Christmas+Around+the+World+(Lecy)

How My List Helped Enrich My Class (Christmas Around the World) –2nd grade Social Studies Vanessa Lecy

For the next 3 ½ weeks, my 2nd graders are learning about how different countries celebrate Christmas. It is our “Christmas around the Unit,” and one everyone, including teachers, thoroughly enjoys. Each day we will be discussing a different countries customs and cultures to help celebrate this wonderful holiday. We will look at how they dress, what they eat, how they say, “Merry Christmas,” and any other traditions that are interesting and make their Christmas different from others. To start this unit, the students watched a “Christmas around the World” video. This gave them a lot of the background knowledge of the holiday; where it comes from, why we celebrate, and some of the countries that we will be discussing. After watching this, the students went back to their seats and created their “Christmas around the World” booklet. In this booklet, they will color the country that is being studied and then list the important characteristics from that particular country.

While learning about each country, I will be using the following nonfiction books and websites to help enrich my lessons. I will read important information from the various books, and use the websites to show students the different cultures. They will be able to hear songs, see decorations, and observe anything else that makes each country unique. Each day students will also be doing hands-on activity to help they better understand the lesson and the country.

At the end of the unit, my 17 students will have learned about 14 different countries and their Christmas traditions. They will have an activity that correlates with each country along with a booklet to help them remember the key details.

 **__Non-fiction Books__** //Celebrations! // (1997) Kindersley, Anabel and Barnabas  This book has beautiful pictures that portray the color and excitement each festival brings in different countries. //Children around the World Celebrate Christmas // (1993) Osborn, Susan and Harder Tangvald, Christine  This book is written simply, but provides plenty of information to the readers. The book includes 16 different countries and how they celebrate Christmas. //Christmas around the World //(1998) Lankford, Mary  This book introduces the symbols and traditions of Christmas in other countries. It describes items like the prune people of Germany and the posada processions of Mexico. //<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Christmas around the World //<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> (2007) Fischer, Chuck <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> This pop-up book illuminates unique Christmas traditions and portrays mythical figures, such as England's Father Christmas and Italy's Le Befana. //<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Celebrate Hanukkah //<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> (2006) Heiligman, Deborah <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> This book illustrates celebrations of Jewish people around the world--including India, Israel, and the United States. //<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Christmas //<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">(2006) Strain-Trueit, Trudi <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> This book shows kids the history behind Christmas and teaches them how they can celebrate it on their own. //<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">My First Kwanzaa //<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> (2003) Katz, Karen <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> This book helps kids celebrate the seven days of Kwanzaa. It tells them importance of family, friends, and community. //<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">My First Ramadan //<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">(2007) Katz, Karen <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Students follow along in this book with a young boy as he observes the Muslim holy month with his family. //<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ramadan //<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">(2002) Marx, David <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> This book explains how the holiday was developed. It also shows students how it is celebrated today. //<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Seven Candles for Kwanzaa //<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> (1998) Pinkney, Andrea Davis <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> This book describes the origins and practices of Kwanzaa. //<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Miracle of Hanukkah //<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">(2011) Chwast, Seymour <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> This book retells the story of the 8-day celebration known as Hanukkah. <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">//Christmas Around the World// (2004) Kelley, Emily. This book describes Christmas traditions in Mexico, Ethiopia, China, Germany, Lebanon, Sweden, Australia, and Russia. Lexile 600 (suggested by Connie Mueller)

Hollihan, K. (2010). //Christmas Traditions in Latin America/Tradiciones navideñas de Latinoamérica//. New York, NY: The Rosen Publishing Group. A bilingual text, this book offers a look into how families in Latin America celebrate Las Posadas, Christmas Eve and Christmas, and Three Kings’ Day. Amazon age range: 7 and up, Grade range: 2 and up. Barnes and Noble age range: 7-10 years. (suggested by Annemarie Schaff)

Holidays Around the World: Celebrating Christmas: with Carols, Presents, and Peace (2007) Heiligman, Deborah This book is put out by National Geographic and has great pictures from a variety of countries that show many different traditions for celebrating Christmas.

Stories Behind the Best-Loved Christmas Songs of Christmas (Stories Behind Books). (2001). Collins, Andrew. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. The stories behind Christmas carols that are sung in many schools is provided according to song title. (suggested by Lori Weinmeister)

<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">[] <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> This site shows students on the map where each country is located. When they click on the country or the name, it gives them a summary of what the country does to celebrate Christmas and shows pictures. <span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">[] <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> This site helps children find information and facts related to a countries Christmas traditions and festivals. <span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">[] <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> This interactive site shares with readers how different countries celebrate Christmas. Students are able to scroll pages and look at photographs of several different holiday symbols and traditions. <span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">[] <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> This site has many activities that focus on the traditions and spirit of Christmas. It also lists other internet sites for students to explore. <span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">[] <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> This interactive site is a place where you can get ideas, crafts, recipes, greeting cards, traditions & history, and activities on all your favorite holidays and festivals.
 * __<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Websites __**

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/classroom-solutions/2011/12/celebrating-holidays-around-world This website provides for activities and crafts for young children to create to better understand holidays around the world