Students in Raquel Fuentes’ third grade class at Preston Elementary School beamed with bright smiles as they shared each other’s cultural heritage with a popular class project recently.
The “My Culture Presentation” project was officially back!
Students in Fuentes’ class created projects to showcase their cultural heritage. The displays include family photos, traditions, information about where their families are from, maps and much more about each student’s culture and family history. Students can learn more about where their families came from and then learn about their classmates’ history once it’s time to present.
“My students learn not only about their own culture, but also about the cultural heritage of their classmates,” Fuentes said. “Cultural heritage is deeply personal, but it is also a bond we all share; By connecting with your culture you connect more with those around you and learn that we have a lot in common with each other.”
Fuentes first started the class project in 2014. While it was on hold during the pandemic due to COVID-19 restrictions, students welcomed its return.
“I really enjoyed learning about each other’s cultures,” said Isaias Rivera, a third-grader, happily.
“My favorite part was sharing my culture with students and parents.” Jazmine Siddiqui, a third-grader, said.
This year students created projects that represented their heritage from Pakistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia, Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico, as well as their African American and American roots. It was a welcome learning experience.
“This connected learning opens the door to sharing and exploring the world without ever leaving the classroom,” Fuentes said.
The presentations have garnered rave reviews over the years and have drawn visitors from parents to Rialto Unified School District staff and a proud Preston Elementary Principal, Monica Radcliffe-Perez, as they take a look at the students’ projects.
“Each year Ms. Fuentes has her students work collaboratively with their families to explore and celebrate all that is unique to them,” Radcliffe-Perez said. “By doing this project, students not only learn more about their families and culture, but also begin to embrace the commonalities they discover among their friends. Mrs. Fuentes’ room comes alive with the sights, sounds, and sometimes smells of the student’s diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences. It is a celebration we all share. The student’s smile and enthusiasm last for days afterwards.”
