countries holiday project

Mexico
Olah! (hola) = Hello!

Mexico's Facts:
Area: 761,604 sq. miles
Capital City: Mexico City
Population: 98 million
Main Language: Spanish
Money: Mexican Peso

Mexico's People
Men and women in Mexico usually wear cotton clothing. Men wear pants, a shirt or t-shirt,
and sandals (called huraches). Women usually wear a skirt and blouse.

Mexico's Homes
Many villages are built around a central market. Typical Mexican homes have a spanish
style and may be decorated with hand painted tiles and bright colors.


Mexico's Foods
Mexicans eat spicy foods with chilies. Fruits and vegetables are important in Mexico and are in every meal.
Many meals are served with tortillas. A tortilla is a flat bread that is made from cornmeal.
A taco is a tortilla with meat, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and cheese

Mexico's Animals
Rabbits, armadillos, and snakes are common. The forest areas are home to spider monkeys, ocelots, anteaters, parrots and toucans.

Mexico's Holidays and Celebrations
A fiesta is a party. The town celebrates with fireworks, traditional music, dancing, dress and food.

Mexico's Land

In Mexico there are beaches, mountains, deserts, volcanos, and forests. It is usually hot in Mexico. The rainy season occurs from May to October.

Mexico's Cities and Landmarks
Cancun is Mexico’s most popular city because of its beaches.
Teotihuacán is Mexico's largest ancient city. Many tourists visit the temples and pyramids that were built long ago.


Kenya
Jambo = Hello
Kenya's Facts:
Area: 224,960 sq. miles
Capital City: Nairobi
Population: 28 million
Language: English, Swahili, and other indigenous languages.
Currency: Kenyan shilling
Natural resources: gold, rubies

Kenya's People
In Nairobi, Kenya's capital, and other large cities, most people wear jeans and t-shirts. Women in Kenya wear brightly colored jewelry. Many women also wear a kanga. It is a long piece of fabric that can be worn as a skirt or tied
over the shoulder to carry infants. Kenyan women also often wear head scarves.

Kenya's Homes
People in big cities like Nairobi live in modern houses or apartments. In the small towns, people live in homes made of thatch and dried mud with no water or electricity.

Kenya's Culture
The Maasai people of Kenya are one of the indigenous (original) people that live a very traditional lifestyle. They live in thatch and mud homes and raise cows.Family and tribal life is important to the people of Kenya that live outside
of the cities. Children often work or do chores in the daytime and at night the family gathers around the fire for storytelling and singing.


Kenya's Foods

In Kenya, they eat barbecued meats, usually goat, and beans. Rice, fried doughs, and ugali (a cornmeal porridge), yams, and fruits are also often served. In the cities almost any kind of food can be found.

Kenya's Activities
Football (soccer) is a popular sport in Kenya. Kenya is well known for its long distance runners. One of Kenya's best known runners is Kipchoge Keino, who won Olympic Gold Medals in both 1968 and 1972. Kenyans also enjoy
dancing and music.

Kenya's Animals
Kenya is famous for its wildlife. The country is home to animals such as elephants, lions, zebras, giraffes, rhinoceros, warthogs, and other wild game. There are also over 1,000 kinds of bird in Kenya. Safari (a Swahili word
meaning journey) tours are important to Kenya. Thousands of visitors travel to Kenya each year to see the animals.

Kenya's Holidays and Celebrations
Kenyans celebrate holidays from many cultural and religious backgrounds. The major holidays in Kenya are New Years Day, Easter, Labor Day, Jamhuri Day (Independence Day), Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and Ramadan.

Kenya's Land
The climate of Kenya is hot. Most of the country is desert.

Kenya's Cities and Landmarks
Even though there is a lot of desert, Kenya has two great lakes, called Lake Turkana and Lake Victoria. Lake Victoria is the second largest freshwater lake in the world.


Egypt
Egypt's Facts:
Area: 386,900 sq. mi.
Capital City: Cairo
Population: 69 million
Main Language: Arabic
Currency: Egyptian pound
Industries: textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, petroleum,
construction, cement, metals

Egypt's People
Life in modern Egypt is both modern and traditional. In the big cities, such as Cairo, people wear jeans and sneakers as well as more traditional dress. Traditional dress for men is a galabayya. It is a long, cotton robe. In traditional
dress, women wear a black dress over their house clothes when going out in public. They also wear a veil that covers their head and face.
At one time, camels were the main way that people traveled in Egypt. People still ride camels, but for fun. The most common forms of transportation are trains, buses, and automobiles.

Egypt's Homes
Egyptian homes are also found in both modern and traditional styles. In the cities, modern homes exist near businesses built of steel and glass. Villages are often populated with homes made of mud and brick. Other traditional
people may live in goatskin tents.

