Level: 5 th year of Primary Education Grammar: Present Simple Tense. Sentence word order (Present Simple). Imperative forms. Functions: Expressing habits and routines. Describing customs and traditions. Asking for and giving information. Instructions. Writing an informal email. Vocabulary: Words related to Christmas traditions. Food and recipes. Dates. Phonetics: Pronunciation of English th. * About the unit: The unit deals with Christmas and Christmas traditions in Britain mainly, but the last part of the unit also describes some Spanish traditions, which are compared to the British ones. * The main objectives of the unit are: 1
- To make the students familiar with the Christmas traditions in the UK and show them the differences with the Spanish customs. - To make the students aware of cultural differences and show respect and appreciation for them. - To help the students get the necessary listening, writing, reading and speaking skills so as to be able to ask for and give information about routines and customs, with special emphasis on those related to Christmas. * Other useful considerations: It is important to remind the students that the buttons contained in the unit may be of great help for them. For that purpose, an icon guide is included. It is also advisable for the students to use the Glossary, Help and Grammar buttons. The instructions to carry out the different activities are given through a pop up produced when clicking on the Task button. An additional sheet of activities is included. The file is to be found in the text directory of the unit: consolidation_merrychristmas.pdf 2
For a printable version of the present document, including the exercise keys and the audio scripts, please open the root directory of the unit and you will find the teacher_merrychristmas.pdf file. * Structure of the unit: Merry Christmas is made up of five parts, which follow a chronological order based on the Christmas festivities. Those parts can be dealt with separately, that is to say, in different class periods. Nevertheless, a forward linear sequence of the activities of each part is recommended since some exercises need previous practice. Part 1: Preparations This first section is where Susie introduces herself and also tells us about her family. The main purpose of this section is to serve as an introduction to the whole unit. The following are the exercises to be completed: 1.1.- Vocabulary and pronunciation The aim of this exercise is to provide students with basic vocabulary about Christmas. Those terms will be used throughout the entire unit. 3
Students should read the text and click on the bluecoloured words to get both the pictures and their pronunciation. There is also the possibility to listen to the text. 1.2.- Scrambled letters Some letters in every line must be reorganised to form words learnt before. Spelling is reinforced here. 1.3.- Matching The activity focuses on the association between pronunciation and images. After a word is listened to, its corresponding picture has to be dragged onto the audio box to check if that is the right one. 1.4.- Recording Now students are going to practise in context the pronunciation learnt earlier. They have to complete Susie s audio text by recording the missing words. 1.5.- Writing In this activity, spelling and vocabulary review are the key points since students need to write a list of the Christmas words they have learnt. 1.6.- Listening The same aims as in task 5 are pursued, but pronunciation is now on the focus instead of 4
spelling. A review of vocabulary and pronunciation is put forward through a listening comprehension activity. Part 2: Christmas Eve The objective of this second part is to help students become familiar with the cultural and traditional aspects of Christmas Eve in Britain. 2.1.- Vocabulary There is a text for the students to read about Christmas Eve. For vocabulary learning, they should run the mouse over unknown words to bring up the corresponding picture. There is the option to listen to the whole text. 2.2.- Complete Students are asked to write the missing words of a text with the help of some pictures. 2.3.- Reading and listening Information is given to present the practice that is coming next. There is also a listening icon to listen to the information given in the text. 2.4.- Listening comprehension This is a matching exercise where the characters must be matched with what they do on Christmas Eve. The activity relies on the information given in 5
2.3., but there is the possibility to listen to it again on this screen. 2.5.- Grammar This exercise provides students with Grammar practice about the Present Simple tense (affirmative statements). They must drag the corresponding form of the verb over the gaps to complete the sentences. 2.6.- Pronunciation By clicking on each word, its pronunciation can be listened to. Then, students should repeat it and record the words with their own voice to listen to them later. 2.7.- Grammar This is a new Grammar practice task dealing with the Grammar of the Present Simple tense but, this time, it focuses on negative statements. The sentences have to be completed with the negative verbs given. Part 3: Christmas Day The third part of the unit deals with what British people usually do on Christmas Day. Again it is Susie and her family who give some information about their traditions, presents, etc. Regarding 6
