Winter Holiday Brainstorm!

Think about holidays that happen in the winter. What are some words, traditions, or feelings that come to mind when you think about them?

Draw or write your ideas in the space below!

Global Winter Wonders: Teacher Script

Warm Up: Winter Holiday Brainstorm (5 minutes)

(Teacher says): "Good morning, class! Let's start our day with a quick brainstorm. I'm going to hand out this Winter Holiday Brainstorm Warm Up sheet. On it, I want you to think about any holidays that happen in the winter. What words, traditions, or feelings come to mind? You can write them down or draw your ideas in the space provided. Take about three minutes to work quietly."

(Allow 3 minutes for students to work.)

(Teacher says): "Alright, class, who would like to share one idea they had about winter holidays? Raise a quiet hand if you're ready to share."

(Call on 2-3 students to share one idea each.)

Introduction: What is Winter? (0 minutes)

(Teacher says): "Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas! As we can see, winter is a time of many things – sometimes cold weather, sometimes cozy nights, and for many, a time of special celebrations! Today, we're going on an exciting journey around the world to discover how different cultures celebrate winter. We're going to learn about some truly unique and wonderful traditions! Let's look at our first slide, Winter Wonders: A Global Journey! (Slide 1)."

Exploring Global Traditions (15 minutes)

(Teacher says): "To help us on our journey, I'm going to give you a reading called Holiday Traditions Across Continents. As we read through it together, we'll also look at some pictures on our slides to help us imagine what these celebrations are like. We'll pause to talk about what we learn."

(Distribute reading. Display Christmas Around the World! (Slide 2).)

(Teacher says): "Let's start by looking at Christmas. Many of you might celebrate Christmas, but did you know it's celebrated differently all over the world? Let's read the section about Christmas in the United States, Mexico, Australia, and Germany. What's one surprising way Christmas is celebrated in another country?"

(Guide discussion, using Hanukkah: Festival of Lights! (Slide 3)).

(Teacher says): "Next, let's learn about Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. Read this section carefully. What is a menorah? What kind of yummy foods do people eat during Hanukkah, and why?"

(Guide discussion, using Kwanzaa: Celebration of Culture! (Slide 4)).

(Teacher says): "Now, let's move on to Kwanzaa, a celebration of family, community, and culture. What are some of the principles of Kwanzaa? Can you name some of the special symbols used in this celebration?"

(Guide discussion, using Diwali: Festival of Lights (India)! (Slide 5)).

(Teacher says): "In India, many celebrate Diwali, another Festival of Lights! What does Diwali symbolize? How do people celebrate, what do they light, and what beautiful art do they create?"

(Guide discussion, using More Winter Celebrations! (Slide 6)).

(Teacher says): "Finally, let's quickly look at Chinese New Year and Winter Solstice traditions. What are some fun things people do for Chinese New Year?"

Culture Connection Passport Activity (15 minutes)

(Teacher says): "Now that we've learned about so many amazing traditions, it's time to become world travelers ourselves! I'm going to give each of you a Culture Connection Passport Activity. Your mission is to fill out your passport by looking back at the reading and the slides. You'll 'travel' to different countries and record an interesting tradition and draw a symbol or decoration for each one."

(Distribute passports. Circulate to assist students, answer questions, and encourage them to refer to the provided materials.)

Sharing Our Discoveries (5 minutes)

(Teacher says): "Alright, fellow travelers, let's bring our passports back together! We're going to have a My Favorite Global Tradition Share. I want each of you to be ready to share one new or surprising winter holiday tradition you learned about today. What stood out to you?"

(Call on students to share. Facilitate a brief discussion using the questions in the discussion material. Display What Did We Learn? (Slide 7).)

Cool Down: Reflection on Global Wonders (5 minutes)

(Teacher says): "Before we wrap up, let's take a moment to reflect on our global journey! I'm handing out this Global Winter Wonders Cool Down sheet. Please take a few minutes to write down one new thing you learned, something that surprised you, and one word to describe global winter celebrations."

(Allow 3-4 minutes for students to write.)

(Teacher says): "Fantastic reflections, everyone! What a wonderful trip we took around the world. Remember how special and diverse winter celebrations are, and how much we can learn from each other! Thank you for being such curious global explorers today!"

Global Winter Wonders: Cool Down

Take a moment to reflect on our journey around the world today!

1. One new thing I learned about winter holidays around the world is:

2. Something that surprised me about how others celebrate is:

3. One word I would use to describe global winter celebrations is:

Culture Connection Passport Answer Key

Passport Stamp 1: Mexico

Holiday Name: Las Posadas

What is one tradition celebrated during Las Posadas?

• People reenact Mary and Joseph's search for lodging.
• People sing carols.
• People break piñatas filled with candy.
• People enjoy delicious food.

Name a decoration often seen during Las Posadas:

• Piñatas
• Nacimiento (nativity scenes)

Passport Stamp 2: Australia

Holiday Name: Christmas

How is Christmas celebrated uniquely in Australia?

• It is celebrated in the summertime.
• People have barbecues on the beach.
• People do outdoor activities.

Name something Santa might wear in Australia:

• Board shorts

Passport Stamp 3: Jewish Tradition (Hanukkah)

Holiday Name: Hanukkah

What is the special candle holder used during Hanukkah?

