Holiday & New Year's Traditions: Teacher Script

Introduction (5 minutes)

"Good morning/afternoon everyone! Today, we're going on a quick trip around the world to explore some amazing celebrations. When you hear the words 'holidays' or 'New Year's,' what comes to mind? Shout out some words or traditions you think of! And what do these traditions mean to you or your family?"

"That's great! We have so many different ideas. Our goal today is to look at various holiday and New Year's traditions from different cultures and see what makes them special, and what they might have in common. We'll be using our Holiday & New Year's Slide Deck to guide us."

Explore Global Traditions (10 minutes)

"Let's start with our first slide on the Holiday & New Year's Slide Deck."

Slide 1: Holiday & New Year's Traditions Around the World

"This is our title slide! Get ready for an exciting exploration."

Slide 2: What Do They Mean?

"As it says here, holidays and New Year's are often times for celebration, reflection, community, and new beginnings. But these ideas are expressed in so many beautiful ways across different cultures. Let's dive in!"

Slide 3: Diwali: Festival of Lights (India)

"First up, we have Diwali, often called the Festival of Lights. It's a major Hindu festival, also celebrated by Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists, usually in the fall. It's a five-day celebration of good winning over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. How do people celebrate? They light oil lamps called diyas, enjoy fireworks, share big feasts, exchange sweets and gifts, and decorate their homes beautifully. Has anyone heard of Diwali before, or perhaps even celebrated it?"

"It's a vibrant and joyful celebration!"

Slide 4: Lunar New Year (East Asia)

"Next, we travel to East Asia for Lunar New Year. This is celebrated in countries like China, Korea, and Vietnam, usually in late January or February, following the lunar calendar. It's a huge family event, marking the start of a new year with hope and good fortune. Traditions include giving red envelopes with money, watching energetic lion dances, having huge family dinners, and cleaning homes to sweep away any bad luck. You might also know about the different zodiac animals associated with each year. Does this sound similar to any New Year's celebrations you know?"

"It's fascinating how many cultures have traditions focused on good fortune!"

Slide 5: Kwanzaa (African Diaspora)

"Now, let's learn about Kwanzaa, an annual celebration of African-American culture. It runs from December 26th to January 1st. Kwanzaa focuses on seven core principles, called Nguzo Saba, which help connect people to their African heritage. Families celebrate by lighting candles on a Kinara, sharing communal feasts called karamu, telling stories, exchanging gifts, and reflecting on community and culture. What do you think is the main idea behind celebrating Kwanzaa?"

"Connecting with heritage and community is a powerful theme."

Slide 6: Hanukkah: Festival of Lights (Jewish)

"We have another Festival of Lights! Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that lasts for eight days, usually in December. It commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, celebrating a miracle where a small amount of oil lasted for eight days instead of one. Families light a menorah, which is a nine-branched candelabrum, play with dreidels, eat delicious oil-based foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (donuts), and exchange gifts. What do you notice about this celebration compared to Diwali?"

"Both celebrate light, but for different historical reasons!"

Slide 7: New Year's Day (Global)

"Finally, let's talk about New Year's Day, celebrated globally on January 1st by many cultures using the Gregorian calendar. It's a universal time for new beginnings, reflection on the past year, and setting goals for the future. Common traditions include countdowns to midnight, spectacular fireworks displays, making New Year's resolutions, watching special TV broadcasts, and enjoying celebratory meals with loved ones. What are some New Year's traditions you or your family participate in?"

"It's wonderful to see how many people celebrate a fresh start!"

Slide 8: So Many Ways to Celebrate!

"As our slide says, even though traditions vary so much, many share common themes: family and community, hope and renewal, gratitude and reflection, and of course, joy and celebration! What similarities and differences did you notice between these traditions?"

Small Group Discussion (10 minutes)

"Now, I'm going to put you into small groups. Each group will get a copy of the Holiday & New Year's Discussion Prompts. Please discuss the questions with your group. Remember to listen to each other and share your thoughts respectfully. I'll be walking around to hear your amazing discussions!"

Wrap-Up & Share Out (5 minutes)

"Alright everyone, let's bring it back together! Can each group share one interesting tradition you discussed, or one new thing you learned today?"

"Thank you all for sharing such insightful thoughts! It's clear that while we celebrate in many different ways, the spirit of holidays and new beginnings is something truly special and universal. Understanding these traditions helps us appreciate the wonderful diversity in our world and build connections with others. Great job today!"

Holiday & New Year's Discussion Prompts

Work with your group to discuss the following questions. Be ready to share some of your thoughts with the whole class!

1. Out of all the holiday and New Year's traditions we discussed, which one did you find the most interesting or surprising? Why?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. We saw many different ways people celebrate. What are some similarities you noticed between the different traditions? Think about what feelings or goals they might share.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. If you could participate in one of the traditions we learned about today, which one would you choose and what would you look forward to most?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Why is it important to learn about and appreciate different cultural celebrations, even if they are very different from our own?