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Catholic Unit Study

Catholic Unit Study

Christmas Around the World - Germany

In order to start our passage around the world for Christmas, we must first start with a Passport and airline tickets.  We will make our own from the ones found here:
http://www.mrsnelsonsclass.com/teacherresources/thematicunits/worldholidays.aspx

For each of our Christmas Around the World units we will be learning/doing/focusing on the following:
1. basic information for that country, the map, the flag, etc. (Day 1)
2. videos (Day 1)
3. Christmas stories/books (Days 1 -5)
4. traditions (Day 1 and 2)
5. the date of gift giving (Day 2)
6. what Santa Claus looks like (Day 2)
7. a typical gift from that country (Day 2)
8. songs (Day 3)
9.  how this country has influenced our own traditions and customs in the USA (Day 3)
10. learning what is the favorite customary decoration for that country (Day 4)
11. do a craft from the country (Day 4)
12. holiday meal - we will make a Christmas treat (Day 5)
13. extra

Christmas Around the World - Germany

For each of our Christmas Around the World units we will be learning/doing/focusing on the following:

1. basic information for that country, the map, the flag, etc. (Day 1)

Map of Germany
Flag of Germany coloring page
labeled map of Germany and surrounding countries


2. videos (Day 1)
 Christmas in Germany video of images
German traditions in a video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQfpf-7sqgU
The Nutcracker - even though this is Russian, it highlights nutcrackers, a great tradition in Germany


3. Christmas stories/books (Days 1 - 5)
 Cobweb Christmas
Gingerbread Boy (to introduce gingerbread) on-line version of the book
The Elves and the Shoemaker


4. traditions (Day 1 and 2)
  * Advent Calendar
  * Advent Wreath
  * Christmas Markets
  * Saint Nicholas (Sankt Nikolaus)
  * Christmas Tree (Der Tannenbaum)
  * Three Kings
 
German Christmas traditions
German advent wreath: http://german.about.com/library/definitions/bldef_cmas0323.htm
History of the Christmas Tree
German Christmas Traditions, including Silent Night & Christmas Dinner
More Traditions
German traditions From the North Pole - http://www.the-north-pole.com/around/germany.html
Great explanation of the 3 kings:
Lot so great information and links: here This is an amazing site with fabulous links!
here more great tidbits

 5. the date of gift giving (Day 2)
 
In Germany, the 6th of December is a special day:
 According to legend, on Christmas Eve in Germany rivers turn to wine, animals speak to each other, tree blossoms bear fruit, mountains open up to reveal precious gems, and church bells can be heard ringing from the bottom of the sea. Of course, only the pure in heart can witness this Christmas magic. All others must content themselves with traditional German celebrating, of which there is plenty. As a matter of fact, there is so much celebrating that is has to begin on December 6th, St. Nicholas Day.  from here

...There's a special tradition all over Germany on December 6th. [On] the evening of December 5th you put your cleaned (big) boots outside the house in front of the door (or inside). Some people also put a plate there or on the windowsill. The bread in the plate is for the white horse of Santa Claus ... In the morning you see that Santa Claus really was at your house and put nice things into the boots or plates, e.g., all kinds of nuts, oranges, apples, sweets, chocolate, small presents ... But if you [weren't] well behaved the whole year you only get a switch so that your parents can punish you, but they don't!
Kristine and Wiebke, Germany
from: here
 

6. what Santa Claus looks like (Day 2)

 Who is Santa Claus in other countries


7. a typical gift from that country (Day 2)
 


8. songs (Day 3)
 
O Tannenbaum http://www.kididdles.com/lyrics/o050.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPxCHi4mLYAHere is the history of the song, Silent Night
9.  how this country has influenced our own traditions and customs in the USA (Day 3)

 comparison between USA Christmas and German Christmas here


 10. learning what is the favorite customary decoration for that country (Day 4)
 
 "Prior to the evening feast, is the presentation of the tree. The Christmas tree, as we know it, originated in Germany. It has a mysterious magic for the young because they are not allowed to see it until Christmas Eve. While the children are occupied with another room (usually by Father) Mother brings out the Christmas tree and decorates it with apples, candy, nuts, cookies, cars, trains, angels, tinsel, family treasures and candles or lights. The presents are placed under the tree. Somewhere, close to the bright display are laid brilliantly decorated plates for each family member, loaded with fruits, nuts, marzipan, chocolate and biscuits. When all is ready a bell is rung as a signal for the children to enter this Christmas fantasy room. Carols are sung, sometimes sparklers are lit, the Christmas story is read and gifts are opened...The custom of trimming and lighting a Christmas tree had its origin in pre-Christian Germany, the tree symbolizing the Garden of Eden. It was called the "Paradise Baum," or tree of Paradise. Gradually, the custom of decorating the tree with cookies, fruit and eventually candles evolved. Other countries soon adapted the custom. Charles Dickens called it "The Pretty German Toy."
  from here (there are more traditions here as well)


