Haitian Culture Curriculum Guide

Teacher Resources:
• Haitian Proverbs (http://nonviolence.org/pcusa/haititaskforce/proverb.html) – handout in
Supplementary Materials section of Haitian Culture Curriculum Guide Grades K-5
• Teacher/Student Example of Collage and Paragraph on Haitian Proverb
• Chart paper
Procedures/Activities:
1. Begin class by discussing the definition of a proverb. Ask students to give examples of a
proverb from their culture or American culture, such as “Don’t count your chickens before
they hatch.” As a class, discuss what students think each proverb example means. Record
and display student proverbs and interpretations on the board or on chart paper.
2. Discuss why people use proverbs. Then, explain to students that as a class, you will examine
proverbs from Haitian culture, a key culture in South Florida.
3. Discuss the role of proverbs in Haitian culture. Use the Haitian Proverbs web site
http://nonviolence.org/pcusa/haititaskforce/proverb.html as a resource.
4. You might distribute the Haitian Proverbs handout, or allow students to access the Haitian
Proverbs web site in small groups and print handouts for the group.
5. In small groups, students complete the assignment below. Each group has a leader, who keeps
the group on task; a recorder, who writes group answers for the assignment; a materials
person, who obtains materials for the project and distributes them to the group; and a timer,
who monitors the group’s progress for the assignment due date. You may want to show
students a sample collage and corresponding paragraph to clarify your expectations for the
assignment.
6. Choose one Haitian proverb. In your group, talk about what you think the proverb means.
Your group recorder should write down the group’s thoughts on what the proverb means.
Then, as a group, use poster board and pictures and words from magazines to make a collage
that shows what you think your Haitian proverb means. Be sure to write your proverb at the
top of your poster board. After finishing the collage, the group writes one five-sentence
paragraph explaining what the collage means to them. You should type and print your
paragraph on computer. Group leaders will present group collages and paragraphs to the
class.
7. Group leaders present their collages and paragraphs to the class. Post student collages and
paragraphs in the classroom.
8. Allow students to reflect on the project by asking them what they learned about proverbs and
about working in a group. (Note: You may want to display select student work in your school
media center.)
9. As a class, create a list of your own proverbs. Display them on the board or on overhead
transparency. The class might want to choose three to five of its own proverbs and post them
in the classroom.
Assessment:
• Participation in class discussion and small group
• Collage and paragraph on Haitian proverb
• Reflection on assignment
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