flag images
     • Copy of "U.S. Flag Facts" for presenters
     • Copies of activity sheet for each student (adapted)
     • Copy of answer sheet for presenters (adapted)
     • Paper for each student
     • Markers

Encouraging discussion about heritage: Go Back Top

1. "Proverbs and Traditions"
   • Purpose: Promoting racial and cultural awareness.
   • Procedure:
     • Choose a broad topic such as love, birthdays, holidays, or time.
     • Ask students to share sayings that are common in their culture or traditions that their families have that represent the chosen topic.
     • Chart responses on the white/chalk board in the classroom to see how different cultures express similar ideas.
   • Materials:
     • "Proverbs and Traditions ? Example Sheet" for presenters.
     • Classroom board.
     • Dry eraser markers/chalk.
   • Activity can be found at: Precious Children
2. "The Story of My Name"
   • Purpose: For students to share where their name comes from and what it means. Helps to build intercultural respect and understanding.
   • Procedure:
     • Ask students to write their names on a sheet of paper.
     • On the same sheet of paper ask students to write answers to the following questions:
       • How did you "get" your name?
       • Who named you? Why?
       • Do you like your name? Why or why not?
     • Have students discuss their answers with the class.
   • Materials:
     • Paper for each student
   • Activity can be found at: The Story of My Name

Presenters Warm-Up Activities: Middle and High School Students

Encouraging discussion on geography: Go Back Top

1. "Map Scraps"
   • Purpose: For students to challenge their map skills and knowledge.
   • Procedure:
     • Provide each student with a copy of a "map scrap" and set of questions.
     • Instruct students to examine the scrap, and answer the questions provided (they can use classroom atlas/other materials).
     • Review answers with the class.
   • Materials:
     • Copy of map scrap for each student
     • Questions for each student (adapted)
     • Copy of answer sheet for presenters (adapted)
     • Classroom atlas and/or other reference materials
   • "Map scraps" and questions/answers (adapt depending on age level) can be found at: Geography Club Activities
2. "Flags of the World"
   • Purpose: For students to gain an understanding of the use of colors and symbols that represent countries. They will also learn to identify symbols and colors that are common to certain cultures and geographic regions.
   • Procedure:
     • Display the flag of the United States to students. Ask them what the colors represent and the significance of the design (stars and stripes).
     • Hand out activity sheet to students to complete. Students can utilize the internet resources/world flag images for assistance.
     • Review answers with the class.
     • Have students create their own flag for their school or class.
   • Materials:
     • Copies of world flag images.
     • Copy of "U.S. Flag Facts" for presenters.
     • Copies of activity sheet for each student (adapted) .
     • Copy of answer sheet for presenters (adapted).
     • Paper for each student.
     • Markers.
   • A list of internet resources for world flag images, and answers to the activity sheet can be found at: Geography Club Activities
   • The activity sheet can be found at: Wave the Flag!
3. "Geo-Questions"
   • Purpose: Learn how to use national flags to identify a country.
   • Procedure:
     • Display world flags to be viewed during activity.
     • Ask students geo-questions and encourage answers.
   • Materials:
     • Copies of world flag images.
     • Copies of geo-questions for each student (adapted).
     • Copy of answers to geo-questions for presenters (adapted) .
   • A list of internet resources for world flag images, and the list of geo-questions/answers can be found at: Geography Club Activities
4. Quizzes (True or False) (depends on country/topic)
   • Purpose: To reflect on the presentation/learn new information.
   • Procedure:
     • Create questions regarding a specific country you presented on (e.g. somewhere you lived or traveled to).
     • Ask these questions to the students as a whole, or ask them to write their answers individually on a sheet of paper.
   • Materials:
     • Paper for each student
     • Copy of questions and answers for presenters
       • Activity can be found at: Teaching Culture

Encouraging discussion about heritage: Go Back Top
(MS = Middle School, HS = High School)

1. "Proverbs and Traditions" (MS and HS)
   • Purpose: Promoting racial and cultural awareness.
   • Procedure:
     • Choose a broad topic such as love, birthdays, holidays, or time.
     • Ask students to share sayings that are common in their culture or traditions that their families have that represent the chosen topic.
     • Chart responses on the white/chalk board in the classroom to see how different cultures express similar ideas.
   • Materials:
     • " Proverbs and Traditions ? Example Sheet" for presenters
     • Classroom board
     • Dry eraser markers/chalk
   • Activity can be found at: Precious Children
2. "The Story of My Name"
   • Purpose: For students to share where their name comes from and what it means. Helps to build intercultural respect and understanding.
   • Procedure:
     • Ask students to write their names on a sheet of paper.
     • On the same sheet of paper ask students to write answers to the following questions:
       • How did you "get" your name?
       • Who named you? Why?
       • Do you like your name? Why or why not?
     • Materials:
       • Paper for each student.
     • Activity can be found at: The Story of My Name
3. Diversity Activity: "Who I Am" (MS and HS)
   • Purpose: This activity allows the learners to share their [cultural] roots and to learn about each other.
   • Procedure:
     • Pass out a piece of paper to each student and have them fold it in half: "table tent."
     • Instruct students to write their names in the center of the tent.
     • Have students use drawings, magazine cut-outs, and symbols to place on their tent which represent themselves (leave some empty space).
     • Advise students to include one or two things that most people don?t know about them (in the empty space).
     • After completion, have each student share their tent.
   • Materials:
     • Paper for each student
     • A variety of magazines (ones with lots of photos)
     • Glue
     • Markers
     • Scissors
   • Activity can be found at: Diversity Activities
4. Multicultural Experiential Exercises: "Fitting in / Conformity" (MS)
   • Purpose: To discuss the pressure to fit in when in Middle School, especially when not of the dominant culture. To determine if they feel that pressure. To show that people that don't fit the stereotypical image of a "cool" kid are still cool and that not only are differences are good but they exist throughout the world.
   • Procedure:
     • Divide students into two groups.
     • Ask one group to draw their idea of a "cool" kid, and the other to draw a "not so cool" kid.
     • Ask discussion/additional questions to the class as a whole.
   • Materials:
     • A sheet of paper for each group
     • Markers
     • Copy of discussion/additional questions for presenters
   • Discussion/additional questions can be found at: Fitting In/Conformity
5. Diversity Activity: "Group Membership" (HS)
   • Purpose: To create a supportive environment in which the learners can disclose their group membership and to allow them to experience what it is like to be part of a minority group.
   • Procedure:
     • Instruct students to form a large circle.
     • Call out different group names, and allow members to go inside of each successive circle as they identify with the group.
       • Begin with "low-risk groups" (e.g. hair color, family size, etc.).
       • Later, call out groups that are typically discriminated against or underrepresented (e.g. African American, Asian, female, etc.).
     • Have students applause as each group forms in the middle.
     • Ask the students in the center of the circle what they think is the most positive thing about being a member of the specific group.
     • Ask the entire class a set of discussions questions.
   • Materials:
     • Copy of discussion questions for presenters.
   • Discussion questions can be found at: Diversity Activities