How to Teach Amish Culture to the Students
Elementary and middle school social studies curriculums often include a section on Amish life and culture. Since the Amish way of life is so much different than what students are used to, they will naturally be curious about it. Scheduling a field trip and/or including hands-on activities related to Amish culture will educate students in an engaging and memorable way.
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Instructions
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Schedule a field trip to an Amish community, if possible, so students can witness Amish country first hand. Amish locations in Pennsylvania and Ohio offer affordable guided tours. Students may get a chance to tour an Amish schoolhouse and barn, touch and hold animals, ride in a horse and buggy or watch knowledgeable actors make crafts in the Amish tradition. Students may get a chance to make some crafts of their own. Information about Amish county tours is linked in the resources at the end of this article.
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Watch an educational film about the Amish, or read an illustrated book about Amish country if you're unable to visit a community.
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Ask students to compare and contrast the Amish lifestyle with their own lifestyle. Let them write a paragraph describing the similarities and differences, or ask specific questions such as "How do people travel from place to place in our community? How do the Amish travel from place to place?"
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Create Amish-style crafts with students. Make and eat some Amish foods, let each student make a quilt square for a class quilt or dip wicks into pots of melted wax to make candles.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider explaining the differences between the Amish, Mennonites and Quakers. Students sometimes get these groups confused, since all embrace simplicity and are often depicted wearing old-fashioned clothing. Mennonites and Quakers, however, usually dress normally and use modern technology.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit amish travel image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com
