Due to circumstances this year, Orion will study one or two countries this year for our multicultural program. The first country we are going to learn about is Kenya. All grades and classes (including the MI program) will have an opportunity to participate in Wednesday’s school assemblies learning about Kenya as well as videos, projects, and various resources (some listed below) during their asynchronous time.
Mama Panya’s Pancakes: A Village Tale from Kenya
By Mary Chamberlin, Rich Chamberlin, Julia Cairns (Illustrator)
This clever and heart-warming story about village life teaches children the benefits of sharing as well as introducing simple Swahili phrases.
14 Cows for America
By Carmen Agra Deedy, Thomas Gonzalez (Illustrator), Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah
This best seller recounts the true story from Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah of the touching gift bestowed on the United States by a tribe of Maasai Warriors in the wake of the September 11 attacks.
Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari Maathai
By Claire A. Nivola
With glowing watercolor illustrations and lyrical prose, Claire Nivola tells the remarkable story of one woman’s effort to change the fate of her land by teaching many to care for it.
Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions of Trees
By Franck Prevot, Aurélia Fronty
Wangari Maathai changed the way the world thinks about nature, ecology, freedom, and democracy, inspiring radical efforts that continue to this day.
ART Projects by Distribution Day
- February 22nd
- Maasai Mara Sunset Banner/Bandera del Atardecer de Masai Mara
- Maasai Necklace/Collar Masai
- Mancala with an Egg Carton/Mancala juego con un carton de huevos
- Tissue Paper Landscape/Paisaje de Papel de Seda
- April
- Canvas Textile Pattern Project
- White Corn Flour for Ugali
- Great Rift Valley Water Project
- May
- TBD
Instructional Videos
Example Art
March 3rd Assembly
Elephant Adoption and Swahili Greeting Song
March 10th Assembly
