Local Second Graders Experience the “Cultural Kaleidoscope”

More than 2,000 students crammed the auditorium for lessons on Ukrainian music and language

FARGO, ND — Second graders sat in on a cultural concert as they learn about the area’s European background.

More than 2,000 students crammed the auditorium for lessons on Ukrainian music and language.

The “Cultural Kaleidoscope” is set up to give a better understanding of their traditions.

Students got a chance to join the musicians and play along to some of their folk songs.

“Sometimes we look at how we are alike. Sometimes we look at how we are different. We don’t have any of the musical instruments that Sergei is showing today,” said Denese Odegaard, who is executive director of The Learning Bank.  “That’s going to be new for them. The dance is much different than we do. They have a lot of strong traditions in the Ukraine that we don’t have here.”

She said kids who engage in music and the arts at a young age have a better verbal memory and reading ability.