Hi Reader,

December is the perfect time to travel north with your students, at least in spirit. This week, I am spotlighting Quebec, Canada, to introduce students to our neighbor to the north while celebrating culture, language, food, and winter traditions.

🌎 Teaching About Our U.S. Neighbor

Canada is the second-largest country in the world and shares the longest international border with the United States. Many students do not realize just how closely connected our countries are through history, trade, and culture. Studying Quebec helps students see how North America can feel completely different just a few hours away.

🗣️ French in Quebec

One of the most fascinating things about Quebec is that French is the main language spoken there. Students love learning that many people in Quebec speak both French and English, making it a perfect place to introduce new language exposure and bilingual communities.

On New Year’s Eve, people countdown in French:
“Cinq, quatre, trois, deux, un… Bonne année!”
(5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Happy New Year!)

💵 Their Money Is Also Called “Dollars”

Another fun connection for students is that Canada’s currency is also called the dollar, but it looks different. The dollar coin is called a “loonie” and the two-dollar coin is a “toonie.” This opens the door to great comparisons between U.S. and Canadian money.

🍟🍁 Foods Kids Will Love Learning About

Quebec is a dream for food-themed lessons. Some must-know favorites include:

• Poutine, French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy
• Maple syrup, since Canada produces most of the world’s supply
• Maple taffy, hot syrup poured over snow and rolled onto a stick
• Ketchup-flavored potato chips, a Canadian classic that always amazes students

Food is one of the easiest ways to bring culture to life, and your students will never forget this part.

🧭 Teaching Quebec with Confidence

If you are looking for an easy way to bring all of this into your classroom, my Passport Adventures for Montreal and Quebec City are designed to make global learning simple, engaging, and classroom-ready with lessons, visuals, and activities that students love.

✨ Free Download: Passport Adventures, The Birth and Ministry of Jesus

As we move into the Christmas season, I am also sharing my FREE download, The Birth and Ministry of Jesus. This resource is perfect for December classroom lessons, morning work, or centers, and faith-based integration during the holidays.

Passport Adventures: The Birth and Ministry of Jesus is a FREE download to teach kids about the sites surrounding the birth and ministry of Jesus. Kids will pretend to travel to modern day Nazareth, Bethlehem, Cairo (where it is believed Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus fled to in Egypt), the Jordan River, Capernaum, Mount of Beatitudes, and the Sea of Galilee. There are 11 videos and two drawing activities included. It's designed as a two-part series: the first being done before Christmas and the second part in January.

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The Landmark Kids

Recently, I had the opportunity to work with The Landmark Kids. This is a monthly subscription based company that sends kids, ages 7-11, a mystery box about a different country. Inside the box contains a mystery to solve, country map, souvenirs, and a recipe.

I was able to give this box to one of my former students. He loved being a detective in Japan! This would make a great gift for kids at home. Use the code: TRISHA for 15% off your first subscription box, depending on the subscription you choose.

As we step into December, perhaps the most hectic month of the entire school year, may your classroom be filled with curiosity and just a little extra joy. You are doing incredible work, and your students are lucky to learn through you. 💙🌍

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