Christmas Around the World Part 2

Objectives & Outcomes

Students will compare and contrast the different ways that cultures celebrate and sing about Christmas.

Materials Needed

Download or cue the following songs. You should also print out the lyrics and display them on an overhead projector (see attachment for lyrics).

These YouTube videos can be downloaded in advance and brought to your classroom using http://www.youtube-mp3.org/ if Youtube is unavailable at your school.

• Piece Ah Pork https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLpEvkj9jTc
• Pidiendo Posada: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TC8jQBRuuFM
• Six White Boomers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlSsffF2xhA
• Liebes ChristKind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P7KEaAJmLE
• Jingle Bells (German): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnErHZNhn6g

Procedure

Opening to Lesson

• Explain to students that Christmas is a holiday that is celebrated all around the world. Some families celebrate it with their church in a religious way, some families celebrate with their families without any relation to religion, and some families do not celebrate Christmas at all.
• Ask students if they celebrate Christmas at their house and ask them what they do.
• Ask what Christmas songs they know and like at home.
  • Optional: Play a traditional US song for the class.

Body of Lesson

• Read the information about how some people celebrate Christmas in Mexico from the attached worksheet.
• Show the lyrics and play the song “Pidiendo Posada”
  • Note: The audio link is only until the underlined part, but the song continues with the same melody. Some of the lyrics of the rest of the song could be considered too mature or too religious for some classrooms. You may choose to edit some phrases or words as appropriate. (The first part in the attached audio is not too advanced or religious)
• Sing the song with the class.

• Read the information about how some people celebrate Christmas in Australia.
• Show the lyrics and play the song “Six White Boomers”
• Sing the song with the class.
• Read the information about how some people celebrate Christmas in Trinidad and Tobago.
• Show the lyrics and play the song “Piece Ah Pork”
• Sing the song with the class.
• Read the information about how some people celebrate Christmas in Germany.
• Play the song Liebes ChristKind which is about the Christkind tradition and sung in German.
  • English Translation and lyrics unavailable.
• Show the lyrics and play the song “Jingle Bells” in German.
• Sing the song with the class.

Closing

• Discuss the similarities and the differences of the way Christmas Songs are sung around the world.
• Ask students which songs were their favorites.

Assessment & Evaluation

Teacher will assess effort as student try to pronounce the words of the song. Teacher will also monitor student responses during the discussion to check for understanding.

Modification & Differentiation

To extend this lesson, students can create Venn-diagrams to compare and contrast the songs and their meanings.

Related Lesson Plans

Ready to Pursue a Master’s Degree in Education? Make it Your Time!

Teacher.org’s lesson plans encourage conceptual understanding and lifelong learning skills in students as well as empower and motivate teachers.

Are you currently teaching but have the desire to pursue a Master’s Degree in Education? Follow your passion for teaching but at the same time give yourself the tools to further your career and learning. Whether it’s higher salaries, advanced career opportunities, or leadership positions, earning your Master’s Degree in Education is one worth pursuing. Make it your time!