Universität Koblenz-Landau
Campus Koblenz
Children’s Literature / Area Studies
Dozent: C. Simonis
Referentinnen: Susanne Schneider, Verena Wittlich
Datum: 17.12.2004
Christmas
1.) Background information
Great Britain
America
Germany
1.)In the weeks before Christmas people
send millions of Christmas cards to
each other.
2.)Shops, streets and houses are full of
Christmas decoration.
There is always a big Christmas tree
and a mistletoe:
a.) The Christmas tree is only about 150
years old and is put up on the first of
December. The tradition came to
Britain from Germany in the 19th
century. The British people copied the
idea from Prince Albert of SaxeCoburg.
b.) holly, ivy and mistletoe are older than
the Christmas tree. It goes back to the
Druits time. The Druits prayed for the
sun in the dark, cold winter. The
Druits decorated their houses with
holly, ivy and mistletoe, because these
plants stayed green all through the
winter. With these plants the Druits
thanked the sun for coming out again.
3.) Christmas Eve is a normal working
day.
4.)Christmas stockings are hanged up at
Christmas Eve´s evening. Before the
children go to bed, they hang up
Christmas stockings at the end of their
bed.
5.)A lot of people go to church on
Christmas Day. There is a midnight
service on 24th December and one at 11
o´clock on Christmas Day.
6.)Carol singing is another tradition.
1.) The name Santa
Claus was born in the
1860´s. Santa Claus
had a white beard and
a bell. Santa Claus
was the Dutch word
for St. Nicholas,
Sintaklaas. In 1863
Santa Claus got his
red suit, his sleigh
and his reindeers.
2.) In the USA Santa
Claus has two homes.
One is in Torrington.
Here Santa gives out
the presents. And the
second home is in
Wilmington, New
York. Here is a
village for Santa and
his reindeers.
3.) The other traditions
of the USA are
similar to the
Christmas traditions
of Great Britain.
4.) A well known song is
“Rudolph the rednosed reindeer“.
1.) In Germany the
Advent wreath is
very popular.
2.) A typical german
cake is the
“Christstollen”.
3.) Well known is
“Spekulatius”.
In former times it
was made for St.
Nicholas on the 6th
of December.
The name
“Spekulatius”
developed from the
name “Speculator”.
This is the Latin
name for St.
Nicholas.
4.)Very popular in
Germany are St.
Nicholas and Knecht
Ruprecht. The
children, who did
something bad in the
whole year, are
“punished” by
Knecht Ruprecht.
1.) The Christmas time
starts on the 1th of
December. The four
weeks represents
symbolically 4000
years. Traditionally
it
Children go from house to house and
sing songs. They hope to get sweets,
fruits or money.
7.)On Christmas morning of Christmas
Day (25th of December) people give
out the presents. The most important
meal of the year is the Christmas
Dinner. A typical Dinner is turkey,
potatoes, vegetables and plum pudding.
The pudding is made six or even eight
weeks before Christmas.
8.)At 3 o´clock everybody listens to the
Queen´s Speech. She talks about the
past year. It is the only time of the year
when the Queen can speak to her
people as herself.
9.)At 5 o´clock there is teatime. On
teatime everyone gets a Christmas
cracker. When you pull the cracker it
goes “bang“.
10.)Boxing Day: On this day rich people
gave their servants and helpers
presents in a Christmas box. This
tradition came from the middle ages
and today people don´t give presents
on 26th December. But the idea of
reminding people outside your family
is still there.
is the time, people
wait for the arrival
of Jesus Christ.
2.) The crib is a very
important element
for the people in
Germany. It is the
place, Jesus Christ
was born.
7.) Christmas markets.
It`s very important to teach children traditions of different cultures  cultural awareness
To underline different cultures you can add, how “Merry Christmas” is said in different parts
of the world. This could be funny and interesting for the pupils.
How “ Merry Christmas” is said…….
1.)
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)
6.)
7.)
8.)
9.)
Afrikaans: Geseende Kersfees
Brazilian: Boas Festa e Feliz Ano Novo
Italian: Buone Feste Natalizie
Portuguese: Feliz Natal
Japanese: Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
French: Joyeux Noel
Spanish: Feliz Navidad
Hawaian: Mele Kalikimaka ame Hauoli Makahiki
Irish: Nollaig Shona Dhuit, or Nodlaig mhaith chugnat
2.) Christmas - poems
The chimney
(fingerplay)
Here is the chimney,
Here is the top,
Open the lid,
Out Santa will pop!
