December Holidays Across Cultures

This WebQuest is great for a third grade social studies lesson.  This lesson follows the following standards:
Tennessee Social Studies - Third Grade
Culture Standard 1.o
Culture encompasses similarities and differences among people, including their beliefs, knowledge, changes, values, and traditions. Students will explore these elements of society to develop an appreciation and respect for the variety of human cultures.
3.1.03 Recognize the contributions of individuals and people of various ethnic, racial, religious, socioeconomic groups to the development of civilizations.
a. Explain the significance of selected ethnic and/or cultural celebrations in Tennessee, the United States, and other nations such as Kwanzaa.
NETS-S
1. Creativity and Innovation
 Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.
a. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.
b. create original works as a means of personal or group expression.
3. Research and Information Fluency
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information
b. locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.
NETS-T
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments.
a.promote, support, and model creative innovative thinking and inventiveness.
c. promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes.
2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating  contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS-S.
b. develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.

Rationale:
According to WeQuest.org a WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or all information that learners work with comes from the web. This December Holidays Across Cultures WebQuest is a great learning tool for students to understand the differences and similarities in the holidays celebrated in a variety of cultures. Students engaging in this WeQuest will gain a better appreciation and respect for others and their cultural differences as well as recognize that there are many similarites.

Time Frame:
I would allow an hour in class for the students to work together and go through all the links throughout. They are also required to talk to family members which they will have to complete at home and return the next day with information. Then I would allow another hour for the students to get in their groups and compare and contrast the information they have with what they learned the previous day from the WebQuest. During this time they will also work on creating their own holidays and then present them to the rest of the class.

Teacher Resources:
http://www.clipartof.com/portfolio/prawny/popular-designs
http://www.tvscoop.tv/2008/05/bbc_twos_cultur.html
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson213.shtml
http://billybear4kids.com
http://abkldesigns.com/school1.html
 http://mset.rst2.edu/portfolios/h/hunter_s/toolsdev/final/eval.html
http://www.history.com/
http://three-kings-day.123holiday.net/
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/winter-holidays-around-the-world.html
http://www.merriam-webster.com/