Solheim Elementary students dive into Armenian culture

October 10, 2005
Bismarck Tribune
By SARAKINCAID
sara.kincaid@;bismarcktribune.com

[...]
Solheim Elementary School reading specialist Pam Rettig introduced eight students to Armenia through products, labels and photos. Soon, the students will meet Armenian students from Gyumri, Armenia, through the Internet.

It's part of the Armenian Connectivity Program, sponsored by Project Harmony and the U.S. Department of State. It is meant to enhance cultural awareness by using computer technology. Students post their photos and type information about themselves and answer questions on a topic to get conversation flowing.
[...]
The students want to learn about everyday life in Armenia. Sixth-grader Nick Goulet wants to learn about their culture and daily life, and fifth-grader Faith Ward wants to know what they eat.

They also learn about Armenia through Rettig's photos. A one-room house without electricity or running water. Inside a building to make lavash, a flat, baked bread. People playing backgammon. Candles burning in church.
[...]
The social studies lessons will expand with each meeting, as Rettig adds more pictures each meeting to the bulletin board outside her classroom.
[...]
Rettig's class opened the Armenian Connectivity Program to new schools in Armenia. Previously, the program was open to middle and high school students only. The program allowed it because Rettig did a similar Internet forum with a school in Africa, she said. One other U.S. elementary school, in Illinois, participates in the Armenian Connectivity Program.

Note: Above are excerpts from the article. The full article appears here. Clarifications and comments by me are contained in {}. Deletions are marked by [...]. The bold emphasis is mine.