Español 2-DICIEMBRE 2020-La Navidad WebQuest-due by Tuesday, Dec.

8th, your
last Project grade before the Final Portfolio Assessment Exam Grade.

Here you will find links to the websites you will need. iF any of the links no longer work, please
feel free to Google.
Make a COPY of this document which is view only so you can edit and PLEASE WRITE YOUR
ANSWERS in a different color IN COMPLETE SENTENCES. **OPTIONAL CHALLENGE:
HOW MANY OF THESE CAN YOU ANSWER IN SPANISH?**

Then, you will choose to make a (Art) pinata, (Music) perform a Spanish Christmas carol, or
(other) cook a typical dessert/dishes that are typical for Hispanic families this time of year. You
will video/record yourself - I must see that it’s YOU - and submit via Assignments on Canvas.
Details/samples/rubrics will be provided IN CLASS for in-person students and via Screencastify
for Remote learners. For now, though, get started on researching the answers to this
WebQuest!

PUERTO RICO

http://www.elboricua.com/pr_christmas.html

What are the important days of celebration?

The important days of celebration are on december 24: Nochebuena; December 25: Navidad;
December 31: Despedida de Año; and el Día de Reyes on January 6th.
What do most “Ricans” pretend to be at Christmas Time?
Most Ricans pretend to be jíbaros or they claim to be from el campo.
Describe the Puerto Rican version of Caroling, and what is it called?
The Puerto rican version of Christmas caroling is called una parranda where a small group of
friends gather together to asaltar another friend.
What do Puerto Ricans eat at Christmas?
Puerto Ricans eat a cooked pig at Christmas and is considered a big event.
Who brings gifts for the children and when do they come?
Los Reyes Magos brings gifts for the children and they come on the night of january 5th.
What is left by the children in exchange for gifts? (What do they leave and where do they leave
it?)
The children leave grass in shoeboxes under parents, grandparents, etcs bed.
What American tradition is gaining popularity in Puerto Rico?
The american tradition that is gaining popularity is the celebration of Santa instead of the birth of
Jesus Christ the Son of God.
(Click on AÑO NUEVO)

What do people do before the New Year’s celebrations?

Puerto Ricans spend the entire day cleaning the house, yard, cars, and sweeping the street.
What do Puerto Ricans light at the countdown to midnight?
Puerto Ricans light up estrellitas which is a firework that is safe to use and legal in most cities.
What do Puerto Ricans eat at midnight?
At midnight Puerto Ricans try to eat 12 grapes before midnight
What do Puerto Ricans recite at midnight?
Puerto Ricans recite the poem "El Brindis del Bohemio" at midnight.
List at least 5 lines from this poem (Click on the name to read the poem).
Brindo por la mujer, mas no por esa
en la que halláis consuelo en la tristeza,
rescoldo del placer ¡desventurados!;
no por esa que os brinda sus hechizos
cuando besáis sus rizos
artificiosamente perfumados.
(Click on LOS REYES)

Name the 3 kings and give a description for each one.

-El Rey Melchor was the Sultan of Arabia. His gift was gold and was the oldest but was a small
and gentle man.
-El Rey Baltazar was a Nubian King and ruler of Ethiopia. His gift was a resin that came from
African trees and symbolized suffering. It could also be a medicine and a perfume.
-El Rey Gaspar was Emperor of the Orient and ruled over all oriental lands. His gift was an
aromatic gum and symbolized prayer. It was burned in temples to honor God.
http://www.elboricua.com/traditions.html (sound)

