4 differentiated New Year reading comprehensions:

Learn about different global traditions in the New Year’s Around the World Reading Comprehension. A wonderful resource to use with kids in the run-up to Christmas and the holiday season. Explore a range of exciting New Year’s traditions from different countries with your class. This activity is a great way of helping kids develop their reading comprehension and information retrieval skills.

Page 1 – Europe (Italy, Spain, Denmark, Ireland)
Students read about New Year traditions in four European countries, including wearing red in Italy, eating twelve grapes in Spain, throwing cutlery in Denmark, and Irish good-luck customs. Comprehension questions check literal understanding and encourage pupils to share their favourite tradition.

Page 2 – Europe (Scotland, Greece, Germany, Switzerland)
This page explores traditions such as Scottish first-footing, hanging onions in Greece, melting lead in Germany, and Switzerland’s unusual whipped-cream custom. Pupils answer retrieval questions and reflect on which tradition they find most interesting.

Page 3 – Worldwide (Estonia, Australia, USA, Colombia)
Students learn about global New Year celebrations, including Estonia’s lucky meals, Australian summer celebrations, the famous New York ball drop in the USA, and Colombia’s suitcase tradition for travel luck. Questions focus on key details and comparison between countries.

Page 4 – Worldwide (Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Canada)
The final page covers New Year customs in Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Canada, such as wearing white, sweeping coins for wealth, cemetery celebrations, and the polar bear plunge. Pupils answer comprehension questions and explain which tradition they like best and why.

Take a peek at the preview for a better picture of what is included!