Activities

Activity 1

 * **__Getting to Know the World Around Us__**  Think about your community. What does it look like? What types of buildings are there? How big is your community? Who lives in your house? What are your customs, traditions, or celebrations at Christmastime?   Note that all students have varying backgrounds, traditions, and customs for most family practices. Discuss with students how everyone is different, and how learning about how people interact with their families helps us to understand people in different parts of the world.   Students understand movement. Discuss the idea of moving, migration, immigration, and how countries experience new people and new customs, traditions, and practices as a result of people moving.   If your class is culturally mixed, have students share different customs, traditions, and celebrations they take part in around Christmastime. Compare and contrast those activities with other students' experiences.  ||


 * **__ North America __** Students will collect information to enhance their understanding of customs, traditions, and celebrations related to Christmas in North America.   1. What types of celebrations exist in: Canada, the United States of America, Mexico, or in Latin   American countries?   2. Choose one country in North America for further study (individual or small group).   3. Collect information using books, leveled texts, and the Internet to communicate how citizens of your   country celebrate Christmas.   4. Record your information in your electronic journal using Microsoft Publisher.  ||

Activity 3

 * **__ South America __** Students will collect information to enhance their understanding of customs, traditions, and celebrations related to Christmas in South America.   1. What types of celebrations exist in South American countries?   2. Choose one country in South America for further study (individual or small group).   3. Collect information using books, leveled texts, and the Internet to communicate how citizens of your   country celebrate Christmas.   4. Record your information in your electronic journal using Microsoft Publisher.  ||

Activity 4

 * **__ Europe __** Students will collect information to enhance their understanding of customs, traditions, and celebrations related to Christmas in Europe.   1. What types of celebrations exist in European countries?   2. Choose one country in Europe for further study (individual or small group).   3. Collect information using books, leveled texts, and the Internet to communicate how citizens of your   country celebrate Christmas.   4. Record your information in your electronic journal using Microsoft Publisher.  ||

Activity 5

 * **__ Asia __** Students will collect information to enhance their understanding of customs, traditions, and celebrations related to Christmas in Asia.   1. What types of celebrations exist in Asian countries.   2. Choose one country in Asia for further study (individual or small group).   3. Collect information using books, leveled texts, and the Internet to communicate how citizens of your   country celebrate Christmas.   4. Record your information in your electronic journal using Microsoft Publisher.  ||

Activity 6

 * **__ Africa __** Students will collect information to enhance their understanding of customs, traditions, and celebrations related to Christmas in Africa.   1. What types of celebrations exist in African countries?   2. Choose one country in Africa for further study (individual or small group).   3. Collect information using books, leveled texts, and the Internet to communicate how citizens of your   country celebrate Christmas.   4. Record your information in your electronic journal using Microsoft Publisher.  ||

Activity 7

 * **__ Australia __**  Students will collect information to enhance their understanding of customs, traditions, and celebrations related to Christmas in Australia.    1. What types of celebrations exist in Australia.   2. Choose either Tasmania or New Zealand in Australia for further study (individual or small group).   3. Collect information using books, leveled texts, and the Internet to communicate how citizens of your   country celebrate Christmas.   4. Record your information in your electronic journal using Microsoft Publisher.  ||

Activity 8

 * **__ Global Celebrations of Christmas __** After having given students adequate time* to create a presentation on celebrations of Christmas Around the World, students will present information on customs, traditions, and activities of their chosen countries.   Students' presentations will be electronic; however, they may choose which format they wish to present their information (i.e., iMovie, PowerPoint, Slideshow of Images, Digital Video of their own celebrations and customs, etc.). In addition, students may choose to integrate combinations of presentation components as listed above. In assessing, however, only one method of technology needs to be displayed.   *Adequate time = with the unit beginning Dec. 1 and ending Jan. 15 it is recommended that you allow students access to digital technologies over Winter Break so that they are able to capture real life customs, traditions, and celebrations that are authentic and indicative of real-world experiences. Students may then post the experiences in a Podcast to share with their peer groups around the world.  ||
 * **__ Australia __** Students will collect information to enhance their understanding of customs, traditions, and celebrations related to Christmas in Australia.   1. What types of celebrations exist in Australia.   2. Choose either Tasmania or New Zealand in Australia for further study (individual or small group).   3. Collect information using books, leveled texts, and the Internet to communicate how citizens of your   country celebrate Christmas.   4. Record your information in your electronic journal using Microsoft Publisher.  ||