Are you looking for fun ways to teach your child Christmas Around the World this holiday season? This is the lesson plan I have put together for our first grade homeschool to teach traditions of Christmas around the world. Most of the ideas are free resources from across the internet and designed to incorporate the social studies common core curriculum for first grade with a mixture of free Christmas Around the World activities, songs, crafts, and games from across the globe.
Resources Needed for These Lessons
- Cereal Box
- Suitcase Labels
- Christmas Around the World Worksheets
- Note: Additional supplies may be needed by activity for each country.
Christmas Around the World (Introduction)
- Video: 12 Winter Holidays Around the World
- Activity: Create Suitcase
Christmas Around the World (China)
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- Lesson: National Geographic About China
- Read: Christmas in China
- Worksheet: Christmas Around the World Country Page
- Video: How Do Chinese People Celebrate Christmas?
- Video: Jingle Bells in Chinese
- Activity: Coloring Sheet Written in Chinese
Christmas Around the World (Australia)
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- Lesson: National Geographic Australia
- Read: Christmas in Australia
- Worksheet: Christmas Around the World Country Page
- Video: Santa is Coming to Australia
- Video: 12 Things About Christmas in Australia
- Video: Aussie Jingle Bells
- Activity: Animal Candy Cane Clings
Christmas Around the World (Mexico)
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- Lesson: National Geographic Mexico
- Read: Christmas in Mexico
- Worksheet: Christmas Around the World Country Page
- Video: Christmas Traditions in Mexico
- Video: The Legend of the Poinsettia
- Activity: Make a Poinsettia
Christmas Around the World (Britain)
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- Lesson: National Geographic United Kingdom
- Read: Christmas in the United Kingdom
- Worksheet: Christmas Around the World Country Page
- Video: Christmas in Britain
- Activity: Christmas Crackers (purchased on Amazon)
Christmas Around the World (Brazil)
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- Lesson: National Geographic Brazil
- Read: Christmas in Brazil
- Worksheet: Christmas Around the World Country Page
- Video: Christmas in Brazil (Language Based)
- Video: Christmas in Brazil
- Video: Fireworks & World’s Largest Floating Christmas Tree
- Activity: Tinsel Tail Bird Craft
Christmas Around the World (Canada)
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- Lesson: National Geographic Canada
- Read: Christmas in Canada or Christmas in Canada
- Worksheet: Christmas Around the World Country Page
- Video: Winter in Montreal
- Video: Santa Clause Parade
- Activity: Maple Cookies (purchased on Amazon)
Christmas Around the World (Italy)
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- Lesson: National Geographic Italy
- Read: Christmas in Italy
- Worksheet: Christmas Around the World Country Page
- Video: Christmas in Italy (Language)
- Video: Rick Steves Christmas in Italy
- Video: Christmas in Italy
- Activity/Song: Dominick the Donkey
- Play like Hot Potato passing around the Donkey
Note: A donkey can be purchased on Amazon, or use a stuffed animal you already have. - Coloring Page
- Play like Hot Potato passing around the Donkey
Christmas Around the World (Israel/Hanukkah)
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- Lesson: National Geographic Israel
- Read: Christmas in Israel
- Worksheet: Christmas Around the World Country Page
- Video: What is Hanukkah?
- Video: The Dreidel Song
- Activity: How to Play the Dreidel Game
Christmas Around the World (Germany)
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- Lesson: National Geographic Germany
- Read: Christmas in Germany
- Worksheet: Christmas Around the World Country Page
- Video: Christmas in Germany
- Activity: Eat lebkuchen while listening to German Christmas Carols
Christmas Around the World (Denmark)
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- Lesson: National Geographic Denmark
- Read: Christmas in Denmark
- Video: Christmas Traditions in Denmark
- Video: Christmas in Denmark
- Worksheet: Christmas Around the World Country Page
- Activity: Make a Julehjerter (Video, Template)
Christmas Around the World (Spain)
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- Lesson: National Geographic Spain
- Read: Christmas in Spain
- Worksheet: Christmas Around the World Country Page
- Video: Christmas in Spain
- Song: Mi Burrito Sabanero (Song, Lyrics)
- Activity: Christmas Comoecocos (aka Christmas Cootie Catcher)
Christmas Around the World (Egypt)
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- Lesson: National Geographic Egypt
- Read: Christmas in Egypt
- Worksheet: Christmas Around the World Country Page
- Video: Christmas in Egypt (Language Based)
- Video: Christmas in Egypt
- Activity: Hieroglyphics
- Picture of Merry Christmas in Hieroglyphics
- Video: What Are Hieroglyphics?
- Write Your Name in Hieroglyphics
Christmas Around the World (Hungary)
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- Lesson: National Geographic Hungary
- Read: Christmas in Hungary
- Worksheet: Christmas Around the World Country Page
- Video: Christmas in Hungary (Language Based)
- Video: Christmas in Budapest
- Activity: Dried Orange Slices Ornaments
Christmas Around the World (France)
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- Lesson: National Geographic France
- Read: Christmas in France
- Worksheet: Christmas Around the World Country Page
- Video: Christmas in France
- Activity: Make a Yule Log Craft or Make a Bûche de Noël Cake
- Video: History of Bûche de Noël
- Video: Bûche de Noël in Store Shops
Christmas Around the World (India)
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- Lesson: National Geographic India
- Read: Christmas in India
- Worksheet: Christmas Around the World Country Page
- Video: Christmas in India (Language Based)
- Video: Christmas in India
- Activity: Make an Indian Christmas Star
Christmas Around the World (Kenya)
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- Lesson: National Geographic Kenya
- Read: Christmas in Kenya
- Worksheet: Christmas Around the World Country Page
- Video: How Kenyans Celebrated Christmas
- Video: Maasai Life Through a Child’s Eyes
- Video: Operation Christmas Child Distribution – Kenya
- Activity: Make Mandazi
Christmas Around the World (Russia)
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- Lesson: National Geographic Russia
- Read: Christmas in Russia
- Worksheet: Christmas Around the World Country Page
- Video: Christmas in Russia (Language Based)
- Video: Christmas in Russia
- Video: Christmas in Moscow
- Activity: The Legend of Baboushka