Materials for the lesson

Phase 1. a4 papers written with different words that are representing different traditions in the country.

For example in Sweden; christmas, easter, and midsummer. Then there also needs to be words connected to these traditions, example tree (that becomes christmas-tree), wreath (midsummer-wreath) and egg (easter-egg) and so on. All different words must be able to be put either before or after the words christmas, easter, or midsummer.

Layout of the classroom

The classroom is empty to move freely.

Phase 1

The students stand in the circle. The teacher puts all the a4 papers with the blank side up in the middle of the circle. The teacher asks the students to run to the middle of the circle when he/she says ‘go and pick one paper’.

The students try to find a partner to stand together with, so that they can form a double word with Christmas, Easter or midsummer. When each student stands next to a partner, they will have 20 seconds to build these two words together.

Example: Christmas Tree or Easter egg.

Phase 2

The students come to the circle again and run to the middle to get the new paper. Every one should keep their paper. The teacher creates three groups, the one with Christmas words together and the same with Easter and midsummer.

The three groups have 15 minutes to create a story/role-play with their words in it. The teacher goes between the different groups so that the discussion goes well and also making sure nobody is left out. The story/role-play to improvise should be short.

 Phase 3

Each group makes a performance for the other groups. At the end of each performance the teacher asks the audience to guess which words have been in the performance.

Tips to the teacher: To make everyone feel comfortable on stage make sure everyone is quiet when the others are performing. Also do applause and be generally supportive of each other to create a good atmosphere.

Phase 4

When the performance is done the teacher asks the class to sit in a circle. All the students one by one recall a memory from Christmas, Easter or midsummer. It is voluntarily. Those who would like to talk about other traditions such as Ramadan etc. it is welcome.

The teacher can also tell the students about the history of the tradition and also if there is some of the words that have been modernised over the years.