Jersey Heritage
A Victorian Christmas
In many ways, Victorian Christmas is alive and well today! Class members read an informative passage to learn more about traditional Christmas gifts, decorations, crackers, and visits from Santa Claus in nineteenth-century England—as...
Agriculture in the Classroom
A Holiday Tradition: Which Christmas Tree Will You Choose?
Different varieties of Christmas trees provide an interesting way to combine social studies, science, math, and technology. Class members not only research the history of the Christmas tree holiday tradition, they compare and contrast...
Curated OER
Poets of Christmas Past
Students consider the meanings of Christmas by reading an op-ed. As a class, they then create a sequel to the poem "A Visit from Saint Nicholas," in which "Mamma" tells a story about the history of Christmas.
Curated OER
Smells Like Christmas, Exploring the Nose
Students discover that the sense of smell helps us to enjoy life and explore unsafe conditions. They smell Christmas by making gingerbread ornaments.
Curated OER
The Traditions of Christmas
For this holiday reading comprehension worksheet, students learn about 3 common Christmas traditions: wreaths, stockings, and decorated trees. Students read facts about each and answer questions.
Curated OER
Collage and Photomontage
Tenth graders discuss collage and photomontage techniques and artists, and how the art form can convey cultural or current issues. They research a collage artist, then design a topical or personally symbolic collage. Present their...
Curated OER
The Christmas Tree
Learners recognize that the Christmas tree is one symbol of Christmas, then demonstrate their ability to identify symbols. They compare the lightstock (Christmas pyramid) with the Paradise tree and apply their knowledge about the history...
Curated OER
Christmas Handprint Wreath and Other Holiday Hand Crafts
Learners trace their hands and use the prints to create Christmas wreaths. They explore the history and development of the symbolism behind the Christmas wreath.
Curated OER
The History of Christmas Trees, Part One
Students read an article about Winter Solstice celebrations. They consider the symbolism of evergreens in winter and how different cultures have used evergreens in winter celebrations throughout history.
Curated OER
Christmas in the Philippines, Pasko Sa Aming Bayang Pilipinas
Middle schoolers examine the way in which Christmas traditions are celebrated in the Philippines. They investigate why Christmas is the most important festival while looking at the geography and history of the region.
Curated OER
U.S. and Global Christmas Traditions
Sixth graders use Internet research to find out about holidays based on the winter solstice, Christmas, and Christmas traditions around the world. They create a PowerPoint presentation about what they learned.
Curated OER
Celebration Symbols and Their Meaning
Students develop a symbol that represents something they wish to celebrate or include in a celebration of their choosing.
PBS
The Power of Personal Narrative
Personal narratives are powerful things. Whether told from the first-person or third-person point of view, whether in the form of an essay, a short story, novel, or video, whether fiction or fact, they capture readers and give them...
Curated OER
A Christmas Celebration in the Black Culture
How much does your class know about Kwanzaa? Using the Internet, pupils practice using the Internet to find information. They then compare and contrast the similarities and differences between Kwanzaa and Christmas.
Curated OER
Holiday Exercises
In this interactive holiday instructional activity, students view 20 symbols of various holidays and match the correct name of the holiday to the symbol.
Curated OER
Celebrate Hanukkah in Israel
Explore Hanukkah and its origins with a social studies instructional activity. Learners discover the history of Hanukkah and its traditions. They locate Israel on a map, hear the story of the menorah and create their own dreidel....
Curated OER
World Religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam
Students explore the three main monotheistic religions of the world: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. They compare the history, important figures, holy books, places of worship, and symbols of faith of each religion through discussion...
Curated OER
Celebrate World Holidays with Hanukkah Lesson Plans, Kwanzaa Activities and More
Every year millions of people around the world celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and other holidays.
Japan Society
Tanabata: Japan's Star Festival
The Star Festival or Tanbata, is a holiday celebrated in Japan every year. People make tanzakus out of paper and hang them on the trees. Pupils will learn about this culturally significant holiday while creating tanzakus of their own....
Curated OER
Her stories: African American folktales, fairy tales, and true tales
Students discuss the illustration's allusion to the myth, Pandora's Box. Students locate instances of folk sayings or expressions that make these tales seem authentic to the reader. Students draw a Venn diagram comparing Catskinella and...
Curated OER
Spirit of Enquiry
The instructional activity includes guided questions to help students to think about their own behavior and purpose in life. They do this through a quiet time of reflection that can include the writing of ideas. Then students act out a...