Christmas Around the World: Exploring Traditions and Celebrations

Christmas Around the World: Exploring Traditions and Celebrations

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will have a better understanding of the unique Christmas traditions in England, America, and The Netherlands, as well as the historical and cultural significance of Christmas celebrations.

What do you already know about Christmas traditions in different countries?

Christmas in England

Breakfast: Mince pies, Lunch: Turkey and cranberry sauce, Dinner: Roast beef, Snacks: Christmas pudding, Drinks: Mulled wine

Christmas in America

Breakfast: Pancakes with maple syrup, Lunch: Ham, Dinner: Turkey with stuffing, Snacks: Gingerbread cookies, Drinks: Eggnog

Christmas in The Netherlands

Breakfast: Kerststol (Christmas bread), Lunch: Gourmetten (mini-grilled meats), Dinner: Gourmetten (mini-grilled meats), Snacks: Oliebollen (deep-fried pastries), Drinks: Glühwein (mulled wine)

Christmas Symbols

Santa, Reindeers, Christmas trees, Stable, Presents, Family celebrations

The Meaning of Christmas

To celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and to spread love and joy

Christmas 1000 Years Ago

Celebrated as a pagan festival with feasting and merrymaking, Yule log, and the winter solstice

Christmas Bingo

Interactive activity where students mark off Christmas-related terms on their bingo cards

Christmas Word Game

Guessing game where students guess Christmas-related words from clues or descriptions

Christmas Crossword Puzzle

Interactive puzzle with clues related to Christmas traditions and symbols

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.