Educational Project Plan: Exploring New Christmas Cultures
Grade: Middle School
Main Issue: Students do not know the origin of Christmas
Scenario: Classroom
Methodology: Community-Based Learning
Articulating Axes: Arts and Aesthetic Experiences
1. Phase 1: Planning
| Moment | Time | Activities | Description and Adaptation |
|---|
| Moment 1: Identification | 1 class (45 min) | Discussion & Brainstorming | Students share what they know about Christmas. Teacher guides a discussion to identify gaps regarding the holiday's origins and cultural variations. Use pictures and simple texts in English to scaffold understanding. Adaptation: Use visual aids and basic vocabulary for EFL learners. |
| Moment 2: Recovery | 1 class (45 min) | Storytelling & Cultural Exploration | Introduce stories about Christmas from different countries, focusing on customs, symbols, and history. Students listen, watch short videos, or read simple texts. Adaptation: Use multimedia and bilingual resources to support comprehension. |
| Moment 3: Planning | 1 class (45 min) | Project Design & Group Formation | Students form small groups. Each group chooses a specific country’s Christmas tradition to research and present. Teacher provides guidelines and vocabulary lists. Adaptation: Visual organizers and sentence frames in English to facilitate planning. |
2. Phase 2: Action
| Moment | Time | Activities | Description and Adaptation |
|---|
| Moment 4: Approach | 2 classes (90 min) | Research & Gathering Information | Groups research their assigned culture’s Christmas traditions using books, internet (with supervision), and visual aids. Students note key vocabulary and ideas in simple English. Adaptation: Use bilingual resources and vocabulary lists. |
| Moment 5: Comprehension and Production | 2 classes (90 min) | Creative Arts & Presentations | Students create posters, drawings, or short skits depicting their traditions. They prepare to present in English, focusing on key vocabulary and phrases. Adaptation: Use sentence starters and visual supports. |
| Moment 6: Recognition | 1 class (45 min) | Presentations & Peer Feedback | Each group presents their tradition to the class. Encourage respectful feedback emphasizing language use and cultural understanding. Adaptation: Provide sentence frames for feedback. |
| Moment 7: Correction | 1 class (45 min) | Language and Content Corrections | Teacher reviews presentations, highlights language improvements, and clarifies cultural points. Students revise their work based on feedback. Adaptation: Focus on simple sentences and pronunciation. |
3. Phase 3: Intervention
| Moment | Time | Activities | Description and Adaptation |
|---|
| Moment 8: Integration | 2 classes (90 min) | Artistic Reflection & Creation | Students craft a collective mural or a digital collage representing the diverse Christmas traditions learned. Use English labels and descriptions. Adaptation: Visual aids and vocabulary supports. |
| Moment 9: Dissemination | 1 class (45 min) | Exhibition & Sharing | Organize a classroom exhibition or Christmas cultural fair where students showcase their posters, skits, and murals. Invite other classes or teachers. Adaptation: Use bilingual labels and simple English explanations. |
| Moment 10: Considerations | 1 class (45 min) | Reflection & Discussion | Students reflect on what they learned about the origins and cultural diversity of Christmas. Use guided questions in English. Adaptation: Use sentence prompts and visual cues. |
| Moment 11: Progress | 1 class (45 min) | Self and Peer Assessment | Students assess their own learning and group work. Teachers evaluate understanding through informal observation and simple quizzes. Adaptation: Use visual rubrics and oral assessments. |
Summary Table: Time Allocation & Summary Activities
| Phase | Number of Classes | Main Activities | Adaptations for EFL Middle Schoolers |
|---|
| Planning | 3 classes | Brainstorming, storytelling, project planning | Visual aids, bilingual resources, sentence frames |
| Action | 6 classes | Research, arts-based creation, presentations, feedback | Scaffolded vocabulary, multimedia support, simple language |
| Intervention | 4 classes | Artistic reflection, exhibition, reflection, assessment | Visual supports, bilingual labels, oral and written tasks |
Educational Objectives:
Students will understand the origins and cultural diversity of Christmas.
Students will develop research, artistic, and presentation skills in English.
Students will enhance their appreciation of cultural differences through arts and aesthetic experiences.
Students will practice language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in a meaningful community context.
Assessment and Evaluation:
Participation and engagement during activities.
Quality of research and creativity in arts projects.
Clarity and accuracy in presentations.
Reflective journals or oral reflections on what they learned.
Peer and self-assessment rubrics.
Conclusion:
This community-based project fosters meaningful learning by connecting students with diverse cultural traditions through arts, language, and reflection. It encourages active participation, cultural appreciation, and language development in an engaging, age-appropriate manner aligned with modern educational principles.