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HISTORICALLY SPEAKING DOMINICAN REPUBLIC PATCH PROGRAM
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1. The Dominican Republic is located on the northern edge of the Caribbean Sea, and lies between North and South America.

2. The official language of the Dominican Republic is Spanish. The Spanish language was brought over by the Spanish in the 1500's. The indigenous Taino language immersed with the Spanish language when brought over to the country. Learn some words or slang that is spoken in the Dominican Republic.

3. Festivals are a big part of Dominican life. The most notable festival is Carnival, which is the festival before Lent, the period leading to the Christian celebration, Easter. Carnival is a huge celebration that is full of dancing, music, parades, feasting, and colorful costumes. Everyone makes their costumes in preparation for the parade. Learn about festivals in the Dominican Republic, go to a festival, participate in one, OR complete a craft that represents a festival.

4. Dominican food is full of variety. Typical food items used in meals include: plantains, yams, goat, pork, chicken, seafood and beans. Sancocho is a popular stew made with chicken, cassava, plantains, and spices. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day and traditionally include rice and beans, chicken, fish and other meats. Try a recipe, food, or drink from the Dominican Republic.

5. Merengue bands are an ever-present form of music in the Dominican Republic. The merengue-style of music is a lively type of music with African beats. Dominican dancers preform folk dances to this traditional style of music on special occasions. Watch a dance OR listen to music OR sing a song OR learn more information about a dance from the Dominican Republic and try your own moves.

6. The Dominican Republic has a strong tradition in poetry. Legends and stories reflect the lively Spanish culture. Read a legend or poem from the Dominican Republic, OR listen to a legend or play.

7. The first people to settle on the island now known as the Dominican Republic came about 4000 B.C. from South America. About three thousand years later, individual groups of people began settling on the island. The Taino, meaning "good" or "noble" developed agricultural techniques, made crafts such as woodcarvings and canoes, and organized themselves into their own civilization. Learn more about ancient civilizations in the Caribbean OR look at some examples of Ancient art. (ex: cave paintings, wood carvings). 8. The Dominican Republic is in the Caribbean, which is in between North and South America. The habitats range from mountains to beaches, giving this country a vast range of plant and animal life. Examples of plant life are: The mahogany and satinwood trees, the royal and coconut palm, sugarcane, Australian eucalyptus, and the cassava plant. Examples of wildlife include: The solenodon, rhinoceros iguanas, mongoose, manatees, and flamingos. Choose [3] animals OR plants from the Dominican Rpublic to learn more about. Also, Locate the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.

9. Traditional handicrafts include: carved calabash gourds, woodcarving, pottery, macramé, palm-weaving, and jewelry making. Gourds are used for masks or food and drink containers. Potters don't only make pottery, but nativity scenes are very popular pieces made around the holiday, Christmas. Macramé involves knotting twine into bags, or hammocks. Create a craft or project using a traditional a skill OR jewelry OR observe someone creating a handicraft OR a traditional craft from the Dominican Republic.

10. Learn about traditional clothing in the Dominican Republic. Try on clothing from Dominican Republic, color our paper dolls, create an accessory, or view traditional clothing through books or the internet.

11. There are a variety of games played by children in the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic also has a history rich in Baseball. Some of the world's best baseball players came from the Dominican Republic. Learn a traditional game OR play a game that symbolizes the Dominican Republic OR play a water game OR play a game in our manual.