A Digital Winter Holidays Around the World for Big Kids

Is the holiday music playing? Turn it up, because your upper elementary students will love this interactive and engaging winter holiday activity! Updated for the 2022 season, this activity has been reformatted and is now fully digital to save you prep time during this time of remote learning.

Take your students on a winter holidays adventure around the world! This interactive Google Slides activity uses a combination of Google Earth™ 360-degree views, informational text, video, and visuals, to take your students around the world to learn about 7 different winter holiday events and traditions around the world.

Students visit and learn about the following:

• Natal Luz (Brazil)

• Nuremberg Christmas Market (Germany)

• Gavlebocken (Sweden)

• Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort (Finland)

• Eid al Maulid & Mmanwu (Nigeria)

• Giant Lantern Festival (Philippines)

• Rockefeller Center (United States)

How it Works:

This virtual scavenger hunt can be conducted teacher-led or shared with students through Google Classroom as an independent assignment. Everything is set up for you to save you time this holiday season. This resource is LOW PREP and would even make great sub plans. Student directions are found within the lesson, and direct links are included to specific Google Earth™ locations and videos. All work is completed digitally. No printing necessary.

Virtual tours are a great way to bring social studies to life in an engaging and meaningful way. If social studies become more than just words on a page, if we can spark curiosity and if our students make meaningful connections, then our students understand social studies and its importance to them. This virtual scavenger hunt takes learning to a whole new level, because our students can partake in a virtual learning experience of winter holidays around the globe!

Structure:

This virtual activity is structured. This means that the informational text and links are meaningful and are meant to lead students to think critically as they respond to the questions throughout the scavenger hunt. This is also a great way to keep students accountable as they learn and explore. All response questions are EDITABLE, so you can tailor to your class needs.

Standards Alignment:

:: Common Core Standards for Reading Informational Text

:: Washington State Social Studies Standards for 6th grade

Grading Rubric & Answer Keys

A grading rubric is included which assesses: accuracy, thoroughness, validity, and writing conventions. An answer key is provided for student responses to questions that pertain to the various website and videos, but some answers will vary as students are recording their observations and findings.

Technology:

Please note that students will need to access Google Earth™ to complete this assignment. Google Earth™ can be accessed on a desktop using Chrome as the browser. If using a tablet or smartphone, simply download the Google Earth App before starting the virtual activity. Video links will take students to YouTube. Instructions are included within the activity for using closed captioning and how to translate websites to English if needed.

This Virtual Scavenger Hunt Includes:

:: Informational Text (build background knowledge)

:: Response Questions (EDITABLE)

:: Google Earth Links to 360-degree views

:: Video Links

:: Website links

:: Grading Rubric & Answer Keys

:: Everything is set up in Google Slides & ready to go!

Just a side note, there are many wonderful winter holiday destinations and attractions around the world. The seven locations included are not meant to be an all-inclusive list, but rather provide students an opportunity to explore several destinations around the world.

Check out what teachers are saying about this resource:

"My students loved learning about different traditions around the world!" -T.B.

"Students had a great time doing this in groups before the holiday break. Thank you." -T.M.

"I absolutely love the field trips and scavenger hunts that Ms. McDonald makes. They are well thought out, and fun for the students!" -N.J.

Grab this activity before winter break. Click the link below to check it out.

Winter Holidays Around the World Scavenger Hunt

Happy Holidays,