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Created bySara Ilvonen

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Holidays Around the World

Grade 1MusicArtSocial StudiesScience5 days

In this project, first-grade students explore diverse holiday traditions from around the world, integrating music, art, social studies, and science. Through activities like creating a 'Holiday Explorers Passport,' comparing celebrations, making holiday-inspired art, performing cultural music, and investigating the science behind holiday traditions, students discover cultural values and express their understanding. The project culminates in a portfolio showcasing their research, creative work, and reflections on the diverse traditions.

Cultural TraditionsHoliday CelebrationsInterdisciplinary LearningArtistic ExpressionMusical PerformanceCultural ComparisonScientific Exploration

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we discover, celebrate, and share the diverse traditions, values, and science behind holidays around the world?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

How do people celebrate holidays in different cultures?
What are the common themes across different holiday celebrations?
How do holidays reflect the values and traditions of a culture?
How can we compare and contrast different holiday celebrations?
How do different cultures express themselves through music, art, and food during holidays?
What is the science behind some holiday traditions and natural events associated with holidays?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Students will identify and describe holiday celebrations from various cultures.
Students will compare and contrast common themes across different holiday celebrations.
Students will create artwork inspired by a specific holiday tradition.
Students will perform a song or musical piece representative of a cultural holiday.
Students will investigate the scientific aspects of a holiday tradition (e.g., seasonal changes, astronomy).

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Mystery Artifacts from Around the World

A box arrives containing unfamiliar artifacts from different holiday celebrations. Students work together to examine the objects, make observations, and formulate questions about their origins and purpose, sparking initial inquiry into diverse cultural traditions.

'Holidays Gone Wrong!' News Broadcast

The class watches a humorous, staged news report about holiday mishaps occurring globally due to mixed-up traditions. This lighthearted scenario encourages students to identify the correct customs and motivates them to learn about the real celebrations to 'fix' the holiday chaos.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Holiday Explorers Passport

Students create a 'passport' to document their journey through different holiday celebrations around the world. They will research and collect basic information about various holidays, focusing on key aspects such as the country of origin, date, and a brief description of the celebration.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Choose a holiday from a provided list or with teacher approval.

2. Research the holiday's country of origin and date of celebration using kid-friendly resources.

3. Write a short description of the holiday, including what it celebrates.

4. Design a 'passport stamp' representing the holiday for their passport.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA decorated 'Holiday Explorers Passport' with information and a stamp for each holiday researched.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will identify and describe holiday celebrations from various cultures.

Activity 2

Cultural Holiday Comparison Chart

Students compare and contrast two different holiday celebrations using a graphic organizer. This activity encourages students to identify common themes and unique aspects of each holiday, promoting cross-cultural understanding.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Select two different holidays to compare.

2. Use a Venn diagram or comparison chart to list similarities and differences in traditions, symbols, and values.

3. Identify a common theme shared by both holidays (e.g., family, gratitude, remembrance).

4. Write a sentence summarizing the comparison and highlighting the shared theme.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA completed comparison chart or Venn diagram highlighting the similarities and differences between two holidays, with a summary sentence.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will compare and contrast common themes across different holiday celebrations.

Activity 3

Holiday Art Creation

Students create a piece of artwork inspired by a specific holiday tradition. This activity allows students to express their understanding of the holiday through a visual medium, incorporating cultural symbols and artistic techniques.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Choose a specific holiday tradition (e.g., Diwali Rangoli, Hanukkah menorah, Kwanzaa kinara).

2. Research the visual elements and symbolism associated with the chosen tradition.

3. Create an artwork using chosen art supplies (e.g., drawing, painting, collage) to represent the holiday tradition.

4. Write a short description explaining the artwork and its connection to the holiday.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA finished artwork representing a holiday tradition, accompanied by a written explanation.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will create artwork inspired by a specific holiday tradition.

Activity 4

Holiday Harmony Performance

Students learn and perform a song or musical piece representative of a cultural holiday. This activity introduces students to the musical traditions of different cultures and allows them to express their understanding through performance.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Select a song or musical piece associated with a specific holiday.

2. Learn the song or piece, focusing on pronunciation and cultural context.

3. Practice singing or playing the piece individually or in a group.

4. Perform the song or piece for the class, sharing information about the holiday and its musical traditions.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA musical performance of a song or piece representing a cultural holiday, with a brief introduction about the holiday.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will perform a song or musical piece representative of a cultural holiday.