 11. do a craft from the country (Day 4)
 
German Christmas Star http://www.craftideas.info/html/german_paper_star.html


12. holiday meal - we will make a Christmas treat (Day 5)
 
bratwurst (not traditional Christmas meal, but a German food that my children will eat!)
gingerbread cookies recipe
resource for German recipes http://www.germanfoods.org/consumer/recipes/recipes.cfm
13.  extra -

 Jan Brett's Interactive game to decorate a gingerbread man

To view in season:

The German Christmas market: here

German Advent calendar with a German information daily: here

 Extra Resources:
 http://www.myfreshplans.com/2010-12/christmas-around-the-world-lesson-plans-germany/

Menu Plan

After a month of "abnormal" schedules, I think I am finally ready to tap back into doing a menu plan.  It has been a very long two months, with lots of ups and downs.  We celebrated scouts, graduation, and I went on two small trips.  Then, my dad was in the hospital for a month prior to him dying in the hospital.  We then had his funeral and the stress that follows.  Friends brought us meals for a week, and I am now ready to "do it on my own again".  My oldest son will be gone for 12 days, and we are picking up a side of beef and hog meat tomorrow, so our freezer will be stocked full again.  Already, as soon as my children heard that I am picking up the side of beef, they have requested to have cube steak, a family favorite (which my kids can make on their own now).

Wednesday - chicken caesar salad

Thursday - cubed steak, mashed potatos

Friday - beef stroganoff, butter noodles, corn, carrots

Saturday - (will be in St. Louis most of the day) breakfast for dinner

Sunday - enchiladas

Monday - chicken fried rice

Tuesday - spaghetti

Wednesday - 4th of July, homemade ice cream, cheeseburgers

Thursday - pork chops

Friday - meat loaf

Saturday - bubble taco bake

Sunday - pizza

Hairbow Holder

I found this great tutorial for making a hair bow holder!  Check it out at: Embroitique.Com

Menu Plan

Menu Plan - June 11 - 23, 2012


Breakfast - (each week)

Baked Oatmeal with blueberries and apples
Cereal, banana
Scrambled Eggs x 2
Blueberry Muffins or Banana Bread and yogurt
Bacon and Eggs
French Toast, banana


Lunch -

hot dogs, corn, pears
calzones, apples x 2
sandwiches, chips
chicken quesadillas, carrots and celery sticks
chicken nuggets, mac n cheese, pineapple
leftovers
grilled chicken, salad
ham salad sandwiches, strawberries
italian sandwiches, grapes
cheeseburgers - grilled, salad
BBQ pork sandwiches


Dinner -

pork chops, applesauce, mashed potatoes
lasagna
sweet n sour brisket, butter noodles
breakfast skillet meals
steak quesadillas, corn on the cob, sweet potato fries
ham, cheesy potatoes, glazed carrots
beef stroganoff, green beans, noodles, applesauce
enchiladas, spanish rice, corn
pizza
cheeseburgers
chicken stir fry
spaghetti
chicken caesar salad
leftovers/sandwiches
taco night

Movie - The Muppets Lesson Plans

what the Muppets teaches

Use The Muppets to introduce and incorporate Project Based Learning.  We do this often, planning for Walt Disney World.  I think we will use this movie to further work for this concept and set up more for Walt Disney World.  Here is a link for the Muppets and Project Based Learning:  Muppets - Project Based Learning
Here is a link as to some important fund raising concepts introduced in The Muppet Movie Fund Raising

Foods/Cooking:
Day 1 - Kermit Head Apple and Dip
Day 2 - Fozzie cookies  (all of the ideas for days 2 -5 are from the following blog: Alicia Policia) or Rainbow Connection Sundaes Rainbow Connection Sundaes
Day 3 - Fruit Kabobs for Over the Rainbow
Day 4 - Scooter shaped Cheese Balls - make ours into Chocolate Chip Cookie dough - Scooter will just have freckles!  (let me know if you would like the recipe - it is delicious, and easy!)
Day 5 - Pigs in a Blanket and Swedish Chef Meatballs

Crafts -
Day 1 - Finger Puppets: Kermit and Fozzie Finger Puppets - Alicia Policia
Day 2 - Miss Piggy's Glam Mirror Glam Mirror
Day 3 - Make a muppet out of old socks or a paper puppet (with lesson plans) paper puppet - marionette
Day 4 - Muppet Charms Muppet Charms Printable
Day 5 - Kermit Cup Cozies Cup Cozies


Science Experiments
Prisms - Making a rainbow
Beaker the Muppet - Watch video She Blinded Me with Science
Hot Air Balloons


Character Development:
Perserverance
Team Work
Loyalty
Kindness
Big Dreams
Reconciliation


Social Studies/Unit Extensions:
Hollywood
Marionettes
Amphibians - Hands of a Child ebook/lapbook, Herpetology
How to Make a Movie