Lesson Plan
Holiday Knowledge Bowl
Students will be able to recall and identify key facts about various winter holidays, their traditions, and historical origins through an engaging quiz game.
Understanding different winter holidays broadens students' cultural awareness, promotes respect for diverse traditions, and encourages critical thinking about historical and societal influences on celebrations.
Audience
7th Grade Group
Time
40 minutes
Approach
Interactive quiz game.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Winter Holiday Trivia Challenge, Quiz Show Question Cards, Buzzers or equivalent (optional), Individual Holiday Fact Check (one per student), and Pencils/pens
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review all generated materials: Holiday Knowledge Bowl, Winter Holiday Trivia Challenge, Quiz Show Question Cards, Individual Holiday Fact Check, and Quiz Show Answer Guide.
- Print and cut out the Quiz Show Question Cards.
- Make copies of the Individual Holiday Fact Check for each student.
- Arrange classroom for small group activity.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Holiday Brainstorm (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students to briefly share one winter holiday tradition they know or celebrate. This can be done as a quick whip-around or by having students write it down.
- Introduce the idea of a "Holiday Knowledge Bowl" and explain the rules briefly.
Step 2
Introduction to Quiz Show (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Use the first few slides of the Winter Holiday Trivia Challenge to introduce the quiz show format and rules.
- Divide the class into small groups (3-4 students per group).
Step 3
Winter Holiday Quiz Show (20 minutes)
20 minutes
- Facilitate the quiz show using the Quiz Show Question Cards and the Winter Holiday Trivia Challenge slide deck to display questions.
- Read out questions from the cards. Groups buzz in to answer.
- Award points for correct answers. The Quiz Show Answer Guide should be used to verify answers.
- Keep the pace lively and encourage friendly competition.
- After each round (or a set number of questions), reveal the correct answer and a brief explanation using the slide deck.
Step 4
Individual Holiday Fact Check (8 minutes)
8 minutes
- Distribute the Individual Holiday Fact Check to each student.
- Students work individually to complete the fact check, recalling information from the quiz show or their prior knowledge.
- Collect the worksheets for informal assessment or review answers as a class if time permits.
Step 5
Wrap-Up: Reflection (2 minutes)
2 minutes
- Ask students to share one new fact they learned about a winter holiday.
- Briefly reiterate the importance of understanding diverse traditions.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Winter Holiday Quiz Show!
Get ready to test your knowledge of winter traditions around the world!
Welcome students to the Winter Holiday Quiz Show!
How to Play:
- Teams will buzz in to answer.
- Correct answers earn points!
- Incorrect answers may result in losing a turn or points.
- The team with the most points at the end wins bragging rights!
Explain the rules of the game clearly. Emphasize teamwork and respect.
Round 1: Traditions!
Let's dive into the fascinating world of winter holiday traditions!
This slide can be used as a transition or to display the current score.
Question 1:
Which holiday celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem?
Display the question for the students. The actual question will come from the Quiz Show Question Cards.
Answer 1: Hanukkah!
Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. It's also known as the Festival of Lights.
Reveal the answer after students have had a chance to answer. Provide a brief explanation.
Question 2:
In what country did the tradition of decorating evergreen trees as Christmas trees originate?
Display the question for the students.
Answer 2: Germany!
The modern Christmas tree tradition is believed to have originated in 16th-century Germany, where Christians decorated trees with candles and other ornaments.
Reveal the answer after students have had a chance to answer. Provide a brief explanation.
And the Winner Is...
Fantastic job, everyone! What an incredible display of holiday knowledge!
Acknowledge the winning team and commend all students for their participation.
Game
Quiz Show Question Cards
Cut out each card below. Each card contains a question and its answer. The teacher will read the question aloud during the quiz show.
Card 1
Question: Which winter holiday celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem?
Answer: Hanukkah
Card 2
Question: In what country did the tradition of decorating evergreen trees as Christmas trees originate?
