The subject of the lesson: Сhristmas traditions in Great Britain
The objectives: - to intensify the use of topic vocabulary in unprepared speech;
to incorporate group-work;
to stimulate discussion in English;
to develop speaking, reading , writing skills on the basis of the topic “Сhristmas
traditions in Great Britain”;
to practice students’ reciting skills;
- To develop students’ respect to the English and American traditions and culture ;
- to teach them to be quick-witted and intellectually flexible.
Equipment: posters, drawings, pictures devoted to Сhristmas, book, tape-recorder,
stockings and other symbols of Christmas, presentations, handouts, projector.
PROCEDURE
I. INTRODUCTION
T: Good morning dear children and guests! I’m glad to see you! Today we’re going to speak
about the most important religious holiday in England and in other countries – Christmas! We’ll
try to create the festive atmosphere of these holidays, demonstrate presentations devoted to
the Christmas traditions and to participate in the exciting contest. Then a special guest will
show up and surprise you with his gifts! So let’s travel to Great Britain and learn how Christmas
is celebrated there. I would like to start with
Christmas …
A beautiful time of the year-
With carols and tinsel
And lots of good cheer,
With sharing and caring
And hearts drawing near-
Christmas…..
A beautiful time of the year!
II. Warming up
We all like Christmas very much and usually have bright associations with it. Look at the
mind map on the blackboard and say your ideas.
hristmas traditions
Christmas decorations
Symbols of
y
Christmas
hristmas traditions
Christmas decorations
Symbols of
Christmas
Santa Claus
Christmas characters
Christmas food Christmas decorations
Christmas
P1: Turkey, pudding, candles ,bells, Christmas tree, Santa Claus, presents, crackers….
P2: singing carols, giving and receiving
Symbols presents, decorating
of Christmas Christmas
Christmas tree, sending cards
traditions
P3: tinsels, colored balls, toys, stars, candles.
III Main Part
Teacher: Certainly, Christmas is a splendid festival which is very important to people. I see, you
know much about this holiday. But today we'll learn more. Now we’ll split up into 2 teams:
Crackers and Christmas Rabbits. At first our teams will present interesting information about
Christmas customs and then will compete in a breathtaking contest. Let’s play!
(Presentation of the teams and their leaders.)
Teacher: I’m going to ask each team questions after presentations! Be diligent and attentive!
The winner will get a prize. So Christmas Rabbits
1. What was the legend of the first Christmas?
2. What evergreen plants do English people use in decoration their houses?
3. When do boys kiss girls?
4. What songs do people sing on Christmas Eve? Why?
5. What present do the people of Norway give the city of London every year?
Questions addressed to Crackers
1. Why do children write letters to Father Christmas?
2. Who delivers traditional Christmas message on TV at 3 o’clock on Christmas?
3. What are special dishes for Christmas dinner?
4. What is placed into the pudding?
5. Why is December 26 called Boxing Day?
IV Matching
Teacher: The first task for our teams: look, match the words and the pictures! You have about 2 min.
y
WHAT DO WE DO AT CHRISTMAS?
Listen to THE QUEEN’S SPEECH
MAKE PRESENTS
BUY A CHRISTMAS TREE
HANG CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS
EAT CHRISTMAS PUDDING
GO TO CHURCH
PULL CRACKERS
PUT UP CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
Sing CHRISTMAS CAROLS
DECORATE HOUSES WITH LIGHTS
SEND CHRISTMAS CARDS
KISS UNDER THE MISTLETOE
READ THE NATIVITY STORY
WRITE A LETTER TO SANTA
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14
Teacher: Let's check! Who has no mistakes? Who has one or two mistakes?
y
V. Watching the video
Teacher: Let’s watch the video ”Christmas by the numbers” Each group should give the correct
answer in your handouts.
1. December 25-th became the official celebration of the birth of Jesus in the 4 / 5 / 3
century.
2. By the end of the 9 / 8 / 7 century Christmas was widely celebrated across Europe.
3. In 1644 the Massachusetts legislature fined anyone who observe Christmas 5 / 10 / 20
shillings.
4. Christmas as we know it didn’t really begin until the 1800s / 1700s / 1900s.
5. Italian/ Spanish/ German Prince Albert brought a tradition decorating evergreen trees to
England after his marriage to queen Victoria.
6. An image of the royal family next to 40 / 50 / 60 foot Christmas Tree was published in
American magazines in 1848 the custom cut on in the United States as well.