(make fist with thumb inside)
(other hand over fist)
(remove hand)
(pop up thumb)
Christmas Wish
Here is a present for Andy,
Here is a present for Sue,
Here is a present for Jenny,
A Merry Christmas to you!
3.) Christmas recipe – Baked Apples
You need:
1.)
2.)
3.)
4.)
4 big apples
90 grams of sugar (brown sugar if you can get it) or honey
a handful of sultanas
30 grams of butter
a cup of water
a teaspoon
a small kitchen knife
an oven dish
Wash the apples. Cut out the middle to make a hole.
Put the apples in the oven dish. Put the sugar and the sultanas in the holes.
Put some butter on top of the apples. Put some water in the dish, round them.
Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes at 200°.
4.) Christmas cracker
On Christmas day the whole family has teatime. At that time the sound crackers are very
popular. When you pull the cracker it goes “bang”.
The first crackers were made by a London pastry cook called Thomas Smith in 1866. He
based them on French bags of sweets, which had to be tugged hard before the wrapping broke
open. Instead of sweets he used small toys and added the finishing touch – the “snap” – after
watching logs crack in his fire.
1.) Fill toilet roll holder with sweets. Roll up in paper.
2.) Clue edge and tie ends with cotton.
3.) Trim ends and fan out.
5.) Christmas songs
Jingle Bells
Dashing through the snow in a onehorse open sleigh
Over the fields we go, laughing all the way.
Bells on bobtail ring, making spirits bright;
What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight!
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way.
Oh what fun it is to ride in a onehorse open sleigh.
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way.
Oh what fun it is to ride in a onehorse open sleigh.
A day or two ago
I thought I`d take a ride,
And soon Miss Fanny Bright
Was seated by my side.
The horse was lean and lank,
Misfortune seemed his lot,
He got into a drifted bank
And we, we got upsot.
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way.
Oh what fun it is to ride in a onehorse open sleigh.
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way.
Oh what fun it is to ride in a onehorse open sleigh.
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
And a happy New Year!
Let´s all do a little clapping,
Let´s all do a little clapping,
Let´s all do a little clapping,
And spread Christmas cheer.
Let´s all do a little jumping,
Let´s all do a little jumping,
Let´s all do a little jumping,
And spread Christmas cheer.
Let´s all do a little twirling,
Let´s all do a little twirling,
Let´s all do a little twirling,
Cause Christmas is near.
Rudolph the red-nosed Reindeer
Rudolph, the red-nosed Reindeer had a very shiny nose.
And if you ever saw it, you would even say it glows.
All of the other Reindeer used to laugh and call him names.
They never let poore Rudolph join in any Reindeer games.
Then one foggy Christmas Eve Santa came to say:
” Rudolph with your nose so bright,
won´t you guide my sligh tonight?”
Then how the Reindeer loved him, us they shouted out with glee
“Rudolph the red-nosed Reindeer, you´ll go down in history.
Rudolph, the red-nosed Reindeer had a very shiny nose.
And if you ever saw it, you would even say it glows.
All of the other Reindeer used to laugh and call him names.
They never let poore Rudolph join in any Reindeer games.
6.) Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
The story about Rudolph the red-nosed Reindeer is very popular. This is one idea, how to
present the story and include the children. You can underline the story with pictures.
Teacher:
“ Look, this is Rudolph. Rudolph is a reindeer. He looks like all reindeer, doesn´t he? But
there´s something special about Rudolph. He has a red, shiny nose.
Poor old Rudolph: All the other reindeer laugh at him every time they see him. Why do they
laugh? Well, they laugh, because Rudolph has a red shiny nose.
All the reindeer belong to Father Christmas. Every Christmas he puts presents for the
children on his sleigh.
Then he chooses some of the reindeer to pull the sleigh.
Rudolph is lucky! He is among the reindeer that pull Father Christmas` sleigh.
It´s very foggy. Father Christmas and the reindeer can´t see anything. Well, that´s not quite
right. They can see Rudolph´s shiny, red nose. They are lucky to have Rudolph among them.
He can show them the way.
Father Christmas is glad that Rudolph has shown them the way. He thanks Rudolph for his
help.
Of course, no one laughs at Rudolph any more.
Thanks to Rudolph, Father Christmas has found his way to the children´s home. The only
thing he has to do now is climbing down the chimney with the presents. This is how he gets
into the children´s house.
And he always fills the children´s socks with presents.
But only when they´ve behaved like good children, you see?