Choose 5 traditions listed on this page. (1) name the tradition and (2) describe it.
-Despedida de Año or Año Viejo: here is when some eat grapes at very chime in the last 12
seconds of the old year. After the new year starts they hug and honk horns and use lots of
fireworks.
-Misa de Gallo is a Misa that is held on Christmas Eve midnight. It includes carolers, children
dressed as angels, and lots of candles. Many attend as a tradition.
-Nochebuena is Christmas Eve and is a big holiday celebration. Family and friends get together
for lechón asado and pasteles. The parties last till morning and on Christmas Day people rest.
-Navidad is Christmas Day and modern Puerto Ricans celebrate Santa on this day. Houses are
decorated and have more palm trees than snow. Los Reyes are sometimes celebrated.
-Día de Reyes is on January 6th. Family and friends gather to celebrate and children receive
gifts.

http://www.dollarman.com/puertorico/festivities.html (LINK DOES NOT WORK)

(Just the first paragraph of this article is about Christmas… You do not need to read the rest at
this point unless you choose to do so…)

What is the name for the church services that are held on the 9 days leading up to Christmas?
The church services that are held 9 days leading up to christmas are called the posadas.
What is the name for the midnight church service on Christmas Eve?
The midnight church service is called the midnight mass and is celebrated because it is thought
that Jesus was born at midnight.

What are the celebrations that extend the Christmas season through January?
Some of the celebrations that extend christmas time are december 24: Nochebuena; December
25: Navidad; December 31: Despedida de Año; and el Día de Reyes on January 6th.

http://www.prboriken.com/christ.htm (sound) (LINK DOES NOT WORK

had to look up info)
What are the typical instruments used during asaltos?
-Instruments that are used are the tambourine, maracas, palitos, guitar, trumpet, and tambora.
What American custom do some Puerto Ricans participate in?
-Some puerto ricans celebrate Santa as a new custom from America.
What types of dishes are served on Christmas?
Some dishes that are served are Almoabanas (Cheese Fritters), Arroz con Gandules (Rice and 
Pigeon Peas), Bacalaitos Fritos con Bacalao Guisado (Salt Cod Fritters with Cod Salsa), Guineos 
en Escabeche (Pickled Bananas), and Mofongo con Salsa de Tomate (Mashed Plantains with 
Tomato Sauce) 

CLICK THE LINK CHRISTMAS IN PUERTO RICO INFO.

Choose and describe 3 of the listed holidays.

-Christmas Eve aka 'Nochebuena' are the main celebrations and food. And on Navidad is the
day that you recover.
-Misa de Aguinaldos are the special Catholic Masses which are held from the 15th to the 24th
December.
-On December 28th is the Holy Innocents Day that is celebrated and is kinda like April fools day.
http://welcome.topuertorico.org/culture/folklore.shtml (sound)

(Scroll down to “LOCAL HOLIDAYS”)

What are used to decorate homes?

-Houses are decorated with lights and poinsettias
What are names for the Nativity scenes?
-The names of the nativity scenes are called nacimientos and pesebres.
Describe some holiday desserts.
-Some holiday desserts are arroz con dulce which is rice cooked with spices, raisins, sugar,
milk, and coconut milk and tembleque is a custard made with cornstarch, sugar, and coconut
milk.

SOUTH AMERICA

https://vivaexpeditions.com/blog/christmas-traditions-in-south-america#:~:text=The%20main%2
0focus%20of%20the,representing%20the%20birth%20of%20Jesus.&text=It%20is%20a%20trad
itional%20Christmas,huge%20event%20in%20South%20America.

What is a presepio?
A presepio is a Nativity scene.
Describe what a presepio would look like.
-A presepio is a special exhibition of art objects representing the birth of Jesus
VENEZUELA

https://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/venezuela.shtml

What do the people of Venezuela do between Dec. 16th and Dec. 24th?
Between the 16th and the 24th Venezuela has a tradition for people to rollerskate to the early
morning church services
Before going to bed what do the children do?
-Couldnt find anything about what children do before going to bed??

ESPAÑA

http://www.cyberspain.com/life/navidad.htm

How do cities and towns decorate for la Navidad?

