Our newest resource for educators features the New Year traditions of the Persian cultural world. The Celebrating Nowruz Kit consists of a twenty-page curriculum text that introduces traditions of the New Year and provides some historical background on Persian culture. The text also includes several hands-on activities that extend the curriculum's themes and allows for students to reflect on their own traditions. Ana Gomez, a teacher at the Boston Latin School, found her students making connections to their own cultural celebrations, which prompted “insightful reflections and discussions.”

The Celebrating Nowruz Kit consists of:

• A twenty-page curriculum text written for the educator and suitable reading for junior high and high-school students. The text concludes with five activities that include a writing reflection and "Make Your Own Haft-Seen Table".
• Two books that feature Nowruz traditions and Persian culture. "Wonders of Persia", by Nazli Monahan, is a general look at Persian history and culture complemented by illustrations by Iranian children. "Celebrating Nowruz", by Yassaman Jalali, is written for younger students (K-4) and introduces the New Year through the experience of a Persian family living in the United States.
• One animated DVD feature, "Babak and Friends: A First Norooz" which tells the story of young Babak, an Iranian-American, learning about the traditions of Nowruz from his visiting cousins.
• Several dry-good items for the curriculum activities.

To download the curriculum text, click here. To borrow the entire kit for your classroom, contact the Outreach Center at cmesoc@fas.harvard.edu.