Unit 3 Lesson 4 Christmas
Ⅰ.Objectives：
To read a narrative text and understand the story.
To build up an area of vocabulary associated with Christmas.
To practise collocations with have, do and play.
To talk about childhood memories.
Ⅱ.Warm up ：
several days ago we learned Chinese Seasonal Festivals today we shall read an article about western festivals—Christmas
I think we are familiar with Christmas. On mentioning Christmas we naturally think of lots of words about Christmas. Can you tell me?
Background A traditional British Christmas includes: in the morning looking into the stockings hung the night before to find out what presents Father Christmas has left; at lunchtime a big meal with turkey, Christmas pudding (a heavy, sweet pudding containing a lot of dried fruit and often covered with burning brandy or brandy butter) served hot. Paper crackers containing paper hats, novelties and jokes are pulled after the meal. Most families decorate the house with paper garlands, balloons, holly and mistletoe and have a real or artificial fir tree decorated with lights.
Ⅲ.
Lead-in: show a piece of music and ask Ss what the music remind you of?
Pre-reading：using some pictures to tell the things western people have at Christmas
balloons, Christmas carols, Christmas pudding, Christmas tree, snow, snowmen, Christmas stockings, presents
Ⅳ.Reading:
1. Listen to the text. Which Key Words are mentioned? Circle them out. Which other Christmas things are mentioned? Make a list.
Answers:
Father Christmas calendar Christmas cards Christmas lights
carol service Christmas tree decorations balloons stockings
presents sweets turkey Christmas pudding paper hats
Queen’s speech Christmas cake
Do exercise:
1. Match the words with English definitions.
2.What’s the main idea of each paragraph?
Para. 1 the beginning of Christmas
Para. 2 decorations outside
Para. 3 activities on Christmas Eve
Para. 4 activities on Christmas morning
Para.5 activities after lunch
3. Memories of Christmas
Before Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve
On Christmas day
Ⅴ.Discussion：Discuss in groups and compare the differences between Christmas and the Spring Festival.
Tell some information about Chinese’s Spring Festival, ask Ss think carefully the differences between Christmas in western and Spring Festival in Chinese.
春节 The Spring Festival 正月 lunar January
the first month by lunar calendar 除夕 New Year's Eve
eve of lunar New Year 初一 the beginning of New Year
红 包：red packets cash wrapped up in red paper，symbolize fortune and wealth in the coming year
压岁钱：gift money money given to children as a lunar New Year gift
Ⅵ.Post reading:
Answer the multiple-choice questions.
1 Who do you think reads the children’s letters?
a) Father Christmas b) their parents c) nobody
2 What do you think people do in a carol service?
a) sing songs b) give presents c) watch a play
3 What happened on Christmas Eve?
a) The writer stayed awake all night.
b) Someone put presents in his stocking.
c) The writer saw Father Christmas.
Complete the table with these words:
tea, the piano, your homework, a shower, cards, a (snowball) fight, a party, the washing-up, lunch, the shopping
have
do
play
a shower
a (snowball) fight,
a party,
lunch
tea
your homework,
the washing-up,
the shopping
The piano,
cards
Ⅶ.Homework: Writing and Speaking
Make notes about your childhood memories of an important festival.
People: family? Good friends?
Preparations: decorations? Invitations?
Presents: what? Who for? Make/buy?
Food: meals? Special food/drink?
Activities: music? Dancing? A long walk?
Your feelings: happy? Sad?
