Christmas Hats An afternoon of Design Technology with French. Sarah Elmer Cedarwood Primary School

Each year at Cedarwood Primary School the children make a hat to wear for the Christmas lunch. Often the theme of the hat is linked to a topic the children have been learning about, but also links to Christmas. This year the children in Class 3EH made a hat with a French theme. The children learnt about French Christmas traditions, compared activities in France with activities in the UK and used a French children’s website to follow instructions to make their hat. The main part of this activity could be covered in one half day session, although there are many opportunities to extend the activity as the children discover new facts and information. Introduction

Other To learn about celebrations in other parts of the world..(RE) To practise folding. (DT) To practise cutting. (DT) To use a dictionary. (Literacy) Objectives French To learn the names of classroom equipment. To become familiar and confident with using the names of the classroom equipment. To learn common phrases for classroom instructions. To become familiar and confident with using common phrases for classroom instructions. To recognise some words in written form. To write simple words.

Thin card Scissors Pencil Coloured pencils Staplers Instruction sheet Collage materials Websites as mentioned in text Resources

Starter Write Christmas in the centre of the board. Children to add as many words as possible linked to Christmas. Ideas could include things we use at Christmas, food we eat at Christmas and other ideas that are specific to Christmas in their homes. Use colour to record different categories of words. If children mention items linked to Christmas in a different country e.g. lebkuchen, discuss this. Lesson Sequence

Lesson part 1 Discuss what it is that makes Christmas for us. What are the traditions in the UK? Use a website to show the children traditions in France. Look at language for Christmas items and activities. Discuss differences and similarities between Christmas in UK and in France. What are we doing to get ready for Christmas? What might children in France be doing to get ready for Christmas?

Look at websites aimed at children in France and discuss activities. If possible, allow children to explore and play games. Discuss pictures, language as necessary. Extension activity: write a letter to Father Christmas in French. Compare structure of letter in French with structure of letter in English. Remind children of known phrases eg. Je m’appelle… Some children could use dictionaries to look up items they would like.

Lesson part 2 Show children website which gives French children ideas about things to make for Christmas. Look at instructions for different activities. Compare features of instructions with features of instructions in English. Show children instruction sheet Ribambelle de Noël. Look for words that are similar to English words. Talk through instructions. Guide children through instructions using French words for equipment.

Discuss how the children could decorate their hat. Use symbols that relate to Christmas in France. Tell children that Joyeux Noël means Happy Christmas and suggest writing that on hats.

Outcomes