How to Incorporate Diversity into the Holiday Season with Holidays Around the World

The Christmas season is fun and exciting for teachers and students alike. But it is also critical to remember that not all students celebrate Christmas. And just as important, even if all (or the majority) of your students DO celebrate Christmas, as teachers we need to open their eyes to different cultures and their holiday celebrations. We don’t want our kids to believe that everyone celebrates Christmas, or that everyone celebrating Christmas is the norm everywhere (even if it is in your community). Here are some ideas and resources for incorporating diversity into the holiday season with holidays around the world.

Including Christmas in the Classroom

Remember that as long as you are incorporating diverse cultures into your curriculum ALL YEAR, it is acceptable to incorporate Christmas celebrations and traditions into your classroom in December. Keep in mind that December is not the time to shove random holidays from other cultures. Instead, these holidays should be taught around the time they are celebrated. For example, Diwalli is celebrated in October or November. Lunar New Year is celebrated in January or February. Hanukkah is November or December. So, do not give the misconception that people who celebrate these holidays celebrate at the same time as Christmas.

Multicultural Holiday Resources

If you are looking for some multicultural holiday resources, check these out!

1. Christmas Around the World Virtual Field Trip

This resource was created specifically to show students how people in various cultures celebrate Christmas. It is not intended to cover other holidays. Students will take a trip around the world to learn how different countries celebrate Christmas! Students will travel to the United States, Mexico, Germany, Egypt, and Australia.

  • Christmas Around the World Virtual Field Trip Holidays December Digital Activity
    Christmas Around the World Virtual Field Trip Holidays December Digital Activity
    $3.75
  • Virtual Field Trip Christmas Around the World Google Slides Digital Resource
    Virtual Field Trip Christmas Around the World Google Slides Digital Resource
    $3.75

2. Virtual Field Trips for Other Holidays

I purposely did not lump all of these holidays together. Each culture has unique celebrations, so at different times each celebration can be a lesson all of its own.

Check these out:

  • India for Diwali
  • Jerusalem for Hanukkah
  • America for Kwanzaa
  • Puerto Rico for Three Kings Day
  • Beijing for Lunar New Year
Virtual Field Trip to Puerto Rico: Three Kings Day
Virtual Field Trip: Kwanzaa - Google Slides & Seesaw

3. Reading Comprehension Holidays Around the World Escape Room

Students travel around the world to visit Sweden for Saint Lucia Day, India for Diwali, China for Lunar New Year, America for Hanukkah. In this escape room, students are asked to complete four unique challenges. Each challenge requires students to read passages and answer multiple choice questions. Then, students add their answers to the Decoder Tool and complete each challenge to successfully travel around the world and collect stamps for their passports.

  • Holidays Around the World Escape Room & Webscape™ - 2nd & 3rd Grade
    Holidays Around the World ELA Escape Room & Webscape 2nd 3rd Grade Christmas
    $6.50
  • Holidays Around the World Escape Room & Webscape™ - 4th & 5th Grade
    Holidays Around the World ELA Escape Room & Webscape 4th 5th Grade Christmas
    $6.50

4. Holidays Around the World Project Based Learning

Holiday Helping Hands: Holiday Helping Hands is a project-based learning math project that involves using 2nd-5th grade math standards. Students help diverse families prepare for their special winter holidays. In this project, your students will meet five families who celebrate different winter holidays. Holidays Included: Hanukkah, Christmas, Las Posadas, Kwanzaa, Lunar New Year.

  • Holiday Helping Hands Project Based Learning - 2nd Grade Math - Print & Digital
    Holiday Helping Hands Project Based Learning – 2nd Grade Math – Print & Digital
    $7.00
  • Holiday Helping Hands Project Based Learning - 3rd Grade Math - Print & Digital
    Holiday Helping Hands Project Based Learning – 3rd Grade Math – Print & Digital
    $7.00
  • Holiday Helping Hands Project Based Learning - 4th Grade Math - Print & Digital
    Holiday Helping Hands Project Based Learning – 4th Grade Math – Print & Digital
    $7.00
  • Holiday Helping Hands Project Based Learning - 5th Grade Math - Print & Digital
    Holiday Helping Hands Project Based Learning – 5th Grade Math – Print & Digital
    $7.00

December is an exciting time for kids. As educators, we can use this excitement as a teaching tool to foster a love of learning about various cultures while working towards a world of acceptance and understanding.

Julie Magicore Signature

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