Diversity Book

Project
An Amish Christmas
By: Richard Ammon
Project Done By: Shalyn Helman
EDU 280
Intended Lesson
The general lesson from the book would be for students to understand Amish
Christmas tradition.
After completing the questions and activities another lesson would be that
students would understand how their own traditions compare to Amish
Christmas traditions.
Overall students will learn that people have many different traditions
during Christmas.
The lesson is intended for children ages 5-10.
 Book Summary On An Amish
Christmas by Richard Ammon
Richard Ammon writes about his experiences with Christmas traditions
while living with Amish farm families.
He tells about the fact that Christmas is celebrated for two days instead of
one.
During this time no one decorates trees, or hangs twinkling lights outside.
Gifts are still exchanged, but not lavish gifts like in American culture.
Activities like sledding, skating, singing, and eating cookies are done, with
family that comes to visit.
Christmas is only celebrated after everyone finishes their daily chores.
Class Discussion

What surprised you when reading about Amish Christmas traditions?

What are some of your Christmas traditions?
How do Amish traditions differ from your own?
Was there anything you already knew?
Ask if there is any question before continuing to the activities.
Activity one
Give the students contraction and various coloring tool ( crayons, colored
pencils, markers).
Ask students to draw and illustrate their own Christmas traditions.
Ask for at least 3 pictures of different Christmas traditions they celebrate.
Tell students to keep in mind the similarities and differences between their
traditions and Amish traditions.
Activity Two

Draw a Venn Diagram on the board, asking students to copy the drawing,
put my traditions on one side, similarities in the middle, and Amish
traditions on the other side.
Explain how the Venn Diagram works, giving examples, with my own
tradition on one side, an Amish tradition on the other and one similarity in
the middle.
Ask students to fill out the diagram not using the examples from the board.
Towards the end of the class have a handful of students share their answers.
References
Teaching Activities - Multicultural YA Literature - A.S.T.A.L.@R.I.C.
(n.d.). Retrieved September 21, 2016, from
http://www.ric.edu/astal/multicultural/activities.html

@. (n.d.). Children's Book Review: An Amish Christmas by Richard

Ammon, Author, Pamela Patrick, Illustrator Atheneum Books $17
(40p) ISBN 978-0-689-80377-2. Retrieved September 21, 2016, from
http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-689-80377-2

Ammon, R., & Heller, J. N. (1996). An Amish Christmas. New York:

Recorded Bks.