UPLAND SISTER CITY CURRICULUM
Bob Walton of Mildura, Australia has written an in-depth curriculum about the cities of Upland and Mildura. This curriculum is designed for 3rd grade students and titled “A Tale of Two Cities.” A Committee made up of Upland Sister City board members has been hard at work implementing this curriculum as a summer pilot project. The plan is to engage home schooled children at Upland’s Cooper History Museum, and students at Project Think at Pitzer College, led by our board member Dr. Susie Warren.
Project Think students had a “Best Day Ever” while learning about the Sister Cities of Upland and Mildura
In July, Upland Sister City Association board members presented our trial 3rd-grade curriculum to students at Project Think in Claremont in two sessions.
Program highlights
Introduction to Upland’s history, beginning with the Chaffey brothers, and the Sister City connection with Mildura, Australia.
How George Chaffey and his brother W.B. Chaffey brought irrigation to both Upland/Ontario and Mildura in the late 1800’s, resulting in the cities we see today with flourishing crops and homes.
Storytelling and presentation of Australian memorabilia and customs.
Interactive activities: games (“thong toss,” and Bingo), songs (“Kookaburra Sits In An Old Gum Tree”).
Tasting Australian favorites like licorice, vegemite and Violet Crumble candy (a big favorite of the students).
Lessons on Australian animals and weather differences compared with Southern California.
Family response
Parents reported their children were enthusiastic after the “Australia show,” saying the students talked about it nonstop.
Several parents called it their child’s favorite event and expressed strong appreciation for the sessions.
Our next step will be to use feedback from these trial sessions to refine the curriculum for wider use with 3rd-grade students.
