Week 1: Family Celebrations
Weekly Focus
Children explore celebrations that happen within families, such as birthdays, anniversaries, and family reunions, and share their own family celebration traditions.
Week at a Glance
- Identify different types of family celebrations
- Share personal experiences of family celebrations
- Recognize common elements of celebrations
- Understand that celebrations mark special occasions
Weekly Overview
Theme
Family Celebrations
Focus Areas
- Different family celebrations
- Personal celebration experiences
- Elements of celebrations
- Celebration vocabulary
Key Vocabulary
Creating an Inclusive Environment
Daily Plans
Monday: What Are Celebrations?
Daily schedule and activities
Morning Activity
Morning Circle: Introduce the theme 'Celebrations.' Read 'Let's Celebrate!' by Caroline Jayne Church or a similar book about celebrations. Discuss what celebrations are and why we have them.
Literacy Focus
Create a 'Celebrations' word wall with pictures and words related to different celebrations. Practice using these words in sentences.
Math Focus
Count and sort picture cards of different types of celebrations.
Afternoon Activity
Children draw pictures of a family celebration they have experienced. Dictate or write sentences about their drawings.
Materials Needed
- Let's Celebrate! book
- Chart paper
- Markers
- Drawing supplies
- Picture cards of celebrations
Assessment Notes
Observe students' prior knowledge about celebrations and their ability to identify different types of celebrations.
Featured Activities
Birthday Celebration Graph
Create a visual representation of children's birthdays by month to practice counting, comparing, and discussing patterns.
Duration
30 minutes
Materials
- Chart paper
- Markers
- Birthday stickers or icons
- Children's birth date information
Learning Areas
Family Traditions Book
Each child creates a page about their family's special traditions to compile into a class book celebrating diversity.
Duration
45 minutes
Materials
- Construction paper
- Drawing supplies
- Photos from home (optional)
- Binding materials
Learning Areas
Celebration Dramatic Play Center
Set up a dramatic play area with props for different family celebrations where children can role-play scenarios.
Duration
Ongoing center
Materials
- Party hats
- Pretend cake
- Decorations
- Dress-up clothes
- Pretend gifts
- Celebration cards
Learning Areas
Celebration Scrapbook
Children create simple scrapbooks depicting a religious or national celebration that their family participates in.
Duration
40 minutes
Materials
- Construction paper
- Magazines for cutting
- Glue
- Scissors
- Markers
- Stapler
Learning Areas
Family Engagement
Resources
Books
- "Let's Celebrate!" by Caroline Jayne Church
- "Happy Birthday to You!" by Dr. Seuss
- "The Relatives Came" by Cynthia Rylant
- "The Keeping Quilt" by Patricia Polacco
- "Hooray! A Piñata!" by Elisa Kleven
Printables
- Birthday graph template
- Family celebration coloring pages
- Celebration vocabulary cards
- Family traditions recording sheet
- Thank-you note templates
Home Connection
Send home a family activity sheet that encourages parents/caregivers to talk with their child about a special family celebration and help them draw or write about it.