Conversation Class Lesson Plan

Section: Advanced Conversation
Date: 3. Dezember 2009

Class theme/topics discussed: Christmas

How did you pick this theme or topic? Since it was December, I thought it might be nice to talk about Christmas and Christmas time in general.

How did you present the material? (handouts, group work, general discussion, student presentations, etc.)
First, I asked my students how they generally celebrate Christmas and what they like about it. We also talked about how other countries celebrate Christmas and what’s different in comparison with the US. Then, we read and discussed a poem called “Little Christmas Gedicht” which was a funny Christmas poem in “Denglish” – i.e. in German and English. Afterwards I asked my students if they had already thought about what presents they were going to give out this Christmas and what kind of presents they would like for themselves. My students wrote down their wishes on a wish list and then explained their choices. After that, I told my students a little bit about how Christmas is celebrated in Germany and what some traditional things we do during Christmas time are. I mentioned how children enjoy making ginger bread houses and then I told my students that we would do some little ones of our own (made of biscuits). I handed out the recipes and my students started building their ginger bread houses. Meanwhile, we talked about all things related to Christmas and listened to German Christmas songs.

How did students react?
The students were very excited when I told them we would spend this lesson talking about Christmas. I think they loved the ginger bread houses.

Did they engage with each other and you?
Yes, they were talking very much and were eager to share their knowledge and experiences.

What materials or media did you use? (articles, satellite tv, digital projector, etc.)
Poem “Little Christmas Gedicht”
Blank copies of “My wish list”
Recipes for mini ginger bread houses
Baking supplies
German Christmas music on my computer

 Would you recommend this activity for a future class? Why or why not?
Yes, definitely. The students had a lot of fun and spoke German the entire time of the lesson.

 

 

LITTLE CHRISTMAS GEDICHT