Christmas

Objective & content

This sheet on Christmas teaches the things, food and days of a British Christmas, such as Christmas tree, stocking, Father Christmas, reindeer, cracker, carol, turkey, mince pie, Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, with actions such as decorate, wrap and pull. Pupils name pictures, read Ruby's text about Christmas in Bristol, then use the words. By the end, they can name the things of Christmas and say what families do.

Pedagogical guide

Page 1 names twelve Christmas things from pictures; the word box holds two extra words, so pupils must choose. Ruby's text follows: an eleven-year-old in Bristol, in England, decorates the tree, hangs her stocking on Christmas Eve, opens her presents and pulls crackers on Christmas Day, then visits her grandparents on Boxing Day. Page 2 has eight multiple-choice questions, then eight words to match with their meaning (a stocking is "a big sock for small presents"). Page 3 has twelve sentences to complete with action words from a box with two extra words, then Harry's Christmas card to his pen pal in France, with twelve three-way choices; the words around each bracket decide the answer (24 December gives Eve, thank you gives open). Every task tests words only. The grammar stays on the present simple, there is and let's: there is no past tense on the sheet.

Suggested procedure

1. (5 min) Ask pupils what they know about Christmas in Britain; write the English words on the board.
2. (8 min) Page 1: pupils write the words under the pictures alone, then compare in pairs.
3. (10 min) Read Ruby's text aloud; pupils answer the questions on page 2.
4. (5 min) Pupils match the words and their meanings.
5. (8 min) Page 3: pupils complete the sentences.
6. (8 min) Pupils read Harry's card and circle the right words.
7. (5 min) Check with the answer key on page 4.

Adaptations

[S] Show a real Christmas cracker or a Christmas card before reading Ruby's text.

[A] Pupils say three things families do at Christmas ("We decorate the tree").

Materials & prerequisites

One copy of pages 1 to 3 per pupil; a real cracker or a Christmas card helps. Page 4 is the answer key and teacher notes: keep it. Pupils need the present simple and there is / there are. To take it further, pupils make a Christmas card for a pen pal with five words from the sheet.