A couple of years ago, I started teaching Christmas Around the World units to our neighborhood Homeschool Kids. I figured that since I love everything Christmas, and I also really love learning about other cultures--I could combine the two and teach some get your hands dirty and let's get crafty while learning about our amazing world classes! Seriously--teaching these classes is FUN. (I understand I am a dork.) I enjoy learning right alongside the kids I teach! The first year we learned about Christmas traditions in Sweden, Mexico, and Russia. We were busy that first year--we did things like make marzipan and Pepperkakor cookies for Sweden, create 14 individual pinatas (the prep-work for that one about killed me!!!), and cook the Russian tea cakes and make a spiced tea for a Russian high tea. Sweden...marzipan candy and gingerbread houses, St. Lucia's day garland and candles, Pepperkakor cookies behind the candles, and Annika's Secret Wish--one of my favorite holiday books!
Last year, we raced back in time in America--learning about Colonial, Pioneer, and Victorian Christmases. We made ink just like the Colonists did, using blueberries and strawberries--that the kids got to try out (and take home!) with real feather quill pens. The kids got to race each other to see who could "load a pioneer schooner wagon" quickest. They also got to make tin-punched luminaries, and evergreen boughs (using FREE tree trimmings from Lowe's!) To celebrate the Victorian Era in America, the kids made the desserts for ourVictorian tea--(Oreo) bon bons and cranberry muffins. They also created fancy calling cards and Christmas cards.
Building log cabins like the Pioneers
This year, we're racing around the world again--learning about the Christmas traditions in Poland, Germany, and England. With each unit, I work hard to find a beautiful and meaningful Christmas picture storybook about that country. In fact, I'll let you in on a little secret...I pick the country to teach when I find a great picture book! Many times, I do a drawing on the day of the class, so that a student gets to take home the beautiful book! (Sometimes, it is really difficult to let go of the book!!!)
I tell you all of this because I want to share my lesson plans with you. I figure if I go to all the work and planning, I might as well share it with others. I will post these plans as soon as I teach each class. Please feel free to use any of these ideas--especially if you want to reach out to your own neighbor kids! Gosh, nothing would please me more than hearing that other kids were racing around the world with us! I will include links in these plans, so that you are able to print out all the same materials I am using. Oh, and I do charge a nominal fee for the neighbor kids that come take these classes, to cover the costs of supplies. (Feel free to e-mail me, and we can chat about setting a fee that suits your needs.) The only thing I ask--is that if you post any of my ideas, please link back, and give me credit (please and thank you!!)
So, if you'd like to join us on our race around the world this year--start gathering supplies! This week, we'll study Poland. Barring a mental breakdown, I plan to post the Polish lesson plans on Friday. (Note: Mental breakdown is not unheard of in these here parts.) Here are some of the supplies to start gathering:
1 . Marta and the Manger Straw book (Does your library have it?)
2. Wheat straw...or regular straw...or raffia...or really really skinny dowel rods. We'll be making a straw Christmas ornament. String or embroidery thread.
3. Colorful construction paper and scissors
4. Ingredients for recipes: butter, sugar, flour, vanilla, powdered sugar, chopped pecans (can you guess what recipe??)
Other possible ingredients...? Do I DARE to make pierogies? Nope, I've never made them, or even tried them...but has that everstopped me from helping 15 kids, ages 6-11, get crazy in my kitchen??? (I'm a glutton for punishment...and a flour-strewn kitchen!) The pierogies are a slight maybe... For those, we'd need sour cream, mashed potatoes, flour, and butter.
5. A nativity set (for the kids to play with/decorate), and dress up clothes to create a living nativity
6. The other things you'd need, you should already have around the house...pencils, colors, markers, white paper, etc...mop, broom, vacuum, Valium, and LOTS of Coca-Cola...
What are some fun ways your family/homeschoolers celebrate(s) Christmas?
I would also LOVE to hear if you use any of these ideas--and how you use them!! Oh, and just so you know...I am SURE there are plenty of ways to IMPROVE my lessons--feel free to improve away!!! I am a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of girl, so I am usually putting on finishing touches to the lessons the night before...after midnight...
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