Goal:  Explore Danish traditions in Iowa and, through them, gain a better understanding of other immigrant traditions.

Objectives:  Students will be able to

1. Locate Denmark on a world map or globe.
2. Describe the history of Danes in Iowa.
3. Explain the significance of the Danish folk school movement.
4. Identify Hardanger embroidery.
5. Explore traditional instruments used in Danish folk music.
6. Describe various Danish holiday Traditions.
7. Compare/contrast Danish traditions and immigration with other ethnic traditions

1. Where is Denmark located in the world?
2. When and why did so many Danes settle in Iowa?
3. Why did the Danish folk school movement develop and become so popular?
4. What is Hardanger embroidery, and how does it differ from other kinds of embroidery?
5. What are some traditional instruments popular in Danish-American culture?
6. What are some typical Danish holiday traditions?

1. Students locate Denmark on a world map and create a timeline highlighting the movement and settlement of Danes in Iowa. Compare the story of Danish immigration to that of other groups.
   Visit the websites: 
• The Danish Immigrant Museum: Across Oceans, Across Time
• Oral History of Immigration
  
• National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
• Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum's exhibitions and collections
• African American Historical Museum and Cultural Center of Iowa
• Tai Dam History at Tai Village Inc

*This activity may be modified for all grade levels.

2. Why did the Danes embrace the folk school movement? What methods do other groups use to preserve their traditions in the United States? For resource information, look over the other lessons in Iowa Folklife 2 as well as
   
   • Oral History of Immigration
     
   • Iowa's Communities and Folklife
     
   • Meskwaki Indian Traditions
     
   • Preserving Community: Scandinavian-American Music Making
     
   • Foodways as Family Heritage
     
   • Singing Stories of Mexican Americans
     
   • Czech- and German-American Polka Band Music
     
   • Hmong Textiles: Stories in Cloth

   *This activity may be modified for all grade levels.

3. Ask students to share what they associate with Denmark.  Students create puppets and perform a puppet show based on a story by Hans Christian Andersen. Use resources listed for story ideas: 
   
   • Iowa Folklife Volume II, Danish Unit Resources

4. Discuss the various styles of embroidery, and take a closer look at Hardanger embroidery.  Provide examples if available. Consider other forms of needlework and how they represent a group’s culture. Visit for information:
   • Nadjeschda Overgaard - Danish-American Hardanger Needleworker
   • Hmong Textiles: Stories in Cloth
     
   • Quilting Communities
     
   • What's New at Versterheim
     
   • Kroje - Dress for the Dance of Life!
     
   • Center for Visual Learning in Textiles and Clothing

*This activity may be modified for all grade levels. Grades 2-4 may create geometric designs on graph paper while older grades may try different forms of embroidery.

5. Students discuss the various instruments used in Danish culture. Invite a guest to play Danish music or find traditional Danish music online. 
   • Velkommen Til Folkehøjskolen!
   • Dwight Lamb - Old time fiddler and Danish button accordionist
   • Folk Music of Finland and Scandinavia
     

*This activity may be used with all grade levels.

6. Create Danish Christmas ornaments, including traditional paper woven hearts.  Explore various designs made by cutting paper and create a mobile. Visit the websites:
   • Scissor Writing
   • The Woven Paper Heart for Christmas and Valentine's Day
   • Heart-Shaped Christmas Baskets

   *This activity most appropriate for grades 2-6.