Taking Off with Homeschool!: Christmas Around the World

This week we took a break from Heart of Dakota studies to spend time learning about different customs and traditions around the world. We gathered around our lighted Christmas tree in the living room, made crafts, and learned about many different countries.

I pinned a lot of ideas on my pinterest page. You can take a look at them here: http://www.pinterest.com/lovemynavypilot/christmas-around-the-world/

We all know you can't go anywhere without a passport! With each place we visited, the children drew the flag or something special about that country as their stamp.

We packed our suitcases and away we went! We used the bottom portion of a brown paper bag. These were awesome with all the supplies we used all week. The kids were able to keep their projects & things together nicely.

Our first stop was Israel!

We read a book by Michelle Edwards called Papa's Latkes. We learned Latkes are a special food made of potatoes and onions.

We watched a short YouTube video here to understand more about the lighting of the Menorah: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tws_uMAEOs

The kids liked this youtube Driedel song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKreDYVWark We made a driedel, the kids followed the rules, and actually played for quite awhile!

The kids used play money as they played for fun.

Next, we traveled to Italy!

We went to Italy and learned about La Befana. The kids were actually scared of this old lady who comes into the house on a broom. She sweeps up the soot and takes all the bad from the year and leaves the good children treats and the bad children coal.

We visited Mexico on Day 2.

We read The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola and learned that the flowers that look like a bunch of green weeds bloomed into beautiful red poinsettia flowers that were laid at the manger of Baby Jesus in the Mexican procession.

The kids followed a step by step tutorial for drawing a poinsettia. I love how they are each unique.

We also cut snowflakes out of large flour tortillas. A special Mexican treat! I held them closed while they cut shapes out of them.

The kids spread the butter and then sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. I've heard that you can also use popcorn cheddar or garlic and salt as well.

We baked at 400 degrees for 5-6 minutes or until crisp light brown.

Mmmm... The kids loved making & eating these yummy Mexican treats!

We read about Argentina and read a cute story about Tamales. We learned that traditions are similar to Mexico.

We read this book about Saint Nicholas in England. The kids enjoyed the story and talking about the special English traditions. They begged to make a plum pudding.

Next, we traveled to Austrailia and read about The Christmas Wombat!

We learned that it is very HOT in Austrailia at Christmas time! Picnics are popular at the beaches as Santa rides in on a surfboard.

With all this traveling, our living room was starting to turn into a big disaster! Lol! It didn't stop us... We headed on over to Sweden. We watched this great youtube video showing Sweden at Christmas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLA4uNm6c7A

The kids cut out & colored shapes and we made a Lucia wreath with candles on it for our youngest girl & pointed star hats for the boys.

Don't mind the karate tops that we used as our white robe for our mini procession. We watched a quick YouTube video that explained this tradition.

I'm looking forward to the early morning breakfast buns served to us in bed!

We learned that a Christmas gnome - Tomte lives under the floorboards of the house. He dresses in red, has a long white beard, rides a straw goat, and understands the barn animals talking. We watched a youtube book called The Tomten. You can read it here too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANgulkJBJVM

We traveled to Russia and loved their nesting dolls or matryoshka. The children even decorated their own!

I love the way these turned out! So cute!

One didn't want to color his but, I still think it turned out great!

This one took his time and made them look much like the ones we have here at home. He copied them on the colored copier and put them on top of gifts to give to family. He was very proud of them!

This Russian dancing doll ornament was fun for the kids to make also. We learned that Noel means Christmas!

On our visit over to Germany, we learned about the traditional Christmas pickel ornament!

The kids couldn't wait to try this out! Lol!

We hid it on the tree and the first one to find it on Christmas got to open the first present. It hid pretty well! I think we will continue this tradition in our home!

We learned of the many nutcrackers in Germany and the Christkind who brings the children gifts in their shoes. We listened to O' Tannenbaum and learned that it means O' Christmas Tree.

We made gingerbread men and ladies as their traditional Christmas cookies. The kids enjoyed cutting out the shapes and of course decorating them too.

They did a great job and they turned out really cute!

We also delivered some to our special friends.

We certainly learned a lot this busy week. Including many customs and traditions around the world from other countries. We thought some were weird, strange, and some very interesting and exciting. In the United States, we have traditions that other people may think are different & odd also. Besides we didn't read anywhere about any other place that sprinkles 'reindeer glitter food' on the lawn on Christmas Eve.