Holidays Around the World

In writing we researched and compared the role Santa Claus plays in The United States, Germany, France, and Mexico. As a whole group, we charted our findings on a grid for who the gift giver is, what he looks like, how he travels, when he comes, and where he leaves gifts. The students then took notes on their own copy of the grid. Using their notes, they chose to countries, and their version of Santa Claus, to compare on a Venn Diagram. After completing the Venn Diagram, they added heads, hats, legs, and arms to the Venn Diagram to look like Santa. Later in Social Studies we compared even more of the traditions of each country. We also looked at the traditions of Hanukkah in Israel as a part of our Social Studies lessons.

Santa Study

Our Instructional Media Specialist, Ms. Hollingsworth, created an amazing lesson for the first graders about the role of Santa Claus around the world. The students got to "hear" Santa speak to them from Germany, France, Mexico, and The United States. They heard what his name was, what he wears, when he visits, how he travels, and where he leaves gifts. The students are currently using this research to write about the role of Santa Claus from one country of their choice.

If Santa Got Stuck in the Chimney

To practice creative writing, the students wrote what they would do if Santa got stuck in the chimney. Before writing, we talked about the importance of stating the topic of your writing somewhere at the beginning. They then wrote at least one thing they would do to help poor Santa.

If Santa Got Stuck in the Chimney

On Thursday the students wrote responses to the prompt "What would happen if Santa got stuck in the chimney?" to use creative problem solving. (I found this great idea from Pinterest - follow me here!) The students then colored legs and shoes to show Santa sticking outing of the chimney.