Curated OER
Japanese Festivals and Celebrations
High schoolers investigate the importnce of celebrations anf festivals in Japanese culture and then create a story based upon an image from the lesson. Resource links are provided for images of events.
Teaching Ideas
The Aztecs
Did you know the Aztecs had two different calendars? Or that Aztec men could have more than one wife? Find out more about this ancient civilization including how they lived, what they ate, and their cultures and beliefs with a set of 20...
Curated OER
Kinara
Students create examples of Kwanzaa Kinaras (candlesticks) using construction paper, glue, poster paper, and tissue paper in this multi-cultural art instructional activity for the elementary school classroom. A detailed materials list is...
Curated OER
African Art: Ntan Drum
Students study African history, anthropology and culture using the lens of the art object, Ntan Drum. Lesson and instruction is differentiated for elementary, middle and high school students.
Curated OER
Korea Lunar New Year
Students explore Korean Lunar New Year traditions, examine Korean culture, practice saying "Happy Lunar New Year" and other greetings in Korean, and discuss common foods, games, and other activities enjoyed by Koreans on Lunar New Year....
Curated OER
A Festival Day In Ancient Greece
Sixth graders present a Greek festival. In this Greek festival lesson, 6th graders experience many facets of an ancient Greek festival. Students in sixth grade present the Greek festival to second grade students.
Curated OER
Harvest Festivals Around the World
Students examine and compare/contrast various harvest festivals from around the world. They read books, sing songs, and create various art projects about the harvest festivals from Ghana, China, Korea, Vietnam, and India.
Curated OER
An Ancient Greek and Roman Festival
Third graders label a map of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations and do a written report on one element of these two cultures. They participate in discussions of food, farming, daily life and government (among others). Students use the...
Curated OER
Folklife Around the Year and Around the State
Research how seasonal changes in Louisiana affect learners' lives and the folklife of their communities and the state. They investigate differences in the seasonal round in the regions of Louisiana, including celebrations, festivals,...
ESL Library
Mardi Gras
Learn about the festivity of Mardi Gras with a series of reading and writing assignments. As class members read a passage about the history of Mardi Gras and the way it's celebrated around the world, they answer comprehension questions,...
Curated OER
Vietnam-Tet Nguyen Dan; Dancing Dragon Puppets
Students are shown visual examples of Dragon Dance costumes and identify cultural characteristics and ceremonial design qualities. Students listen to the teacher tell about the significance dragon dances have played throughout Vietnamese...
Curated OER
Participants are challenged to create several different sorting groups for the set of images.
Students examine the influence of interaction with other cultures and the environment in relation to calendars. They also look at the origins of the calendar we use every day.
Curated OER
Chinese New Year Lesson Plans
Celebrate with food, activities, and learn the traditions of the Chinese culture while enjoying the Chinese New Year.
Curated OER
Carnival Celebrations: Masks and Vejigantes
Students explore Carnival. In this Puerto Rico Carnival lesson, students discover the history of the cultural celebration as well as the significance of the elaborate masks worn for the festivities. Students create their own Carnival masks.
Curated OER
Have Respect
Young scholars learn the value of respect. In this Clifford the Big Red Dog lesson plan, students read the story, discuss respect, and experience a mini-international festival.
Richmond
Chinese New Year – Reading Comprehension
Traditions surrounding the celebration of the Chinese New Year are the focus of a reading comprehension worksheet designed for intermediate level language learners.
Curated OER
Chinese Lantern Festival - Social Studies
Students explore the culture and heritage of their own and other groups. They explain ways communities celebrate New Year's. Students explore how and why individuals and groups pass on and sustain their culture and heritage. Pupils...
Curated OER
Japan: New Year's Day
Young scholars discover how New Year's Day is celebrated in Japan. In groups, they create their own versions of Japanese kites using materials available to them in the classroom. They discover the signifigance of the kites to their...
Curated OER
Route 66
Students research the Internet to locate information about the Route 66 Festival. They focus on the history of the route in Illinois and create a web page of information.
Curated OER
El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
Fifth graders describe ways in which people in the United States remember and honor the dead. They identify the similarities and differences between El Dia de los Muertos, Memorial Day, and Halloween.
Curated OER
Running of the Bulls/Bullfighting Traditions
Ninth graders explore the concept of bullfighting and the Running of the Bulls as tradition in Spanish culture. In this Current Events lesson, 9th graders analyze various pictures of bullfighting. Students create a drama on bull...
Curated OER
The Role of Dragons in Chinese Culture
Students discuss the concept of symbolism in China and America and create their own "dragon boats" for evaluation and display. This Art lesson can be easily integrated into an elementary unit on China.
News Word
Hanukkah
How much does your class know about the Jewish Festival of Lights? Young learners practice Hanukkah vocabulary, including latkes, Judea, sufganiot, and gimel, in a series of word puzzles.
North American Montessori Center
Sun and Moon Autumnal Equinox Activities
Two hands-on activities celebrate the sun and moon autumnal equinox. First, scholars create a cairn using a shoebox, flashlight, and drawing tools to view the sun's progression. Second, learners take to the kitchen to bake mooncakes and...