Roosevelt’s Second World Cultures Fair

Did you know that the United States is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world? Yes, this is true! We are often referred to ‘The Melting Pot’ because of the many cultures that have influenced our country.

We are a country of immigrants We are a country of immigrants. Beginning with the English (who began to colonize in the early 1600’s) our country has been shaped by the cultures of Native Americans, Latin Americans, Africans and Asians.

Let’s look at how some cultures have influenced who we are! Language Religion Food Sports

Language Though most people speak English in the U.S., did you know that it is estimated that there are about 300 languages that are spoken in our country?

Language

Did you know that in America people have the freedom to worship as they please? One study found that there are approximately 313 types of religious practices in the U.S!

Here are some of the main religions in the U.S. Christianity Judaism Buddhism Hinduism Islam

Yes, there is such a thing as ‘American’ food.

But, remember that Much of our food is an altered version of food brought to our country by other cultures!

This is American food!

American loves its sports! Did you know that many sports originated from other countries?

England Scotland

This is what makes America so special! America is a country where almost everyone can trace his or her ancestry from either Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, Australia, and even our first settlers the Native Americans. This is what makes America so special!

This year the GEM initiative at the Roosevelt School will focus on learning more about the different cultures from which we are all come from. As we learn about people from other places, we will have an opportunity to understand more about who we are as citizens of America and how America’s diversity is what makes our country strong.

JUST REMEMBER, WE ARE A COUNTRY OF IMMIGRANTS AFTER ALL! We hope that you will explore learning about another country. Perhaps, you will eventually meet or even live near someone from that country. JUST REMEMBER, WE ARE A COUNTRY OF IMMIGRANTS AFTER ALL!

participate in the May 28th World Cultures Fair . . . participate in the May 28th World Cultures Fair. Learn more about this from your teacher!

References http://www.livescience.com/28945-american-culture.html Number of religions in the U.S. : The information was compiled primarily by using the 2001 "American Religious Identification Survey" conducted by The Graduate Center of The City University of New York. 50,281 households in the continental United States (48 states) were randomly dialed and participants were asked "What is your religion, if any?" We supplemented those findings with data from J. Gordon Melton's The Encyclopedia of American Religions, 7th Edition, Kosmin & Lachman's One Nation Under God: Religion in Contemporary American Society, the Religious Movements page of the University of Virginia, the Ontario Consultants on religious tolerance, Wikipedia, and the official websites of several specific religions. http://www.livescience.com/28945-american-culture.html