Minds On
Learning about our traditions
Explore the following passage:
What does this passage mean to you? What is it trying to say?
Explore the following to learn what generations and traditions are.
Groups of people who are born around the same time. In a family, this means that grandparents, parents, and children are all in different generations. The children and their friends from school would be in the same generation.
Generations and traditions
The following images and descriptions show how some traditions are passed down from generation to generation.
Cooking with Grandma
One way that traditions are passed down through generations is by sharing recipes.
Storytime with Grandpa
Another way to pass traditions down from generation to generation is through telling stories and sharing pictures.
Gifts from Grandma
Another way to pass traditions from one generation to another is to pass items that have been in the family for a long time to the next generation. These items are sometimes called heirlooms.
Kwanzaa with Grandpa
Another way to pass traditions down from one generation to the next is through celebrations and ceremonies.
Generations and traditions questions
- Where can we find out more about our own cultural heritage and our traditions? Who can we ask?
- Why is it important to celebrate and share our cultural heritage with future generations?
Throughout this activity, you can share your ideas on the computer, orally, or on paper.
Action
Lunar New Year
Explore the following TVOkids video “Lunar New Year” from the series It’s My Party. In this video, Emily and Ashley learn about Chinese traditions during the celebration of Lunar New Year.
Video questions
- What are some of the specific traditions that the kids celebrate during the Lunar New Year party in the video?
- Have you ever celebrated any of these traditions before?
- Do you have any similar traditions like these in your culture?
Record your ideas using a method of your choice.
Our changing traditions
Traditions are the handing down of a culture’s beliefs and customs from parents to children over many years. For example, it is a tradition in my family to celebrate the new year with a special meal.
To find out more about this tradition, you can ask a family or community member some questions or do some searching to find out more.
Our changing traditions activity
In the following activity you will choose a tradition that is important or interesting to you and answer some questions about it.
Step 1: Choose a tradition in your family/community. The tradition may involve food, a holiday celebration, a type of clothing, rituals, or ceremonies.
Step 2: Answer the questions in the following fillable and printable Our Changing Traditions document. You can also answer these questions in your notebook or using another method of your choice.
Press the Activity button to access Our Changing Traditions.
Consolidation
Traditions: past and present
Let's explore this family or community tradition even more!
- How was this tradition celebrated in the past?
- How is it celebrated today?
- Which parts of this tradition have stayed the same?
Use the following fillable and printable Traditions: Past and Present Venn diagram or a tool of your choice to record your answers.
Press the Activity button to access the Traditions: Past and Present Venn diagram.
Reflection
How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel...
Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
Press Discover More to extend your skills.
Discover MoreWhat new tradition would you like your family to celebrate? For example, a new tradition I have with my friends is to celebrate the Summer Solstice, the first day of summer and the longest day of the year. We celebrate the return of summer after a long, cold winter.
