Overall
Objective: Students will be able to read a text
and discover the origin of Christmas symbols and traditions.
Language
Objective: Students will be able to learn new
word and phrases which are connected with Christmas.
Civic
Objective: Students will be able to speak and
write about the origin of Christmas
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Stage
of Lesson
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Activity
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Time
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Warm up
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Ask the students to remember symbols and
tradition which are connected with this topic.
Ask the students if they know anything
about these
Symbols and traditions origin. Write the PAIR speaking questions on
Handout #1 on the board and ask students to speak in pairs about Christmas
gifts and traditions. Report out results of this dialogue.
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7 min.
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Activity 1
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To whole class:
Divide class into groups of four sts. per
group. Four groups ideally.
Pass out hand out #2, a text on Christmas
traditions. Tell students to read Hand
out#2 and answer questions at the bottom of Handout #1.
Instructions: Ask students to read individually and answer
Guide questions as they read.
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6 min
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Activity 2
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After 5 to 8 minutes of reading, ask
students to share their answers in the group. [speaking Eng.] And answer the questions
in writing based upon their group discussion.
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8
minutes
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Activity 3
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Teacher asks students to report on their
answers.
Group 1 reports out on question #1
Group 2 reports out on question #2 etc.
After each group report, Teacher asks if
the other groups agree with the answer.
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8 min
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Closure
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Teacher asks students how the Christmas
traditions in Georgia are similar or different to the Catholic and Protestant
traditions in Germany and England. Teacher
asks the reasons for the different dates of celebration?
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5 min
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Hand out 1
Why do people
decorate fir-tree?
The true origin of
the Christmas tree is a mystery, judging from the many theories, ranging from
the Druids to Queen Victoria of England who popularized this tradition after
she married a German prince. Germany is
credited to starting the Christmas tree tradition in the 16th
century when devout Christians decorated trees in their homes. It is widely believed that Martin Luther, the
16th century Protestant Reformer, first added lighted candles to the
tree. This much is certain: the
evergreen is an ancient symbol of eternal life, which has been interpreted as
the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Evergreens are symbolic of the
ancient tradition of celebrating the winter solstice, which in the darkest of winter,
evergreens symbolized eternal life. Traditionally, the Christmas tree has a star
on top. When we look at a Christmas tree, we are reminded of the eternal life
we will enjoy in the presence of Christ.
Why do people
share gifts?
After
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi or
Three Wise men came from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the
one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have
come to bring gifts.” After they had
heard of the king, they were guided by the star they had seen in the east. They followed the star until they came to the
place where the manger than held the Christ child was. On coming to the house, they saw the child
with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their
treasures and presented the Christ child with gifts of gold, myrrh,
frankincense. [Myrrh and frankincense
were precious spices at the time.] From
this Biblical story of the Wise men the tradition of giving gifts at Christmas
originated.
Why do red and green dominate at Christmas?
Red
traditionally represents the sacrifice of blood that Jesus shed while hanging
on the cross. Green represents the evergreen, i.e. eternal life. Holly is a
plant that is found in England and northern Europe and was included with the
evergreens in winter solstice celebrations. Holly, like fir trees, is green throughout the
winter. For the early Christians, the red berries on
the holly tree represented a special significance because they symbolized the
blood of Christ. Holly was considered a
holy plant: green for eternal life, and red for the blood of Christ.
Why does Santa give presents?
St.
Nicholas was a Bishop who lived in the fourth century AD Asia Minor. He was a
very rich man because his parents died when he was young and left him a lot of
money. According to legends, he was also a very kind man and had a reputation
for helping the poor and giving secret gifts to people who were in need. In the
16th century in Europe, the stories and traditions about St. Nicholas had
become very popular. In England and Germany, the tradition of St. Nicholas delivering
presents to children at Christmas came about.
In England, he became known as 'Father Christmas.’
Hand out 2
Pair speaking at beginning of class.
1.What was your best Christmas ever? Why?
2.What
was your favorite Christmas tradition now?
3.What was the most special Christmas gift
you have ever given?
GUIDE READING
QUESTIONS:
1.Why are evergreen fir trees and holly
associated with Christmas celebrations?
2. Can you name the traditions or
celebrations that the Christians adopted from pagans?
3. Why do you think people started
celebrating the birth of Jesus?
4.
What is the origin of gift giving at Christmas?
5.
How did the tradition of St. Nicolas originate?