christmas around the world geography and history lessons on how other countries celebrate christmas...

Copyright © - 2014 Special Teacher Resources

Christmas Around the World

Geography and History Lessons on How other Countries

Celebrate ChristmasPlus bonus activities!

Core Content Related Activities

Grades 3-6

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Books About Christmas Traditions

• Christmas Around the World by Mark D. Lankford• The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado• A Wish to be a Christmas Tree by Colleen

Monroe• The Polar Express by Christ Van Allsburg• The Night Before Christmas by Jan Brett• The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie

dePaola


History Lesson Plan (Grades 2nd – 6th Grade)Topic: Christmas Around the WorldCore Content: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.3Describe the relationship between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect.CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.5Use text features and search tools (e.g., key words, sidebars, hyperlinks) to locate information relevant to a given topic efficiently.CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.7Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur).CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.5Describe how a text presents information (e.g., sequentially, comparatively, causally). CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.7Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., read a number of books on a single topic to produce a report; record science observations).Goals and Objectives:Students will make connections between holiday traditions celebrated in their home to those around the world.Students will compare and contrast holiday traditions from different countries.Students will identify the countries and continents on a map.Students will create a presentation about their assigned country.Students will develop research skills to locate information about their country.

http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RI/3/3/



http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RH/6-8/5/

http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/W/2/7/


Day 1Materials: KWL Chart for Christmas Traditions in America (Included)

The Night Before Christmas (Jan Brett)Power Point Presentation about Christmas in AmericaPaper and Pencil for Writing a Letter to pen pal

Procedure: Start with the KWL Chart for Christmas in America. Ask the student what they know about Christmas traditions in American. List this on the KWL chart. The students will also list these on their charts. Ask the students what they would like to know about Christmas in American. Have them list these on their KWL chart.

Read “The Night Before Christmas.” If you don’t have the one by Jan Brett, any copy will do.

Show the class the Power Point Presentation about Christmas in America.Ask the students what they can add to their KWL chart for the Learned column. List these on your KWL chart as they also write what they have learned on their charts. Was there a question on someone’s KWL chart that wasn’t answered? If so, allow for some time to answer these questions about searching on the internet.

Assessment: The students will write a letter to a pretend friend (pen pal) in another country about what Christmas is like in their country. Students will use the correct friendly letter format. Students will use correct information about Christmas in America.


Know Want to Know Learned

KWL Chart of Pumpkin Facts

Christmas in America


Foods that we eat in America at

Christmas

Decorations Gifts Shows, Movies, or Music

Other Traditions

List of Christmas Traditions in America


Day 2Materials: List of all the Countries Venn Diagram of how Christmas in the U.S. is different than another country List of Places for the students to do research for their country Organizational Sheet for their Country

World MapProcedure: The students will draw a piece of paper out of a container. Each student should receive a different country.Tell the students that they will be researching how Christmas is celebrated in the country that they drew. Each student will take turns finding their country on their World Map. Make sure that you review all the countries and have them labeled on map before you do this.

Reserve the computer lab at your school for this day. (You may need more than one day, depending on your class). You can also use I Pads if your school has access to these. Students may also work on these projects at home.

You will give each student a organizational sheet for their country. The sheet will help guide them in their research process. They will be given a Venn Diagram that will help them start thinking about how their country celebrates Christmas differently than the U.S.

I have also included a booklet in this packet for younger students. This format may be better for the 2nd and 3rd grade students.


Australia Iran Portugal Spain Scandinavia Iraq

Brazil Ireland Russia Venezuela Romania India

Canada Japan Scotland Wales Poland China

France Netherlands British Isles Sweden Mexico Bethlehem

Germany Norway Greece South American

Italy Nicaragua

List of Countries: Cut apart and put in a container for the students to draw out.


Christmas: America & ___________

America ______________

different

same

differentDifferent Different

same


Foods Decorations Gifts What do they call Santa Claus

Other Traditions and Customs

List of Christmas Traditions of ____________________________


Christmas Around the World


Name of Country:____________________________List the food that is eaten at Christmas.Draw a picture of the food.


Name of Country:____________________________What type of decorations are used during Christmas?Draw a picture of a Christmas decoration from your country.


Name of Country:____________________________Do they give gifts at Christmas in your country? _____List the types of gifts given. Draw a picture of a gift or a custom.


Name of Country:____________________________What do they call Santa Claus in your country?__________________Draw or paste a picture of the Santa from your country.


Where is my country located?