those customs, the recipe of a typically British Christmas Dinner dish is presented here, through which the Imperative form in English is targeted. 3.1.- Listening & Vocabulary As an introductory screen of the third part of the unit, some of the vocabulary that will be used subsequently is brought up here. Students should listen to what Susie is saying about Christmas Day. Then, they need to click on the boxes to listen to the pronunciation of those words and their spelling also comes up when running the mouse on them. 3.2.- Listening comprehension In this case, a listening comprehension is proposed, which consists of solving a multiple choice exercise while listening to the recording. 3.3.- Listening comprehension Students listen to the recording again and decide whether or not the different characters like some of their presents. 3.4.- Grammar Now there is some practice about short answers to Present Simple questions. It is a multiple-choice activity focused on Grammar. 7
3.5.- Recording This is an activity where students are going to play the first part of a statement they have to complete by recording the rest of it. There is a link to the text where they can get the required information from. Students have the choice to either read the text beforehand or, after doing the activity, check out their answers and, if wrong, they can re-record them. 3.6.- Scrambled words This is about a typical Christmas Dinner dish. Students should reorganise the scrambled letters to find out the name of that dish. To help them, there are two very short pieces of recording included. 3.7.- Vocabulary We have here a vocabulary presentation to learn about the ingredients to cook a recipe. Spelling and pronunciation are associated to the pictures. Repetition of the pronunciation is recommended. 3.8.- Memory game This exercise consists of pairing up some pictures with their spellings. There is a recording to help 8
students remember the ingredients and remind them of their pronunciation. 3.9.- Listening: recipe This is a listening activity to present the different steps of a recipe. 3.10.- Listening comprehension In this activity, students have to listen to the steps to make a recipe and put the pictures in the correct order. 3.11.- Recording The purpose of this activity is to record the process to make the mentioned recipe. The beginnings of the sentences are given (imperative forms) and the rest of the statements need to be recorded. Part 4: Boxing Day The fourth part of the unit deals with Boxing Day. It explains what the festivity is about and how British people celebrate it. Besides, practice is given to students about the pronunciation of the th, with special emphasis on the dates (ordinals). 4.1.- Reading In this scene, the festivity of Boxing Day is introduced and described. There is a text for 9
students to read and learn some vocabulary. By running the mouse over some words, they will get a picture to help them understand the unknown words. 4.2.- Reading comprehension This task consists of answering some questions about the information read on Boxing Day. It is a multiple choice exercise where there is access to the text again in case students do not remember all the information read in 4.1. 4.3.- Scrambled sentences The purpose of this activity is sentence word order in Present Simple affirmative and negative statements and questions. Students have to put the words given in the correct order to make grammatically correct sentences about Boxing Day. 4.4.- Matching In this exercise, there are some questions that have to be matched with their answers bearing in mind that there is an extra one students do not need to use. Apart from re-checking comprehension, the aim of the activity is to review the form of the Present Simple in questions and affirmatives. 4.5.- Recording: dialogue 10
Here, Present Simple questions and answers are practised. It is a recording exercise where students need to read a question, record and play it and then answer that question by doing the same thing to make up a dialogue between two characters. The whole dialogue could be listened to at the end. The activity can be carried out either in pairs or individually. If in pairs, one student will take Susie s role whereas the other one will take Auntie Ann s. 4.6.- Pronunciation Students are going to learn how to pronounce the two sounds for the th spelling in English. They have to click on both the phonetic symbols and the words to listen to them and repeat their pronunciation. 4.7.- Pronunciation In this matching exercise based on the pronunciation of the two sounds for the th in English, students have to listen to the words and decide which sound each one has. 4.8.- Recording Students have to listen to the words given and record their own pronunciation of them. At the 11
