Grade Levels:  7 and 8 (This lesson can be adapted for other grade levels.)

Subjects: English Language Arts

Learner Outcomes:  The learner will:

Research the customs and traditions associated with the Christmas holiday season.

Select one custom or tradition, and create a slide to include in a class multimedia presentation based on that research.

Materials:  Books that contain information about the customs and traditions that surround the Christmas holidays can be used to supplement information found on the Internet; however, that is optional.

Technology Tools/Courseware:

Computer
Internet access
Presentation Software (PowerPoint, etc.)
Graphic software program (optional)
Means of showing PowerPoint presentations to the entire class (LCD projector, Computer/TV connector)

A copy of each student's signed Acceptable Use Policy must be on file in the school.

Basic instruction in how to develop a PowerPoint presentation is essential for students to create quality work.

Consideration should be given to taking students to the computer lab to do this lesson.

Be sensitive to students who do not observe holidays.  An alternative assignment may be necessary.

In this lesson the class will work together to create a PowerPoint presentation based on the customs and traditions that surround the Christmas holidays.  Each student or group will select one custom or tradition, research that topic, and create a slide that will be included in the class project.

Organize the class into heterogeneous groups to accommodate students of various ability levels.  A good arrangement is to have one group for each available computer.

Bookmark the following Internet sites to maximize class time:

Christmas Symbols (Scroll to the bottom of the page for links to several Christmas symbols.)
How Christmas Works
Christmas Stocking
Urban Legends of Christmas
Holiday Traditions Immigrate

Each group should select one custom or tradition to research.  This could be done by teacher assignment to prevent duplications.

Students should access the Internet sites to find out information about and locate an image of the tradition,

Each group will be responsible for using that information to create a minimum of one slide to contribute to the class PowerPoint project.

Make certain that students understand that they are to write the text for their slide and insert an image relative to their assigned tradition.

Post the date each individual slide must be ready so that it will not delay the assembly of their class project.

The class will work together to assemble the slides into a presentation.  The assembly process will include determining the order of the slides, creating the introduction to the presentation, and incorporating music.

Show the presentation as part of the Christmas season festivities.
 

Arrange heterogeneous groups to accommodate students of various ability levels.

Follow the school's policy for inclusion.

Refer to individual IEP's.

Provide an alternate assignment for students whose religious beliefs prevent their doing this lesson.

Design a web page based on Christmas traditions.

Survey members of the class about their family traditions and what role their heritage plays in their traditions.  Depict those findings on a chart or graph.

Write an essay about personal traditions and customs.

An assessment rubric has been attached for your consideration..

West Virginia IGO's:

English Language Arts:

8.26, 8.31, 8.51, 8.58, 8.64, 8.145, 8.154
7.22, 7.57, 7.58, 7.60, 7.61, 7.62, 7.65, 7.169

National Standards

Christmas Symbols
How Christmas Works
Christmas Stocking
Urban Legends of Christmas
Holiday Traditions Immigrate

An Overview	Lesson 1 Christmas Customs and Traditions	Lesson 2 Christmas Tree Timeline	Lesson 3 Dear Santa	Lesson 4 Santa's Travels	Lesson 5 Santa: Man and Myth	Lesson 6 Christmas Around the World	Lesson 7 Sounds of the Season

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