On November 2, all Mexican Americans remember their dead as Mexico does on that same day. Called "El Dia de los Muertos" (Day of the Dead), the dead are remembered posthumously with flowers, candles, music, prayers, chants, and wreaths. The people go to cemeteries to clean tombs, lay fresh or artificial flowers on them, and pray for…

Describes visits to libraries on three Hawaiian islands--Maui, Hawaii, Oahu--to determine if a rebirth of native culture is actually underway, and, if so, the role of the library in this "Hawaiian Renaissance." Library collections of "Hawaiiana," programs for ethnic groups, and activities of Honolulu's Kamehameha schools are…

Presents an interesting look at Thanksgiving, clearing up a number of misconceptions and providing a collection of interesting facts about the holiday. Includes series of humorous quotes from students concerning the nature and origin of Thanksgiving, as well as the address for an article providing more information. (MJP)

One of a series of documents produced by a nationwide network of early childhood education specialists, teachers, parents, and Head Start staff, the unit presents eight lessons which present background information on the Vietnamese people. Arranged by grade level (Head Start-Grade 5), the lessons provide for parent participation and adaptation.…

An addendum to a sourcebook entitled "A Study Guideline of Mexican American History and Culture" (RC 009 234) completed in the summer of 1970, this guide presents some additional information that will assist the classroom teacher in better understanding and teaching about the Southwest's largest minority--the Mexican American. This…

La Noche de las Brujas (Halloween) is the topic of this primary level unit. The objectives are to enable the child to: (1) draw scenery, using his imagination, about witches, castles, and devils; (2) write compositions on witches, devils, and Halloween; (3) explain the story "La Noche de las Brujas"; (4) tell about any adventures or…

Kwanzaa, the African-American cultural holiday, can be a valuable resource for teachers to help students develop as partners in a democratic society. The origins and practices of the celebration are explored, and several resources are described to help teachers and librarians develop programs to observe Kwanzaa and its seven principles. (SLD)

Written in Spanish, this booklet contains brief information on the origin of four events celebrated in the month of January in Puerto Rico and the United States: New Year (January 1), Dia de Reyes (January 6), Eugenio Maria de Hostos (January 11), and Martin Luther King (January 15). Designed as a resource for teachers to use in teaching the child…

A 10-week unit of study of Appalachian literature and culture, focusing on Harriette Arnow's novel, "The Dollmaker," is designed to deepen Appalachian students' awareness of their rich cultural heritage as well as to encourage non-Appalachians' appreciation of backgrounds different from their own. One week is allotted for…

In the Haida nation, there are two phratries, Eagle and Raven, divided into a number of clans sharing one or more emblems. These emblems, inherited from the mother's line, adorn the button blankets which are the traditional ceremonial robes that serve to identify the family of the wearer. Written instructions and diagrams guide students in…

Chief Stick was born in Butte, Montana, in 1895. In 1914 he arrived in the Bear Paw Mountains with his step-father, Little Bear, two years before Rocky Boy's Reservation was officially established. Chief Stick has lived most of his life on the Reservation where he is a respected elder and is known as a good singer and story teller. In this book,…

Reviews some of the efforts of the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities (SPNEA) to preserve, conserve, and interpret historic houses to the public. Examines the history and some of the specific preservation problems concerning the Beauport Cottage, the Sayward-Wheeler House, and the Gropius House. (MJP)

A 1-year project in Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma is designed to assist rural librarians in implementing humanities programming for adults; "Literature of the Plains and Mountains" is one of three packets compiled for the project. The packet is designed to provide a step-by-step guide for the librarian with little or no experience in…

Written in Spanish, this booklet contains information on three events occurring in the month of December: winter, Christmas, and New Year's Eve. Winter is briefly discussed. The section on Christmas includes a short story ("La Nochebuena"); a poem about Christmas in Puerto Rico; a legend about the poinsettia; brief discussion of Santa…

Dia de Dar Gracias (Thanksgiving) is the subject of this primary level unit. The unit objectives are to: (1) know about El Dia de Dar Gracias as it is celebrated in the United States; (2) know how the Mayas celebrated it; (3) understand the context of the stories in the unit; (4) know about the main food used, the turkey; (5) distinguish other…