Lesson Plan
What Do We Celebrate?
Students will be able to identify and describe different celebrations important to themselves and their classmates, and compare and contrast two celebrations using a Venn diagram.
Understanding and appreciating diverse celebrations helps students develop empathy, respect for different cultures, and a stronger sense of community within the classroom. It also builds foundational comparison skills.
Audience
1st Grade Students
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Through discussion and a partner Venn diagram activity.
Materials
Whiteboard or chart paper, Markers, Celebration Exploration Slide Deck, Venn Diagram Activity Sheet, Celebration Discussion Prompts, and My Celebration Story Warm-Up
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Celebration Exploration Slide Deck and discussion points.
- Print or prepare to display the Venn Diagram Activity Sheet (one per pair).
- Gather markers and whiteboard/chart paper.
- Review all generated materials as needed.
Step 1
Warm-Up: My Celebration Story
5 minutes
- Begin with the My Celebration Story Warm-Up activity.
- Ask students to briefly think about a celebration important to them and one thing they do during it.
Step 2
Introduction: What is a Celebration?
5 minutes
- Use the first few slides of the Celebration Exploration Slide Deck to introduce the concept of celebrations.
- Ask students what comes to mind when they hear the word 'celebration'.
- Briefly explain that celebrations are special times we share with others for different reasons.
Step 3
Guided Discussion: Our Celebrations
15 minutes
- Facilitate a class discussion using the Celebration Discussion Prompts and the Celebration Exploration Slide Deck.
- Encourage students to share celebrations important to their families or cultures.
- Prompt students to think about: Who do they celebrate with? What do they do? Why is it special to them?
- Record some key ideas or celebrations on the whiteboard/chart paper.
Step 4
Partner Activity: Venn Diagram Compare
15 minutes
- Explain the Venn diagram concept using the Celebration Exploration Slide Deck.
- Distribute the Venn Diagram Activity Sheet (one per pair).
- Pair students up and instruct them to choose two different celebrations (either their own or from the class discussion) to compare.
- Students will write unique aspects in the outer circles and shared aspects in the overlapping middle section.
- Circulate to assist students and encourage discussion within pairs.
Step 5
Class Share
5 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Ask a few pairs to share one interesting similarity or difference they found on their Venn diagram.
- Emphasize that we all have unique and special celebrations.
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Slide Deck
What Do We Celebrate?
Let's explore the special days that bring us joy!
Welcome students and introduce the exciting topic of celebrations. Get them thinking about what makes a celebration special.
What is a Celebration?
- A special time with family and friends
- A day to remember something important
- Doing fun activities and making memories!
What comes to your mind?
Prompt students to share their initial thoughts. This is a good opportunity to gauge prior knowledge and build excitement. Encourage diverse responses.
Our Special Days
We all have unique celebrations!
- Birthdays
- Holidays
- Family traditions
- Cultural events
What are some celebrations important to you?
Transition to the idea that celebrations are diverse. Give a few simple examples they might know, then open it up to them.
Comparing Celebrations
How are celebrations the same or different?
- Left Circle: What's special about just one celebration?
- Right Circle: What's special about just the other celebration?
- Middle Section: What do both celebrations have in common?
Explain the Venn diagram visually. Point to the different sections and explain what goes where. This directly supports the upcoming activity.
Partner Up! Venn Diagram Fun
- Find a partner!
- Choose two celebrations to compare.
- Fill in your Venn Diagram Activity Sheet.
- Talk about what makes each celebration unique and what they share!
Introduce the partner activity. Emphasize teamwork and listening to their partner. Explain they will use the worksheet.
Sharing Our Discoveries
What did you learn?
- Did you find any surprising similarities?
- What was a unique part of your partner's celebration?
Let's appreciate all the wonderful ways we celebrate!
Conclude the lesson by bringing everyone back together. Ask a few pairs to share their findings. Reiterate the main learning point.
Warm Up
My Celebration Story Warm-Up
Instructions: Think about a celebration that is important to you and your family. It could be a birthday, a holiday, or any special day!
- What is one celebration that is important to you?
- What is one fun thing you do during this celebration?
- Draw a picture of your celebration!
Discussion
Celebration Discussion Prompts
Instructions for the teacher: Use these prompts to guide a class discussion about celebrations. Encourage students to listen respectfully to each other's experiences.
Opening Questions
- When you hear the word "celebration," what comes to your mind first? (Think of words, feelings, or pictures.)
- What makes a day feel like a celebration instead of just a regular day?
