Social Studies Fourth & Fifth Grades
Celebrations
Description
Celebrations unite us as families, friends, groups and nations. The Olympic
Games unite the world through a celebration of peaceful competition and
personal achievement. In 1998, the Olympic Winter Games were held in Nagano,
Japan. In 2002, the Games will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Students
compare and contrast the American and Japanese cultures and recognize how
the Olympic Winter Games foster cultural understanding.
Themes
Cultural Understanding, Diversity, Respect, Fair Play, Civic Responsibility,
Friendship, Striving for Best Self, Heroism
Core Curriculum
6040-04 Students participate in activities that promote cultural understanding
and good citizenship.
Demonstrate cultural understanding.
Students compare cultures of Utah and Japan.
Learning Outcomes
Students will recognize how examining celebrations can help us develop culture
understanding of our world.
Activity 1: Comparison of Cultures
Preparation
5 minutes
Class time 35 minutes
Tools and Resources
The 2002 Olympic Winter Games Education Site
United States and Japanese flags or pictures of flags
T-Chart (to compare and contrast countries and cultures)
Instruction
Display the United States flag or picture of the flag and ask students to name the
favorite celebrations of students in this country. Discuss why students enjoy
these celebrations.
Display the Japanese flag or picture of the flag. Ask students to research some
celebrations found in Japan. Discuss how different areas of the world hold similar
and different celebrations. Brainstorm why celebrations would be different
around the world.
Read information about celebrations in Japan and the United States or access
the Internet at the 2002 Olympic Education web site to obtain information. Use a
T chart to record comparing and contrasting information about the celebrations
held in the United States with those held in Japan.
Activity 2: Cultures and New Celebrations
Preparation
None
Class time 35 minutes
Tools and Resources
Internet resources may include:
Japanese Festivals & Celebration Internet Sites
http://www-japan.mit.edu/mit/culture-notes/english.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2062.html
http://dir.yahoo.com/regional/countries/japan/society_and_culture/holidays_and_
observances/
Instruction
Compare and contrast celebrations found in the United States with those found in
Japan. Discuss what you have learned about each one.
Working in groups of three or four, create a new celebration that reflects the
United States and Japan. Share your plan about the new celebration with the
class and explain how that celebration would help foster cultural understanding
between the United States and Japan.
Extensions
Vote as a class on which celebration would best reflect the cultures of Japan and
the United States and hold that celebration in your classroom.
Assessment
Student will compare and contrast U.S. and Japanese celebrations and plan a
new celebration for the U.S. and Japan.