• Menorah

Name a food eaten during Hanukkah:

• Latkes (potato pancakes)
• Sufganiyot (jelly donuts)

Passport Stamp 4: African American Tradition (Kwanzaa)

Holiday Name: Kwanzaa

What is one principle celebrated during Kwanzaa?

• Umoja (Unity)
• Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
• Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
• Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
• Nia (Purpose)
• Kuumba (Creativity)
• Imani (Faith)

Name a symbol used during Kwanzaa:

• Kinara (candle holder)
• Kikombe cha Umoja (unity cup)
• Zawadi (gifts)
• Mishumaa Saba (seven candles)
• Mkeka (mat)
• Mazao (crops)
• Muhindi (corn)

Passport Stamp 5: Hindu Tradition (Diwali)

Holiday Name: Diwali

What do people light during Diwali?

• Diyas (oil lamps)
• Candles
• Fireworks

Name a type of colorful art created for Diwali:

• Rangoli patterns

Culture Connection Passport

Welcome, world traveler! Your mission is to fill out your Culture Connection Passport by exploring winter holiday traditions from different countries. Use the Holiday Traditions Across Continents reading and World of Winter Celebrations Slides to help you on your journey!

Passport Stamp 1: Mexico

Holiday Name: Las Posadas

What is one tradition celebrated during Las Posadas?

Name a decoration often seen during Las Posadas:

Passport Stamp 2: Australia

Holiday Name: Christmas

How is Christmas celebrated uniquely in Australia?

Name something Santa might wear in Australia:

Passport Stamp 3: Jewish Tradition (Hanukkah)

Holiday Name: Hanukkah

What is the special candle holder used during Hanukkah?

Name a food eaten during Hanukkah:

Passport Stamp 4: African American Tradition (Kwanzaa)

Holiday Name: Kwanzaa

What is one principle celebrated during Kwanzaa?

Name a symbol used during Kwanzaa:

Passport Stamp 5: Hindu Tradition (Diwali)

Holiday Name: Diwali

What do people light during Diwali?

Name a type of colorful art created for Diwali:

My Favorite Global Tradition Share

Now that you've explored various winter holiday traditions around the world, let's share what we've discovered!

Discussion Questions:

1. What was one new or surprising winter holiday tradition you learned about today?

   • Follow-up: Why did it surprise you? What makes it unique?

2. Did you notice any similarities between the different winter holiday celebrations? For example, did you see common themes like lights, special foods, family gatherings, or gift-giving across different cultures?

   • Follow-up: What do these similarities tell us about people around the world?

3. If you could participate in one of the global winter holiday traditions we discussed, which one would it be and why?

   • Follow-up: What would you most look forward to doing or experiencing?

4. Why do you think it's important to learn about how other cultures celebrate?

   • Follow-up: How can understanding these traditions help us be better global citizens?

Holiday Traditions Across Continents

Winter is a special time of year when many cultures celebrate unique holidays. While the weather might be cold, the traditions often bring warmth and joy!

Christmas (Many Countries)

Many countries celebrate Christmas on December 25th. While the core idea of giving and spending time with family is similar, the traditions can be very different!

• United States: Children often wait for Santa Claus to bring gifts, which are placed under a decorated evergreen tree. Families might bake cookies, sing carols, and watch parades.
• Mexico: Las Posadas is a nine-day celebration leading up to Christmas. People reenact Mary and Joseph's search for lodging, sing carols, break piñatas filled with candy, and enjoy delicious food. Decorations often include nacimiento (nativity scenes).
• Australia: Since December is summertime in Australia, Christmas is celebrated with unique traditions like barbecues on the beach and outdoor activities. Sometimes, you might even see a "Santa" wearing board shorts!
• Germany: Germans celebrate with beautiful Christmas markets, Advent calendars, and the tradition of St. Nicholas Day on December 6th, where children leave out shoes to be filled with treats.

Hanukkah (Jewish Tradition)

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday that lasts for eight nights and days. It usually falls in November or December.

• Celebration: People light one candle on the menorah (a special nine-branched candelabrum) each night to remember a miracle that happened long ago.
• Activities: Families play with dreidels (spinning tops), sing songs, and eat delicious foods fried in oil, like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts). These foods remind them of the oil that miraculously lasted eight days.

Kwanzaa (African American Tradition)

Kwanzaa is a celebration of family, community, and culture observed by many African Americans from December 26th to January 1st. It focuses on seven core principles, one for each day:

• Seven Principles (Nguzo Saba): Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith).
• Symbols: Families light a kinara (candle holder) with seven candles, share a kikombe cha umoja (unity cup), and often exchange handmade zawadi (gifts) that represent their creativity and cultural commitment.

Diwali (Hindu Tradition)

Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, is a five-day celebration that usually occurs in October or November, but sometimes can extend into early December. It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.

• Celebration: People clean and decorate their homes, light diyas (oil lamps) and candles, and create beautiful rangoli patterns (colorful designs made on the floor).
• Activities: Families gather to perform religious rituals, enjoy festive feasts, exchange sweets and gifts, and light fireworks. It's a time for new beginnings and strengthening family bonds.

Lunar New Year / Chinese New Year (East Asia and Beyond)

The Lunar New Year, often called Chinese New Year, is one of the most important holidays in many East Asian cultures. While it usually falls in late January or February, it's a major winter celebration.

• Traditions: People decorate with red, symbolizing good fortune. Families have reunion dinners, give red envelopes with money (hongbao), and enjoy lion dances and firecrackers. It's a time to honor ancestors and wish for prosperity in the coming year.