Milo’s quilt square

Pitch: It’s multicultural week at school and Milo is nervous he won’t have an interesting family culture to share but Milo learns everyone is different and beautiful together.

Concepts: Multi-Culture, Classroom Activities, Acceptance

Age: 4-7.

Type: Picture Book.

Page Count: 32

Working Text:

In Ms. Appleton’s class and its multicultural week where we learn about all the students in class by making a Culture Quilt.  Ms. Appleton gave each student a colored square and asked them to share something about their family’s culture. something they celebrate together, enjoy doing together, or something that represents them and their family. Everyone was pretty excited… Except for Milo. 

He was nervous there wouldn’t be much to put on his square like the other kids.  His family was small. Unlike Isabella’s or Frederick’s. Some families had big celebrations like Benicio and Li. His family had intimate gatherings. Milo only spoke one language…and puppy. Unlike Arturo and Hana’s family. Milo occasionally has spaghetti night with his grandmother. Unlike Natanel and Soo-min’s family. Milo was from a small town. Unlike Malia and Ishwar’s home countries. Milo had a favorite jacket. Unlike the special clothes that Lallo and Chris wear.  But he does get to wear his apron when grandma and him cook together. (Apron says “lil’ helper”).

As Milo filled out his square he watched the other kids start to place theirs on the wall.  One by one Milo could see everyone’s family was different. Some families were big, some were small, some had lots of celebrations others had a little.  Some wore traditional clothing, some had incredible meals. Milo placed his square among the others and realized that even though his family story was different it was a piece of something bigger, greater…  And it was beautiful to share. The vibrant wall lit up the room as everyone celebrated. How do you share your unique family culture?