Our next IB Unit is Where We Are in Place and Time and we
are focusing on traditions. To kick off our unit, we will be spending the week
after Thanksgiving with The Grinch! By Friday, we will have learned all about
how the Grinch’s character changes from the beginning to the end of the story
and how the Whos celebrate Christmas in Whoville. Then, the fun will really
begin!
Our classes will receive letters from the Grinch explaining
that he enjoyed learning about Christmas traditions in Whoville so much that he
plans to travel the world to learn about holiday traditions in other countries.
Each day, we will receive a package from the Grinch telling his location, the
holiday that country celebrates, and including a book for us to read and an
activity for us to do to learn about that holiday’s traditions. (Download the
Grinched font we used to prepare the letters here.)
Each day, we will add to a running chart that we can use to
compare and contrast the holidays and their traditions.
The Grinch will travel to:
The North Pole – Christmas
Africa – Kwanzaa (we realize that Kwanzaa began in America
but it was celebrated by people of African descent)
Israel – Hanukkah
Mexico – Las Posadas
Sweden – St. Lucia Day
India – Diwali
Some days, the students will be asked to draw and label two
traditions for each holiday or to compare holiday traditions. Download a free
copy of the worksheets we created here. Other days, they will complete a craft or
activity (i.e. make a poinsettia, take turns swinging at a piñata, work
cooperatively to create a toilet paper tube menorah, etc.).
We will post pictures as we move through the unit. Once we
have learned about holiday traditions around the world, the students will
conduct a family interview to learn more about a tradition their family engages
in, and will present this tradition, along with an artifact/song/dance, to the class.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