What did you learn about ________________ and how they celebrate Christmas?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Website and Resources for Research

• www.the-north-pole.com• http://web.archive.org/web/20060403042028/http://

christmas.com/worldview• www.theholidayspot.com• www.santas.net• http://

people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/holidays-christmas/christmas-traditions-around-the-world-ga.htm• Christmas Around the World by Mark D. Lankford

http://www.the-north-pole.com/

http://web.archive.org/web/20060403042028/http:/christmas.com/worldview

http://web.archive.org/web/20060403042028/http:/christmas.com/worldview

http://www.theholidayspot.com/

http://www.santas.net/

http://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/holidays-christmas/christmas-traditions-around-the-world-ga.htm




Day 3 & 4Materials: Scoring Rubric for Paper and Presentation (Included) Student’s Research on their country (Venn Diagram and Research Planning Sheet) Pencil & Paper

Posters Describing the Writing Process (Included)

Procedure: Research may take more than one day depending on your class. Review Christmas in America. Go over the Venn Diagram on the smart board or chart paper. Ask for volunteers to give ideas for the Christmas in America side of the Venn Diagram. The students will then take their information about their country and add to the Venn Diagram what is alike and different about Christmas in American vs. their country.

The students will receive the guidelines about their research paper and their presentation. The teacher will review the writing process (prewriting, rough draft, editing, and revision). Explain that the prewriting stage has already taken place with the Venn Diagram and the planning sheet. The students will begin the writing their rough draft.On the next day, students may need to finish their rough draft. Once the rough draft is finished, they will start the editing process. The teacher will do some one-on-one conferencing with students about editing. Other students will be doing peer editing (pairing of students and have them edit each other’s work). Once editing is finished, they are ready to write their final draft. You may want to reserve the computer lab for this or have them hand write their final draft. (This may take longer than a day.) One suggestion would be to have the student take their rough draft home and have their parents help with editing. They can also finish their final draft at home, if short on classroom time.

4 3 2 1Content:Details and focus on topic

Content is very informative and accurate. Report has many supporting details and is interesting to read.

Content is informative and mostly accurate. Report has adequate details.

Content is not always related to topic. Many inaccuracies. Few supporting details.

Does not include enough details to support the topic and does not stay focused on the topic. Content is not relevant.

Organization:Introduction, Body, & Conclusion

The writing has a clear introduction, body and conclusion. The sentences are in logical order.

The piece has a weak introduction, body or conclusion. It has a beginning, middle and ending.

Report is poorly organized and confusing at times.

Report has no organization.

Writing Conventions:Mechanics, Grammar, Spelling, and Usage

Makes no errors that are distracting to the reader.

Makes 1-2 errors that are distracting to the reader.

Makes 3-5 errors that are distracting to the reader.

Makes 6 or more errors that are distracting to the reader.

Planning Sheet, Venn Diagram, and List of Sources

Includes a completely filled out planning sheet, Venn diagram with accurate information and List of sources.

Includes planning sheet, Venn diagram, and list of sources but is missing information.

Includes at least 2/3 components. Includes all components but is poorly organized and missing info.

Does not have any planning sheets, Venn diagram and list of sources.

Research Writing RubricName:_______________________

Writing Assignment:_______________________________

Additional Comments:Copyright © - 2014 Special

Teacher Resources

Below Standard Approaching Standard

At Standard Above Standard

Explanation of Information

Use inappropriate facts and irrelevant details to support main ideas

Chooses some facts and details that support the main idea. The presentation is missing information.

Clear explanation of information. They use clear details that relate appropriately to the topic.

Organization Does not include everything required in presentations

Presents ideas in an order that does not make sense.

Includes almost everything

Tries to present ideas in order, but doesn’t make senseToo short or too long

Presentation includes everything required

Ideas and Information are organized and make sense

.

Voice Speaks too quietly or not clearly

Does not speak appropriately for the situation

Speaks loudly and clearly most of the timeSpeaks appropriately for the situation most of the time

Speaking voice is clear and fluent

They are easy to understand

Eyes & Body Does not look at audience; reads notes Makes some eye contact but reads notes most of the time.

Makes eye contact throughout the presentation. Their body language is relaxed throughout the presentation.

Presentation Aids

Does not use any visual aids or media

Uses inappropriate or distracting visual aids

Uses visual aids or media but they sometimes distract from the presentation.

Includes visual aids and/or media that relates directly to the presentation. It does not distract or take away from the presentation.

Class Presentation RubricName:_______________________



I plan a beginning, middle, and end. 1. Still learning 2. sometimes 3. almost always

I use pictures, drawing, and props. 1. Still learning 2. sometimes 3. almost always

I look at my audience. 1. Still learning 2. sometimes 3. almost always

I speak loudly and clearly. 1. Still learning 2. sometimes 3. almost always

I answer questions from the audience. 1. Still learning 2. sometimes 3. almost always

Presentation Rubric (Grades K-2) Name:________________________________


Prewriting

• What are you writing about? • Brainstorm ideas

• Organize your thoughts


Rough Draft

• Organize your information on where it

fits in your paper• Write your 1st draft of your paper


Editing• Make your paper better

• Read what you have wrote. What changes need to be made?

• Change words, sentences or ideas to make it better

• Ask a friend for suggestions


Revision/Publishing• Re-write paper making the correct changes• Make a NEAT copy of your paper

• Add pictures, titles, and other special things• Share your work with others!


