Christmas+in+France

During the month of December 2009, Y4 pupils had the opportunity to learn about how Christmas is celebrated in different countries around the world. Every day they accessed a new page on the wonderful [|Northumberland Grid Advent Calendar] and read information about a variety of customs and traditions stretching across all continents.

However, there was no information included about [|Christmas in France] and pupils were keen to find out if French festive celebrations were similar or different to those in Britain.

Through a mixture of direct teaching and group research on sites such as [|Santa's net], [|bbc.co.uk] and [|Euroclub schools], the children discovered lots of interesting facts about the French advent season. Authentic video footage from Youtube, including a lights spectacular at the Eiffel Tower and animated shop window displays from the Printemps department store, also gave them a flavour of the festivities in the capital city of Paris... media type="custom" key="5939233"

And American TV presenter, Rick Steves' documentary about Christmas in both Paris and Burgundy gave children a real cultural insight into the French holiday season, in particular the differences in food and cuisine... media type="custom" key="5939413"

Ultimately, a selection of Christmas related photographs was inserted into Voicethread and all the children had the opportunity to comment on any number of images - why not listen to what they had to say...

media type="custom" key="5939117" The final page of the Voicethread above discusses the festival of Epiphany, a Christian celebration which commemorates the [|Three Kings'] visit to Baby Jesus on the 6th of January, otherwise known as [|Twelfth Night.] In France, it is traditional to serve a special cake known as [|La Galette des Rois] on this date and, as the slices are served, each person hopes to be the one who will find the lucky charm hidden inside, which means they become 'King' for the day!

You might like to try out this video recipe and bake your own 'King cake'... media type="custom" key="5939145"

And here's a video of a traditional French nursery rhyme entitled 'J'aime la galette'. Why not sing along as the words appear on-screen in true karaoke style? media type="custom" key="5939163"

The Y4 children also completed some written French work with a Christmas theme. You can see what kinds of activities they were engaged in by taking a look at the slideshare presentation below... media type="custom" key="5939183" The pupils also learnt to sing a simple French Christmas song, which you can listen to via the Voki avatar below. The song is entitled 'Père Noël' and the class has been split into two groups so they could sing the lyrics as a 'round' without any accompanying musical score... media type="custom" key="5939195"

And just for fun, the children were able to watch this Pigloo video entitled 'Moi, j'aime skier'. You'll no doubt recognise the tune as that of Village People's popular song 'YMCA'... media type="custom" key="5939235"

 Now that you are all experts on how Christmas is celebrated in France, you might like to test your knowledge with this [|'Fling the Teacher'] multiple-choice quiz from the wonderful [|Sunderland Estrellas website.]

Alternatively, try the [|on-line quiz here on the Euroclub schools website] making sure you've read [|their information page] first of course!



Finally, here's an on-line advent calendar that allows you to listen to some [|French Christmas Carols] sung by children from schools and choirs all over the country.

media type="custom" key="5946461" align="right"Or, if you fancy a vocal challenge, why not see if you can repeat the lyrics from this wierd but wonderful French adaptation of 'The twelve days of Christmas' brought to you courtesy of Babelzone on Youtube.

Watch out though, it's a real tongue-twister in places...