Materials:

List of Participating Schools Large wall-size world map with latitude and longitude lines Push pins, sticky dots/stars, different color pens, etc. for plotting the schools. Optional: the following free downloadable world maps are available from National Geographic: Small World Map (.gif format) Large World Map (.pdf format) Printable Student Worksheet (Optional)

Instructions:

1. PART 1
   1. Describe in detail how New Year's is celebrated in your community. Things to think about include:
      • When is it celebrated (e.g. the date)?
      • What is the weather like?
      • Are there special traditions?
      • Is there any special music?
      • What kind of food might you have?
      • What do people wear?
         
   2. Select and describe in detail a holiday or celebration that is unique to your community or region. Things to think about include:
      • When is it celebrated (e.g. the date)?
      • What is the weather like?
      • Are there special traditions?
      • Is there any special music?
      • What kind of food might you have?
      • What do people wear?
         
   3. Prepare the information you have collected above into one letter and submit to the Language Arts conference of Discussion Area. Be sure to specify your city, country, latitude, etc. so the other classes can locate where your school is located.
       
2. PART 2
   1. Return the Language Arts conference of the Discussion Area and select and read another school's letter.
      NOTE: You may need to return to the Language Arts conference a few days after you submit your letter from PART 1 if there are no other letters posted.
       
   2. Construct a Culture Poster, bulletin board, or multi-media presentation:
      1. comparing and contrasting the differences in your New Year's celebrations.
      2. comparing and contrasting the differences and similarities between the celebrations holidays unique to your community with the celebrations in another community.
      3. describing how temperature affects holiday celebrations.
          
   3. Include what you have learned about how temperature and/or climate affects the way you live in your community and the way others live in their communities in your final reports.