Social Studies: Holidays and Traditions
Learning about family, school, and community celebrations
Social Studies: Holidays and Traditions
Learning about family, school, and community celebrations
Social Studies - Grade K-1
- 1
What is a holiday? Write or tell what a holiday is in your own words.
Think about a special day your family remembers each year.
A holiday is a special day that people celebrate or remember together. Holidays can include family time, food, music, or special activities. - 2
What is a tradition? Write or tell what a tradition is in your own words.
A tradition is something people do again and again, often every year or on special days. Traditions can be songs, foods, games, or ways of celebrating. - 3
Name one holiday you know. Tell one way people celebrate it.
You may choose any holiday you know.
One holiday is Thanksgiving. Some people celebrate it by sharing a meal with family. - 4
Name one tradition your family or class does every year.
One tradition could be decorating a tree, singing a special song, or having a birthday dinner each year. A tradition is something done again and again. - 5
Some holidays have music, food, or decorations. Write one thing people might use or do during a celebration.
Think about what you see at a party or celebration.
People might sing songs, share special foods, wear special clothes, or decorate their home or classroom during a celebration. - 6
Why do families celebrate holidays and traditions together?
Families celebrate holidays and traditions together to spend time with each other, remember special things, and have fun together. - 7
A class has a holiday party. The students sing songs and share snacks. Is this a holiday or a tradition, or can it be both? Explain.
Think about whether it happens one time or many times.
It can be both. It is a holiday celebration, and if the class does it every year, it is also a tradition. - 8
Circle or name the activity that sounds like a tradition: planting a tree every Earth Day, or tying your shoe one morning.
Planting a tree every Earth Day sounds like a tradition because it is a special activity done again each year. - 9
People celebrate different holidays in different ways. Why is it good to learn about other people's traditions?
Think about being kind and respectful.
It is good to learn about other people's traditions because it helps us understand, respect, and care about people who may celebrate in different ways. - 10
Draw or describe a food that might be shared on a special holiday or tradition.
A student might describe cake, bread, soup, rice, or another special food shared by family or community during a celebration. - 11
If your school has a special assembly every year, is that a tradition? Explain.
Yes, it can be a tradition if the school has the assembly every year for a special reason. - 12
Write one way people can be respectful when learning about a holiday they do not celebrate.
Think about using kind words and good listening.
People can be respectful by listening carefully, asking kind questions, and understanding that different families celebrate in different ways. - 13
Some traditions happen at home. Some happen at school or in the community. Name one place where a tradition can happen.
A tradition can happen at home, at school, at a place of worship, or in the community. - 14
Your family eats a special meal every New Year. Is that a holiday tradition? Explain.
Think about the words special and each year.
Yes, that is a holiday tradition because it is a special activity your family does on a holiday each year. - 15
Tell about one holiday or tradition you would like to learn more about.
A student answer may name any holiday or tradition and tell that they want to learn about its food, music, clothing, stories, or activities.