Day 5Materials: Scoring Rubric for Paper and Presentation (Included) Student’s Research on their country (Venn Diagram and Research Planning Sheet) Visual Aid for Presentation

Presentation supplies (art supplies, poster boards, stickers, etc.)

Procedure: Students will receive their rubric on their presentation. The students will know what the expectations are for their presentation. This should be gone over in class before they are to work on their presentation. Student will work on gathering information and supplies for their presentation. Provide them with one class period to work on their presentation. They should finish this project at home, if not finished in class. Provide student with the materials needed for this project. IF budget doesn’t allow, send home a note prior to this requesting the child bring in supplies. Always give parents plenty of notice to bring in supplies.

Explain to the students about the visual aid that they must use in their presentation. They can use a poster board, power point presentation, souvenir made from that country, or something else that the students create. Explain opportunities for extra credit. Extra credit: more than one visual aid, doing a power point presentation, dressing up from someone from that country, or bringing in food from that country. I give extra credit on the power point presentation, because it requires extra time and creativity than a poster board.

Assessment: The paper and the presentation is an assessment over what they have learned.


Christmas in ___________ Name__________

Presentation Requirements:• Presentations need to be 2-3

minutes long.• Keep eye contact with audience.• Don’t read everything off of your

notecards or paper.• Include a visual aid (power point

presentation, poster board, make a object to represent the country.)

Bonus Points:• More than one visual aid• Bake or bring in a item

representing your country• Power point presentation will

give you 10 extra points


Extra Activities

• Students will make Christmas ornaments that represent their country. The classroom will have a small Christmas tree to display their ornaments. Students will be able to take them home before Christmas.• Students could make snow globes representing their country. Look

for directions on http://toristeachertips.blogspot.com/2012/12/snow-globes-super-cute.html

Name:

COLORING SHEETS


Christmas Vocabulary Words

• hot chocolate • reindeer• presents• Christmas tree• candy cane• snow• scarf• cold

• snowman• gloves• shovel• December• January• sled• Jacket• stocking


Vocabulary Word Definitionssnowman: a figure of a person made of packed snow

candy cane: cane shaped candy stick with stripes.

shovel: a tool used for scooping up loose material.

December: The last month of the year

January: The first month of the year

sled: a small vehicle used to travel in the snow or ice

scarf: a long, broad strip of material worn around the neck

cold: low temperature or little or no warmth

jacket: A short coat

presents: A gift usually wrapped in paper given to someone

hot chocolate: A beverage made by dissolving such a preparation in milk or water, served hot

stockings: A long sock hung up on Christmas filled with gifts . Christmas tree: An evergreen tree decorated in lights and ornaments.

snow: Very cold or frigid

gloves: Covering for protecting the hands in cold weather.

reindeer: A deer that lives in very cold temperatures.


ABC OrderName_________________

Cut out words. Glue the words in ABC order.

candy cane

shovel

January

December

snowman




scarf

cold

jacket

Christmas tree

sled




presents

stocking

presents

gloves

hot chocolate

reindeer

Christmas List Name:

What do you want for Christmas?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Draw a picture of what you want?


=

Christmas in America

Customs and Traditions

How do we celebrate Christmas in America?

What does our Santa Claus look like?He has a white beard and a belly.

Santa Claus come from the Dutch word for St. Nicholas (Sintaklass)He wears a red suit and flies a sleigh with reindeer.


What foods do we eat at Christmas?Christmas CookiesChristmas Candy

Fruit CakeHam or Roasted Turkey

VegetablesPies and Cakes


How do we decorate for Christmas?Christmas Trees

Lights on the outside of housesPoinsettiasStockingsMistle ToeWreaths


Americans celebrate Christmas with the exchange of ?Gifts

We also put gifts in stockings, called stocking stuffers.Americans also gather with family and friends to celebrate

the holiday.Christmas cards are sent to family and friends.


Movies and Music Around the HolidaysFrosty the Snowman

Rudolph the Red-Nosed ReindeerElf

Santa Claus is Coming to TownLittle Drummer Boy

Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06zc5JllZC0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06zc5JllZC0


Christmas in HawaiiStarts with the coming of the Christmas Tree Ship

The Christmas Tree Ship brings a great load of Christmas decorations.The Ship also brings Santa Claus.


Christmas in Washington D.C.

In Washington, D.C. a huge tree is decorated.The tree is lit by the President.


Christmas in New York City

A huge tree is decorated in Rockefeller Center.There is also ice skating in front of the Christmas Tree

Store windows are decorated for Christmas.


Christmas in Alaska

A star on a pole is taken from door to door, followed by Herod’s men who try to capture the star.

Colonial doorways are often decorated with pineapple.Boys and girls with lanterns on poles carry a large figure of a star from

door to door.

christmas around the world geography and history lessons on how other countries celebrate christmas...

Documents

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kwl chart

text presents information

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world core content

use text features