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!6. what Santa Claus looks like (Day 2)
Kristine and Wiebke, Germany
from: here
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/
