Christmas Around the World (Alberta Grade 3)

Christmas is a great time to compare traditions and beliefs in Alberta and the various counties studied in grade 3 see  Alberta Grade 3 Social Studies Network Introduction

The suggestions mentioned below relate to the following specific curriculum guide questions.

• What are the traditions, celebrations, stories and practices in the communities that connect
  the people to the past and to each other (e.g., language spoken, traditions, customs)? 
• How is identity reflected in traditions, celebrations, stories and customs in the
  communities?  

Suggestions:

1. For countries like Ukraine and Peru, you could look at Christmas traditions there in comparison to Alberta, especially Ukrainian Christmas.
2. For countries like India and Tunisia you could compare the nativity narratives (Luke 1-2) from a easy to read version of the Bible (see Link)  with Islamic stories about the birth of Jesus see Jesus in Islam - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia  The Matthew narrative (Matt 1-2) is likely not referred to in Islam.
3. See  Christmas Suggestions for Alberta Schools for various Christmas traditions, especially those written up in our local history books. 
4. Take a field trip to a major Christmas event like Bethlehem Walk Edmonton.
5. In addition watch a nativity video like: The Birth of Jesus by 4Glory2him.

Make a comment to this post with your own suggestions. 

Alberta Grade 3 Social Studies Network Introduction

The following quotes from Social Studies, Kindergarten to Grade 3 will be used to introduce the network.  Links to network topics will be presented below the quotes.

General Outcome 3.1:  Communities in the World
Students will demonstrate an understanding and
appreciation of how geographic, social, cultural
and linguistic factors affect quality of life in
communities in India, Tunisia, Ukraine and Peru.

General Outcome 3.2:  Global Citizenship
Students will demonstrate an understanding and
appreciation of Canada’s roles and responsibilities
in global citizenship in relationship to
communities in India, Tunisia, Ukraine and Peru.

Specific Outcomes: Values and Attitudes:
3.1.1 Students will appreciate similarities and differences among people and communities:
• demonstrate an awareness of and interest in the beliefs, traditions and customs of groups
and communities other than their own.

Priority links: 

1.  Christmas Around the World (Alberta Grade 3)