7. Santa Claus is actually based on the Saint Nicholas of Myra, a Dutch/ Greek/ Polish
Saint.
8. After Fanta/ Coca-Cola / Sprite advertisement in the 1930s showed Santa wearing red
and white, this image stuck.
Teacher: the winner in this contest is “Crackers”
VI. Reciting poems and Role – playing
Teacher: Now a surprise for you! Today we have a special guest. Who is the main Character of
Christmas celebrations?
Santa Claus: Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas! I'm Santa Claus I’ve come to you from the North
Pole with my reindeers and I would like to give you some presents. I see a beautiful Christmas
Tree, a fire-place with many stockings, nice pictures and these boys and girls are clever, pretty
and so funny! Do you know poems about Christmas?
the poem "Christmas Message" by Longfellow.
I heard the bells on Christmas
Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
We love winter
Winter is a lovely fairy
Sweet and nice and merry.
So we have a lot of reasons
To love her the Queen of the seasons
y
Children love the snow she brings,
Like a bird on windy wings.
They like winter games and songs.
Wintertime to them belongs.
Merry Christmas Greetings
At this glad time our thoughts will stray
To loved ones far away,
And we wish them all prosperity
And a happy Christmas Day!
White Christmas
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas,
Just like the ones I used to know.
Where the trees are glistening
And Children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow.
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas,
With every Christmas card I write,
May your days be merry and bright,
And may all your Christmases be white.
Santa Claus: Thank you, children! You were amazing! Let’s have a short quiz related to
Christmas! Answer my questions in turns.
1. The surname of American Father Frost.
2. A plant that has shiny dark green leaves and red berries in winter. 3. The colour of Santa
Claus' suit.
4. What great book does the Christmas story come from?
5. What is put into the children's stockings or under the Christmas tree?
6. What is placed at the top of the Christmas tree?
7. What place is Christmas traditionally celebrated at?
8. What is the other name of the USA?
9. Small, soft, white pieces of frozen water that fall from the sky in cold weather.
Key: 1) Claus; 2) holly; 3) red; 4) Bible; 5) present; 6) star; 7) home; 8) States; 9) snow.
Santa Claus: So the winner is Christmas Rabbits! Here are sweet presents for you! Thank you
my dear boys and girls, but I must go away! I want you to be healthy, to be good students! Merry
Christmas!
y
Teacher : We’re grateful to you , Santa for creating the atmosphere of Christmas and making
our lesson merry and fairy-like. Good-bye, we’re hoping to see you next holidays!
VII Listening
Teacher: By the way do you know what song people sing on this holiday. This song brings us
the cheerful spirit of holiday. Right you are "Jingle bells" Let’s sing the song.
( The song sounds. Pupils are singing the song.)
Dashing through the snow, in a one horse open sleigh
Over the fields we go, laughing all the way;
Bells on bobtail ring, making spirits bright
What (Chorus)
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!
O what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!
O what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh
VIII Writing
T. Can you imagine Christmas in Britain without Christmas cards ?
a) («We wish you a Merry Christmas» - sounds)
Now you should write down Christmas greetings to your classmates;
You draw Christmas symbols as well.
Take greeting cards and send best wishes and congratulations to your group mates.
b) Read out you greetings :
Pupils read their greetings aloud:
Hoping Christmas brings all your favorite things! Happy Holidays.
When you wake up Christmas morning hope you find beneath the tree
many lovely presents. You’ll be happy as can be!
With best wishes for Christmas and the New Year
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
With Christmas Greetings and all good wishes for the New Year
Warmest wishes at Christmas!
Christmas Blessings to You and Yours!
Have a Very Merry Christmas!
With Best wishes for Christmas Day!
T: I’ve prepared a greeting card for all of you:
Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Let Father Frost bring you a big sack of presents. May
happiness, health, wealth be in your homes. May success attend you!
Yours sincerely,
y
Teacher
Teacher: Please read aloud your best wishes to your classmates. Face each other , shake your
hands and say ”Marry Christmas and New Year”.
IX Home assignment
Teacher: Our lesson is coming to the end. Thank you for your active participation. Your home
task is to write New Year greeting cards to your friends and family. I believe you’ve immersed
into the magical atmosphere of Christmas and enlarged your knowledge about the traditions of
this magnificent holiday. Christmas will help you become better, than you have been, forget the
offences you have had to bear and remain within the light illuminated by God. Good-bye!
