In this free unit, your child will learn how Christmas is celebrated in Brazil. In addition, they’ll learn about the geography of Brazil, as well as a little related history and language arts. Unlike other “free” unit studies, you won’t have to buy or search for a bunch of required books. Everything you need, except the ingredients for a recipe, is available for free online.

This unit study is designed to last five days and can be used with a wide range of ages, making it a fun activity for the entire family to do together. With younger children, read the assignments aloud to them, and skip the written work if they aren’t ready for it. Older students can read their assignments independently. If you have teenagers, you may want to have them research Brazil and its Christmas traditions further, either at the library or online. Then they could present what they’ve learned to the rest of the family.

 

Day 1: Introduction to Brazil and its Geography

Read National Geographic Kids: Brazil and click through the picture slideshow.

Watch Geography Now! Brazil.

Have your children find Brazil on a world map or globe. Have your older children label the countries on this map of South America. Here’s an answer key.

Day 2:  Christmas in Brazil Part 1

Read about Christmas in Brazil at WhyChristmas.com.

Watch How do Brazilian People Celebrate Christmas? from PortuguesePod101 to learn some Portuguese Christmas phrases.

Have your children illustrate and write about what they have learned. They can use regular paper, or you may like to use this downloadable writing paper or these downloadable notebooking pages.

 

Day 3: Christmas in Brazil Part 2

Read Christmas in Brazil: How Christmas is Celebrated in Brazil.

Listen to Noite Feliz. This popular song is the Brazilian version of Silent Night.

Watch Christmas in Brazil to see some popular Christmas dinner dishes.

Watch World’s Largest Floating Christmas Tree Unveiled in Rio de Janeiro.

Have your children use the Venn Diagram in this printable to compare Christmas in Brazil to Christmas in your country or another country your family has learned about.

Day 4: Christmas in Brazil Part 3

Read the three paragraphs about Papai Noel (Santa Claus) in the article Christmas in Brazil. The last sentence in the third paragraph mentions that a relative or friend will play the role of Papai Noel. You may want to omit this sentence if your children believe in Santa Claus.

Watch this video of Papai Noel arriving in a helicopter. I have set it to begin a little over a minute in. You will probably want to end the video at about five minutes, as not much happens after that point. The video is in Portuguese, without English subtitles, but it’s still fun to watch the helicopter arrive.

Also, in the article Christmas in Brazil read the four paragraphs about presepios (nativity scenes).

Watch Exposição reúne presépios. This video shows the annual presepios exhibit at Santuário Santo Antônio do Valongo (a Catholic church) in Brazil. The video is also in Portuguese, but it’s very short. And your family can still enjoy seeing the nativity scenes even if you don’t understand what’s said.

Have your children color a nativity coloring page or some of the coloring pages in this set of Brazil printables.

 

Day 5: Christmas in Brazil Recipes

Prepare Pão de Queijo (cheese bread) or brigadeiros (fudge balls).

 

More Christmas Around the World Unit Studies

If you enjoyed this unit study, don’t miss our other Christmas Around the World units. We have several countries to choose from!

 

 

Note: This post was originally published on November 8, 2020 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.