Alternative activity: a role play or a game
One child gets a red shiny nose. “ Now look. That´s Rudolph with his red shiny nose.”
Now Rudolph kneels in front of one child and sighs, “Oh, poor me.”
When he kneels in front of you, stroke his head three times. Each time you say, “Poor old
Rudolph.”
If you laugh while you stroke Rudolph, you must put on the red nose and play Rudolph´s part.
7.) A Christmas carol – the story
Once there was a man, who didn`t like Christmas. His name was Scrooge and he lived many
years ago. And when Scrooge heard the word Christmas, what did he say? He said,
“Humbug!”
One year on Christmas Eve Scrooge was at work, counting money in a big box. “I`m a rich
man, oh, so rich.” Another man was in the room. Bob sat at a table writing numbers in a big
book. “Mister Scrooge is rich,” he thought. “But he hasn`t got a family or any friends. Poor
Mr. Scrooge!”
Bob thought of his family and of Christmas Day tomorrow. He thought of his children`s happy
faces. “We are very poor, but we are happy.” It was 5 o`clock and time to go home. Bob
smiled.
Scrooge saw Bob smile. “Oh, you are smiling, Bob?” “Well, tomorrow is Christmas Day, Mr.
Scrooge.” “Then you must come to work early the day after Christmas. We must count my
money!” “Yes, Mr. Scrooge. And Merry Christmas.” “Christmas? Humbug!” It was snowing.
Bob walked to his house. It was a small house, but with a happy family. Bob thought of them.
Scrooge walked to his house. It was a big house, but dark, cold and lonely. Scrooge thought of
his money. That night, when he was in bed, his bedroom was suddenly full of light. A man
was looking at Scrooge.
“Who are you?” “I`m the Christmas ghost.” “A ghost?” “Yes. I`m here to show you the
danger of loving money.” The ghost took Scrooge by the hand. Suddenly they were standing
in Bob`s house. The house was small, but everyone was happy. The children were putting the
food on the table. It was a small chicken for so many people, but everyone was smiling. And
there was Bob, carrying his son Tiny Tim on his shoulders. Tim`s legs were not strong. He
couldn`t walk. He was very small and very sick. Soon all were eating and laughing. Bob said,
”Merry Christmas to you. And Merry Christmas to Mr. Scrooge. He hasn`t got a family or
friends. All he has got is money.” Tiny Tim cried, “Merry Christmas to Mr. Scrooge!” The
ghost looked at Scrooge. Scrooge said, ”I`m sorry for Tiny Tim.” “Yes,” said the ghost, “Tiny
Tim is very sick. He will die because Bob can`t buy good food and medicine for Tiny Tim.”
“No, “ cried Scrooge. “I can help. I can pay for food and medicine.”
Scrooge looked at the Christmas ghost, but the ghost had gone. Scrooge was in his bedroom
again. He opened the window and called to a boy in the street, “Tell me, what day is it?” “It`s
Christmas Day.” “Oh, then Merry Christmas to you!” Scrooge had an idea. “Do you know
Tiny Tim?” “Yes, “ said the boy. “Here is some money. Go and buy a big turkey and take it to
Tiny Tim`s house. Don`t say I gave you the money.”
At dinner time there was a knock on the door of Bob`s house. Bob opened the door just as his
wife was carrying the turkey to the table. “Bob? I pay you a pound a week. Right?”, asked
Scrooge. “Er, yes, Mr. Scrooge, you do.” “Well, I can`t pay you a pound anymore!” Bob
looked at Tiny Tim. But then Scrooge said,” Bob, now I`m going to pay you five pounds!
Mm, that turkey smells wonderful!” “Please stay to Christmas dinner, Mr. Scrooge,” cried
Tiny Tim. “Sit next to me!” Well, the turkey tasted wonderful! And Tiny Tim did not die. He
got good food and medicine, so his legs grew strong and soon he could walk. And Scrooge?
Well, he never saw the Christmas ghost again. But from that day on he loved Christmas more
than money. And he never said “Humbug!” again.
8.) Christmas jokes
Knock! Knock!
Who´s there?
Mary!
Mary who?
Mary Christmas! 
Knock! Knock!
Who is there?
Anna!
Anna who?
Anna Happy New Year
(Anna sounds like “ and a”)

Son: “ I know that Father Christmas doesn´t really exist.”
Mother: “ Why do you say that?”
Son: “ Because the Easter Bunny told me.”

Music lover: “ How much do you charge to sing Christmas carols?”
Billy:” Twenty pence, sir?”
