1. Christmas Around the World Nutcracker Design Challenge

2. Step 1: Research
Each student will choose a country and do research about how Christmas is celebrated in that country. Do a Google search: Christmas in (name of country). Record facts about at least three of the following items on note cars:
Traditional celebrations
Food
Clothing
Music
Other customs

3. Step 2: Write
Write a well-developed speech and paragraph explaining how Christmas is celebrated in your chosen country. and how your Nutcracker represents each pint you make.
Be sure your speech and paragraph has:
An introduction (with hook)
Details about the three topics on your note cards with a description of how your Nutcracker symbolizes each topic.
A conclusion that neatly sums ups your main idea.
The paragraph should be neatly printed on lined paper while the speech can be written on note cards.

4. Step 3: Design
Each student will design your own nutcracker symbolizing three aspects of your country.
Use colors, patterns, shapes, etc. to allow your nutcracker to represent the traditions associates with that holiday in a symbolic way.

5. Step 4: Create Use the materials provided to create your Nutcrackers.
Be sure all the symbolism in your design plan shows up in your creation.
Include a working lever just like a real nutcracker!
Here are some videos showing what Christmas nutcrackers look like and how they work:

6. Step 5: Present
At the end of the project, we will invite parents, other classes, and other guests to our very own Christmas Around the World Nutcracker Museum!
You will stand beside your nutcracker and deliver your speech each time a guest visits your exhibit.

7. Timeline of Project Monday 12/4 - Nutcracker background reading
Tuesday 12/5 - Wednesday 12/6 – Research
Thursday 12/7 - Friday 12/8 – Design / Begin to write speech and paragraph
Monday 12/11 – Complete and edit speech and paragraph
Tuesday 12/12 – Wednesday 12/13 Build Nutcrackers
Thursday 12/14 – Present speech and Nutcracker to class
Friday 12/15 – Christmas Around the World Nutcracker Museum – Guests may attend from 1:00-2:30

8. Grading Rubric
Note cards for research include three important topics with information about Christmas in your chosen country.
___ / 3
Nutcracker represents information in a symbolic way.
Nutcracker has a working lever.
___ / 1
Speech is organized appropriately (introduction, details, conclusion)
Speech gives detailed description of three topics about Christmas in your chosen country.
Speech describes how the Nutcracker symbolizes each topic.
Speech includes the website where research information is found.
____ / 1
Research paragraphs: correct spelling
____ / 5
Research paragraphs: correct grammar
Research paragraphs: correct punctuation
Total Score
____ / 32 = ____%