French Christmas


Task:
Find out about some French Christmas Traditions - present your findings in a powerpoint or poster.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Santa Claus is known as le Père Noël. In some parts they celebrate the feast day of St Nicolas on the 6th.

St Nicolas has a helper le Père Fouettard.

In the city of Lyon there is a Festival of Lights known as La Fête des Lumières.

In Provence it's traditional to display a nativity scene (une crèche) which always includes a figure called le ravi.

Instead of a stocking hung by the fire, French children use a shoe (Le soulier de Noël).

On the 6th of January (L' Épiphanie) they traditionally eat King's Cake (La galette des Rois).

In Quebec, Canada (where French is the main language) it's so cold that every year they can build an Ice Hotel - where even the beds are made of ice! They also have a Winter Carnival (Carnaval de Québec) complete with a mascot called Bonhomme.

More information:
https://www.thelocal.fr/galleries/culture/christmas-in-france-top-ten-traditions
https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/holidays-christmas/christmas-traditions-around-the-world-ga5.htm
https://frenchmoments.eu/the-french-traditions-of-christmas-les-traditions-francaises-de-noel/
https://www.frenchtoday.com/blog/french-culture/french-xmas-vocabulary-christmas-traditions-france

German Christmas


Task:
Find out about some German Christmas Traditions - present your findings in a powerpoint or poster.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Is that you Santa Claus? 
There are four different names given to Santa Claus in Germany depending on where you live. He is called Weihnachtsmann, Nickel, Klaus, or Niglo.

Many Germans celebrate Nikolaustag (St. Nicolas Day) on the 6th of December.

If you fancy a bit of history have a look at:
Belsnickel - an older fur glad gift bringer who is said to be the inspiration for the Father Christmas described in the classic Christmas poem 'A Visit from St Nicolas'.

If you fancy a bit of creepy Christmas fun have a look for:
Knecht Ruprecht - St. Nicolas's Helper in Germany
Krampus - St. Nicolas's Helper in Austria

Food Glorious Food
Just like in the UK food forms an important part of the festivities. For example on Christmas Eve, there's an evening feast, generally of carp and potato salad.

das Christbaumgebäck - German Christmas tree pastry
der Lebkuchen, ginger spice cookies
der Dresdner Stollen, a moist, heavy bread filled with fruit and marzipan.


More Information
https://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/germany.shtml
http://www.vistawide.com/german/christmas/german_christmas_traditions.htm
https://www.german-way.com/history-and-culture/holidays-and-celebrations/christmas/


5 Things to help you read for school

Photo from D Sharon Pruitt

1. Limit distractions
Your environment matters so hide the technology away or sit away from it. Ask yourself if listening to music really helps you focus. If it does you might want to consider what type of music helps you most.  Where are you reading? If you are lying in bed is that more likely to make you sleep than sitting at a desk?

2. Have a pen and paper handy
As you read make a note of questions you want to check or thoughts you have. Then once you've done your reading go through your notes and look up anything you wanted to check.

3. Get comfy
You are reading for a wee while so be prepared for that. Use a comfy chair or a cushion and have a drink and snack on hand. You could even reward yourself with a little treat for reading each paragraph or similar (just be careful not to use eating as a distraction).

4. Talk about it
Once you've done your reading find someone to talk to about what you've been reading. Having the chance to discuss what you've read can help you better understand what you've been reading.

5. Don't give up.
Like any skill reading for study takes practice, keep at and you will soon find you will be able to read for longer periods of time without loosing focus.


8 Modern Fairy Tales

Fairy Tales aren't a thing of the past modern authors are creating their own from the Harry Potter to the novels of Terry Pratchett there are lots to choose from. So to help you out here are 8 we recommend:

1. The Princess Bride by Willam Goldman

2. An Accident of Stars by Foz Meadows

3. Tithe by Holly Black

4. Stardust by Neil Gaiman

5. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

6. The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly

7. Princess Princess by Katie O'Neill
(you can read the webcomic online or buy her book)

8. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale


For more ideas head into to the JYHS Library or the Lanthorn Library.

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