8th Graders Research Global New Year's Traditions in Celebration of their Graduation Year!

In Ms. Brown's English class, 8th graders researched the New Year's traditions of countries and religions around the world because the New Year - as it is their graduation year - is particularly significant in 8th grade. On their Chromebooks, students conducted online research to write an informative paragraph that focused on and described three main traditions from their randomly assigned country/religion. 8th graders compiled source information on graphic organizers to be able to generate a Works Cited page and include M.L.A. format parenthetical citations in their writing as they synthesized the information from at least two websites. Students also created a Google Slide that brought their country's/religion's traditions to life, since they were challenged to locate photographs of the New Year's festivals, "lucky foods," and rituals. Since pomegranates are considered a lucky New Year's food in Turkey and other Mediterranean countries, students enjoyed a fruit strip treat as they listened to each other's research presentations! 8th grade learned a lot about why  many different foods and activities mark the New Year!



Pomegranates are considered a lucky New Year's food in several countries because the way in which they are packed with shiny, red seeds makes them symbolic of abundance and vitality. 8th graders enjoyed a healthy treat - a pomegranate fruit strip - to bring that edible New Year's tradition into the classroom!



Students created a visual component for their research presentation through Google Slides!