-The cities and towns that decorate for La Navidad by adding colorful lights to the streets and by
adding motifs like snowflakes, bells, and bows.
What is NocheBuena?
-Nochebuena is usually spent with loved ones and it is normal to make it a feast, with lots of
different foods. Families also attend evening mass.
What are villancianos?
-Villancicos are christmas carols.
What do families do on December 24th?
-On the 24th families attend evening mass because Spain is a Catholic country.
What are the names of the Three Kings?
The three kings are named Beltsasar, Gaspar, and Melcior.
What is Noche Vieja?
-Noche Vieja is a celebration with freedom where you celebrate with just about anyone. You can
celebrate with the New Year with cava or the 12 gongs.
What do Spanish people do for good luck on the Noche Vieja?
-For good luck Spanish people try to eat 12 grapes in the last 12 second of the new year to gain
good luck for the next year.
What is cava?
-A cava is a Spanish Champagne.
Decades ago how did they know when it was 12:00?
- Decades ago families would use a pan or pot and just go at it hitting it twelve times.
What are the "cuartos?"
-The cuartos are four gongs at a higher pitch that announce and prepare you for the twelve
sounds to start your grape eating.
What is "el día de los Reyes?" When is it celebrated?
-El dia de los Reyes is Kings Day and is celebrated on January 5th.
What do the bakeries do for the bad children as a joke?
-The bakeries sugar lumps that look like coal and are given to children as a joke.
What is turrón? Give some types of it.
-Turron is a nougat and the typical ones are Jijona which is a beige color made with almonds
and honey, there is also alicante and Yema which is made with egg and brown sugar on top.
Instead of a tree, what do Spanish families have in their homes?
-Instead of a tree most people have a theme of the manger.

http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-spain.htm

Describe “Hogueras”
-Hogueras are bonfires where they observe the winter solstice and people jump over the fire as
a symbolic protection against illness.
Describe a typical Christmas Eve dinner.
-A Christmas Eve dinner is eaten after midnight and is a family feast and consists of Pavo
Trufado de Navidad which is a Christmas turkey with truffles.
Who is seen visiting during Christmas time in Spain?
-The three Wise men are seen visiting hospitals, orphanages, and many more places.

PIÑATA

https://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3141-christmas-in-mexico-navidad-en-mexico-a-mexican-
holiday-resource-page/

Where did piñatas originally come from? What countries had versions? Describe them.
-Pinatas originally came from China, then went to europe where there pinatas were fashioned
without a base resembling clay containers for carrying water, then it spread to Spain.
Tell the history of the piñata.
-Pinatas started in China, spread to Europe and then to Spain later to North America. The
concept of what a pinata is has changed over time starting from fashion figures to ending at
paper decorated.
How are piñatas decorated (what do they typically look like?)
-Pinatas are decorated with colorful feathers on the pot and sometimes they have seven points,
each with streamers.
Write 3 lines of the piñata song that the children sing.
-The 3 lines that children sing are “Dale, dale, dale, no pierdas el tino,
porque si lo pierdes, pierdes el camino.
Esta piñata es de muchas mañas, sólo contiene naranjas y cañas.”
What are piñatas filled with at Christmas?
-At christmas the pinatas are filled with candies and fruits.
What role do piñatas play at Christmas?
-At christmas pinatas play the role of traditional processions the ones that are still done to this
day at least.

MEXICO- Use the following websites to learn more about Mexican traditions.
List things you learned from these sites that are new information.
What did you read about that was similar to what we have already learned this week?
-Some things that I learned are more about the tradition of La Posadas and what the celebration
consists of. I also learned more about the pinata and how they are made and how they are
used. I also learned how to make some recipes like Champurrado, and Arroz Dulce. (which I
might try) What I learned was very similar to what I learned today.
http://www.nacnet.org/assunta/nacimnto.htm

http://www.inside-mexico.com/featurenavidad.htm

http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/feature/xmasindex.html

http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-mexico.htm

http://www.mexonline.com/christmas.htm