International week

World Championship Barbeque Cooking Contest

Great Southern Food Festival - featuring Sunset Symphony

Educational programs

Memphis in May Educational Programs

We believe that introducing foreign nations and diverse cultures to the young people of Memphis is our most important mission. Memphis in May accomplishes this task each year through our education program. The following components are included in our cultural exchange with school-aged children in the Memphis area.

Information for teachers for Memphis in May:
The Curriculum Guide
The Teacher Education Workshop

Activities for students for Memphis in May:
The International Exchange Program (high school)
Young Artists Program
Art in Education
In-School Mini-Festivals
The Children's Treasure Chest

Information for families for Memphis in May:
Families Learning Together

Other resources for Memphis in May:
The Library Corner
Memphis in May Online
India Links
 
 

The Curriculum Guide, a teacher's instructional manual, is a compilation of informative facts and creative mental exercises from India. Curriculum materials with information and activities related to the arts, culture, technology and history of India will be available to teachers in February, 2000. The sponsor of the Curriculum Guide is The Commercial Appeal.

The Teacher Education Workshop is designed to provide educators with an orientation to the Curriculum Guide, with information, tools and resources to teach students about India. 

The International Exchange Program for High School Students allows Memphis area high school students to visit the honored country. They attend schools and live with host families to truly experience the culture first hand. Prior to visiting India, students will attend a Global Awareness Seminar, a six-week education track to prepare students for this international study/travel experience. This is the perfect way to celebrate cultural similarities and explore differences. 

Memphis in May Young Artists Program promotes the creative abilities of students through an artistic contest. The events include the Children's International Poster, Banner, creative Expression Contests, and the Festival's Park Enhancement and Neighborhood Playwrights projects. Recognition and awards are presented at program receptions. 

Indian Art in Education. As a part of Memphis in May International Festival, Indian musicians, writers and performers visit schools to give students up-close and personal perspectives of India in folklore and music.

Indian In-School Mini Festivals. To show the diverse culture and resources of India, practically every month is staged with mystic and fun festivals with folk dancing, music, feasts and trade transactions. School festivals honoring India can reflect such celebrations resulting in a learning and experience and a greater understanding of the country and its people and culture.

The Children's Treasure Chest. Each year Memphis in May puts together a traveling show-n-tell chest full of artifacts from the honored country. We introduce toys, books and other items from the honored country to children in grades K-6 in Memphis. 

Families Learning Together involves students and their families in activities pertaining to the honored country through the Commercial Appeal's Family Learning Lessons Program. The newspaper serves as an extension of the Curriculum Guide. 

The Library Corner. Memphis and Shelby County Public Library and Information Center will be a resource center for books, articles and other Indian resources, and will host a storytelling hour for pre-school children.

Memphis in May's Online Programs connect students and teachers with their counterparts in the honored country. Through the Key Pal On-Line Project, students are enabled to increase communication skills, while the Website Project is a student competition activity, focusing on the development of a World Student Website from Memphis. 

In addition to the events and activities listed here, Memphis area schools show their creativity and spirit by producing a variety of other programs and activities which encourage creative learning and expose students to fascinating differences of the many cultures which share our world.