Egypt's Foods
Bread is served at most every meal in Egypt. Bread is usually made from corn, barley, or rice instead of wheat. Rice, couscous,
beans, and fruits are also served. Egyptian people eat little meat, milk, or dairy foods. When meat is eaten, it is usually beef,
lamb, goat, or rabbit.


Egypt's Culture
Egypt is one of the oldest known cultures in the world, dating back at least 51,000 years. Egypt was
ruled by a king called a Pharaoh. Many Pharaohs were buried in pyramids that tourists can still see
today in Egypt. Another attraction that is special to Egypt is the Great Sphinx of Giza. It has the head of
a man and the body of a lion.
Hieroglyphics are a form of old Egyptian writing. Egyptians also invented papyrus, an ancient form of
paper, that was made from a reed plant that grew along the Nile River.

Egypt's Activities
Swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving are popular activities at the many beaches along the Mediterranean and Red Sea.
Animals
Camels, donkey, rodents, and bats are some of the few mammals that live in Egypt. Egypt is also home to over 30 varieties
of snakes, including the venemous cobra.

Egypt's Land

Most of Egypt is covered by the Sahara Desert and the country gets little rain. There is one major river called the
Nile River. Some people have referred to Egypt as the gift of the Nile. That is because the Nile River is so
important to the people who live in Egypt. If the Nile was not there, then people would not be able to survive in
the dry, sandy desert climate. About 99% of Egypt's people live near the Nile River.
The Nile river flows through Egypt and provides water to this desert land. Many people live on or near the Nile.
Boats (feluccas) use the Nile to transport people and goods to other areas.


Greece
Greece's Facts:
Area: 50,961 sq mi.
Capital City: Athens
Population: 10 million
Main Language: Greek
Currency: Euro
Agriculture—products: wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, olives,
tomatoes, wine

Greece's People
Most Greeks wear modern clothing, although traditional clothing continues to be worn in some rural areas. Many people in Greece, wear black all of the time to show respect for the
dead. About 98% of the people in Greece attend a Greek Orthodox Church.
Greek children do not celebrate birthdays, instead they celebrate their "name day". Their name day is on the day of the Saint they were named after. For example, everyone named
Catherine celebrates on St. Catherine's Day.

Greece's Homes
Most Greeks live in cities or coastal areas. In the cities there are apartments and modern homes. Almost every Greek apartment has a balcony. Many homes are white with colorfully
painted doors and windows. These homes are made of stone, brick, and clay. Ancient Greek homes were built around an open courtyard and some still follow this style.

Greece's Culture
Greece is one of the oldest nations in Europe, with a history going back

thousands of years. Greece helped create Drama and Dramatic Arts, Art,
Architecture, Literature, Music, Philosophy, and Mythology. Greek mythology
has had a strong influence throughout the world in literature and culture. The
most important god in Greek mythology was Zeus, the god of the sky and ruler
of the Olympian gods.


Greece's Foods
Popular foods are avgolimono, which is an egg-lemon soup, moussaka (eggplant casserole) and
baklava (a nut filled pastry). Greek meals are grilled seafoods or pickled octopus, spinach and
cheese pies, pita breads filled with meats, or salads made with tomato, cucumber, feta cheese, and
olives.
The land in Greece is mountainous, and much of the soil is poor. The most important crop is olives.
Greece also produces grapes, wine, figs, cotton, tomatoes and tobacco.

Greece's Activities
The country's favorite sports are soccer, basketball, and track and field events. Hiking and skiing are popular in the mountainous areas. Water sports are also popular. The Greeks were the first to establish the Olympic Games,
thousands of years ago.

Greece's Animals
Greece is home to over 6,000 kinds of plants. The mountains have wolves and bears. In the ocean, there are dolphins, turtles, and seal.

Greece's Land
Greece is made up of a peninsula and more than 1400 islands. Only 169 of the islands have people living on them. The largest islands are Crete and Evia.
The highest peak in the Greek mountains is known as Mount Olympus. In Greek mythology, Mt. Olympus was said to be the home of the gods.

Greece's Cities and Landmarks
The Parthenon was built in 438 B.C. as a temple for Athena, the goddess of war.

India
India's Facts:
Area: 1,269,346 sq. miles
Capital City: New Delhi
Population: 1 billion
Main Languages: Hindi, English, and Urdu
Currency: Rupee
Products: rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes; cattle,
water buffalo, sheep, goats, poultry

India's People
When Indian people greet each other they place their hands together and say "Namaste".
This means, "I bow my head to you." Older people are treated with great respect in India.
When greeting an elder, some Indians may touch their feet as a sign of respect.
India's people come from many backgrounds. Some are very wealthy while others are
very poor.
Clothing in India varies by area. Most women wear a sari made of colorful silk or cotton. The sari is one long piece of material that is draped around the body like a dress. Many men wear a dhoti. A dhoti is a white piece of cloth
that is wrapped around the hips and pulled through the legs.