end, they will be able to listen to the whole recording. Part 5: Our traditions The last part of the unit focuses on Spanish Christmas traditions and compares them with some British ones commented on before. A new character is presented, Teresa, who is Susie s penpal. 5.1.- Vocabulary In this section, students are provided with new vocabulary about Christmas traditions in Spain. They will read and listen to what Susie is telling them and then click on the pictures to listen to them. 5.2.- Crossword This crossword will give students the opportunity for both vocabulary review and spelling practice. 5.3.- Reading & Listening In this case, Teresa (Susie s penpal) shows an email she is sending to Susie to tell her about how Spanish people celebrate Christmas. There is also the possibility to listen to the text. 5.4.- Recording 12
This exercise consists of completing what Teresa is telling Susie about Spanish Christmas traditions. Firstly, students listen to the recording by clicking on the audio icon. Then, with the help of the pictures, they should complete and record the missing information. After recording it, they will be able to listen to their own voice if they click on the play button. When they finish recording everything, they will be able to listen to the whole dialogue. 5.5.- Writing The last activity of the unit is a writing task where Susie is going to answer Teresa s email. Students have to help Susie and write it themselves. After writing it, the email should be sent to their teacher. 13
(ANSWER KEY) A) UNIT Part 1: Preparations 1.2.- Scrambled letters 1.3.- Matching 1.6.- Listening 14
Part 2: Christmas Eve 2.2.- Complete 2.5.- Grammar 2.7.- Grammar Part 3: Christmas Day 3.2.- Listening comprehension 15
3.3.- Listening compr. 3.4.- Grammar 3.6.- Scrambled words 3.10.- Listening compr. Part 4: Boxing Day 4.2.- Reading compr. 4.3.- Scrambled senten. 16
4.7.- Pronunciation Part 5: Our traditions 5.2.- Crossword 17
B) CONSOLIDATION ACTIVITIES VOCABULARY 1. Tick the words that refer to British Christmas traditions: 12 grapes Christmas cards Father Christmas Mince pies Boxing Day The Three Wise Men Christmas cake Crackers 2. Match the pictures with their corresponding names: Father Christmas Cracker Baubles Christmas tree Mistletoe Sleigh Presents Nativity Scene Reindeer Star 3. Write the dates of these Christmas festivities: * Christmas Eve: December 24 th 18
* The Three Wise Men: January 6 th * Christmas Day: December 25 th * Boxing Day: December 26 th 4. What s the name of this typical British Christmas Dinner dish? ROAST TURKEY 5. Can you mention some ingredients to make it? Bread crumbs Leeks Celery Turkey Onions Eggs Potatoes Salt Brussel sprouts GRAMMAR (Present Simple) 5. Write the correct verb forms in the gaps. a) Sam places the Christmas cards around the room. (+) b) Does Susie s parents and brother enjoy Christmas? (?) c) I don t like the colour of my new baseball cap. (-) 19
d) We eat Christmas Dinner on December 25 th. (+) e) Dad doesn t visit Auntie Ann on Boxing Day. (-) 6. Write the verbs in their correct form (affirmative / negative) for the following sentences: a) Susie s parents decorate the house for Christmas. (decorate) b) Sam really likes Father Christmas s presents. (like) c) Susie s Mum doesn t stay home on Boxing Day. (not stay) d) Sam and Susie help to prepare Christmas Dinner. (help) e) Auntie Ann doesn t give Sam a piece of Christmas cake. (not give) 7. Transform these sentences into questions: a) Mum and Dad put the Nativity Scene in the living room. Do Mum and Dad put the Nativity Scene in the living room? b) Dad watches sport on Boxing Day. Does Dad watch sport on Boxing Day? 8. Answer these questions with a short form: a) Do you celebrate Christmas in Spain? Yes, we/i do. b) Do you have a Christmas tree at home at Christmas? Yes, we/do. c) Does your brother / sister help you with the Christmas decorations at home? Yes, he/she does. d) Do you eat 12 grapes at 12:00 on New Year s Eve? Yes, I/we do. e) Do the Three Wise Men bring you presents? Yes, they do. GRAMMAR (Imperative) 9. Complete the recipe with the Imperative forms: 20
a) Chop the vegetables. b) Mix the bread crumbs with some eggs. c) Add some salt. d) Fill the turkey with the mixture. e) Put the turkey in the oven. f) Serve the turkey with some potatoes and Brussel sprouts. WRITING 10. Write an email to Susie to tell her what you and your family do at Christmas: (Students own answers) 21
(AUDIOSCRIPTS) Part 1: Preparations 1.1.- Vocabulary and pronunciation I am Susie and I live in the UK. I m going to show you how British people celebrate Christmas. I like Christmas because it is a very special time. My family and I do a lot of things together, for example, we enjoy decorating the house. We put a Christmas tree in the living room with a shiny star on top and we also have a Nativity scene. We put tinsel and baubles of different colours all around the house and mistletoe on the front door. We receive a lot of Christmas cards and display them on the walls. I m glad that Christmas is coming! 1.3.- Matching Christmas tree Nativity scene Baubles Tinsel Star Mistletoe Stockings Christmas cards 22
