In this space you will find resources, ideas, and places for your contributions.

Free Admission to the Arab American National Museum During the Month of April.

WHEN

Saturday, April 1st, 11 AM to Sunday, April 30th, 11 AM

WHERE

13624 Michigan Avenue Dearborn, MI 48126

MORE INFORMATION

11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Thursday

11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday

12-6 p.m. Saturday

Get Directions

• Arab History Virtual Museum, Arab Virtual Museum

• Listen and Learn Arab American Workshop Listen and Learn Arab American - Bamboo

• Detroit Institute of Arts Arab American Orchestra w/Tammy Lakes

• Diversity Event:Arab American at OCC Arab American Heritage: History, Culture and Stereotypes

Create A Mosaics

Mosaics are an art form that originated in the Middle East and feature prominently in Arabic artwork. These projects also make good team building exercises. First, provide students with small, colored materials such as beads, tiles, pieces of glass, pieces of paper, or random objects. You can also ask participants to bring their own objects to make the piece more personal. Then, have team members glue the pieces together on a central canvas bit by bit to create a larger picture. Each student or grade level team can make their own mosaic, or you can create one large mosaic as a department. Or, for a less messy alternative, print out mosaic-style coloring pages, set up markers and colored pencils, and encourage students to complete the picture by adding different colors.

Arab American Heritage Trivia

Trivia is one of the most fun Arab American Heritage month games. Since Arab History stretches back thousands of years, there is no shortage of material to pull questions from. You can create categories such as geography, famous figures, art, literature, entertainment, and language. There are many ways to structure and play the game, for example Jeopardy, Kahoot! For best results, have students work in teams. Trivia is a fun way to educate staff and students about Arab culture and to honor the accomplishments of members of this community. Here are Arab American Trivia Questions & Trivia Questions

• How can we challenge the stereotypes of Arab Americans and promote a more accurate understanding of Arab American culture and experiences?

• How can we promote greater inclusion and acceptance of Arab Americans in our instructional preparation and facilitation?

• How can we support efforts to advocate for the rights and well-being of Arab Americans both in our local communities and on a broader national level? What resources or strategies can we use to become more effective allies in this work?

• How can we support Arab American students who may feel marginalized or isolated in our school community? What resources or interventions can we provide to ensure that all students feel valued and respected?

• How can we encourage empathy and understanding for the experiences of Arab American students and their families? What strategies can we use to create a more inclusive and welcoming learning environment for all students?

Autism Awareness Month is an annual event observed every April to raise public awareness and promote understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This initiative aims to educate the general public about the challenges faced by people with autism and their families. It is also an opportunity to highlight the need for acceptance, inclusion, and support for individuals with ASD. The month-long campaign helps to spread information about autism, including early detection, diagnosis, and interventions. By increasing awareness, Autism Awareness Month encourages society to work towards creating an inclusive environment that supports the needs and rights of people with autism. Ultimately, this initiative strives to promote a world where people with autism are understood, accepted, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Bilingual/multilingual learner advocacy month is an important event that celebrates the linguistic and cultural diversity of individuals who speak more than one language. The month-long celebration raises awareness about the challenges and opportunities that bilingual and multilingual learners face in educational and professional settings. It also highlights the benefits of bilingualism and multilingualism, such as cognitive and socio-cultural advantages. Through advocacy and education, the month seeks to empower bilingual and multilingual learners and promote their rights to access quality education and other resources. Overall, bilingual/multilingual learner advocacy month serves as a reminder of the value of linguistic diversity and the importance of supporting individuals who speak multiple languages.

We are grateful to be in such an inclusive and diverse community of learners. Farmington Public Schools has roughly 70 different languages within our district. Let’s continue our work in celebrating, highlighting, and using our differences as our ultimate strength.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared on Thursday that April is Chaldean-American month. The proclamation recognizes Chaldeans, Assyrians, and Syriacs as Semitic people indigenous to Mesopotamia. “Collectively, there are nearly half a million Chaldeans/Assyrians/Syriacs in the United States, including about 160,000 in Michigan, the largest concentration in the country,” the proclamation said.

Additional Resources:

• April 2022: Chaldean-American Month

• Chaldean American History
  

Launched by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996, National Poetry Month reminds the public that poets have an integral role to play in our culture and that poetry matters. Over the years, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of readers, students, K–12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, families, and—of course—poets, marking poetry's important place in our lives.

Thanks in part to our National Poetry Month partners and sponsors, each April the Academy is able to offer activities, initiatives, and resources so that anyone can join the celebration:

• Order (for free) and display the official National Poetry Month poster

• Learn how to celebrate at home

• Learn how to celebrate in the classroom

• Join the Academy of American Poets for its virtual Poetry & the Creative Mind gala

• Find poetry readings and events on our Poetry Near You calendar, and add your own

• Encourage students in grades five through twelve to participate in the Dear Poet Project

• Sign up for Poem-a-Day and enjoy a free daily poem in your inbox curated this April by U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón

• Follow the thousands of celebrations taking place on social media with the official hashtag #NationalPoetryMonth and follow the Academy of American Poets on Twitter and Instagram @POETSorg

• Share a #PocketPoem on Poem in Your Pocket Day

Dear Poet 2023 Every National Poetry Month we present Dear Poet, a multimedia education project that invites young people in grades five through twelve to write letters in response to poems written and read by award-winning poets. For National Poetry Month in April, students' letters will be published in a booklet on Poets.org alongside poets' responses.

SIOP Virtual & Blended Workshop Series (5 Trainings) and Restorative Practices for Educators:

• Foundations of Restorative Practices for Educators (March 15 and April 4)

• Training of Trainers Restorative Practices for Administrators and Mental Health Professionals (June 20-22)

• Building An Inclusive Classroom Library (Elementary Educators), April 12 - May 17

Farmington Public Schools shall not discriminate against any person based on race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, gender, age, disability, height, weight, or marital status in any of its programs, services, activities or employment. Inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies should be directed to: Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, 32500 Shiawassee, Farmington, MI 48336.