Answer: Germany
Card 3
Question: Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture. How many days does Kwanzaa last?
Answer: Seven days (December 26 to January 1)
Card 4
Question: What is the traditional Jewish food often eaten during Hanukkah, fried in oil to symbolize the miracle of the oil?
Answer: Latkes (potato pancakes) or Sufganiyot (doughnuts)
Card 5
Question: What is the name of the mythological figure who delivers gifts to children in many parts of the world during Christmas, also known as Saint Nicholas?
Answer: Santa Claus (or Father Christmas)
Card 6
Question: What is the principle of "Ujima" in Kwanzaa, represented by one of the seven candles?
Answer: Collective Work and Responsibility (to build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems and to solve them together)
Card 7
Question: What do people traditionally do at midnight on New Year's Eve to symbolize leaving the old year behind and starting fresh?
Answer: Count down and watch fireworks (or kiss someone, make resolutions)
Card 8
Question: Which ancient Roman holiday, celebrated in mid-December, involved feasting, gift-giving, and often involved role reversals between masters and slaves?
Answer: Saturnalia
Card 9
Question: What is the longest night of the year, which occurs in winter and has been celebrated by various cultures for millennia?
Answer: Winter Solstice
Card 10
Question: What is the name of the candelabrum used during Hanukkah?
Answer: Menorah
Quiz
Individual Holiday Fact Check
Answer Key
Quiz Show Answer Guide
This guide provides answers for both the Quiz Show Question Cards and the Individual Holiday Fact Check.
Answers for Quiz Show Question Cards
Card 1 Question: Which winter holiday celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem?
Answer: Hanukkah
Card 2 Question: In what country did the tradition of decorating evergreen trees as Christmas trees originate?
Answer: Germany
Card 3 Question: Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture. How many days does Kwanzaa last?
Answer: Seven days (December 26 to January 1)
Card 4 Question: What is the traditional Jewish food often eaten during Hanukkah, fried in oil to symbolize the miracle of the oil?
Answer: Latkes (potato pancakes) or Sufganiyot (doughnuts)
Card 5 Question: What is the name of the mythological figure who delivers gifts to children in many parts of the world during Christmas, also known as Saint Nicholas?
Answer: Santa Claus (or Father Christmas)
Card 6 Question: What is the principle of "Ujima" in Kwanzaa, represented by one of the seven candles?
Answer: Collective Work and Responsibility (to build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems and to solve them together)
Card 7 Question: What do people traditionally do at midnight on New Year's Eve to symbolize leaving the old year behind and starting fresh?
Answer: Count down and watch fireworks (other acceptable answers: kiss someone, make resolutions)
Card 8 Question: Which ancient Roman holiday, celebrated in mid-December, involved feasting, gift-giving, and often involved role reversals between masters and slaves?
Answer: Saturnalia
Card 9 Question: What is the longest night of the year, which occurs in winter and has been celebrated by various cultures for millennia?
Answer: Winter Solstice
Card 10 Question: What is the name of the candelabrum used during Hanukkah?
Answer: Menorah
Answers for Individual Holiday Fact Check
1. Which holiday celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and involves lighting a menorah for eight nights?
Correct Answer: Hanukkah
2. Name one country where the tradition of decorating evergreen trees as Christmas trees is believed to have originated.
Correct Answer: Germany
3. How many principles (and days) does Kwanzaa celebrate?
Correct Answer: Seven
4. Describe one traditional food associated with Hanukkah and explain its significance.
Correct Answer: Latkes (potato pancakes) or Sufganiyot (doughnuts). Significance: These foods are fried in oil to symbolize the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days in the Temple.
5. The Winter Solstice marks what celestial event?
Correct Answer: The shortest day of the year
6. What is the meaning of "Ujima" in Kwanzaa?
Correct Answer: Collective Work and Responsibility. This principle encourages building and maintaining the community together, and making others' problems one's own to solve collectively.