Traditional Holidays
Objective: This worksheet aims to introduce students to the concept of traditional holidays, highlighting their cultural significance and diversity across different countries.
Content and methods: The worksheet begins with an introductory text defining traditional holidays and providing examples from the United States (Fourth of July), Mexico (Día de los Muertos), China (Lunar New Year), and India (Diwali). This is followed by prompts for students to reflect on other traditional holidays they know and celebrate. The next section provides a detailed info text about one traditional holiday, describing its history, global celebration methods, and associated foods. Students then use this information to fill out a "Profile of a traditional holiday". Finally, the worksheet includes a memory game with images and names of various traditional holidays (e.g., Sugar Feast, Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year's Eve, Halloween, Easter) for a hands-on matching activity.
Competencies:
- Reading comprehension
- Cultural awareness and appreciation
- Information extraction and categorization
- Memory and matching skills
- Reflection and self-expression
Target group: 4th-6th grade
55 other teachers use this template
Target group and level
4th-6th grade
Subjects
Traditional Holidays
Holidays and Traditions
Traditional holidays - an overview
Traditional holidays are special times when people celebrate their culture and history. These days are filled with fun activities, colorful clothes, music, and delicious food. Different cultures have different Tradition Days, and each one is unique.
For example, in the United States, people celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks and barbecues to remember their independence. In Mexico, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a time to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away. People build altars, decorate with marigolds, and share special foods like sugar skulls.
In China, the Lunar New Year is a big celebration that lasts for 15 days! Families gather to eat dumplings, give red envelopes with money, and watch dragon dances. In India, Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by lighting oil lamps, exchanging sweets, and enjoying fireworks.
Tradition Days help us learn about different cultures and understand our own heritage better. They bring families and communities together, creating happy memories and a sense of belonging. So, the next time you hear about a Tradition Day, remember it’s a chance to celebrate and learn something new!
Traditional holidays
Think about the following questions:
- Do you know any other traditional holidays?
- Which ones do you like to celebrate most, and why?
Traditional holidays
Profile of a traditional holiday
Read through the following info text. Then use the information to fill out the profile on the following page.
New Year's Eve
Source: Andreas Weith File:Fireworks on New Year's Eve in a small Swabian village (1), brightened.jpg CC BY-SA 4.0
New Year's Eve, also known as Old Year's Day, has been celebrated for thousands of years. It marks the end of the year on December 31st and is celebrated all over the world. Different countries and cultures have their own unique ways of celebrating this special day.
Many people celebrate New Year's Eve with parties and fireworks. In the United States, people gather in Times Square, New York, to watch a big ball drop at midnight. In Sydney, Australia, a huge fireworks display lights up the sky over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. In Japan, people clean their homes and visit temples to ring bells 108 times, a tradition called Joya no Kane, to welcome the New Year.
Special foods are often eaten on New Year's Eve. In Spain, people eat 12 grapes at midnight, one for each chime of the clock, to bring good luck for the next 12 months. In Italy, lentils are eaten because they are believed to bring wealth and good fortune.
Similar tradition days include the Chinese New Year, which is celebrated with dragon dances and special foods, and Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, which includes eating apples dipped in honey for a sweet new year.
Additional information for teachers
Memory game for traditional holidays
Can you match all the pictures to the corresponding traditional holidays?
Note: For a memory game in printed form, you must first cut out all the cards and place them face down. Then you and your seat neighbor take turns uncovering two cards at a time until you find a pair. Whoever finds a pair gets another turn; the person with the most pairs found wins.