Santa's Global Celebration Sleigh Ride

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Project Launch & Introduction - Kick off the Santa Tradition Tracker Project with a viewing of the Norad Santa Origin Video, followed by a class discussion on the cultural significance of Santa’s journey. Students brainstorm questions about the traditions Santa might encounter. (30 min) Group Assignment & Research Planning - Divide students into groups and assign each a themed journey. Groups will outline their research plan and identify resources needed for investigating assigned traditions. (45 min)	Using Google Earth - Introduce students to Google Earth, demonstrating how to create and navigate a story within the platform. Students practice by plotting a sample journey. (30 min) Tradition Research & Notes - Begin detailed research on the first two assigned traditions. Each group gathers information, focusing on the 'what, where, and why' aspects, and records notes for their presentations. (45 min)	Creating Google Earth Stops - Students start creating the first two stops in their Google Earth story. They write 1-2 paragraph summaries for each tradition, integrating cultural insights and significance. (45 min) Feedback & Reflection Session - Groups share their initial Google Earth stops with peers for constructive feedback, focusing on clarity and cultural accuracy. Each student reflects on feedback received. (30 min)	Research Continuation - Continue research on the remaining four traditions, ensuring comprehensive coverage of cultural elements and significance. (40 min) Designing Travel Pamphlet - Introduction to Canva and basics of designing a travel pamphlet. Students begin drafting content for the first two traditions, ensuring each paragraph is concise and informative. (35 min)	Mid-Project Peer Review - Conduct a peer review session where groups present drafts of their Google Earth projects to another group for constructive feedback, particularly on engagement and cultural representation. (45 min) Virtual Feedback with Cultural Ambassadors - Schedule a virtual session with local cultural ambassadors to receive feedback on the cultural representations in the travel pamphlets, ensuring authenticity and respectfulness. (30 min)
Deliverables	1. Draft of Google Earth presentation featuring six cultural 'stops' with 1-2 paragraph summaries. 2. Initial design of travel pamphlet in Canva with condensed paragraphs and bonus stops. 3. QR code linking to the Google Earth project integrated into the pamphlet. 4. Revised Google Earth and travel pamphlet drafts based on peer and ambassador feedback.
Preparation	1. Secure access to computers or tablets with internet connectivity for research and digital project work. 2. Prepare digital and print resources on global holiday traditions for student research. 3. Organize guest speakers or virtual meetings with cultural ambassadors for authentic insights. 4. Arrange access to Google Earth and Canva, ensuring all students can use these platforms. 5. Create a checklist for peer review sessions to guide constructive feedback.

Activities

Project Launch & Introduction - Kick off the Santa Tradition Tracker Project with a viewing of the Norad Santa Origin Video, followed by a class discussion on the cultural significance of Santa’s journey. Students brainstorm questions about the traditions Santa might encounter. (30 min)

Group Assignment & Research Planning - Divide students into groups and assign each a themed journey. Groups will outline their research plan and identify resources needed for investigating assigned traditions. (45 min)

Using Google Earth - Introduce students to Google Earth, demonstrating how to create and navigate a story within the platform. Students practice by plotting a sample journey. (30 min)

Tradition Research & Notes - Begin detailed research on the first two assigned traditions. Each group gathers information, focusing on the 'what, where, and why' aspects, and records notes for their presentations. (45 min)

Creating Google Earth Stops - Students start creating the first two stops in their Google Earth story. They write 1-2 paragraph summaries for each tradition, integrating cultural insights and significance. (45 min)

Feedback & Reflection Session - Groups share their initial Google Earth stops with peers for constructive feedback, focusing on clarity and cultural accuracy. Each student reflects on feedback received. (30 min)

Research Continuation - Continue research on the remaining four traditions, ensuring comprehensive coverage of cultural elements and significance. (40 min)

Designing Travel Pamphlet - Introduction to Canva and basics of designing a travel pamphlet. Students begin drafting content for the first two traditions, ensuring each paragraph is concise and informative. (35 min)

Mid-Project Peer Review - Conduct a peer review session where groups present drafts of their Google Earth projects to another group for constructive feedback, particularly on engagement and cultural representation. (45 min)

Virtual Feedback with Cultural Ambassadors - Schedule a virtual session with local cultural ambassadors to receive feedback on the cultural representations in the travel pamphlets, ensuring authenticity and respectfulness. (30 min)

Deliverables

1. Draft of Google Earth presentation featuring six cultural 'stops' with 1-2 paragraph summaries.
2. Initial design of travel pamphlet in Canva with condensed paragraphs and bonus stops.
3. QR code linking to the Google Earth project integrated into the pamphlet.
4. Revised Google Earth and travel pamphlet drafts based on peer and ambassador feedback.

Preparation

1. Secure access to computers or tablets with internet connectivity for research and digital project work.
2. Prepare digital and print resources on global holiday traditions for student research.
3. Organize guest speakers or virtual meetings with cultural ambassadors for authentic insights.
4. Arrange access to Google Earth and Canva, ensuring all students can use these platforms.
5. Create a checklist for peer review sessions to guide constructive feedback.