Introduction

Every family has holiday traditions that are enjoyed each year. Do you eat special foods, visit with special people, or receive gifts?

The purpose of this webquest is to become familiar with the traditions, customs, and cultures other countries have in celebrating Christmas.

The Task

Take some time to browse through the different countries and get an idea of how they celebrate Christmas. Choose one country to research using the Internet, library, Christmas Around the World booklet, World Book Encyclopedia CD, or other available sources. You will give a presentation on that country.

1. You will choose a country from the resource section of the webquest.

• http://www.santas.net/aroundtheworld.htm
• http://www.soon.org.uk/country/christmas.htm
• http://www.uwm.edu/People/ssheila/Christmasin.html
• http://www.epicurious.com/e_eating/e04_xmas/euro.html
• http://www.calcon.net/hohoho_trads.shtml
• http://www2.worldbook.com/features/holidays/html/world.htm
• http://www2.worldbook.com/features/features.asp?feature=holidays&page=html/others.htm&direct=yes

2. Take 30 minutes to look at all the different countries you can choose from.

3.Decide which country you want to explore and have it approved by your teacher.

4. Find and record information on your worksheet.

5. Plan your presentation. it should include:

• What country you selected and why
• Explain at least four Christmas traditions or customs from that country (ie: foods, Santa, Christmas Eve/Christmas Day activities, Epiphany, etc...)

Evaluation

Describe to the learners how their performance will be evaluated. Specify whether there will be a common grade for group work vs. individual grades.

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Poster Content	Two customs or traditions were included on poster.	Three customs or traditions were included on poster.	Four customs or traditions were included on poster.	More than four customs or traditions were included on poster.
Oral Presentation	Not prepared to speak; Does not know material; Unable to hear the speaker; No eye contact made;	Limited preparation; Needs prompting; Limited voice range; Limited eye contact;	Somewhat prepared; Somewhat explains materials; Needs teacher reminder to speak louder; Needs teacher reminder for eye contact;	Prepared; Is able to explain material; Talks so everyone can hear; Eye contact;
Poster Appearance	Poster missing 3 of 4 attributes;	Poster missing 2 of 4 attributes;	Poster missing 1 of 4 attributes	Attributes Neat, colorful, detailed; Good use of poster space; Caption for each graphic; Title on poster;

Conclusion

Put a couple of sentences here that summarize what they will have accomplished or learned by completing this activity or lesson. You might also include some rhetorical questions or additional links to encourage them to extend their thinking into other content beyond this lesson.

Credits & References

• http://www.portharbor.com/santa/xsatrad.htm
• http://www.santas.net/aroundtheworld.htm
• http://www.soon.org.uk/country/christmas.htm
• http://www.uwm.edu/People/ssheila/Christmasin.html
• http://pic.thw.coventry.sch.uk/anglia/login/sec/re/xmas/page11.htm
• http://www.epicurious.com/e_eating/e04_xmas/euro.html
• http://www.calcon.net/hohoho_trads.shtml

 Thanks also to Mr. Wayne Sneed for technological support.