Unit Plan 23 (PreK Social Studies): Traditions and Celebrations
Explore diverse family celebrations while practicing kindness, respect, and inclusion during shared traditions in PreK social studies.
Focus: Help children notice and share family celebrations, foods, and special days, while practicing kindness, respect, and inclusion when learning about different traditions.
Grade Level: PreK
Subject Area: Social Studies (History • Civics)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 15–20 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, children explore traditions and celebrations from their own families and from others. Through stories, photos, and show-and-share, they talk about special days, favorite foods, music, and activities that make celebrations meaningful.
Children practice listening respectfully, noticing that some families celebrate the same holidays while others have different special days and customs. They also connect celebrations to kind classroom behavior—including others, treating others gently, and taking care of shared spaces when they celebrate together at school.
Essential Questions
- What is a celebration?
- How do families celebrate with foods, music, and special activities?
- How are our celebrations similar and different?
- How can we show kindness and respect when classmates share their traditions?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Name at least one celebration or special day from their family.
- Describe at least one way their family celebrates (food, song, activity).
- Listen to peers’ traditions and show respectful behavior (quiet listening, kind comments, taking turns).
- Help create a class chart or book about traditions and celebrations, contributing a drawing or idea.
Standards Alignment — PreK (C3-based custom)
- PK.C3.Hist.4 — Share family and cultural traditions. Talks about customs, foods, and celebrations at home.
- Example: Bringing a photo from a family celebration to share.
- PK.C3.Civ.5 — Show care and responsibility for the classroom community. Helps clean up, shares materials, and treats others with respect.
- Example: Returning blocks to the correct shelf after play.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can tell about one celebration my family has.
- I can say how we celebrate (what we eat, do, or sing).
- I can listen kindly when my friends share their traditions.
- I can help make a class traditions page by drawing or sharing ideas.