The article "Winter Solstice: 6 Traditional Midwinter Celebrations From Around the World" from BBC's Science Focus explores various ways people celebrate the winter solstice. From Roman pagans to modern festivals in the UK, these celebrations mark the shortest day of the year with unique traditions and rituals, highlighting the cultural significance of this astronomical event.
Turn your classroom into a global exploration hub! This country report template invites students in Grades 3–8 to become curious investigators — uncovering what makes each country unique and sharing their discoveries in creative ways.
Designed with flexibility in mind, the resource includes two approachable formats:
- Snapshot Style: A lively, visual option that’s perfect for quick learning or younger students. Learners can sketch, label, and highlight key features — like flags, landmarks, foods, and traditions — while building confidence with short responses.
- Explorer Style: A more in-depth format for students ready to dig deeper. It guides learners through topics such as geography, wildlife, culture, and history, helping them organize ideas and develop clear, informative writing.
Best of all, this template pairs seamlessly with BBC videos — bringing countries to life through real-world sights, sounds, and stories. Students can watch, wonder, and then weave what they’ve learned into their own reports.
Quick Teacher Tips: Use country studies as a springboard into wider learning across subjects:
- Geography: Map skills, climate zones, landforms, and ecosystems
- Language Arts: Informational writing, summarizing, note-taking, and presenting
- History: Key events, timelines, and how the past shapes the present
- Math: Population comparisons, distances, currency conversions
- Arts & Culture: Traditional patterns, music, celebrations, and food
- Current Events: Tie in informational reading and media literacy by exploring what’s happening in that country today in an age-appropriate way.
The article "The Origins and Meaning of Groundhog Day" from BBC's HistoryExtra explains the history and significance of Groundhog Day. It discusses how the tradition started, its roots in European festivals, and the role of Punxsutawney Phil in predicting the weather.
In How One Town Celebrates Spring With Snowdrops, people from the town of Shaftesbury celebrate the first signs of spring with a special festival. They planted over 500 snowdrop flower bulbs in a garden, helping these pretty white flowers bloom year after year. Kids also create big snowdrop lanterns, lighting up the night. The festival ends with a fun dance to wake up the "Green Man," a symbol of spring, and welcome the new season! This video is excerpted from BBC’s Countryfile, which explores rural life and traditions of the countryside.
In The Ritual of Bonsai, a bonsai sensei enjoys the ritual and tradition of cultivating bonsai trees. This video is excerpted from BBC's Extraordinary Rituals, a documentary produced by BBC Natural History that explores how humans mark major life moments through ceremonies and traditions.
In Inside the Indian Relay Race, learn about the thrilling tradition of the Indian Relay, a horse race held in the Rockies. Oliver, a trainer, shares how he and his family prepare for the race, training for months to master the tricky skill of jumping from one horse to another — bareback! The relay is filled with excitement, as riders complete three laps while switching horses after each round. With skill, preparation, and a bit of tradition, Oliver and his family bring pride to their tribe as they race to victory! This video is excerpted from BBC’s Mountains — Life Above the Clouds, which showcases wildlife thriving in the world's highest mountains.
In The Dyeing Process of Kelaghayi Scarves, host Joanna Lumley visits Azerbaijan to explore the traditional craft of creating kelaghayi silk scarves. See the intricate process of making these scarves, from using carved wooden stamps to applying natural dyes. The significance of kelaghayi scarves is highlighted, with a special focus on their cultural importance in Azerbaijan, as well as their recognition by UNESCO. The artisans showcase their mastery of blending colors and applying them without measurements, resulting in unique, handcrafted silk scarves. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In Why Ranching Is Becoming a Tougher Way of Life, host Simon Reeve learns firsthand from a Montana rancher that life on a cattle ranch isn’t as easy as it sounds. With over a century of ranching history, he shares that the challenges of tough weather, tight finances, and fewer young people wanting to be cowboys are putting this way of life at risk. Add in the rising value of land for development, and ranchers face tough choices to keep their herds — and their traditions — alive. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In The Go Jetters Learn All About Nomads in Mongolia, the Go Jetters crew visits Mongolia and finds a nomadic community. They learn about the culture and traditions of nomadic people. When Grandmaster Glitch steals the nomads’ horses, the Go Jetters work with the nomads to get the horses back. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Go Jetters, a series that follows the adventures of four international heroes as they travel the globe visiting landmarks and solving environmental problems with Ubercorn, a disco-dancing unicorn.
