Stars, Markets and Beaches: Christmas Around the World

About This Resource

A complete Grade 3 ESL reading pack about Christmas in five countries: Las Posadas in Mexico, star lanterns in the Philippines, a summer Christmas at the beach in Australia, Christmas markets in Germany and Genna on January 7 in Ethiopia. Children read, answer questions, match traditions, compare summer and winter Christmas and write about their own celebrations. Includes slides, a lesson plan, worksheet, quiz, homework, flashcards, a rubric and answer keys.

Overview

Children discover that Christmas looks different around the world. They read about five countries: in Mexico, families walk from house to house singing for Las Posadas; in the Philippines, homes glow with star lanterns called parols; in Australia, Christmas falls in summer, so many families go to the beach; in Germany, towns hold Christmas markets and children open Advent calendars; and in Ethiopia, many people celebrate Genna on January 7. Children practice reading for detail, compare traditions, learn why Christmas is in summer in the southern half of the world, and share how their own families celebrate festivals.

Resource Details

Subject: ESL
Topic: Christmas Around the World
Category: Reading
File Type: PDF
File Size: 352.7 KB
Published: 11 Nov 2026
Downloads: 0

Members Only

Upgrade to Teacher Pro (from ฿199/month) to download this resource.

Upgrade to Pro Login

Looking for something different? Request a Resource.

Grade 3 ESL (ages 8–9), A1–A2 50 minutes Reading for detail vocabulary comparing speaking writing

Learning Objectives

Read a short text and find details about Christmas in five countries.
Match countries with their traditions and explain why Christmas is in summer in some places.
Write and talk about their own festival traditions.

How to Use This Resource

Start with the slides: show a globe and ask, "Is it hot or cold at Christmas where you live?"
Read the text together, then do worksheet activities 1 and 2.
Children complete activities 3 to 6, then use the quiz and send the homework page home.

Classroom Activity Ideas

Passport trip: give each child a paper passport; they visit five country tables and collect a stamp and one fact.
Star lantern craft: children make a simple paper star lantern and describe it.
Summer or winter? Children stand up for countries with a summer Christmas and crouch for a winter Christmas.

Differentiation

Support: read the text in small sections and give a picture card for each country. Challenge: children research one more country and write three facts about its traditions.

Assessment

Use the worksheet and quiz to check reading for detail. Use the rubric to assess the homework paragraph and the speaking activity.

Teacher Tips

Some children celebrate other festivals or no festival at this time of year. Invite everyone to share any celebration they enjoy, and keep the focus on learning about the world.

What's Included

11-page printable PDF lesson pack: teacher lesson plan with timings, materials and differentiation
Key vocabulary list (8 words with meanings and examples)
Student worksheet (6 activities)
Quiz / assessment (3 parts)
Homework practice page
Printable flashcards: 8 A5 picture cards (separate PDF)
Assessment rubric (4 levels)
Lesson slides (editable PowerPoint)
Editable Word version of all student pages
Complete answer key (also as a separate PDF)