3 Ways to Engage Students in Holidays Around the World
It's the most wonderful time of the year (almost)! That means it will soon be time for one of our favorite units, Holidays Around the World. As you begin planning for your unit here are 3 tips to increase the engagement of your learners.
1. Collaborate with Your Grade Level Team
When teachers collaborate, the learning of all students improves. This year collaborate with your grade level team and have students rotate from classroom to classroom as they learn about holiday traditions around the world. Don't have a grade level team? Why not pair up with another grade level?
Make it even more fun by giving students a passport and having them earn stamps after learning about each country. Need a passport? Grab a copy of our FREE passport HERE!
2. "Travel" Around the World
While it’s probably not in your budget to get all of your students on a plane, you can still take a pretend journey around the world. Before you begin learning about a new country, arrange the chairs in your classroom like a plane and have students act like they are traveling to the country you will be learning about. Students will love the real world connection! You can even show students a YouTube video of a plane taking off and landing to make it more realistic.
3. Ditch the Crafts for More Meaningful, Hands-on Learning
One common aspect of Holidays Around the World units is that students complete a craft as they learn about the traditions of each country. While these crafts are cute projects that keep students busy, there is a more meaningful alternative. Instead of doing crafts, engage students in STEM activities that promote problem solving and teamwork.
Don't have time to create your own STEM activities for your Holidays Around the World unit? Save time with our Holidays Around the World STEM Bundle complete with meaningful, hands-on STEM activities that reinforce the holiday traditions of each country.
Join our FREE Facebook group Elementary STEM Teachers Club! Learn more about how to incorporate STEM in your classroom and collaborate with other STEM teachers! JOIN NOW!
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