Holiday Traditions

Introduction

Have you ever wondered where our holiday traditions come from? Have you ever been curious as to why we put lights on our houses during Christmas or some of us celebrate different holidays than others? Well, in this assignment, you will get all the answers to your questions!

Task

Students will get into pairs to research four different holidays in December: Christmas, Hanukkah, Las Posadas, and Kwanzaa. Part of the research will require each student to interview one member of their family about the traditions they have celebrated in December.

Once both partners have interviewed a family member, they will collaborate on traditions and come up with a NEW holiday to be celebrated in December.

Students will make a poster to present to the class a week from today, October 27, 2015.

Process

In order to complete this efficiently, students must gain a good amount of information from their family member.

Questions to ask may include:

  • Why do you celebrate this holiday and not another?
  • How long have you been celebrating this holiday?
  • Have you ever celebrated any other holiday in December?

Once you have gathered these questions (and questions of your own), you and your partner will share the responses you were given and then collaborate on a new holiday.

You can combine different holidays to make a new one, it really is up to you and your creative ideas!!

Resources:

Christmas -

http://www.etonline.com/news/155454_31_facts_you_didn_t_know_about_chri…

http://socialindc.com/10-christmas-fun-facts/

Hanukkah -

http://www.funology.com/facts-about-hanukkah/

http://www.softschools.com/facts/holidays/hanukkah_facts/150/

Kwanzaa:

http://www.pbs.org/black-culture/connect/talk-back/what-is-kwanzaa/

http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/kwanzaa-history

Las Posadas -

http://www.britannica.com/topic/Las-Posadas

http://www.zuzu.org/mex.html

  • You may use these websites as guides to help you understand each holiday and to help you create your new one :)

Evaluation

      This is the rubric you will be graded on, so make sure when completing this assignment, you keep this in mind!!
          Teacher Name:

      Ms. Moore


        Student Name:     ________________________________________
      CATEGORY 4 3 2 1
      Contributions Routinely provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. A definite leader who contributes a lot of effort. Usually provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. A strong group member who tries hard! Sometimes provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. A satisfactory group member who does what is required. Rarely provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. May refuse to participate.
      Quality of Work Provides work of the highest quality. Provides high quality work. Provides work that occasionally needs to be checked/redone by other group members to ensure quality. Provides work that usually needs to be checked/redone by others to ensure quality.
      Focus on the task Consistently stays focused on the task and what needs to be done. Very self-directed. Focuses on the task and what needs to be done most of the time. Other group members can count on this person. Focuses on the task and what needs to be done some of the time. Other group members must sometimes nag, prod, and remind to keep this person on-task. Rarely focuses on the task and what needs to be done. Lets others do the work.
      Preparedness Brings needed materials to class and is always ready to work. Almost always brings needed materials to class and is ready to work. Almost always brings needed materials but sometimes needs to settle down and get to work Often forgets needed materials or is rarely ready to get to work.
      Working with Others Almost always listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others. Tries to keep people working well together. Usually listens to, shares, with, and supports the efforts of others. Does not cause \"waves\" in the group. Often listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others, but sometimes is not a good team member. Rarely listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others. Often is not a good team player.
      Pride Work reflects this student\'s best efforts. Work reflects a strong effort from this student. Work reflects some effort from this student. Work reflects very little effort on the part of this student.

      Conclusion

      By completing this assignment, students will understand how to efficently work in a partner setting. Students will understand the value of time management and how to work effectively with a partner. Students will also learn the many different cultural celebrations that are celebrated every Decemeber. Students will show creativity by creating their own "holiday" to celebrate, as well.