Music lover: “ And how much do you charge not to sing?”
Billy:” Fifty pence, sir.”
Music lover: “ Well, here´s a fiver. Leave me in place for ten years.”
The carol singers knocked on the door and when the owner answered it, they
burst into Silent Night.

“ Do you know it´s five to midnight on Christmas Eve?” said the angry man.
“ No!” replied one of the singers. “ But if you hum it slowly we´ll all join in.”
Costumer: “ Do you have turkey legs?”
Butcher:” No, madam! It´s just the way I´m
standing.”

Billy: “What´s the difference between tree decorations and rotten
Fish?”
Rosie: ”I don´t know.”
Billy: ”So that´s why your Christmas tree smells so bad!”

Ken: ”Mum, I don´t want to go back to school after the Christmas holidays.”
Mum: “You have to darling, After all, you are the headmaster.”
Sources:
1.)
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)
6.)
Around the Year, Brigitte Schanz- Hering, Klett Verlag, Stiuttgart 1992
Around the Year 2; Brigitte Schanz-Hering, Klett Verlag, Stuttgart 1996
www.global-christmas.com
www.santas.net.com
http://delernen.de/mwbrauch/weihntoc.htm
Primary English – Fachzeitschrift für Englisch in der Grundschule, Cornelsen,
Ausgabe 4/2004
Verlaufsplan zur Stunde am 17.12.2004
Zeit
Lehrerhandlungen
Schülerhandlungen
Begrüßung
Methode
Medien
-
Teilziele
12.0012.02
12.0212.07
Begrüßung und
Nennung des Themas.
Weihnachtsmann
kommt in die „Klasse“
und verteilt Plätzchen
mit einem Gedicht.
Übernahme der
Rolle des
Weihnachstmanns
und
Nachsprechen des
Gedichts.
Schüler
schmücken mit
Hilfe des Lehrers
den Baum.
Sitzkreis
bilden und
Unterrichtsgespräch
aufbauen.
Unterrichtsgespräch
und
Sitzkreis
-
Schüler lernen versch. Ausdrücke:
Schüler singen
mit.
Gemeinsames
singen
CD
Lehrer sammelt an der
Tafel die Key-words
und structures des
ersten Teils mit Hilfe
der Schüler.
Ausgabe der
theoretischen
Gruppenarbeiten u.
Hilfe falls benötigt.
Schüler nennen
die Key-words
und structures.
Unterrichtsgespräch
Tafel
Ausarbeitung der
Gruppenarbeit.
Gruppenarbeit
Kommunikation untereinander
und Kennenlernen der Traditionen
eines Landes.
12.3512.50
-
Unterrichtsgespräch
12.5012.53
Lehrer singt Lied „
Rudolph the red-nosed
reindeer.“
Ausgabe der
praktischen
Gruppenarbeit
Vorstellung der
einzelnen
Gruppenergebniss
e
Schüler singen
mit.
Arbeits
blätter
Folien
Gemeinsames
singen
Gruppenarbeit
CD
Auflockerung der Schüler
Arbeits
blätter
Unterrichtsgespräch
-
Kommunikation untereinander
mit dem Ziel der Gewinnung einer
Möglichkeit der Erzählung einer
Geschichte vor einer
Grundschulklasse.
Erprobung der eigenen Ergebnisse
und Kennenlernen anderer
Möglichkeiten zur Umsetzung.
12.0712.14
12.1412.17
12.1712.20
12.2012.35
12.5313.05
13.0513.20
Ein Weihnachtsbaum
(ungeschmückt) u.
versch.
Dekorationsmaterialien
werden in die Mitte des
Stuhlkreises gestellt.
Lehrer singt Lied “ We
wish you a Merry
Christmas.”
-
Ausarbeitung der
Gruppenarbeit
Vorstellung der
Ergebnisse der
prakt.
Gruppenarbeit.
„ Do you want?“, „ What´s your
name?“, “Here is a present for
you.”, “ Merry Christmas to
you,” und Vokabel cookie.
Schüler lernen Vokabeln:
Christmas tree, candle, bell, star,
glasball, lights.
Schüler lernen spielerisch mit dem
Ausdruck “ We wish you a Merry
Christmas,” umzugehen. Außerdem
verbinden sie Handlung mit den
passenden Vokabeln.
Wiederholung des Vorangegangenen
und Erkennung der erwünschten
Lernziele.
Schüler lernen die Traditionen ihres
eigenen und die
anderer Länder kennen.