Christmas Celebrations Around the World Script

Introduction & Warm-Up (5 minutes)

(Teacher says while showing Christmas Traditions Slide Deck - Slide 1)

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Take a look at our first slide today: 'Christmas Around the World!' When you hear the word 'Christmas,' what comes to mind? Shout out some words or phrases!"

(Pause for student responses, acknowledge a few.)

"Great ideas! Presents, family, snow, Santa, decorations! You're all thinking about some wonderful parts of this holiday. Now, raise your hand if you celebrate Christmas. Keep your hand up if your family has any special traditions for Christmas?"

(Pause for hands, call on a few students to share a quick tradition if time allows.)

"That's fantastic. You know, what's really interesting is that while many people celebrate Christmas, it doesn't always look the same everywhere. Different countries and cultures have their own unique ways of celebrating. Today, we're going to embark on a quick journey around the world to discover some of these fascinating global Christmas traditions!"

(Move to Christmas Traditions Slide Deck - Slide 2)

"As you can see, Christmas is more than just presents and trees. It's a time for celebration, a time for family and friends, and it's truly a holiday with diverse traditions. We'll explore how these traditions might be similar or very different from what you know."

Exploring Global Traditions (15 minutes)

(Move to Christmas Traditions Slide Deck - Slide 3)

"First stop: Mexico! Here, one of the most beloved traditions is called Las Posadas. Has anyone heard of it before?"

(Pause for responses.)

"Las Posadas is a nine-day celebration that leads right up to Christmas Eve. People go from house to house, re-enacting the journey of Mary and Joseph searching for a place to stay. It's a joyful event with carols, delicious food, and often, the exciting breaking of piñatas! What does that sound like to you?"

(Encourage comparison to trick-or-treating or caroling.)

(Move to Christmas Traditions Slide Deck - Slide 4)

"Next, let's travel to Germany! If you visit Germany during December, you'll find magical Christmas Markets popping up in towns and cities. They are absolutely beautiful! You can enjoy warm drinks like glühwein – which is a non-alcoholic mulled cider for kids – and delicious gingerbread. People also shop for handmade ornaments and unique gifts. Has anyone seen pictures of these markets? What do you imagine they smell and feel like?"

(Discuss sensory details.)

(Move to Christmas Traditions Slide Deck - Slide 5)

"Now, for a truly surprising tradition: Japan! Believe it or not, a very popular Christmas tradition here is a KFC Christmas! It started in the 1970s, and now, families across Japan order special KFC meals for their Christmas celebration. It's so popular, you often have to order weeks in advance! Why do you think this became such a big tradition in Japan?"

(Guide discussion about cultural adoption and unique twists on holidays.)

(Move to Christmas Traditions Slide Deck - Slide 6)

"Our final stop for today is Australia! What season do we experience in December here in the Northern Hemisphere? That's right, winter! But in Australia, which is in the Southern Hemisphere, December is actually summer! So, instead of snowy scenes, many Australians celebrate Christmas with BBQs on the beach or by the pool. Imagine Santa on a surfboard! Traditional Christmas feasts are adapted for warmer weather. How would a summer Christmas feel different from a winter one?"

(Discuss the contrasting weather and activities.)

Activity: Global Traditions Worksheet (7 minutes)

"Now that we've explored some incredible traditions, it's your turn to think about what you've learned. I'm going to hand out this Global Traditions Worksheet. On it, I want you to write down at least three new Christmas traditions you learned about today. Then, I want you to write down one question you still have about global Christmas celebrations. It could be about a country we didn't mention, or something you're curious about regarding a tradition we did discuss."

(Distribute the Global Traditions Worksheet. Circulate around the room, offering help and encouragement. Remind students to think about Mexico, Germany, Japan, and Australia.)

Wrap-Up & Share (3 minutes)

"Alright, let's bring it back together. Who would like to share one interesting tradition they learned today? Or perhaps a question you had that you'd like to ask the class?"

(Call on a few students to share their answers or questions.)

"Wonderful sharing, everyone! It's amazing to see how Christmas is celebrated in so many unique and joyful ways around the world. (Move to Christmas Traditions Slide Deck - Slide 7) But as our last slide says, 'Many Ways, One Spirit.' No matter where you are or how you celebrate, Christmas is a time for joy, a time for community, and a time to appreciate all these wonderful, unique traditions.

"Thank you for exploring with me today!"

Global Traditions Worksheet: Christmas Around the World

Name: ____________________________

Date: ____________________________

Part 1: New Traditions Learned

Think about the different countries we visited today and their unique Christmas traditions. List at least three new traditions you learned about. For each tradition, briefly describe what it involves and which country it comes from.

1. Tradition: __________________________________________________
   Country: __________________________________________________
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2. Tradition: __________________________________________________
   Country: __________________________________________________
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3. Tradition: __________________________________________________
   Country: __________________________________________________
   Description:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Your Curious Question

What is one question you still have about Christmas celebrations around the world? It could be about a country we didn't discuss, or something you're curious about regarding a tradition we did mention.

My Question: