Diversity Tiles

Every family values its cultural traditions. Highlight classroom diversity with this colorful classroom quilt.

• 1.

  Get to know each other. Learn about your classmates’ heritages. Invite family members to share experiences and talents. Discuss traditions that you enjoy with your families (flying kites, cooking, decorating for holidays). These Diversity Tiles are a great way for everyone to play a role in designing a classroom quilt!

• 2.

  Make a tile. On a clean, dry surface, roll a ball of Crayola Model Magic®. Press it flat with your fingers. Measure a 4-inch (10 cm) square (or any size that everyone uses). Cut out the square with a craft stick to make the base for your tile.

• 3.

  Decorate your tile with reminders of your favorite family traditions. Roll and shape each tiny piece. Press the symbols on your tile. (Model Magic fresh from the pack sticks to itself!) Air-dry the tiles for 24 hours.

• 4.

  Create a quilt. Arrange everyone’s tiles in a pleasing quilt design that honors diversity. For a permanent display, attach them to a large base of Model Magic or heavy cardboard with Crayola School Glue. Air-dry the glue before standing upright.

Benefits

• Students recognize the variety of cultures and traditions represented within their classroom.
• Students recognize similarities and uniquenesses about their own and the cultures of their friends.
• Students celebrate their cultures in a quilt to demonstrate classroom unity.

Adaptations

• Work with your families to make Diversity Tiles, or even entire quilts to show family diversity.
• Urge children to select authentic attributes that uniquely describe themselves or their families, rather than stereotypical symbols.
• More advanced students might use this method to explore various aspects of an assigned culture or continent that they are researching.
• Assessment: Consider the accuracy of the information displayed in the individual tiles and the creativity shown in the symbols.