Holiday Customs and Traditions

EARLYWORKS MUSEUM ELECTRONIC FIELDTRIP HOLIDAY CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS www.earlyworks.com

ELECTRONIC FIELDTRIP Holiday Customs and Traditions Our IP address: 204.29.185.20 The school is responsible for calling the museum for the program. Phone #: 256-755-7211 (day of program) Office: 256-564-8122

BEFORE THE ELECTRONIC FIELDTRIP:  The school is responsible for scheduling a test call to EarlyWorks 30 minutes before the scheduled electronic fieldtrip.  Our IP address is: 204.29.185.20  Email [email protected] with questions prior to the scheduled program.  During the test connection, we will establish light and sound levels.  If a disconnect occurs during the electronic fieldtrip, the school will redial to reestablish the connection.  At the beginning of the electronic fieldtrip, EarlyWorks will practice Q&A with the class to get students used to the back & forth interaction.

UNIT OBJECTIVES:  To help students understand the origins of many of the customs and traditions we enjoy today  To learn about the trials experienced by the first Pilgrims and the eventual peaceful co-existence they developed with the Indians  To learn how the practice of gift-giving has changed through the years  To find out the differences between celebrating Christmas then and now

1 EARLYWORKS MUSEUM ELECTRONIC FIELDTRIP HOLIDAY CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS www.earlyworks.com

UNIT OVERVIEW:

Every year the leaves change, the air gets chilly, and the holiday season begins. The United States celebrates many holidays during the winter months. Most of these holidays and their traditions come from the many nationalities and cultures that have come together in our country. Learn all about America’s winter holiday traditions, where they come from and why we celebrate them.

TO THE TEACHER:

 Use the lessons BEFORE the electronic fieldtrip to prepare students with related vocabulary and basic Holiday Customs and Traditions information.  Provide each student with a copy of the “What I Want to Know” worksheet.  Each student should complete the first 2 parts of the “What I Want to Know” worksheet BEFORE the electronic fieldtrip.  Each student should be prepared to ask questions and take notes during the electronic fieldtrip.  Students should complete part 3 of the “What I Want to Know” worksheet during the electronic fieldtrip.  Complete the evaluation form and fax to 256-564-8151 or email to : [email protected]

LESSON 1 Description: This discussion will focus on what families do today to celebrate holidays and discuss how they help serve the entire family. Students will discuss unique rules about manners in their own homes.

LESSON 2 Vocabulary Description: This lesson will introduce related historic vocabulary.

LESSON 3 Electronic Fieldtrip: (40 minutes) Description: This lesson will involve students in understanding how the experiences of our ancestors led to the traditions we celebrate today. They will also learn how children were expected to act at the dinner table, building on the preceding introduction and vocabulary lessons.

Lesson 1 Holiday Traditions Fact Sheet and Discussion of Manners

Objective: The student will gain a basic understanding of the facts behind traditions and beliefs that affect us today.

Time required: (minimum) 1 class period

Materials:  “What I Want to Know” worksheet (1 per student)  Basic fact sheet (1 per student)  Large unlined paper for group drawing & writing activity  Basic facts sheet & graphic organizer (provided)

Procedure: 1. Use the “Basic Fact Sheet” to introduce a class discussion about holiday customs. 2. Using the enclosed “What I Want to Know” worksheet, have students complete the information based on personal interest and knowledge. This worksheet will be useful before, during, and after the electronic fieldtrip. 3. Divide the class into several groups. 4. Have one group make a list of statements about how Pilgrims struggled to survive. 5. Have one group make a list of statements about traditional clothing of Pilgrims. 6. Have one group make a list of statements about uniquely American foods. 7. Have one group make a list of what their grandparents might have received for gifts when they were children. 8. Each group could be encouraged to illustrate their list of statements. 9. Once finished, have each group share with the class and discuss whether each statement is true or false.

What I Want to Know About Early Holidays

Today we have many traditions that revolve around the holidays, yet few of us know what those traditions originally meant. Certain foods are associated with these holidays as a way to make them special. Likewise, many manners were enforced to make meals pleasant for everyone at the table.

- Before the electronic fieldtrip, list and discuss the traditions students practice today. - Before the electronic fieldtrip, list manners that students follow at home and at school. - During the electronic fieldtrip, gather information to complete the second box.

My focus question: Before the lesson, reflect on the most interesting traditions of the winter or Thanksgiving Holidays. Jot down a question that you would like to learn more about and listen for this information during the lesson. Be prepared to ask any unanswered questions during and following the presentation. ______

During the electronic fieldtrip: Write 5-7 statements demonstrating new learned information. ______

Lesson 2 Vocabulary

Objective: The student will gain a basic understanding of Holiday Custom & Traditions vocabulary.

Time required: 1 class period

Materials:  Vocabulary sheet (1 per student)

Procedure: 1. Use the attached vocabulary sheet. 2. Challenge students to define each word or term and be prepared to explain. 3. Students could work independently or in teams on all or part of the list. 4. Share answers and definitions to identify the correct meanings.

