Cultural Day at Primary School

[DancingonmyOwn88]

Looking for ideas! Not a political debate.

it’s Cultural appreciation Day next week at my son’s school, there’s quite a lot of different backgrounds that his classmates are coming from (only 15 in the class but it’s a southeast London borough) and we are actually in a bit of a minority being white British.

But they want parents to be involved which is very nice and it happens to be a day I’m not working, so they’re inviting us to come in and do a 5-10 min activity and take some traditional food from your culture to a class lunch.

As I say we are just English. Not even any Scottish or Irish or Welsh or things that are widely celebrated. I suppose it’s just making me wonder if it’s ‘ok’ to outwardly celebrate being white British without causing any offence (please no Reform-esque debates here I am trying to navigate it appropriately!

What do I do? Learn morris dancing? Dress as a Pearly Queen 😂

I thought about just reading a Paddington Bear book and making some marmalade sandwiches but is that a bit lame?

DS is only in reception by the way so they’re all very small obviously and they’re still all getting to know each other as a class.

I suppose it’s just making me wonder if it’s ‘ok’ to outwardly celebrate being white British without causing any offence

Oh stop it 🙄

Perhaps get some fresh air or something.

Do you mean that as an idea? I think they already have outdoor play sorted.

I think you know what I’m trying to say. Other countries in the U.K. seem to have a lot of fun celebrating their heritage in a way that just being English doesn’t. I don’t want a wider debate around that.

I like the Paddington bear and marmalade sandwich idea. Could you discuss it with the teacher they may have some ideas.

Wrap yourself in an England flag with “stop the boats” scrawled across it.

Id go in dressed in the finest Stone Island clobber, teach the kids some football chants, and take in a kebab 👍

Of course, but I understand. It’s not always obvious to us what national food is for British food.

Id suggest looking into the history of a well known British food, maybe a cake like groaning cake (made after a women gives birth) or mince pies which are very British and almost seasonal. Or things like blackberry and apple crumble.

If it helps, take a look at videos of Americans living in England. It’s highlighted a few bits about British culture that I hadn’t realised were very unique to us …

A Paddington Bear book and marmalade sandwiches is a brilliant idea. Especially if you can emphasise the "welcoming someone from Elsewhere" (darkest Peru) as being intrinsic to British culture which is a theme emphasised in the Paddington films more than the books but is very much there.

I wouldn't do marmalade sandwiches. I like the idea of reading a good children book and Paddington would work but I would make some sausage rolls/ cheese and onion rolls etc. Maybe a little afternoon tea set up. You could even show them how to play conkers

Feed them scones? Or Cornish pasties. Something cultural like The Beatles? Teach them All You Need is Love?

When my 10 year old's class did this recently, they weren't allowed to "do" any of the home nations, if you didn't have another culture you had to adopt one. My daughter got given Egypt. Which was really hard!

Teddy Bears picnic with a mini tea set and scones/ biscuits and the song or a book.

Then why are you deliberately trying to start one?

If you want to know what sort of things you can do to represent English culture, that's what you should have asked.

Although you seem to be using English and British interchangeably anyway.

How sad that you feel you can't celebrate your culture in your own country without feeling you may offend someone!

Where in England are you from? Don't you have local foods and customs?

We did the "The Great British Scone Debate".

Introduction to British tradition of Afternoon Tea centered around the scones.

The Introduction - a brief child friendly introduction to British tea culture and how people enjoy a cozy afternoon break with tea and scones.

The Debate Devon vs. Cornwall - introduce the historic light-hearted British rivalry regarding how to dress a scone.
The Devon Way - Cream first then jam.
The Cornwall Way - Jam first then cream.

Ask the children to vote by a show of hands on which method they think sounds the best.
The children receive precut mini scones and get to assemble their own based on whether they voted for the Devon or Cornwall method.

Of course it's ok to celebrate being white British!

Love the Paddington idea.

Alice in Wonderland- Mad Hatters Tea party (tea and cake?) Queen of hearts (jam tarts)

Oooh any rhyming slang you could do a little activity with??

You could share a poem with them. Blake's London with Gin to represent Gin Alley might be a bit much 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Peter Pan- little talk about Great Ormond Street?

Food ideas- Yorkshire Puddings, beans on toast, cheese and pineapple sticks 🤣

Ok... sensible answer.
Are you (and/or husband) from the part of London you live in or from elsewhere in England?
What is your area (so London or elsewhere) historically known for? Could you do something based on the history of the area or your own family.
For example my mums family background historically is a specific trade - the family was known for it (ie boot making - it wasn't that but that's an example).
Your culture doesn't necessarily need to be "English" but the part of England you have history in.

Base it on the region you live in ??
any famous historical characters ??

the snarky comments illustrate why you are having to think so hard unfortunately

Sausages and mash.

The English language is an English cultural achievement. Appreciate that.
As you're in London, can't you find some writing about London to read from? Are you on the river? There's lots of descriptive writing about the river when it was crowded with shipping.

And there are plenty of regional English dishes to sample.

Get a giant map, some mini barms, and do "pin the barm" then discuss whether in that region said barm is pinned if it's called a barm, roll, batch, muffin, bread bun etc.

No it’s absolutely not ok to celebrate being white British. The woke police will turn up immediately and you’ll be hanged.

🙄🙄🙄

Although aren’t you already familiar with things like local traditions, food etc?

Drag Queen?

Obviously yes I am, I’m asking for fun and age-appropriate activities that would engage a group of reception aged school children though, aren’t I?

I’m really surprised they allow food to be brought in - in who knows what conditions it has been prepared in 🤢 And quite apart from hygiene - what about allergies?
Wouldn’t be happy about my reception cold bring exposed to this.

Thank you, I was hoping this one had legs!