Celebrating Inclusion Through Food & Culture

Before the Christmas break, Ms. Dowling’s Grade 5/6 class at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School took part in a creative and meaningful learning experience focused on celebrating inclusion and diversity. Through lively class discussions and an idea exchange with their classroom teacher and Multi-Language Learner (MLL) teacher, students launched a special Class Cookbook Project. 

Students were invited to share a favourite family recipe, or one that sparked their curiosity, and research its country of origin. They then decorated their classroom door (pictured) with colourful national flags and short explanations highlighting what they learned about each culture.  

During the final week of school before the break, students compiled all of the recipes into personal cookbooks to take home as gifts for their families. The project wrapped up with a class party, where some students even brought in food samples from their chosen recipes for classmates to enjoy. 

This wonderful initiative is one of the many ways ALCDSB’s MLL teachers support schools in fostering welcoming, inclusive learning environments for all. 

Who are Multi-Language Learners? 

Multi-Language Learners (MLLs) are students enrolled in provincially funded English language schools whose first language is a language other than English, or is a variety of English that is significantly different from the variety used for instruction in Ontario’s schools, and who may require focused educational supports to assist them in attaining proficiency in English. 

These students may be Canadian born or recently arrived from other countries. They come from diverse backgrounds and school experiences and have a wide variety of strengths and needs.