Conclude this lesson by reading one of the recommended books about holiday customs.

Teachers: Extend this vocabulary lesson by illustrating selected words or literature. Choose the most unusual words and use the illustrations to create a bulletin board or class book. Encourage students to find other vocabulary words developed when the American Pilgrims first came to America and what we use today.

VOCABULARY

Syllabub – Originally a traditional English holiday drink made from rich milk and sugar, adapted into its modern form as a dessert in the 18th century Glogg – Scandinavian holiday drink made of fruit juices and spices, also an English term for a drink made from mixing a number of liquids and juices Wassil - Hot fruit drink similar to apple cider, often exchanged while caroling during the holiday season, very popular during the Victorian Era Puritans – A society of people who, because of their religious beliefs, frowned on fun activities and frivolous items Twelfth Night – The night that the three wise men arrived in Bethlehem after learning of the birth of Christ, gave rise to a popular holiday song (“The Twelve Days of Christmas”) Twelfth Cake – The traditional cake baked to commemorate the Twelfth Night Horn of Plenty – According to Greek legend, the horn of a ram that is never empty. A Greek god gave it as a gift to the woman who saved his life when he was a child. Today it symbolizes the abundance of food at Thanksgiving. Indian Corn – The multi-colored corn that is mainly used today for decoration Popcorn – A hybrid corn eaten when kernels are heated and explode Festival of Lights – Another name for Hanukkah Karamu – Feast held on the 31st of December and celebrated by observers of Kwanza Gourds – A family of vegetables grown on vines that are available in the Fall Dreidle – A four sided spinning top typically played with during the Festival of Lights

6 EARLYWORKS MUSEUM ELECTRONIC FIELDTRIP HOLIDAY CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS www.earlyworks.com Lesson 3 ELECTRONIC FIELDTRIP Objectives:  Students will learn about struggles of early Pilgrims.  Students will learn about traditions of Christmas season.  Students will become familiar with vocabulary typically used in early days that may or may not be used today.

Time required: 40 minutes Materials: What I Want to Know worksheet (used in lesson 1; copy for each student)

Preparation: 1. “What I Want to Know” worksheet, students should listen for information and verify facts. 2. Lesson Description: In this electronic fieldtrip, EarlyWorks will present a 40-minute lesson on Holiday Customs and Traditions. A historical interpreter will discuss life for our ancestors and how it translates into our traditions today, as well as manners in the early 1800s. The year is about 1819.

The program includes:  Vocabulary  Relationship between Indians and Pilgrims  Traditional holiday foods  Early manners and role of children in family unit

7 EARLYWORKS MUSEUM ELECTRONIC FIELDTRIP HOLIDAY CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS www.earlyworks.com Lesson 4 CONCLUDING LESSON

Objective: The student will discuss why we celebrate Thanksgiving today and what they can be thankful for in their lives. They will discuss why Christmas celebrations have changed so much over the centuries, as well as the reasons for those changes. They will discuss how manners have changed over the last century due to innovations and lifestyle changes.

Time required: 30 minutes

Materials:  Unit questions

Classroom Activities to Reinforce Lesson  Students may develop simple Pilgrim costumes using a black shirt and white kitchen towel  Students may make and drink Wassail (3 parts apple juice to 1 part orange juice or lemonade with cinnamon sprinkled on top). This recipe is best served warm.  Students may prepare their own version of “school Thanksgiving” by eating popcorn and cranberry jelly on bread. (Be sure to save 5 kernels of corn to commemorate the winter the Pilgrims nearly starved.)  Students may develop different traditions that could be incorporated into their family’s holiday celebrations.

Procedure:  Review  Discuss vocabulary  Select specific facts from the lesson to discuss  Share a story with the class. Use the attached literature list or appropriate teacher- selected literature.

Conclude with a review of the unit objectives. Repeat the questions used to introduce the unit to assess student learning.

EarlyWorks Interactive Distance Learning Evaluation of Electronic Field Trip

Evaluator’s Name: ______

Name of School: ______

Name of Activity: ______

Activity Provider: ______

Date of Activity: ______

Number of Students Served: ______

NOT POOR FAIR GOOD EXCELLENT CONTENT APPLICABLE Program matched its 1 2 3 4 N/A description Program related to 1 2 3 4 N/A standards Knowledge of presenter/s 1 2 3 4 N/A Delivery of presenter/s 1 2 3 4 N/A Interaction with students 1 2 3 4 N/A Resource materials 1 2 3 4 N/A Overall usefulness of 1 2 3 4 N/A program

NOT POOR FAIR GOOD EXCELLENT TECHNICAL APPLICABLE Audio Quality 1 2 3 4 N/A

Video Quality 1 2 3 4 N/A

Operation of camera 1 2 3 4 N/A

Would you recommend this program to others? (Please explain)

Fax to 256-564-8151 or email [email protected]