Document Based Questions

Katherine Lemley

EDI 418

December 9, 2005

Directions: The task below is based on documents 1 through 3. It is designed to test your ability to work with historical documents. Look at each document and answer the questions. Use your answers to help you write your essay.

Historical Background:

Various cultures all over the world celebrate different holidays and festivals for different reasons. In the month of December, three of the most well known holidays are Christmas, Chanukah, and Kwanzaa. Each holiday is celebrated by its own culture and has its own separate traditions and beliefs.

Task:

For Part A, read each document carefully and answer all questions for each document.

For Part B, read over the directions carefully. Using your knowledge of Social studies, the documents and your answers from Part A, write a well-written essay in your own words. In your essay you should

* Write about how people in world communities celebrate various holidays and festivals.

PART A:

Short-Answer Questions:

Directions: Read the document below and answer the following questions in the space provided.

Document 1: For Image 1, look at bottom of page.

Kwanzaa is an African American holiday celebrating black heritage. Dr. Maulana Karenga founded it in 1966 with the hope to educate his people about the African-American struggles and their rich cultural heritage. The holiday lasts for seven days beginning on December 26th. It binds the African harvest customs and the social history of African-Americans. The name Kwanzaa is derived from the East African Swahili phrase "Mantunde ya kwanza" which means "the first fruits"…Families and friends gather at meal time. The unity cup is passed from person to person with each one saying something positive about the African-American community. Next, the candles of the kinara are lit and the principles are recited. Everyone talks and dances as the family joins together to rejoice in their heritage.

1. What is the main theme of this holiday?

2. How does this holiday show what kind of things this culture values?

Document 2: Image at bottom of page

Chanukah begins on December 25, and lasts for eight days. It began after a revolt in 168 BC when the Maccabees decided they would rededicate the temple to the LORD. However there was one problem, their was not enough oil to keep the eternal light lit, not even for a day and it would take 8 days to create more oil. Then a miracle happened. The tiny amount of oil they did have, did last for 8 days!

Chanukah celebrates this miracle as well as good over bad and lasts for eight days. One candle is lit each day. A menorah traditionally holds the candles. Other traditions include giving (or receiving) a gift each night of Chanukah, receiving Chanukah gelt (foil covered chocolate coins), singing songs, spinning dreidels, and feasting on wonderful food typically cooked in and with oil.

http://www.web-holidays.com/chanukah/articles/a1.htm

1. What is the main theme of this holiday?

2. What inference can you make about this holiday and the culture that celebrates it?

Document 3: Image at bottom of page

Christmas is celebrated all over the world and in many different ways. Christmas originated as Christes Maesse a religious festival on the Bethlehem plains, a day to celebrate the birth of Jesus. However, after several attempts to ban pagan rituals and customs from the Christian holiday, the church eventually gave way and incorporated many of them into Christmas by "Christianizing" them. Thus, Christmas is the blending of the old faith and the new.

http://www.web-holidays.com/christmas/articles/a1.htm

1. What is the main theme of this holiday?

2. What inference can you make about this holiday and the culture that celebrates it?

PART B:

Essay

Directions: Using the documents and your answers from part A and your knowledge of Social Studies, write a well-written essay.

Historical Background:

Task:

Using the information from the documents and your knowledge of Social Studies, write an essay in which you

* Write about how people in world communities celebrate various holidays and festivals.

In your essay, remember to

ü Write about the different holidays celebrated by world communities.

ü Which cultures celebrate which holidays.

ü Why each holiday is important to each culture.

Answer Page

PART A

DOCUMENT 1

1. What is the main theme of this holiday?

Full Credit: this holiday celebrates black heritage and family.

Partial Credit: This holiday celebrates black heritage. OR This holiday celebrates family.

No Credit: fancy dinners and food.

2. How does this holiday show what kind of things this culture values?

Full Credit: The fact that every year, family members come together and say positive things about their African American community shows that they value family and heritage very much.

Partial Credit: Family members will visit each other and say nice things about their community.

No credit: Families get together to eat a big meal and talk.

DOCUMENT 2

1. What is the main theme of this holiday?

Full Credit: GOD created a miracle for the Jewish community a long time ago by making a small amount of oil last for 8 days.

Partial Credit: GOD did a miracle.

No Credit: Something cool happened. OR Always make sure you have enough oil.

2. What inference can you make about this holiday and the culture that celebrates it?

Full Credit: The Jewish culture is a very spiritual culture that acknowledges miracles from GOD.

Partial Credit: The Jewish culture is very traditional.

No Credit: The celebrate family.

DOCUMENT 3

1. What is the main theme of this holiday?

Full Credit: The birth of Jesus. However, other religions have had influence on how this holiday is celebrated.

Partial Credit: The birth of Jesus.

No Credit: Santa bringing presents.

2. What inference can you make about this holiday and the culture that celebrates it?

Full Credit: Over the years, culture and community can change how a holiday is celebrated. A holiday originally intended to celebrate the birth of Jesus, has incorporated other cultures and their practices into how their holiday is celebrated.

Partial Credit: This holiday is about the church and family.

No Credit: This culture celebrates Santa and presents.

Reference Page

Web Holidays Inc. (1999). Web Holidays Chanukah. Retrieved Dec. 8, 2005, from http://www.web-holidays.com/chanukah/articles/a1.htm

Web Holidays Inc. (1999). Web Holidays Christmas. Retrieved Dec. 8, 2005, from http://www.web-holidays.com/christmas/articles/a1.htm

Web Holidays Inc. (1999). Web Holidays Kwanzaa. Retrieved Dec. 8, 2005, from http://www.web-holidays.com/kwanzaa/articles/a1.htm