Lesson+1+++++Holiday!++Celebrate!

__**LESSON 1 **__


 * Grade Level:** 2nd [[image:celebration,_brooklyn_bridge,_new_york_city.jpg width="303" height="229"]]


 * Unit:** Holidays and Celebrations


 * Assignment type:** Social Studies


 * Lesson objectives (include 2 or 3):**
 * Student will become familiar with the research cycle.
 * Student will learn about holidays and celebrations from all around the world.
 * Student will understand how to access information online.
 * Student will explore, research and formulate in their own words how their assigned holiday or celebration influences the community.
 * Student will report their findings to the class.
 * Time required to complete this lesson:** 1 week


 * Title of lesson:** Holiday! Celebrate!

 
 * Resources/materials needed:**
 * Computers
 * Pencil
 * Writing Paper/Drawing Paper
 * Poster Board
 * Markers
 * Photos
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Magazines


 * Description of lesson (if you were to describe to a parent what was happening in the classroom for this lesson, what would you say in a few paragraphs).**

<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Holidays** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> and <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">celebrations ** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> are an important part of any culture. They help people stay connected to a particular event, idea and each other. For instance, when <span style="color: #ab1717; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Independence Day** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">, or more commonly known as the <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**4th of July** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">, is celebrated, people rejoice in pride and love for the United States and our freedoms. We all love to celebrate our birthday and be the center of attention. Cultural celebrations have an impact on the individuals that participate as well as the entire community. For example, on the <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**5th of May, Cinco de Mayo** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> is celebrated to commemorate Mexico's freedom from France.

Our lesson this week is a **Research Project**. I am asking the students to research one holiday or cultural celebration from the United States and one from abroad. I will be assigning these celebrations so that not every student chooses the same holiday or celebration. I am asking the students to research the following questions: 1. What is the date of the holiday or celebration? 2. What is the importance of the holiday or celebration, how the holiday or celebration began? For example, if the student is researching <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**St. Valentine's Day** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">, I expect them to dig to find more information than just what day it falls on, I also would like them to explain how St. Valentine's Day came into fruition and why it was originally celebrated. In addition, I will be asking everyone to put into their own words how their holiday or celebration influences the community. I want the students to focus on not just that each culture enjoys certain holidays and celebrations, but why these events are important.


 * Assignment (homework or in-class: this is how the learner will practice the learning that has just occurred):**

I will be assigning two holidays or celebrations to each student, one from the United States and one from abroad. The students will research information to answer the following questions: 1. What is the date of the holiday or celebration? 2. What is the importance of the holiday or celebration, how the holiday or celebration began? The research will be conducted both in-class and at home. The students will describe in their own words how these holidays and celebrations influence the community and, if they so choose, how the holiday or celebration has an affect on them and their family. This exercise will allow the children to explore, understand and elaborate on when and why we celebrate different events.


 * Technology used:**

Online Dictionary

The following Web 2.0 tool <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">
 * Tumblr
 * Shelfari
 * Rubistar4Teachers


 * The technology used in this lesson changes the teaching / learning in this way:**

By using technology, the students are able to delve into the very essence of these holidays and celebrations. They are able to experience the holidays and celebrations first hand without actually being there.

__<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">**LIBRARY OF BOOKS to help you with your RESEARCH PROJECT** __

media type="custom" key="5684103"

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 170%;">**RUBERIC**

__<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">**Research Report : Holidays and Celebrations** __ <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">(What student will be graded on.)


 * CATEGORY || 4 || 3 || 2 || 1 ||
 * Organization || Information is very organized with clearly stated dates, accurate definition, good utilization of detail and well stated insight of holiday or celebration and its influence on the community. || Information is organized, dates are stated, accurate definition, utilization of detail and insight of the holiday or celebration is stated and its influence on the community. || Information is organized, but dates are not clear, definition is minimal, limited utilization of detail and insight of the influence on the community is not clear. || The information appears to be disorganized, no date stated, no detail and no insight is communicated. ||
 * Amount of Information || All topics are addressed and all questions answered with at least 2 sentences about each. || All topics are addressed and most questions answered with at least 2 sentences about each. || All topics are addressed, and most questions answered with 1 sentence about each. || One or more topics were not addressed. ||
 * Quality of Information || Information clearly relates to the main topic. It includes several supporting details and/or examples. || Information clearly relates to the main topic. It provides 1-2 supporting details and/or examples. || Information clearly relates to the main topic. No details and/or examples are given. || Information has little or nothing to do with the main topic. ||
 * Internet Use || Successfully uses suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance. || Usually able to use suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance. || Occasionally able to use suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance. || Needs assistance or supervision to use suggested internet links and/or to navigate within these sites. ||
 * Diagrams & Illustrations || Diagrams and illustrations are neat, accurate and add to the reader's understanding of the topic. || Diagrams and illustrations are accurate and add to the reader's understanding of the topic. || Diagrams and illustrations are neat and accurate and sometimes add to the reader's understanding of the topic. || Diagrams and illustrations are not accurate OR do not add to the reader's understanding of the topic. ||

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Date Created: **March 21, 2010**

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">GOOD LUCK with your project!

HOLIDAY! CELEBRATE!