Communities in Virginia
Session 7: A Taste of Italy

Materials

• World map
• Books related to the Italian American culture
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Paper plates
• Markers
• Crayons
• Ingredients for cooking activity or craft

Instructional Activities

1. Locate Italy on a world map. Trace the route a person would have to travel to reach Virginia. Point out the Atlantic Ocean. Remind students of other famous or historical groups of people that traveled across this ocean, including, Christopher Columbus.
   
   
2. Read books to students related to the Italian culture. Discuss the characters in the book. As a class, construct a Venn diagram: How are Italians like people of other cultures in Virginia? How are they different? (Have students consider factors such as language, clothing, religion, holidays, types of food.) Children may notice that certain dishes Americans eat, like pizza and spaghetti, are originally from Italy. Note that immigrants often bring their authentic recipes with them when they come to America.
   
   
3. Invite a guest speaker to share information with students about the Italian culture.
   
   
4. Prepare mini-pizzas in class, or create “paper” pizzas with paper plates, crayons, and construction paper. Students may cut out pictures of or draw various ingredients such as pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, and peppers. Scissors may be used to “slice” the pizza into pieces.
   
   
5. Correlate math lessons on fractions by using the slices of paper pizzas and toppings.