How Do Traditions Shape Us?

Lanell Pena-Hadley

Tier 2

Lesson Plan

Unpacking Our Traditions Plan

Students will explore the significance of family and cultural traditions, reflect on their own heritage, and understand how traditions shape personal and communal identity.

Understanding traditions helps students appreciate their own background and develop empathy for others, fostering a sense of belonging and cultural awareness within a diverse community.

Audience

Middle School Students

Time

45-60 minutes

Approach

Through discussion, personal reflection, and sharing.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, The Power of Tradition Slide Deck, My Family's Story Journal, and Tradition Share Circle Discussion Guide

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Review the Lesson Plan and all linked materials: The Power of Tradition Slide Deck, My Family's Story Journal, and Tradition Share Circle Discussion Guide.
Prepare the whiteboard or projector for the slide deck.
Make copies of the My Family's Story Journal for each student, or ensure digital access.
Arrange the classroom for small group discussions, if preferred for the discussion activity.

Step 1

Introduction: What is Tradition?

10 minutes

Begin by asking students: "What comes to mind when you hear the word 'tradition'?"
Facilitate a brief class discussion, noting student responses on the board.
Introduce the lesson using The Power of Tradition Slide Deck (Slides 1-3) to define tradition and its importance.
Transition to personal reflection by explaining that traditions can be big or small, and they connect us to our past and present.

Step 2

Journaling: My Family's Story

15-20 minutes

Distribute or provide access to My Family's Story Journal.
Explain that students will spend time reflecting on their own family and cultural traditions, writing down their thoughts and memories.
Encourage them to think about what traditions mean to them and why they are important.
Circulate around the room to offer support and answer questions.

Step 3

Small Group Discussion: Tradition Share Circle

15-20 minutes

Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group).
Provide each group with the Tradition Share Circle Discussion Guide.
Instruct students to share aspects of their journal entries with their group, using the discussion guide to prompt conversation.
Emphasize respectful listening and encouraging diverse perspectives.
Facilitate a brief whole-class debrief, inviting a few students to share one interesting tradition they learned about from a classmate.

Step 4

Conclusion: Our Shared Heritage

5 minutes

Bring the class back together.
Reiterate the main idea: traditions, whether family or cultural, help shape who we are and connect us to a larger community.
Ask students for one new insight they gained from the lesson or discussion.
Thank students for sharing their stories and insights.

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Slide Deck

The Power of Tradition

How do the stories we live connect us?

Welcome students and introduce the topic of traditions. Pose the question to spark initial thoughts. You might ask: "What comes to mind when you hear the word 'tradition'?"

What is a Tradition?

A belief or behavior passed down within a group or society with symbolic meaning or special significance.
Often practiced over generations.
Connects us to our past and present.

Explain that traditions are practices passed down through generations. They can be unique to families, cultures, or even communities. Give a few examples like holiday celebrations, special family meals, or cultural dances.

Why are Traditions Important?

Create a sense of identity and belonging.
Connect us to our family, community, and heritage.
Teach us values and customs.
Create lasting memories.
Provide comfort and stability.

Discuss why traditions are important. They provide a sense of identity, belonging, and continuity. They help us remember where we come from and who we are.

Your Story, Your Traditions

What traditions are special to you and your family?

Let's explore them in your My Family's Story Journal!

Explain that students will now reflect on their own traditions. Introduce the My Family's Story Journal and explain its purpose.

Sharing Our Stories

Let's share and learn from each other's traditions.

We'll use the Tradition Share Circle Discussion Guide to help us.

Transition into the small group discussion. Explain that after journaling, they will share their traditions with their peers using the Tradition Share Circle Discussion Guide.

Traditions: Shaping Who We Are

Traditions are more than just old habits; they are living stories that shape who we are and connect us to each other.

Conclude the lesson by summarizing the power of traditions in shaping us and fostering connection. Ask for final thoughts or reflections.

Journal

My Family's Story Journal: Unpacking Our Traditions

Take some time to reflect on the traditions that are special to you and your family. There are no right or wrong answers; this is about your unique experiences!

Prompt 1: What are your favorite traditions?

Think about holidays, special meals, family gatherings, cultural practices, or even small daily routines. Describe one or two traditions that are most meaningful to you.

Prompt 2: Who participates in these traditions?

Is it just your immediate family, extended family, friends, or community members? How do different people contribute to making the tradition special?

Prompt 3: Why is this tradition important to you?

What feelings or memories does it bring up? What do you think the purpose of this tradition is? How does it connect you to your family or culture?

Prompt 4: How do traditions shape who you are?

Think about how the traditions you participate in have influenced your values, beliefs, or even your personality. What have you learned from them?