Each day during the month of December, we learned about a different country and their holiday traditions. To culminate our unit, we got to "travel the world" on Friday, December 18. We traveled with our suitcases and passports to 7 different countries. At each country, we got our passports stamped, reviewed that country's traditions, and then made a craft, played a game, or prepared a snack. We had so much fun! Thank you to all the parents, aunts, and grandparents who volunteered their time. We would not have been able to do this without your help!
Jayden enjoys his Japanese Christmas cake that he iced with whipped cream and topped with strawberries. Yum!
Jayden enjoys his Japanese Christmas cake that he iced with whipped cream and topped with strawberries. Yum!
Jayden, Jordan, and Louis show off their poinsettias in Mexico!
Mitchell, Josh, and Donavin also display their beautiful flowers.
Mrs. Weyrauch shows Alexis and Aaliyah a pickle ornament in Germany. There is a German tradition where a pickle is hidden on the family's Christmas tree. The first child to find the pickle on Christmas morning wins a prize!
Donavin shows off his reindeer that he made. Great job, Donavin!
Cam'ron, Izaac, and Logan in Mexico!
Cam'ron carefully creates his poinsettia.
Logan adds the finishing touch.
Audrey is in Sweden with her suitcase and passport.
Brandi, Ericka, Kennedy, and Alyssa learn how to play with a dreidel in Israel. I think Ericka was the winner from this group. 
Alexis and Aaliyah lace together their stockings in Greece. The tradition of hanging stockings came from a Greek legend.
Mitchell smiles for the camera as he makes a reindeer in the United States.
Logan and Izaac are working hard on their poinsettias in Mexico.
Jay, Dylan, and Malachi ice their Japanese Christmas Cakes.
Mrs. Vibbert leads a group of girls in Sweden. They made the wreaths that girls wear on their heads in Sweden on St. Lucia day.
Kennedy's dad teaches Alexis and Aaliyah how to play with a dreidel in Israel.
Brandi's Aunt Sheila shows some boys how to lace together a stocking in Greece.
Jayden's mom helps a group of boys make a Christmas tree ornament. The tradition of decorating Christmas trees came from Germany.
Donavin's mom gets some girls ready to make a Japanese Christmas cake.
Audrey's mom helps some boys make reindeer in the United States. We learned that not every country is visited by Santa Claus and reindeer. For example, in Sweden, the gift giver is a small gnome-like man who is pulled in a sleigh by goats. In Italy, the gift giver is an old lady who flies from house to house on a broom. Sinterklaas comes to the Netherlands on a steamboat with his white horse. So, reindeer and Santa Claus are only special to the United States and some other countries.