Activity 5

Scientific Holiday Exploration

Students investigate the scientific aspects of a holiday tradition or associated natural event. This activity connects holiday celebrations to scientific concepts, such as seasonal changes, astronomy, or the science of food.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Choose a holiday tradition or natural event associated with a holiday (e.g., the winter solstice, the science of latkes).

2. Research the scientific principles behind the chosen topic using age-appropriate resources.

3. Create a presentation or display explaining the science behind the tradition or event.

4. Share the findings with the class, using visuals and simple explanations.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA presentation or display explaining the scientific aspects of a holiday tradition or associated natural event.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will investigate the scientific aspects of a holiday tradition (e.g., seasonal changes, astronomy).

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Holidays Around the World Portfolio Rubric

Category 1

Cultural Understanding and Research

Evaluate the student's ability to identify, describe, and research holiday celebrations and their origins from various cultures.

Criterion 1

Holiday Description

Assesses the student's ability to write a clear and concise description of the holiday, its country of origin, and date of celebration.

Exemplary

4 Points

Provides a detailed and engaging description of the holiday, including unique cultural insights and accurate details about its origins and date.

Proficient

3 Points

Provides a clear and complete description of the holiday, including most details about its origins and date.

Developing

2 Points

Provides a basic description of the holiday with some details about its origins and date, but lacks depth or completeness.

Beginning

1 Points

Provides an incomplete or inaccurate description with minimal information about the holiday and its origins.

Criterion 2

Comparison and Analysis

Assesses the ability to compare and contrast holiday celebrations, identifying common themes and unique cultural aspects.

Exemplary

4 Points

Thoroughly analyzes similarities and differences with insightful connections made between two holidays, highlighting broader cultural themes.

Proficient

3 Points

Clearly compares and contrasts two holidays, identifying several similarities and differences and a common theme.

Developing

2 Points

Attempts to compare and contrast but may lack clarity or completeness in identifying similarities, differences, or common themes.

Beginning

1 Points

Provides a simple or unclear comparison with minimal analysis of similarities, differences, or themes.

Category 2

Creative Expression

Evaluate student's use of art and music to express understanding of holiday traditions from various cultures.

Criterion 1

Artistic Representation

Assesses ability to create art that reflects the cultural and historical aspects of the chosen holiday tradition.

Exemplary

4 Points

Creates a visually striking and culturally rich artwork that thoughtfully represents the chosen holiday tradition.

Proficient

3 Points

Creates a clear and culturally relevant artwork that effectively represents the holiday tradition.

Developing

2 Points

Creates a basic artwork that represents some aspects of the holiday tradition but lacks depth or cultural detail.

Beginning

1 Points

Creates an incomplete or unclear artwork with minimal representation of the holiday tradition.

Criterion 2

Musical Performance

Assesses the ability to learn and perform a song that reflects a holiday's cultural significance.

Exemplary

4 Points

Delivers an engaging and accurate performance, demonstrating thorough understanding of the song's cultural context and pronunciation.

Proficient

3 Points

Performs the song accurately with an understanding of its cultural context and good pronunciation.

Developing

2 Points

Attempts the performance with basic accuracy and limited understanding of cultural context or pronunciation.

Beginning

1 Points

Performs the song with minimal accuracy and little understanding of its cultural context.

Category 3

Scientific Exploration

Assess the ability to research and explain the scientific aspects of holiday traditions or natural events.

Criterion 1

Scientific Explanation

Evaluates the quality and accuracy of the student's presentation explaining the scientific aspects behind a chosen tradition or event.

Exemplary

4 Points

Provides a comprehensive and engaging explanation with accurate scientific details and insightful connections to the holiday tradition.

Proficient

3 Points

Offers a clear and accurate explanation with relevant scientific details related to the holiday tradition.

Developing

2 Points

Provides a basic explanation with some scientific details, lacking depth or complete accuracy.

Beginning

1 Points

Gives an incomplete explanation with minimal or inaccurate scientific connections.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

What was your favorite holiday that you learned about during our exploration of holidays around the world, and why did it stand out to you?

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Question 2

How did learning about different holidays help you understand that people around the world have different traditions and values?

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Question 3

Which of the holiday activities (passport, comparison chart, art, music, science) was the most fun or interesting for you? Explain why.

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Question 4

On a scale of 1 to 5, how much did you enjoy learning about holidays around the world?

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Question 5

What is one thing you would like to learn more about regarding holidays or cultural celebrations?

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