Lesson Plan: Comparative Holiday Celebrations

Introduction: Different countries celebrate different holidays or the same holiday, but in different ways.

Grade levels: Comparative world history or community traditions are appropriate subjects for 4th through 10th grade throughout most of the U.S., and a number of high schools also offer courses in Comparative Religions that might adapt this cultural comparison lesson plan.

Assignment: Each student or pair of students should select a particular holiday to research. These questions should be answered as they report back to their classrooms.

1. How is this holiday related to preserving cultural memories?

2. What similarities and differences are there in the way these holidays are celebrated?

In class discussion, these celebrations can be compared and contrasted across both varying holidays and cultures. For example, exchanging gifts, lighting candles, or sharing special meals may be common to several holiday traditions, whereas the "Jour de Poissons" in France is unique for its tradition of attaching a paper fish to the back of classmates.