In this free unit, your child will learn how Christmas is celebrated in the Philippines. In addition, they’ll learn about the geography of the Philippines, 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 the Philippines 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 the Philippines and its Geography

Watch Geography Now! Philippines.

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

Have your children find the Philippines on a world map or globe. Have your older children learn the locations of the Philippines’ eleven largest islands using this map quiz game at Seterra.

 

Day 2:  Christmas in the Philippines Part 1

Read about Christmas in the Philippines at WhyChristmas.com.

Watch 10 Christmas Traditions in the Philippines.

Watch Learn Filipino Holidays – Three Kings’ Day. The English subtitles in this video move pretty quickly, so you may want to skip it if you have children who aren’t reading well yet.

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 the Philippines Part 2

Watch the 2018 Traditional Lantern Festival: Angeles City, Philippines.

Watch Island Images: Filipino Christmas Parol. Filipino artists, currently living in Guam, show how parols are made and explain the tradition’s significance.

Have your children choose one of these parol coloring sheets to color while listening to Traditional Filipino Christmas Carols.

Day 4: Christmas in the Philippines Part 3

Watch Learn Filipino Holidays – Christmas Day. Like the video from Day 2, the English subtitles in this video move pretty quickly, so you may want to skip it if you have children who aren’t reading well yet.

Watch Q.C. Parish Holds Simbang Gabi in Latin. This news report about the Simbang Gabi Mass is in English.

Read The Spanish Influence on Filipino Cuisine.

Have your children write a letter to someone telling them about their favorite Filipino Christmas tradition they learned about this week. Early elementary-aged students can use this printable Christmas friendly letter template. Older children and teens may want to use printable Christmas stationery for their letters. Children who aren’t writing yet could draw a picture of something they learned.

 

Day 5: Christmas in the Philippines Recipes

Prepare pandesal (dinner rolls) or buko salad (creamy fruit salad). If you’d like a fruit salad with fewer ingredients, try this buka salad recipe instead.

 

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 October 24, 2020 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.