Today we studied our last 2 countries and how they celebrate Christmas - Spain and Mexico. Like other countries, the children in both of these countries receive their gifts on Jan. 6 - Three Kings Day. They also leave shoes out on Christmas Eve rather than hanging stockings. In Mexico, they play Travelers and Innkeepers. The travelers mimick the trip that Joseph and Mary took to Bethlehem, stopping at specified places along the way and being refused a room by the innkeepers. At the final stop, they all enjoy a meal together. Spain rings their bells for their midnight mass services, after which they have a large feast after fasting all Christmas Eve Day. Therefore, we strung 2 bells together to hang on our tree for Spain.
Since the poinsettia orginally came from Mexico, we cut a paper poinsettia to place on our tree. It's similar to a snowflake, but in red paper. http://www.creativekidsathome.com/activities/activity_75.shtml We also read The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie de Paola.
SUMMARY:
China - paper chain
Japan - paper fans
Russia - paper dolls
Germany - candles
France - stars
Italy - nativity scence
Gr. Britain - crackers
Canada - masks
Spain - bells
Mexico - paper poinsettias
If we do this again, we will have to get a larger tree!! We had a lot of fun with this study. Now the boys are anxious to be able to pop their crackers open. To finish off this week, we are studying the colors of Christmas, focusing on the nativity, and looking at the different Santas of the world and who the real St. Nicholas was. I will post pictures the rest of this week, then we are on VACATION!
but I don't know when because I think I've already decided on what I want to do for next Christmas. Oh, how I love to plan. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your entire adventure! We've enjoyed reading/viewing it.