Christmas Around the World

Author Wendy Ratkovec

Introduction: Students will use an Internet resource to track down some holiday traditions in countries around the world.

Content Area(s) and Grade Level  2+

Integrated disciplines  Social Studies, Technology

Objectives (From NE State Standards; available at: http://www.nde.state.ne.us/Issu/SS/SocSStnd.html)

Social Studies Standards:

v      Students will identify and describe cultural holidays and important events.

Technology Standards: (From ISTE: available at: http://cnets.iste.org/index3.html)

     v Work cooperatively and collaboratively with peers, family members, and others when using technology in the classroom.

     Materials/Technologies

v    Teacher prepared worksheet available at (answers on the bottom of the page):

                       http://www.henry.k12.ga.us/pges/scaveng_1.htm

v    Computer with internet capabilities

v    Internet Resource/Tools: http://www.henry.k12.ga.us/pges/around.htm

v    Advance Preparation:

·        The teacher must prepare the worksheet of questions after previewing the web site.

v    Skills Needed: The children must be familiar with the use of the internet and the use of hyperlinks.

Procedures

Springboard  Have a class discussion about family traditions at Christmas.  Record the different customs and traditions.  Ask students if all people around the world celebrate Christmas the same way, if they do at all.   

What teacher is to do

v    Introduce the activity.  Group students in 2s, or allow them to work alone.

v    Explain the worksheet, if any questions.

v    Guide the students to the website.

v    Guide them in searching and answering the questions.

What students are to do

v    Complete the worksheet on the heart by researching the available websites. 

     Closure

Discuss any difficulties in using the website.  Did students find it easy?  Difficult?  What interesting facts did they learn about Christmas in other parts of the world.   

     Assessment

Each student will be evaluated during the entire process as s/he gathers and records information on the worksheet.  Students will also be evaluated on the quality of their group or individual work.  The rubric shows the requirements that will be used to evaluate the student.  Encourage students to refer to the rubric throughout the activity to make sure that each student remains on task.

RUBRIC

         Beginning/ Developing/ Proficient/ Exemplary

Student participated positively
 in project independently or in

a group.

Student used online
resources to complete worksheet.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Student put forth quality time
towards the research.

Student analyzed information by:
1. Examining cause & effect relationships
2. Making inferences
3. Drawing conclusions
4. Summarizing

Information was well researched.

* Place a check for each outcome in the appropriate column.
* Student Outcomes for: 
60-69%(beginning) 70-79%(developing) 80-89%(proficient) 90-100%(exemplary)

Explanation

I chose this activity because it is very navigable for young students.  After each questions, there is a link that helps answer the question.  Students can get a little taste of the vastness of the internet through this research.  I also thought it was a very interesting activity; great for Social Studies and Multicultural!

Merryellen Towey Schulz, Ph.D.     College of Saint Mary                      Spring, 2001

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