03.05.2019

4th Graders Welcome Refugees and Interview Immigrants from the School Staff

Thanks to the initiative of one of our mothers, Clarissa Miras, 4th graders (Y4) welcomed three refugees who came through Brazil “Migraflix”, an association made up of people who helped this immigrants to restart their lives all over again in Brazil.

The immigrants and refugees Renee Ross-Londja, from British Guiana, Lambert Shesa, from Congo, and Yamam Saad, from Syria, answered questions posed by the students and carried out workshops on cultural aspects of their home countries. The students learned the history of Abayomi African dolls and how to make them. The cultural ambassador of Syria taught how to dance Dabke, which provided playful moments and a rich learning opportunity for students. The visit brought new perspectives and offered a rich exchange of experiences.

The Unit of Inquiry “Migration” led 4th graders (Y4) to research, reflect, demonstrate empathy, compassion and respect for cultural differences, thus making them more flexible, more yielding towards other individuals and communities perspectives and traditions.

In order to collect data for their investigation, the students used different strategies and research sources. They interviewed two people from the school staff: Divine Kelechi, from Nigeria, and Irene da Conceição, who migrated from Piauí to São Paulo. Both talked about what they liked and missed the most in their hometown. The Nigerian young man told the students about tribes, dialects, and political and religious conflicts that led him to leave his country.

Furthermore, Y4 students went on a Field Trip to the “Museu da Imigração”, where they became acquainted with objects used by immigrants who came to work on coffee plantations, and heard  immigration stories through interactive stations.

With the Unit of Inquiry coming to a close, the 4th grade (Y4) added on unforgettable memories to their life experience! In addition to learning important concepts such as the difference between immigration, emigration and migration, they were touched by the travelers’ stories in search of a new opportunity in their lives.