Think You’re a Thanksgiving Expert? Let’s Find Out!
Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks, feast with family and friends, and kick off the holiday season with all the trimmings. But how much do you really know about this classic American holiday, celebrated every year on the last Thursday in November?
From the First Thanksgiving feast to fun turkey trivia (yes, some of them actually blush!), this quiz is stuffed with fascinating facts and a few surprises. Only the most knowledgeable holiday historians and gravy gurus will make it to the top of the leaderboard.
In JoJo and Gran Gran Bake Gingerbread, it’s snowing outside so JoJo and her grandmother make gingerbread pandas. They work together to mix, roll, bake, and frost two trays of delicious cookies. Two real-life friends decorate cookies with icing and sprinkles. This video is excerpted from BBC’s JoJo & Gran Gran, a children's animated television series following JoJo, an inquisitive and cheerful 4-and-a-half-year-old girl and her loving Gran Gran, who always has something new to teach her.
Ho, ho, ho! Don’t miss this festive Bluey bundle of three Christmas-themed printables packed with hands-on fun to get students learning, laughing, and creating. Here's what's included:
- Dear Santa: Tell Santa all about your Christmas and write him a really NICE letter.
- Give-or-Grab Game: The winner is the player with the most presents!
- My Christmas: Tell Bluey and Bingo how your family celebrates.
Want more? We have tons on the site. Just search "Bluey"!
The article "Winter Solstice: 6 Traditional Midwinter Celebrations From Around the World" from BBC's Science Focus explores various ways people celebrate the winter solstice. From Roman pagans to modern festivals in the UK, these celebrations mark the shortest day of the year with unique traditions and rituals, highlighting the cultural significance of this astronomical event.
Turn your classroom into a global exploration hub! This country report template invites students in Grades 3–8 to become curious investigators — uncovering what makes each country unique and sharing their discoveries in creative ways.
Designed with flexibility in mind, the resource includes two approachable formats:
- Snapshot Style: A lively, visual option that’s perfect for quick learning or younger students. Learners can sketch, label, and highlight key features — like flags, landmarks, foods, and traditions — while building confidence with short responses.
- Explorer Style: A more in-depth format for students ready to dig deeper. It guides learners through topics such as geography, wildlife, culture, and history, helping them organize ideas and develop clear, informative writing.
Best of all, this template pairs seamlessly with BBC videos — bringing countries to life through real-world sights, sounds, and stories. Students can watch, wonder, and then weave what they’ve learned into their own reports.
Quick Teacher Tips: Use country studies as a springboard into wider learning across subjects:
- Geography: Map skills, climate zones, landforms, and ecosystems
- Language Arts: Informational writing, summarizing, note-taking, and presenting
- History: Key events, timelines, and how the past shapes the present
- Math: Population comparisons, distances, currency conversions
- Arts & Culture: Traditional patterns, music, celebrations, and food
- Current Events: Tie in informational reading and media literacy by exploring what’s happening in that country today in an age-appropriate way.
The article "The Origins and Meaning of Groundhog Day" from BBC's HistoryExtra explains the history and significance of Groundhog Day. It discusses how the tradition started, its roots in European festivals, and the role of Punxsutawney Phil in predicting the weather.