1.6.- Listening I am in the attic now and I have my list. First, we need to find the Christmas tree. Now, we are looking for the baubles. Where is the Nativity scene? Oh, there it is, on that shelf. On my list I also have some mistletoe. Where is it? Oh, I can see my stockings in that old box. Very good! Here is the tinsel. Let s put it in the trolley! Umm What else do we need? Ah!! The star for the Christmas tree!! Part 2: Christmas Eve 2.1.- Vocabulary It s Christmas Eve today. We are waiting for Father Christmas. He is on his way riding his sleigh pulled by reindeer. When everybody is sleeping, he will climb down the chimney to bring us our presents. So we all get ready for Father Christmas visit. Would you like to know what we do? 2.3.- Reading and listening Would you like to know what we do? Mum and Dad decorate the house to make it nice. Mum finds a good place in the living room for the Christmas tree and the Nativity scene. Dad hangs the mistletoe on the front door and he places the star on top of the Christmas tree. Would you like to know what we do? 23
My brother Sam places the Christmas cards from our friends and family around the room. I leave some food and drink for Father Christmas and the reindeer because they work hard and get thirsty and hungry. 2.4.- Listening comprehension Mum and Dad decorate the house to make it nice. Mum finds a good place in the living room for the Christmas tree and the Nativity scene. Dad hangs the mistletoe on the front door and he places the star on top of the Christmas tree. My brother Sam places the Christmas cards from our friends and family around the room. I leave some food and drink for Father Christmas and the reindeer because they work hard and get thirsty and hungry. Part 3: Christmas Day 3.1.- Listening & Vocabulary How excited we are this morning! It s Christmas Day at last! What do we do on December 25 th? We get up early and run to find our presents under the Christmas tree. Guess what we got! Scarf Skirt Comic Racket Cup 24
Perfume Shorts Watch 3.2.- Listening comprehension Mum has got a nice skirt and some lovely perfume. She really likes them. Dad has got a warm scarf and also a new watch. He loves the watch but he prefers the scarf. Sam likes his new collection of comics. It s his favourite present but he doesn t like his baseball cap very much. I love my tennis racket but I don t really like the colour of my new shorts. I prefer blue! 3.3.- Listening comprehension How excited we are this morning! It s Christmas Day at last! What do we do on December 25 th? We get up early and run to find our presents under the Christmas tree. Guess what we got! Mum has got a nice skirt and some lovely perfume. She really likes them. Dad has got a warm scarf and also a new watch. He loves the watch but he prefers the scarf. Sam likes his new collection of comics. It s his favourite present but he doesn t like his baseball cap very much. I love my tennis racket but I don t really like the colour of my new shorts. I prefer blue! 3.5.- Recording (dialogue) Mum has got... Sam has got... 25
Dad has got... 3.7.- Vocabulary Turkey Onions Leeks Celery Bread crumbs Eggs Salt Potatoes Brussel sprouts 3.9.- Listening: recipe Chop the onions, leeks and celery. Mix them with the bread crumbs and the eggs to make the stuffing. Add some salt. Fill the clean turkey with the stuffing. Put the turkey in the oven until it s cooked. Serve the turkey with roast potatoes and Brussel sprouts. 3.10.- Listening comprehension Chop the onions, leeks and celery. Mix them with the bread crumbs and the eggs to make the stuffing. Add some salt. Fill the clean turkey with the stuffing. Put the turkey in the oven until it s cooked. Serve the turkey with roast potatoes and Brussel sprouts. 26
Part 4: Boxing Day 4.4.- Matching When do we celebrate Boxing Day? What do people do on that day? How do British people spend their time on Boxing Day? On December 26 th Only the UK celebrates Boxing Day. It s a British tradition. They visit their families and friends. They watch sports and play games. 4.6.- Pronunciation / ð / Father Mother Brother There They / θ / Thirsty 25 th 24 th 26 th Everything 4.7.- Pronunciation Everything Brother 27
They Thirsty 25th 4.8.- Recording Brother Thirsty Father They 25th 26th Mother Everything 24 th There Part 5: Our traditions 5.1.- Vocabulary Baubles Tinsel Nativity Scene Christmas tree The Three Wise Men from Orient January 6 th Presents Stroke of the clock 12 grapes 28
5.3.- Reading & Listening Hi Susie, I m writing to tell you how we celebrate Christmas in Spain. We decorate our houses with colourful baubles and tinsel and we also put a Nativity scene and a big Christmas tree. The most important Christmas days in Spain are December 24 th and 25 th. We have a family dinner on Christmas Eve. We don t get our presents on Christmas Day. We have to wait until January 6 th, when the Three Wise Men from Orient bring us the presents. 5.4.- Recording We decorate our houses with The most important Christmas days in Spain are We don t get our presents on Christmas Day. We have to wait until Another important day for us is New Year s Eve. At 12:00 at night, we 29