Polar Express Webquest

Introduction

Get ready to board the Polar Express!

Visit countries around the world and learn all about their winter celebrations. 

Polar Express


You will learn about festivities and celebrations of your assigned country, and then share what you learned with your classmates.

Click on the "Task" tab to get instructions for your journey!

Task

You will be working in groups of 3-4 and researching the country assigned to your group. You will research that country to find information about any winter celebrations associated with that country. 

Click on the "Process" tab to find the instructions for your group.

Process

You need to find information for your country for these categories:

 *    Winter/Christmas traditions celebrated in the country

*    Traditional meals or drinks related to their celebrations

*    Special Songs related to the tradition

*    The name of their “Santa” or other holiday figure

*    How they say “Merry Christmas” or another greeting related to their celebration

*    Any other information about your country's celebration you find interesting and want to share with your classmates

As a group, you should decide on the job of each group member. The jobs for the group are:

*    Recorder - This person will type or write the information for your project

*    Artist - This person will create artwork for at least 3 pages of your project. He or she will also draw the flag of your country on the suitcase cover of your project.

*    Editor - This person will check the facts for your group, check the spelling and grammar, and make sure all assigned tasks are completed.

In addition to these jobs, you should decide which category each group member will look up. (For groups of 3, each group member should look up 2 items listed by the candy canes. For groups of 4, some members may only need to look up 1 item.)

Once you have gathered your information:

Create a Suitcase for your country. Each group will be given a folder, 7 pieces of white paper, and a suitcase to color and draw their country's flag on. (This suitcase will be glued on the front of your folder.)

The first page of your project will be your title page with the name of your country and the names of your group's members. The rest of the pages should be titled as follows:

Page 2 - "Traditions"

Page 3 - "Traditional Meals and Drinks"

Page 4 - "Songs"

Page 5 - "Holiday Figures"

Page 6 - "Holiday Greetings"

Page 7 - "Interesting Facts"

Click on links beside the name of your country to find information about it.

Brazil

http://www.santas.net/brazilianchristmas.htm

http://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas/worldxmas/brazil.htm

http://www.the-north-pole.com/around/brazil.html

Canada

http://www.santas.net/canadianchristmas.htm

http://www.msichicago.org/scrapbook/scrapbook_exhibits/catw2004/traditions/countries/canada.html

http://www.the-north-pole.com/around/canada.html

Egypt

http://www.msichicago.org/scrapbook/scrapbook_exhibits/catw2004/traditions/countries/egypt.html

http://www.twilightbridge.com/hobbies/festivals/christmas/africa.htm

http://www.santas.net/egyptianchristmas.htm

France

http://www.the-north-pole.com/around/france.html

http://www.santas.net/frenchchristmas.htm

http://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas/worldxmas/france.htm

Italy

http://www.santas.net/italianchristmas.htm

http://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas/worldxmas/italy.htm

http://www.msichicago.org/scrapbook/scrapbook_exhibits/catw2004/traditions/countries/italy.html

Japan

http://www.santas.net/japanesechristmas.htm

http://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas/worldxmas/japan.htm

http://www.msichicago.org/scrapbook/scrapbook_exhibits/catw2004/traditions/countries/japan.html

Mexico

http://www.santas.net/mexicanchristmas.htm

http://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas/worldxmas/mexico.htm

http://www.msichicago.org/scrapbook/scrapbook_exhibits/catw2004/traditions/countries/mexico.html

United States of America

http://www.santas.net/americanchristmas.htm

http://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas/worldxmas/us.htm

http://www.twilightbridge.com/hobbies/festivals/christmas/namerica.htm

Other helpful links:

Images of flags - http://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas/worldxmas/

How to say Merry Christmas in each country - http://santas.net/howmerrychristmasissaid.htm

http://www.planetpals.com/merrychristmas.html