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Co-op Lesson Plan, Week Eight

Updated: Jan 14

Week Eight of our Christmas Around the World co-op class was unlike any other. This week, we traveled to Ukraine, and for the first time all semester, I stepped back and allowed someone else to lead the lesson. My teaching assistant, who grew up in Ukraine, taught the class, and it was one of the most meaningful mornings we’ve shared together. She shared about family gatherings, and the deep faith woven into their celebrations. It was a reminder that behind every country we study are real people, homes, and stories.


The children were especially captivated when we learned that on Christmas Eve, children wait to eat until they see the first star appear in the night sky. The first star symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem that led the Wise Men to Jesus. Only after spotting it does the Christmas meal begin. It felt like such a beautiful picture of patience and reverence pausing everything to remember why Christmas matters in the first place. I saw this tradition reflected in the Zirka. This lovely eight-pointed star also represents the Star of Bethlehem and is often carried during caroling or displayed during Christmas celebrations.


For our craft, the children made their own eight-point Zirka stars. I spent Sunday afternoon drawing 8-pointed stars (no small feat) on foam sheets for my students to cut and assemble the next day. Knowing this symbol came straight from the traditions of our teaching assistant’s homeland made the craft feel even more meaningful.

co-op lesson plan

Co-Op Lesson Plan

I have fourteen students, and our lesson is one hour long. I also have two helper teachers. As all you moms out there know, keeping the attention of fourteen 5–7-year-olds is a big challenge in itself. So, I deiced to break the lesson up into three parts, geography, Christmas traditions, and craft time. Each child would also take home the Christmas treats I made for them. Here is the co-op lesson plan I made, I hope you find it helpful!


I start every lesson with a name circle. Each student says his or her name and we repeat their name as a group. Hopefully we all know each other's names by the end of the semester!


Geography:

  • Look at the map of the world and ask, "how many contents do we have?" Sing the content song. Link to my world map

  • Give hints about the country we will be learning about. Challenge one of the students to find the country on the map.


Christmas Traditions:

    

Craft:


Curriculum:


Ukraine is often called the breadbasket of Europe, so it’s no surprise that wheat plays such a sacred role in their Christmas traditions. The wheat harvest represents life, provision, and God’s faithfulness. Wheat appears as beautiful centerpieces on the table, or as a writhe on the front door and of course in the food they prepare. Two of the most popular dishes are Kutia, a sweet wheat berry pudding made with resins, dried apricots and a poppy seed dressing and Kolach, Christmas bread that is braided into a beautiful crown shape. Kolach is traditionally served during Christmas with butter or jam. I made small versions for each child to take home, ready to be shared with their families. Because these were mini versions, I made a simple braid instead of the traditional braded crown shape.


co-op lesson plan

Recipe for Kolach

Makes 16 mini Kolach or 1 large one


Ingredients:

2 teaspoons active dry yeast

267g (1 cup) warm water

67g (1/3 cup) sugar

240g (1 cup) milk, warm

113g (1 stick) butter, melted

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Zest of 2 oranges


Heavy cream to wash the top of the Kolach before baking


Method:

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, place all the ingredients and mix for about 5 minuets. You want the dough to well hydrated.

  2. Cover and allow to rise in a warm place for 2 hours or until doubled in size.

  3. to shape, cut the dough into approximately 128g pieces. Cover the pieces to keep them from drying out. Watch my video to learn how to make the braid shape. It's easy I promise.

  4. Once all the dough is shaped, cover them and let them proof for about 30 minuets. Brush the Kolach with heave cream and bake the bread at 350 degrees for 15-20 minuets.

  5. Serve with lots of jam and butter! Enjoy!



At the end of class, we gathered for our usual questions: “What country did we learn about today? Can you find it on the map?” Every child answered with confidence, pointing to Eastern Europe and proudly naming Ukraine. Moments like these feel especially significant. Hey, at least I taught them one thing!


This lesson stayed with me long after the classroom emptied. In a world where Ukraine has been in the headlines for heavy and heartbreaking reasons, it felt important to honor its beauty, faith, and rich traditions. I was deeply grateful to share this space with someone who could teach from lived experience, and to watch our students receive it with such openness and care.

Next week will be our final lesson of the semester, and it’s hard to believe how quickly this journey has gone. If you’ve been following along, thank you. And if you’d like to stay connected, be sure to subscribe to my email list so you never miss a lesson, recipe, or glimpse into our cozy Made at Home life.


 
 
 

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