India's Homes
The homes in India are as varied as the people. Most people live in small apartments or homes in large cities. Many
just outside of the large cities live in homes with balconies and gardens. There are also very wealthy people who live
in large, modern homes with servants.

India's Culture
India's music is created with an Indian instrument called a sitar. This instrument looks similar to a guitar, except that it
has a very long neck.
There are 18 official languages, but over 1,600 languages and dialects spoken in India. English is commonly spoken in
India.

India's Foods
Many of India's people are vegetarians, meaning they don't eat meat. Hindus believe that the cow is a sacred animal and never eat beef. Much of the
food in India is flavored with spices such as cinnamon, garlic, and cumin. Most meals include rice, vegetables, bread, and yogurt.

India's Activities
Watching movies is a popular pastime in India. Bombay is the center of India's film industry. Indian children play soccer and badminton and board
games like Parcheesi and backgammon. Basketball is becoming more popular in recent years.

India's Animals
India is home to lions, tigers, antelope and Indian elephants. Elephants are sometimes used to help plow fields or
to move and carry heavy items. There are also many reptiles including the king cobra, pythons, crocodiles, and
monitor lizards.

India's Land
India has the second largest population in the world. The land of India has plains, mountains, and tropical areas.
The weather changes so much in India that India is said to have three seasons- the hot, the wet, and the cool.

India's Cities and Landmarks
Calcutta is one of the most populated cities in the world. It is home to more than 10 million people. Monsoons can bring so much rain to Calcutta that
the city can be flooded for months.
India's cities are a unique mix of modern and traditional ways of living. The busy streets of the city are crowded with buses, taxis, and cars as well as
rickshaws (a type of cart drawn by person or bike) and sometimes camel, cows, or other livestock. Buses, trains, and walking are the primary ways
people travel in India.
The Taj Mahal is a popular tourist destination in India. It was built by a king for as a gift for his wife.


Russia
Russia's Facts:
Area: 6,592,800 sq mi.

Capital City: Moscow
Population: 146 million
Main Language: Russian
Currency: Ruble

The largest country in the world.

Russia's People
Most people in Russia dress in modern clothes, especially in the cities. Traditional clothes are used for festivals. In the smaller
villages many women wear skirts and a shawl to cover their heads or shoulders. Men often wear fur caps with ear flaps to protect
from the very cold temperatures.

Russia's Homes
Most Russian people live in cities and towns. In the city, most people live in high-rise apartments. The apartments are small and
some families share kitchens or bathrooms. In towns and villages, people usually live in single homes. The grandparents often
live with the family and take care of the grandchildren.

Russia's Culture
Russia has been a leader in literature, arts, and music. It is home to some of the most famous composers including Tchaikovsky,
Rachmaninov, and Stravinsky.

The Bolshoi Ballet of Moscow and the Kirov Ballet of St. Petersburg are two of the most famous

ballet companies in the world.
The Trans-Siberian Railway is a train from Beijing to Moscow. It is a great way to see Russia. The train trip takes 6 days.


Russia's Foods
Russian's eat fish, potatoes, vegetables and bread. Borscht, a soup made from beets, is a traditional food.
Only about 10% of the land in Russia can be used for farming because of the cold. The largest crops grown are potatoes, barley, and wheat.

Russia's Activities
Chess, hockey and soccer are popular activities in Russia.
Folk dancing is a popular part of the Russian culture. Dancers often perform with a handkerchief in their hands.

Russia's Animals
The forests of Russia are home to reindeer, wolves, bear, lynx, and the Siberian tiger.

Russia's Land
The Russian Federation stretches across two continents, Europe and Asia. It is the largest country in the world. The climate is very cold in the winter,
and because of this cold, not many people live there. In Siberia, Russia's coldest area, temperatures may drop as low as -45 degrees.
The Ural mountains stretch for 1,500 miles across Russia.
Russia is so big that it includes 11 time zones. At its eastermost point, Russia is only about 50 miles from Alaska.

Russia's Cities and Landmarks
St. Petersburg is a major city in Russia.
St. Basil's Cathedral is located in Moscow's Red Square. It is a popular tourist destination because of its history and interesting architecture.


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I will also see _______________________________________.

I will see ___________________________________________.

I will play __________________________________________.

I will eat ___________________________________________.

I will ride on _________________________through the country.

The local animals are ________________________________.

The local people live in _______________________________.

__________________________________________________.

The local people wear ________________________________

It is in _____________________________________________.

I'm going to _______________________ for summer vacation.

My Summer vacation

Russia

India

Mexico

Egypt

Kenya


Countries lesson plan

Have TA define traditional. put kids in pairs.
They must draw their country from a bag. They must find their country on the world map. Have to make a poster board for a presentation.
Give them a cut out of a person to dress in the local clothes. Sts must cut out a shape of the country and mark the capital city or any other
cities they will visit. Also draw any rivers or lakes that are important. Use black boxes so students can draw photos of their holiday.