What Is A Tradition?

1. What Is A Tradition? Team 71 Trimester 1 Team Day 1-4-2013

2. Introduction • What is a Tradition? • Word Splash, Mind Web • When you think of Traditions, what are some common traditions that are celebrated or observed here in the United States? • What about in School?

3. What is Earth Day? • State the purpose of Earth Day

4. Break Down of Traditions • Most Tradition Details can be categorized into a few groups • Reason • Time of Year • Ceremony • Attire • Food/Drink • Games or Activities

5. Reason • There has to be some reason as to why this tradition is continued, year after year • Thanksgiving – Native Americans working with European Immigrants towards the end of the harvest season. • Christmas Tree Cutting– Father and Son spend time together doing “Manly” things. • Half-Way Challenge – On the AT, hikers try to consume a Half Gallon of Ice Cream in half an hour to honor the half-way point of the trail. • Festivus – Festivus for the rest of us. A non-pressure, non-commercialistic holiday.

6. Time of Year • The Timing of this Tradition must have a purpose • Winter Solstice – Occurs on the shortest day of year, to pay honor to the soon to be increasing days and the return to the growing season • Senior Prom – This occurs during the final year of High School, as a celebratory dance of HS completion • 4th of July – To honor the country’s independence

7. Ceremony • The Tradition may have a particular series of acts that are always followed • New Year’s Eve – Countdown, Auld Lang Syne • Hanukah – Candles are lit one at a time. • Half-Way Challenge – Only a half hour and you can only use a small spoon • Festivus –Festivus Pole, Airing of Grievances, Feats of Strength http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8g4Ztf7hIM

8. Attire • Some Traditions have a required or suggested set of clothes or adornments that should be worn • Senior Prom – Tuxes and Dresses, Boutonnières/Corsages • Weddings – Same as above, limos, etc • Funerals – Clothes of respect, usually not bright in color • St. Patrick’s Day – Anything Green • Valentine’s Day – Anything Red or Lovish

9. Food/Drink • Some Traditions have certain items that are guaranteed to be on the table or available • Thanksgiving – Turkey, Stuffing, Cranberry, etc • Christmas – Egg Nog, sugar cookies • Good Friday - Fish • Half-Way Challenge – On the AT, hikers try to consume a Half Gallon of Ice Cream in half an hour to honor the half-way point of the trail. • Easter – Chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, Peeps, etc

10. Games and Activities • Some Traditions require that certain activities be played • Thanksgiving – Football • Scottland – Ba (game like field hockey played on Christmas) • Hong Kong – Dragon Boat Racing (2000 year old) • Spain – Bull Fighting (Matadors) • Festivus – Feats of Strength (wrestling match until the head of the house is pinned) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8g4Ztf7hIM

11. Earth Day Activities • List activities here

12. Getting the Word Out about Earth Day • List ideas here

13. Earth Day Resources • List resources here