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Christmas Traditions: What's Your Story?

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Lesson Plan

Christmas Traditions: What's Your Story?

Students will be able to identify and describe various global Christmas traditions and appreciate the cultural diversity in holiday celebrations.

Understanding diverse traditions helps us connect with others, appreciate different cultures, and recognize that holidays are celebrated in many unique ways around the world. It promotes empathy and global awareness.

Audience

8th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through discussion, visuals, and a creative activity, students will explore and share traditions.

Materials

"What's Your Story?" Slide Deck](#christmas-traditions-slide-deck), Warm-Up: Share Your Sparkle!, Activity: Tradition Tapestry, and Cool-Down: One New Thing

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Share Your Sparkle! (5 minutes)

5 minutes

Step 2

Introduction: Beyond the Tree (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Use slides from the "What's Your Story?" Slide Deck to introduce the concept of diverse Christmas traditions.
    - Facilitate a brief class discussion using prompts like: "What comes to mind when you think of Christmas?" and "Do you think everyone celebrates Christmas the same way?"

Step 3

Exploring Global Traditions (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Present slides from the "What's Your Story?" Slide Deck showcasing various Christmas traditions from around the world (e.g., Japan's KFC, Mexico's Posadas, Germany's pickle, Sweden's Yule Goat).
    - Encourage student questions and brief sharing of any traditions they are already familiar with.

Step 4

Activity: Tradition Tapestry (8 minutes)

8 minutes

  • Distribute materials for the Activity: Tradition Tapestry.
    - Instruct students to write down one interesting new tradition they learned or one of their own traditions they want to share, without putting their name.
    - Collect the responses and, if time permits, read a few aloud to create a 'class tapestry' of traditions.

Step 5

Cool-Down: One New Thing (2 minutes)

2 minutes

  • Conclude with the Cool-Down: One New Thing exit ticket.
    - Ask students to write down one new thing they learned about Christmas traditions today.
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Slide Deck

Christmas Traditions: What's Your Story?

Let's explore the magic of global holiday celebrations!

Welcome students and introduce the topic. Explain that today we'll be exploring how Christmas is celebrated around the world.

Warm-Up: Share Your Sparkle!

Think: What's one holiday tradition that is special to you or your family?

Share: Turn to a partner and briefly describe it!

Project this slide and give students a moment to think. Then, instruct them to share with a partner or small group. Encourage brief, enthusiastic sharing. This connects to the Warm-Up: Share Your Sparkle! activity.

Christmas Around the World

Is it always snow, Santa, and Christmas trees? Let's find out!

Transition from the warm-up. Ask students to share a few traditions they discussed. Introduce the idea that Christmas traditions vary widely. "What comes to mind when you think of Christmas?" "Do you think everyone celebrates Christmas the same way?"

Japan: KFC Christmas!

Forget the turkey, pass the fried chicken! In Japan, a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken is a popular Christmas Eve meal for many families.

Introduce the Japanese tradition. Explain that Christmas is not a national holiday but a popular time for families to share a special meal, often from KFC, due to a successful marketing campaign decades ago. It's a modern, unique tradition!

Mexico: Las Posadas

For nine nights, communities in Mexico reenact Mary and Joseph's journey, going from house to house seeking shelter, ending with celebrations and piñatas!

Introduce the Mexican tradition. Explain 'Las Posadas' as a nine-day celebration reenacting Mary and Joseph's search for lodging, culminating on Christmas Eve. Highlight the community aspect.

Germany: The Christmas Pickle

Look closely at the Christmas tree! Finding the hidden pickle ornament can bring good luck or an extra gift!

Introduce the German tradition. Explain the tradition of hanging a pickle ornament on the tree. The child who finds it first gets an extra present or good luck. It's a fun game for kids!

Sweden: The Yule Goat

A giant straw goat, a symbol of Christmas, is built in the city of Gävle. Sometimes it survives, sometimes... not so much!

Introduce the Swedish tradition. Describe the Gävle Goat, a huge straw goat erected annually, which is often a target for arson despite efforts to protect it. It's a controversial but widely known tradition!

Your Tradition Tapestry

What new tradition caught your eye? Or what's a tradition special to you?

Transition to the activity. Explain that students will now contribute to a 'Tradition Tapestry' based on what they learned or their own experiences. This leads into the Activity: Tradition Tapestry.

Cool-Down: One New Thing

What's one new or interesting thing you learned about Christmas traditions today?

Final slide for the cool-down. Ask students to write down their answer on an exit ticket. This ties into the Cool-Down: One New Thing.

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Warm Up

Warm-Up: Share Your Sparkle!

Instructions:

  1. Take a moment to think about your favorite holiday tradition. It could be something your family does every year, a special food you eat, a song you sing, or a unique decoration you put up.
  2. Turn to a partner or a small group (2-3 people).
  3. Briefly share your tradition with them. Explain why it's special to you.







Be ready to hear some amazing stories! We'll start our lesson by celebrating all the unique ways we enjoy the holidays.

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Activity

Activity: Tradition Tapestry

Instructions:

  1. On the slip of paper provided, write down one interesting Christmas tradition.
    • It can be a new tradition you learned about today (like KFC Christmas in Japan or the Gävle Goat in Sweden!).
    • Or, it can be a tradition that is special to you and your family.
  2. Do not write your name on the paper.
  3. When you are finished, fold your paper once and place it in the designated basket or area.

My Tradition Contribution:












We will create a 'Tapestry of Traditions' with everyone's unique ideas!

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Cool Down

Cool-Down: One New Thing

Instructions:

On this exit ticket, write down one new or interesting thing you learned about Christmas traditions today. It could be a specific tradition from a country, a general idea about cultural diversity, or something that surprised you.

One New Thing I Learned:







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