Kindergartners learn about holidays

VERNON — The kindergarten teachers planned a special trip around the world to learn about different cultures and customs that children in other places celebrate in December.
Students traveled to Mexico, Germany, Israel, and other countries to learn about what December looks like in different parts of the world. Students discovered we are more alike than different, no matter where we live, how we dress, or how we celebrate. The students packed their travel “suitcases” with crafts they made from around the world.
Stocking: The students heard stories on the variations of holiday stockings and shoe traditions around the world. Students decorated a stocking ornament with the legend of the Christmas stocking.
Poinsettia: Students took a trip to Mexico and learned about the legend of the Poinsettia. After learning about how the gift of green weeds magically turned into red, star-shaped flowers, the students got to make a poinsettia of their own.
The Candy Cane: While visions of sugarplums dance in our heads, students learned how candy canes were first a long, plain white stick of candy and later peppermint was added, giving the stick a striped look and yummy taste. These fun treats probably first came from Germany. Students painted their own candy cane, added a fancy bow to dress it up, and then hung them in classroom windows.
Hanukkah: Students heard about the traditions of Hanukkah through a fun story, and then numbered the candles on their very own menorah.
Christmas Tree: Students learned how a Christmas tree started in Germany where they hung candy, nuts, and fruit. Years later, candles were found on Christmas trees. In the 1900s the Christmas tree started to appear in the United States and is not much different than years ago with our candy canes and lights strung. Students made and decorated their own paper Christmas trees.