Last week we started in our very own country, Canada, where we discussed our own traditions and made sure our passports were ready to go for our next day of travel. Typically, most of us hang stockings above the fireplace, put up a Christmas tree with lights and ornaments, put lights around the outside of our house, have a wreath on our door, and open up presents from family, friends, and Santa on Christmas morning.
While we were there, we visited a local Public Library where we learned how much fun reading can be! We didn't just learn about the different items that we can find, we also learned how to dance with ribbon while listening to a story.
-- Merry Christmas!!
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The next day, we flew to Mexico on Christmas Airlines. Upon 'landing', we sang the song "Feliz Navidad". Many of us already knew the words but it was great to make a connection that 'Feliz Navidad' means 'Merry Christmas' in Mexico's language, spanish.
After that, we read the book, 'The Legend of the Poinsettia', which is a story about a little girl named Maria, who lived in a poor family in a house in a small village in Mexico. In Maria's village, it was a custom in the village to glorify the Christmas season with special events to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child, Jesus. On Christmas Eve, all of the villagers lined up with something to give. Maria was very sad because she couldn't afford to buy anything. But a voice from above spoke to Maria: "The baby Jesus will love whatever you give because it comes from your heart. Love is what makes any gift special." Maria grabbed a few weeds and carried them over. Without even noticing, the weeds grew beautiful red flowers, shaped like stars. Maria's love had created a miracle!
With that, we made our own Poinsettias to add to our 'Christmas Around The World' Scrapbook. Here is a couple of pictures:
We also learned about Las Posadas. Las Posadas is a Christmas celebration in Mexico. It lasts 9 nights and goes up to Nochebuena (Christmas Eve). People dress up like shepherd or angels and walk in a parade, carrying candles. They pretend to be looking for a place to stay (like Joseph and Mary). They knock on doors and ask to come inside. We made a connection here-- we have Christmas Carolers that walk the streets, knock on doors, and sing carols to friendly neighbours.
Last, but definitely not least, thanks to a few of our wonderful parents, we were able to participate in Mexico's best traditional activity: the Piñata!
-- FELIZ NAVIDAD!
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Next stop-- FRANCE! Although we seemed to stay in Paris a lot longer than we thought, we covered enough of France to understand a few of their very important Christmas traditions. First, did you know children leave their shoes by the fireplace and on Christmas morning their shoes are filled with toys and treats!? Well, it's true-- Ms. V's class witnessed it first hand! Another Christmas tradition (that we got to experience) is something called a 'Yule Log'. A Yule Log is a very large, hard piece of wood, where in France the old tradition is to light the log. People would place decorations and food offerings upon it. As time passed, and many of the fireplaces in France began to disappear, the French created Yule Log cakes-- called the "Buche de Noel". These are part of many of the Christmas feasts in France! If you don't know what a Yule Log looks like, here is a picture (not our actual Yule Log that we ate):
Last, but not least in France, we drew the Eiffel Tower. No, it's not to-scale... The Eiffel Tower is way too tall in real life! Although, two of our students started to build the Eiffel Tower from blocks. They realized it would take a lot of blocks to build the real thing, but here is a small start:
-- Joyeux Noel!!
Please stay tuned for our next travels!
Love,
Division 16
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