Arab American National Museum Shares Culture and Language with Berkley Building Blocks
![Two adults wearing lanyards sit on a stage ledge and speak to a group of young elementary school students seated on the floor in front of them, with colorful student artwork displayed on the wall behind them.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1777390032/berkleyschoolsorg/dzx0jdi7rl4aquzwal0n/SlideshowThumbnailTest1800x1000px40.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1777390032/berkleyschoolsorg/dzx0jdi7rl4aquzwal0n/SlideshowThumbnailTest1800x1000px40.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1777390032/berkleyschoolsorg/dzx0jdi7rl4aquzwal0n/SlideshowThumbnailTest1800x1000px40.png","width":800}])
On Monday, April 20, staff from the Arab American National Museum (AANM) visited Berkley Building Blocks in celebration of Arab American Heritage Month. Ms. Abir and Ms. Sara led students in nursery rhymes in the Gross Motor Room, while Ms. Terasa shared an interactive story about gratitude featuring a cat named Saleem in the gym. Students also learned the names of animals and how to say "thank you" in Arabic.
The visit was inspired by the English-Arabic Storytime hosted at the AANM library. It provided students with an opportunity to experience and celebrate the culture of the Arab American community and to connect Berkley's youngest students with meaningful, community-based engagement. Katie Fotiu, Early Childhood Supervisor said, “A special thank you to David Serio and Sara Alqaragholy from the AANM for their partnership in making this visit possible.