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Holidays happen across all countries and cultures. Sometimes they occur on the same date every year and sometimes ...they do not! Jim Whiting gives his young readers some explanations for the confusion of holiday dates just in time for the New Year. |
English/Language Arts
Explore text forms - compare/contrast
In his quest to answer the question of how January 1 became the date for the new year in most of the world, , Author Whiting gives readers a short explanation of New Year’s traditions in the present day, and in ancient times. Use this Minute as a mentor text for the compare/contrast and question/answer text structures. Have your students take a piece of their writing about an event or holiday and add a paragraph that compares/contrasts it to a similar event or holiday in a different place or time.
Explore grammar - apostrophe use
For students that do not fully understand the rules of the possessive apostrophe, New Year’s can be a most confusing holiday! After reviewing the “rules” have students discuss whether or not the apostrophe belongs there when talking about New Year’s. Let them use online searches to justify and defend their understanding as they discuss and come to consensus. In addition to developing a better understanding of the apostrophe, students will experience how to independently problem solve when they are uncertain of grammatical rules.
Social Studies
Explore holiday origins
Every culture celebrates holidays - some unique to the geographic area, religion or time of year. Divide and conquer! Have students explore and catalog holidays, looking for patterns. Have them discuss the different ways they can choose to organize their information and include their justification for the method of presenting their findings as part of the assessment rubric so they can practice their critical thinking skills.
Explore ancient cultures - the relationship between nature and daily life
Author Whiting covers some territory here, mentioning the influence of annual river flooding, summer solstice and vernal equinox. Use this Minute to augment student understanding of the role between nature and human development. Why do humans settle where they settle? How do they explain things they do not understand? How does that lack of understanding play a role in moving human development forward? Why do humans celebrate certain events in all cultures?
Explore Julius Caesar
Somehow, in social studies, all roads lead to Rome! Author Whiting takes us back to the exciting and terrifying scene played out on the Ides of March. Students are sure to want more details! Use this opportunity to explore the life and influence of the Caesar’s in roman history. Have students work toward an understanding of the role and long lasting influence of ancient Rome as they work toward comprehending the importance of continuing our studies of ancient cultures.
STEM
Explore astronomy - lunar and solar patterns
This Minute is a perfect anticipatory set for learning the science behind lunar and solar cycles and patterns. Use the concepts introduced here - summer solstice, vernal equinox, new moon and more. Invite the questions and explore the answers.
Explore the measurement of time
The Roman calendar is one of many, many ways to measure time. Have students explore the different systems in place for measuring all kinds of time. Discuss the pros and the potential limitations of measuring time. Delve deeper into the actual nature of time to explore the limitations of thinking about time in a linear fashion.
Research Skills
Explore media messages
There are a lot of decent internet sites that explore and explain the origin of many holidays. As good as some of the information is, many of these sites are flanked by advertisements and click bait pieces posing as news. Use this opportunity to have students explore the way media messages are embedded in informational sites available for “free” and discuss the actual cost of using free information.
Explore text forms - compare/contrast
In his quest to answer the question of how January 1 became the date for the new year in most of the world, , Author Whiting gives readers a short explanation of New Year’s traditions in the present day, and in ancient times. Use this Minute as a mentor text for the compare/contrast and question/answer text structures. Have your students take a piece of their writing about an event or holiday and add a paragraph that compares/contrasts it to a similar event or holiday in a different place or time.
Explore grammar - apostrophe use
For students that do not fully understand the rules of the possessive apostrophe, New Year’s can be a most confusing holiday! After reviewing the “rules” have students discuss whether or not the apostrophe belongs there when talking about New Year’s. Let them use online searches to justify and defend their understanding as they discuss and come to consensus. In addition to developing a better understanding of the apostrophe, students will experience how to independently problem solve when they are uncertain of grammatical rules.
Social Studies
Explore holiday origins
Every culture celebrates holidays - some unique to the geographic area, religion or time of year. Divide and conquer! Have students explore and catalog holidays, looking for patterns. Have them discuss the different ways they can choose to organize their information and include their justification for the method of presenting their findings as part of the assessment rubric so they can practice their critical thinking skills.
Explore ancient cultures - the relationship between nature and daily life
Author Whiting covers some territory here, mentioning the influence of annual river flooding, summer solstice and vernal equinox. Use this Minute to augment student understanding of the role between nature and human development. Why do humans settle where they settle? How do they explain things they do not understand? How does that lack of understanding play a role in moving human development forward? Why do humans celebrate certain events in all cultures?
Explore Julius Caesar
Somehow, in social studies, all roads lead to Rome! Author Whiting takes us back to the exciting and terrifying scene played out on the Ides of March. Students are sure to want more details! Use this opportunity to explore the life and influence of the Caesar’s in roman history. Have students work toward an understanding of the role and long lasting influence of ancient Rome as they work toward comprehending the importance of continuing our studies of ancient cultures.
STEM
Explore astronomy - lunar and solar patterns
This Minute is a perfect anticipatory set for learning the science behind lunar and solar cycles and patterns. Use the concepts introduced here - summer solstice, vernal equinox, new moon and more. Invite the questions and explore the answers.
Explore the measurement of time
The Roman calendar is one of many, many ways to measure time. Have students explore the different systems in place for measuring all kinds of time. Discuss the pros and the potential limitations of measuring time. Delve deeper into the actual nature of time to explore the limitations of thinking about time in a linear fashion.
Research Skills
Explore media messages
There are a lot of decent internet sites that explore and explain the origin of many holidays. As good as some of the information is, many of these sites are flanked by advertisements and click bait pieces posing as news. Use this opportunity to have students explore the way media messages are embedded in informational sites available for “free” and discuss the actual cost of using free information.
© Karen Sterling, 2018- May be used for educational purposes without written permission
