December 2010 Blog Posts (22)

Track Santa around the world live tonight!

It's true! You can track le Père Noël tonight as he travels around the world delivering presents to all the children.



NORAD - North American Aerospace Defense Command track Santa live each year and plot his…

Christmas at Gorseville - as a huge fan of Monsieur Gorse's work, I would like to share the above movie with you - and heartily recommend you subscribe to the 'Mrgorse' channel on…

Just updating my blog today, (and thanks Jo for your ideas for links), when I came across the new improved BBC Primary Spanish and French sites. They look really promising, although still have resources to be added. Also, the original ones are closing down in early 2011 so I guess we make the most of them now while we can!…

 Another festive, fun French website to explore - le pôle nord, royaume du Père Noel.



Click on everything and discover plenty of festive games, puzzles and activities.



Have fun!…

 Another festive online game - this time from German site http://www.adventsweb.de/onlinegames/geschenkesammeln.htm that requires no language to play: simply use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move Santa from left to right to catch as many…

 German today - instructions to make festive finger puppets free from…

Christmas isn't Noel without…

 In France, there is a special meal eaten on Christmas eve - le réveillon.



It is a family meal and will include seafood including oysters and may be followed by turkey. For dessert there is b…

Just received this multilingual festive greeting from the Hampshire EMTAS team to share with you all!…

Can you count to 24 in French?

Good!

Then try this interactive advent calendar - click and count each door on the clock - but watch out for the cuckoo!…

Here is another online game from the French website fete-enfants.com that you do not need any language to be able to enjoy:



Can you rearrange the puzzle pieces to make a penguin?…

Many households in France, particularly those which are catholic, will have a 'crib' scene - a selection of figures to represent the Holy family in Bethlehem.



You can print out paper templates to colour and make your own class crib or…

La Nuit avant Noël par Clément Clarke…

Calendrier de l'avent en chansons - as featured before, this is an online advent calendar that I never tire of... Each numbered 'present' is a different carol. Simple but genius.…

'Tete a modeler' is a great site to find simple craft activites for children with step-by-step illustrated instructions that are easy enough for English children to follow.

The link below will take you to a make'n'do Father Christmas made with cones of red and white paper and some 'pinking shears' (those wavy-edged scissors, though you could just as easily skip that and use ordinary scissors.…

Here is another festive and fun site to explore from 'la poste' the French equivalent of Royal Mail.



There are recipes (atelier cuisine - recettes), decorations to make and games (atelier jeux)



Have fun exploring!…

World's Children's Christmas song:

You can find the full french lyrics and an English translation of this modern carol at…

What does your class know about how Christmas is celebrated in France, Spain or Germany?



This link will take you to the BBC Languages site and explains in English all about the many Christmas traditions in France that are quite different to how you might celebrate - or not?



Look out for the wicked character of 'le Père Foettard' who follows St Nicholas and spanks naughty children! (see picture)



Will your class be surprised by just how early Christmas…