6th grade students read two different versions of a German and Ukrainian story, "The Legend of the Christmas Spider." One revolved around spider do-gooders while the other characterized spiders as curious, but messy, creatures.

On a Venn diagram graphic organizer, 6th graders compared and contrasted the two versions. Since both attempt to explain why people now put tinsel on their Christmas trees, 6th grade hung white, silver, and gold tinsel garland on their class Christmas tree. Their space ornaments from science class are now in good company!

Therefore, regardless of whether the Christ Child or sunlight transformed spiders' webs into gold and silver strands, the legendary origins of tinsel fascinated students during this holiday season!