In How One Town Celebrates Spring With Snowdrops, people from the town of Shaftesbury celebrate the first signs of spring with a special festival. They planted over 500 snowdrop flower bulbs in a garden, helping these pretty white flowers bloom year after year. Kids also create big snowdrop lanterns, lighting up the night. The festival ends with a fun dance to wake up the "Green Man," a symbol of spring, and welcome the new season! This video is excerpted from BBC’s Countryfile, which explores rural life and traditions of the countryside.
In The Ritual of Bonsai, a bonsai sensei enjoys the ritual and tradition of cultivating bonsai trees. This video is excerpted from BBC's Extraordinary Rituals, a documentary produced by BBC Natural History that explores how humans mark major life moments through ceremonies and traditions.
In Inside the Indian Relay Race, learn about the thrilling tradition of the Indian Relay, a horse race held in the Rockies. Oliver, a trainer, shares how he and his family prepare for the race, training for months to master the tricky skill of jumping from one horse to another — bareback! The relay is filled with excitement, as riders complete three laps while switching horses after each round. With skill, preparation, and a bit of tradition, Oliver and his family bring pride to their tribe as they race to victory! This video is excerpted from BBC’s Mountains — Life Above the Clouds, which showcases wildlife thriving in the world's highest mountains.
In The Dyeing Process of Kelaghayi Scarves, host Joanna Lumley visits Azerbaijan to explore the traditional craft of creating kelaghayi silk scarves. See the intricate process of making these scarves, from using carved wooden stamps to applying natural dyes. The significance of kelaghayi scarves is highlighted, with a special focus on their cultural importance in Azerbaijan, as well as their recognition by UNESCO. The artisans showcase their mastery of blending colors and applying them without measurements, resulting in unique, handcrafted silk scarves. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In Why Ranching Is Becoming a Tougher Way of Life, host Simon Reeve learns firsthand from a Montana rancher that life on a cattle ranch isn’t as easy as it sounds. With over a century of ranching history, he shares that the challenges of tough weather, tight finances, and fewer young people wanting to be cowboys are putting this way of life at risk. Add in the rising value of land for development, and ranchers face tough choices to keep their herds — and their traditions — alive. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In The Go Jetters Learn All About Nomads in Mongolia, the Go Jetters crew visits Mongolia and finds a nomadic community. They learn about the culture and traditions of nomadic people. When Grandmaster Glitch steals the nomads’ horses, the Go Jetters work with the nomads to get the horses back. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Go Jetters, a series that follows the adventures of four international heroes as they travel the globe visiting landmarks and solving environmental problems with Ubercorn, a disco-dancing unicorn.
Think You’re a Thanksgiving Expert? Let’s Find Out!
Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks, feast with family and friends, and kick off the holiday season with all the trimmings. But how much do you really know about this classic American holiday, celebrated every year on the last Thursday in November?
From the First Thanksgiving feast to fun turkey trivia (yes, some of them actually blush!), this quiz is stuffed with fascinating facts and a few surprises. Only the most knowledgeable holiday historians and gravy gurus will make it to the top of the leaderboard.
In JoJo and Gran Gran Bake Gingerbread, it’s snowing outside so JoJo and her grandmother make gingerbread pandas. They work together to mix, roll, bake, and frost two trays of delicious cookies. Two real-life friends decorate cookies with icing and sprinkles. This video is excerpted from BBC’s JoJo & Gran Gran, a children's animated television series following JoJo, an inquisitive and cheerful 4-and-a-half-year-old girl and her loving Gran Gran, who always has something new to teach her.
Ho, ho, ho! Don’t miss this festive Bluey bundle of three Christmas-themed printables packed with hands-on fun to get students learning, laughing, and creating. Here's what's included:
- Dear Santa: Tell Santa all about your Christmas and write him a really NICE letter.
- Give-or-Grab Game: The winner is the player with the most presents!
- My Christmas: Tell Bluey and Bingo how your family celebrates.
Want more? We have tons on the site. Just search "Bluey"!