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.
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