Module :

Christmas Customs Classes : 2nd - 4th

Lesson :

Christmas Word Art
.

Aims

  • To introduce new vocabulary / phrases.

  • To reinforce the understanding of new vocabulary by getting children to use Word Art to highlight the new words.

  • To reinforce new vocabulary by providing the children with an abundance of flashcards and other materials, produced by the children themselves.

  • To help children to familiarise themselves with some simple formatting facilties of a word processor, such as Italics and Justification.

  • To allow children to experiment with Word Art and Clip Art.

 MaterialsIResources: Christmas pictures, flashcards.

Content / Methodology

1.       The teacher introduces the new vocabulary with the aid of flashcards and appropriate pictures – Christmas tree, crib, cake, Santa Claus, presents, Christmas stockings, etc.**LD children demonstrate and vocalise.

2.       The pupils match the flashcards with the pictures and repeat the expressions after the teacher. **LD children get a special opportunity.

3.       The children are then shown how to insert Word Art into a newly opened wordprocessing document.**LD children joined with more able pupil.

4.       The children are shown the wide variety of manipulation facilities available to edit Word Art.**LD children given the opportunity to stretch and shrink to absurd.

5.       Word Art, Clip Art or a combination of both can be used to emphasise the meaning of the relevant Christmas expression.**LD childrenas to point to the different kinds

6.       The children are shown how to add their name at the end of the document, italicise it and justify it to the right.**LD children get to do the printing.

Follow Up Activities

The wordprocessing work is designed to be completed in tandem with the activities in Lessons 2,3 and 4. While one section of the class works on Internet-based assignments, the others can complete their wordprocessing exercises.
A poster with key instructions should be placed near the computer.

A poster with key instructions should be placed near the computer.

Lesson 2

Letter to Santa
.

Aims

  • To introduce / revise the key elements of e-mail – address, subject and message.

  • To create a positive attitude in the children to the use of e-mail by giving individual children an opportunity to send an e-mail to Santa.

Materials/Resources: At least one reliable web address hat accepts e-mails to Santa and provides response to those e-mails.

Content / Methodology

1.       While one section of the class are working on this Internet-based lesson, the other children can continue to work on the wordprocessing tasks outlined in Lesson 1.

2.       The children are shown how to open the Internet browser and type in a web address – http://www.north-pole.com/ **LD children do the typing of the address for the group

3.       Alternatively, other sites can be used which guarantee a response from Santa, for example, http://www.mcitywebmall.com/santa.html or http://www.gcards.com/christmas/lettertosanta.html

      (Use only one of the above web sites as it might cause complications if pupils write to 3 different Santas)

4.       Use one of the e-mail forms at one of the above sites to demonstrate how to send an e-mail to Santa. **LD children fill in the sample mail in ordinary script.

5.       The teacher explains that a rota system will be put in place to allow the pupils to send their own letter to Santa during the following week. **LD children given special time and help from peers in typing in the letter.

Follow Up Activities

A notice board display can be constructed using a selection of the letters to and from Santa.

Lesson 3

Sending a Christmas Card
.

Aims

  • To revise the key Internet terminology – Internet, World Wide Web, surfing, browser, address, links.

  • To show pupils how to type in a website address.

  • To teach pupils how to use the following navigation buttons: Back, Home, Forward and Stop.

  • To foster and strengthen links being built with European partner schools, by sending Christmas greetings in English and in French, German or Italian.

  • To allow the children to work collaboratively in guided activity-based learning.

Materials/Resources: Website address already checked and vetted by the teacher, e.g. http://www.ohmygoodness.com

Content / Methodology

1.       Revise the Christmas greetings in French/German/Italian, learned in Lesson 1.

2.       Allow the children to practice the greetings in small groups.**LD children confined to one or more greetings.

3.       Write the greetings on the blackboard.

4.       Connect to the Internet and allow one pupil to type in the address: http://www.ohmygoodness.com **LD children connect for the group.

5.       Discuss the selection of a card, a greeting and suitable music.**LD children select from samples,

6.       Send a card to the E-mail address of the European partner (or other) school.

Follow Up Activities

If pupils have time, they can send cards to the friends, family, etc. if their e-mail addresses are known.

Lesson 4

Christmas Games on the Web
.

Aims

  • To allow the children to have fun while getting a chance to learn new vocabulary.

  • To revise the key Internet terminology – Internet, World Wide Web, surfing, browser, address, links.

  • To show/revise the opening of an Internet browser and the entering of a website address.

  • To teach pupils how to use the following navigation buttons: Back, Home, Forward and Stop.

Materials/Resources: Some vetted website address with Christmas games with modern European language component.

Content / Methodology

1.       As preparation for this lesson, the teacher must visit one of the following sites to check the vocabulary needed or the chosen game(s):

      http://www.geocities.com/Paris/LeftBank/3852/xmasgames.html (for French)

      and

      http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Tower/6504/cadre.html (for German)

      and

      http://www.quia.com/italian.html (for Italian non-Christmas games)

      A typical game, which the teacher might choose, is Christmas Crossword.

2.       The teacher introduces the new vocabulary, using a variety of strategies, such as, listen and repeat, blackboard lists, charts, flashcards, drama, group work, games, etc.

3.       The teacher connects to the Internet and one pupil types in the address of one of the language game sites.**LD children could be given further opportunity to send more egreetings while this exercise goes on.

Follow Up Activities

The teacher encourages the children to play similar games among themselves, using pen and paper.

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