Happy New Year's!(Customs from Around the World/Webquest-FREE Resource!)

Perhaps~ you will find this resource of use to use with your students on the first day back from vacation.
Happy New Year's!
Bonne annee(French)
Frohes neues Jahr(Germany)
Felice anno nuovo(Italian)
Gelukkig nieuwjaar(Dutch)
Gott nytt ar(Swedish)
Feliz ano nuevo(Spanish)
Shana tova(Hebrew)
Hauoli makahiki hou(Hawaiian)

Interesting Customs around the World for New Year's.
In Russia~ divers place a New Years tree into Lake Baikal~ the worlds deepest river.
Did you know that in Denmark~ people like to throwold broken dishes at the front door of friends~ at New Years Eve?
Did you know that eating 12 grapes as the clock strikes midnight is considered good luck in Spain?
Christmas trees are made into bonfires to celebrate New Years Eve in the Netherlands. This custom is done to symbolize getting rid of the old and welcoming the new year.
Did you know that April Fools Day involved New Years Day? People used to celebrate the new year around March 25-April 1st. When the calendar changed the new year to January 1 st~ pranks were played on those that continued to celebrate the New year on April 1.

Webquest:
1. New Years has been celebrated for over 4000 years. It began with which ancient culture?_________________They celebrated the beginning of the new year with the first new moon after the vernal equinox occurred. Their celebration lasted 11 days! In which month did New Years take place?_____________What important event always took placed during this time?_______________________Find the answers at this link: http://www.history.com/topics/new-years
Go to my website to see lots more interesting customs~ extension activities and 4 more web questions.
It's FREE!
http://www.gailhennessey.com/index.shtml?newyears.html
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to All!
Gail
https://edworldexchange.com/?q=users/gail-hennessey