Running Head: Multicultural Lesson 1

Multicultural Lesson Plan

Angelique Cameron

December 2, 2015
Multicultural Lesson Plan 2

Student name____________________ Grade level_______________

Standard: 1. (k-12 1.8) Develop vocabulary by listening to and discussing selections read aloud

2. (k-12 2.4) Determine importance in stories

a. Recall important details (facts of text while reading)

b. Recall sequence of events

c. Identify purpose

d. Recall main idea of text

Objective: The students will be able to ask and answer questions as who, what, where, when,

why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details from lecture and videos.

Multicultural Objective: 1. Development of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to

function in a culturally diverse society, and to promote social

justice for all people.

2. To change the total educational environment so that it promotes a

respect for a wide range of differences, enables all cultural groups

to experience equal educational opportunities, and promotes social

justice for all learners.

Intelligences: The lesson plan will be focusing on the following intelligences; linguistic,

interpersonal, musical and some spatial.

Learning Styles: The lesson plan will use the following learning styles; auditory, visual, and

kinesthetic.

Materials/Equipment: PowerPoint, videos, quizzes, photographs, rubric.

Multicultural Lesson Plan 3

Procedures:

Opener:

T: Today I will teach you about a tradition known as Christmas. The class will also discuss how

different cultures celebrate this tradition. The following images are from three countries that

have their own unique ways of celebrating a tradition some in the United States celebrate as well.

T: Students, I would like you to take notes during the lesson, and at the end of the lesson I will
ask you to write down one word that you believe represents the lesson I have taught you.

S: Yes. (Students get out paper and pencils to start taking notes)

T: The first documented Christmas trees were in Riga, Latvia. This country is next to Russia, in
Northern Europe.

Riga Estonia

Russia

Lithuania
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In Germany, the first Christmas tree was decorated with edible things, such as gingerbread and
gold covered apples.

T:The first Christmas trees came to Britain sometime in the 1830’s. Prince Albert had a
Christmas tree set up at Windsor Castle, and a drawing of the tree was made with his family. The
publication of this drawing helped Christmas trees become popular in the United Kingdom, and
in the United States.

T: Class, you will now take a short quiz over the material I have gone over.

S: Students take the quiz.

Quiz:

1. The first documented Christmas tree was found where? You may list the actual country, a
country that it is next to, or the region._________________________________.
2. In Germany, they used to put two things on the Christmas tree, what is one or both
things?___________________________________________________.
3. Where was the first drawing of a Christmas tree done? Multiple answers will be
accepted.________________________________________________________.
Multicultural Lesson Plan 5

T: Candles were used in winter solstice celebrations as a way of remembering that spring would
come soon. One of the earliest records of candles being used for Christmas was in the middle
ages. Candles are also used during other traditions like Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. Candles were
also used to decorate Christmas Trees until safer electric lights were invented.

In Southern India, some put small oil burning clay lamps on the flat roofs of their homes to
celebrate Christmas. In China, some people use paper lanterns to decorate their Christmas Trees.

T: Students, I would like you to turn to the person on your right or on you left, and discuss
everything you have just heard about the candles part of the lesson.

S: Students discuss the lesson with their partners.

T: Can anyone tell me a reason that candles were used in winter solstice celebrations?

S: A student raises their hand, and answers.

T: Can anyone tell me the timeframe of when the earliest candles being used for Christmas was?

S: A student raises their hand and answers.

T: Can anyone tell me what other traditions use candles in their traditions?

S: A student raises their hand and answers.

T: There are several colors that are associated with Christmas, and those colors are red, green,
gold, and white. The origins of those colors began in Europe.

Green: Evergreen plants like holly, Ivy, and mistletoe were used to brighten up buildings
because winter was dark and gloomy. They were also a reminder that spring would be coming.
The ancient Egyptians used to bring palm branches into their houses during the mid-winter
festivals

Red: The early use of red at Christmas was from the apples of the paradise tree.

Gold: The color of sun and light were both very important in the dark winter.
Multicultural Lesson Plan 6

White: Associated with purity and peace in the western cultures. The snow of winter is also
white.

T: Students, can you write down a color or something else that may symbolize something in a
tradition that is known to you?

S: Students will now write down things that may or may not symbolize a tradition.

T: Students, now I would like you to discuss with your group what you have written down.

T: There are many countries all over the world that celebrate Christmas. I will talk about a few of
them, even though I would like to talk about them all.

Democratic Republic of the Congo- Most people will not receive presents. It is a very religious
and musical event. I found an African Christmas song for the class to hear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWTZtu3NOCc

In the DRC Mbotama Malamu means Happy/Merry Christmas.

T: Does anyone in the class have an opinion about the song? How many liked it or did not like
it? If you did or did like it, why?

S: Students raise hands individually and answer.

T: Philippines-Most people have a mixture of western and native Filipino traditions. The
following picture is the most popular Christmas decoration in the Philippines. It is called a Parol.
There are multiple languages in the Philippines. One language is Tagalog. In Tagalog
Merry/Happy Christmas is Maligayang Pasko. This is a picture of a Parol.

T: In Mexico, Christmas is celebrated from December 12th-January 6th.

From December 16th to Christmas Eve, children perform the Posada processions. Posada is

Spanish for Inn or Lodging. One game that is often played at Posada parties is piñata. The piñata

is a decorated papier-mâché jar filled with sweets and hung from the ceiling or a branch.
Multicultural Lesson Plan 7

To play the game the children are blind-folded and they take turns to hit the piñata with a stick until

it breaks open and the sweets fall out.

T: Now I would like to show you a short video showing the Posada party with the piñata.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLP-b1-EdKs

Closure:

T: Let’s briefly discuss today’s lesson by giving a few questions.

• Where were the first documented Christmas Trees found?

• What was a major use for candles during the winter?

• In what country is music an important part of Christmas celebrations?

S: Students raise their hands and the class has a discussion about the questions.

T: Students, please write down the one word that you feel represents today’s lesson. Then, please

create a paragraph to give the main idea or ideas from the lesson. Please ask your group for

assistance, and then if you need more help, I am available.

Multicultural Lesson Plan 8

Evaluation:

Grading Rubric- Fourth Grade Assessment M N

Student able to recall important details of lecture

Student able to identify purpose of lecture

Student able to identify new vocabulary words

Student is more aware of different cultures

Student can demonstrate understanding of key details of lecture

M-Meets Standards N- Needs Improvement

Comments
Multicultural Lesson Plan 9

References

African Christmas song. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2015, from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWTZtu3NOCc

The Expats' Guide to the Philippine Lifestyle. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2015, from
http://primer.com.ph/tips-guide/2014/12/23/christmas-in-the-philippines/

The History of Christmas Trees on whychristmas?com. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2015, from
http://www.whychristmas.com/customs/trees.shtml

Our Christmas Posada Fiesta (Pinata Party) - Iguala, Guerrero, Mexico. (n.d.). Retrieved
December 1, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLP-b1-EdKs

Soweto Gospel Choir: Christmas Show. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2015, from
https://www.banffcentre.ca/events/soweto-gospel-choir-christmas-show

Ten ideas for interactive teaching | eSchool News | 2. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2015, from
http://www.eschoolnews.com/2011/06/06/ten-ideas-for-interactive-teaching/2/