Week 2: Cultural Celebrations
Weekly Focus
Children learn about cultural celebrations from around the world, including holidays, festivals, and traditions that reflect different cultural backgrounds.
Week at a Glance
- Recognize that different cultures have unique celebrations
- Identify common elements across cultural celebrations
- Develop respect and appreciation for cultural diversity
- Learn about traditions from various cultural backgrounds
Weekly Overview
Theme
Cultural Celebrations
Focus Areas
- Different cultural celebrations
- Global awareness
- Diversity appreciation
- Cultural traditions
Key Vocabulary
Cultural Sensitivity
Daily Plans
Monday: Celebrations Around the World
Daily schedule and activities
Morning Activity
Morning Circle: Introduce the concept of cultural celebrations. Read 'Celebrations Around the World' by Katy Halford or a similar book. Discuss how different cultures celebrate special occasions.
Literacy Focus
Create a 'Celebrations Around the World' chart listing different cultural celebrations, where they originate, and key elements of each celebration.
Math Focus
Sort and classify pictures of celebrations from different cultures.
Afternoon Activity
Introduce a world map or globe. Identify different countries and regions where various cultural celebrations take place. Place celebration symbols on the map.
Materials Needed
- Celebrations Around the World book
- World map or globe
- Celebration symbols or stickers
- Chart paper
- Pictures of cultural celebrations
Assessment Notes
Observe students' prior knowledge about cultural celebrations and their ability to identify different cultures on a map.
Featured Activities
World Celebration Map
Create an interactive world map showing where different cultural celebrations originate, helping children develop global awareness.
Duration
45 minutes
Materials
- Large world map or globe
- Celebration symbols or stickers
- Information cards about each celebration
- Pins or tape
Learning Areas
Festival of Lights Lanterns
Children create paper lanterns inspired by light festivals from around the world, exploring the symbolism of light in celebrations.
Duration
30 minutes
Materials
- Colored paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- String
- Decorative materials
- LED tea lights
Learning Areas
New Year Dragon Dance
Children learn about and perform a simplified version of the Lunar New Year dragon dance, exploring movement and cultural traditions.
Duration
35 minutes
Materials
- Dragon puppet or costume pieces
- Drums or percussion instruments
- Red and gold decorations
- Music from Lunar New Year celebrations
Learning Areas
Diwali Exploration
Children learn about the Festival of Lights through stories, art, and sensory experiences.
Duration
40 minutes
Materials
- Diwali storybook
- Clay for making diya lamps
- Colored sand for rangoli patterns
- Battery tea lights
Learning Areas
Community Connections
Resources
Books
- "Celebrations Around the World" by Katy Halford
- "Lighting a Lamp: A Diwali Story" by Jonny Zucker
- "Dragon Dance: A Chinese New Year" by Joan Holub
- "Harvest" by Lizzy Rockwell
- "Let's Celebrate: Special Days Around the World" by Kate DePalma
Printables
- World map celebration markers
- Cultural celebration matching cards
- Festival symbols coloring pages
- Venn diagram templates
- Cultural celebration vocabulary cards
Home Connection
Send home a family activity sheet asking families to share information about a cultural celebration that is important to them. Include space for drawing or attaching a photo.