Sharing Our Celebrations
- Can you share a celebration that is important to you or your family? It could be a birthday, a holiday, or a special family tradition.
- Who do you usually celebrate with?
- What are some special things you do during this celebration? (Think about food, music, games, stories, or activities.)
- Why is this celebration special to you? How does it make you feel?
Connecting and Reflecting
- Did you hear about a celebration that sounded new or interesting to you? What was it?
- What is something you noticed that is similar across different celebrations?
- What is something you noticed that is different about different celebrations?
Activity
Venn Diagram: Comparing Celebrations
Instructions: With your partner, choose two different celebrations. Write what is special about each celebration in its own circle. In the middle, write what both celebrations have in common!
Celebration 1:
Celebration 2:
What is special about Celebration 1?
What is special about Celebration 2?
What do both celebrations have in common?
Script
Celebration Exploration Script
Warm-Up: My Celebration Story (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something really fun and special: celebrations! To get us started, I want you to think about a celebration that is important to you and your family. It could be a birthday, a holiday, or any special day you love. Take out your My Celebration Story Warm-Up sheet. On this sheet, I want you to write down one celebration that is important to you and one fun thing you do during it. Then, you can draw a picture of your celebration! You have about 5 minutes to think and draw quietly."
Circulate and observe, offering support.
Introduction: What is a Celebration? (5 minutes)
Teacher: (Display Celebration Exploration Slide Deck - Slide 1: "What Do We Celebrate?") "Alright, friends, let's put our warm-up sheets aside for a moment. As you were thinking about your celebrations, what came to your mind? (Pause for a few quick student shares if time allows). Today, we're going to explore all kinds of celebrations!"
Teacher: (Display Celebration Exploration Slide Deck - Slide 2: "What is a Celebration?") "Look at our slide. A celebration is a special time with family and friends, a day to remember something important, and a chance to do fun activities and make memories! What other words come to your mind when you hear 'celebration'? (Encourage responses like 'party,' 'happy,' 'gifts,' 'food,' 'family'). That's right! Celebrations are all about joy and sharing special moments."
Guided Discussion: Our Celebrations (15 minutes)
Teacher: (Display Celebration Exploration Slide Deck - Slide 3: "Our Special Days") "Now that we know what celebrations are, let's talk about our celebrations! We all have unique celebrations. The slide gives some examples: birthdays, holidays, family traditions, and cultural events. I want us to have a big discussion using our Celebration Discussion Prompts. I'll ask some questions, and I want you to share your ideas and listen carefully to your classmates."
Refer to Celebration Discussion Prompts for detailed questions. Guide students using prompts like:
- "Who do you usually celebrate with?"
- "What are some special things you do during this celebration?"
- "Why is this celebration special to you? How does it make you feel?"
Write down a few key celebrations or activities on the whiteboard as students share.
Teacher: "Wow, those are so many wonderful ways to celebrate! It's amazing how many different traditions and special moments we all have."
Partner Activity: Venn Diagram Compare (15 minutes)
Teacher: (Display Celebration Exploration Slide Deck - Slide 4: "Comparing Celebrations") "Now, we're going to do a super fun partner activity to compare celebrations! We're going to use something called a Venn diagram. Look at the slide. The two big circles are for two different celebrations. In the left circle, you'll write things that are only special about Celebration 1. In the right circle, you'll write things that are only special about Celebration 2. And in the middle, where the circles overlap? That's where you write things that both celebrations have in common!"
Teacher: (Display Celebration Exploration Slide Deck - Slide 5: "Partner Up! Venn Diagram Fun") "I'm going to give each pair of you a Venn Diagram Activity Sheet. You and your partner will choose two different celebrations to compare. You can pick two from our discussion, or maybe two that are important to you both. Work together, talk about it, and fill in your Venn diagram. Remember to write about what makes each one unique and what they share. I will be walking around to help!"
Distribute Venn Diagram Activity Sheet. Pair students up. Circulate, provide guidance, and encourage discussion within pairs. Ask guiding questions if students struggle.
Class Share (5 minutes)
Teacher: (Display Celebration Exploration Slide Deck - Slide 6: "Sharing Our Discoveries") "Alright, everyone, bring your attention back to me. Let's hear some of your amazing discoveries! Look at your Venn diagram. Can one pair share one interesting similarity you found between two celebrations? (Call on a pair). Excellent! How about one interesting difference? (Call on another pair)."
Teacher: "It's so wonderful to see how many different ways we celebrate, and also how many things we have in common. Every celebration is special and brings joy to people. Thank you for sharing your celebration stories today!"