Head O’ Meadow Elementary School second grade students learned about different holidays and traditions from countries around the world while rotating through classrooms December 6 and December 13.

Each student had a “passport” that was “stamped” after visiting each classroom. Teachers and parent volunteers made both days a success by overseeing lessons and crafts.

On December 6 the students “traveled” to India, China, and Mexico to learn about Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights; Chinese New Year celebrations; and Las Posadas, a nine-day celebration near Christmas time in Mexico. For each country and holiday the students learned about, they also took part in a craft activity. After learning about Chinese New Year celebrations, the students made paper lanterns.

“Welcome to India,” second grade teacher Jaimie Kurtz told a gathered group of students in her classroom. She then taught the students a lesson about the country and Diwali. The students made Rangoli art to further celebrate learning about Diwali.

In “Mexico” the students colored in pictures of piñatas.

The following week, on December 13, the second graders “traveled” to Sweden to learn about St Lucia Day, Nigeria to learn about Christmas celebrations, and Israel to learn about Hanukkah.