Winter Celebrations

Around The World

A WebQuest for 3rd-5th Grade Social Studies.


Introduction | Tasks | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Advice


Introduction:

It is fun to learn how winter is celebrated around the world.  Learning about the winter celebrations of various nations will help us to understand the wide variety of traditions that families have practiced for many centuries around the globe.  Generally speaking, the winter season is seen as gift giving time; a season synonymous with the role of Santa Claus and decorated trees.  In the United States, the presence of Santa Claus means exchanging gifts with family and friends. As practiced in many European countries, the winter celebration of "St. Nicholas" occurs during the 2 weeks prior to December 6th.  In these countries, St. Nicholas' Day is the main holiday for gift giving.

The Tasks:

You will complete the following tasks when all research has been completed:

The Process:

The class will be divided into five groups of four. Each group will be assigned a continent to research. From your assigned continent, you will research a county from one of the following sites:  North Pole, World Book Celebrations,  National Winter Celebrations, Holidays Around the World, Winter Celebrations, or World Celebrations.  You will not be allowed to research the same country as another student. You will compare your findings on your researched country with the other members of your group.  Your group will come to a basic conclusion of ways each continent conducts their winter celebrations. The group is to write all important information related to the customs and traditions of winter celebrations of the continent they have been assigned to study.  Each of the above web sites listed are basically the same, but one site may offer a slightly different view of winter celebrations than another.
1. Visit the above links to see which country you would be interested in learning more about.

2. Take note of all information given:

3. Gather all collected information and create a winter celebrations comparison chart.  The chart will compare U.S. winter celebrations customs/traditions and the customs/traditions of the studied countries.  At the end of the class project, there will be five comparison information charts.  The charts could be completed using a slideshow or spreadsheet program.

4. Each student is to complete a critical thinking assignment on which country they would like to visit during winter celebrations and why.  This portion of the assignment is to be completed using a word-processing program.

5. Each student will search for a pen pal in their county at ePALS, ePALS Classroom Exchange, World Pen Pals, or International Friends.  Write your pen pal a letter about how you celebrate your winters here in the U.S.  Tell your pen pal of some of your customs and traditions.  Ask them for some information about their customs and traditions.

The Evaluation:

Your performance will be evaluated using the rubric below.  Each student will receive an individual and group grade.
 
Beginning

1

 Developing

2

 Accomplished

3

 Exemplary

4

 Score
Presentation of
 Studied Country
and
Evidence of 
Understanding

 
Shows very little or no understanding of other customs and traditions.  Presents few informational facts. Informational facts are not clear or organized.
Shows little understanding of other customs and traditions.  Presents few informational facts. Informational facts clear but nor organized.
Shows an understanding of other customs and traditions. Informational facts are clearly stated and organized.
Shows a clear understanding of other customs and traditions.  Informational facts are clearly stated and well organized.
  
Creativity
on 
Original Painting 
Minimum effort.  Painting is not colorful or imaginative.
Evidence of little creativity.  Uses some color but little imagination.
Displays effort.  Painting is colorful and imaginative.
Very creative.  Painting vividly displays a variety of colors.  Used imagination.
  
Group
Participation
Not involved in any of the group's activities.
Slightly involved in the  group's activities.
Mostly involved on the group's activities
Equally contributed to the final project and all group activities.
  
Communication 
with Pen Pal
Student has not found a pen pal.
Student has found a pen pal, but has not written pen pal yet.
Student has found a pen pal, sent letter and is waiting on a response.
Student has found a pen pal, sent letter, and has received a response.
  
Deadline
Project is completed at the end of presentation day.
Project is completed by the beginning of presentation day.
Project is completed the day before all presentations are due.  Student is mostly prepared.
Project is completed the day before all presentations are due.  Student is fully prepared.
  

Conclusion:

Great job!  Wasn't that exciting?  You really learned a lot about other countries and their customs and traditions.  It's amazing how many different ways winter can be celebrated. Some countries dance to celebrate the coming of winter, while others have a feast, decorate trees, go caroling, dress up in festive attire, exchange gifts, or just have fun.

Credits & References:

Special thanks to Bill Egan for the beautiful picture used to introduce my lesson on winter celebrations.  The Snowman used to introduce each section can be found under the clip art "seasons" selection of Microsoft Word.

Teacher Advice:

This lesson is intended to help 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders learn more about geographic locations throughout the world.  Students will be learn more about other country's winter celebrations.  From this lesson, students will  be able to compare customs and traditions of many countries and civilizations.

Before this lesson begins, be sure to review the continents with your students.  Also provide some examples of countries on each continent that they may be familiar with.

This lesson was designed to maximize student involvement as well as to challenge their cognitive skills.  This lesson should take from 1 1/2 to 2 weeks, depending on availability of resources (internet access).  Each task should be given a day or two to complete.  The pen pal assignment should probably be done first; to give the students time to find a pen pal, write them, and get a response.

Students should have no trouble finding needed information and materials with the provided inks.  Teachers, don't worry, this will be an easy lesson for you to monitor as well.  I feel that both, you and your students, will find the above tasks to be lots of fun and you'll learn plenty of wonderful things.

To carry this assignment, you should divide the class into groups.  Example: If you have 20 students, there should be five groups of four, and so on.  Be sure to group two on or above grade level students with students that may require a little extra assistance.  All members of the group should do their equal share of research, but also able to support and assist other group members on various tasks.

This lesson only requires one teacher.  To help monitor group activity and progress, assign a dependable student to serve as the group monitor.  The monitor is to report any problems that may arise.  If you have any parents who would like to help, great!  There is always room for one more.

Created for EDU 506 @ FHU School of Education by Tonya J. Warren on July 2, 2001.