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Christmas
From SOCEM’s The Virtues Series
SOCEM ESL Conversation Guides: Christmas Lessons
A Christmas Lesson Using the Jesus Film
[Jesus Film Lesson] – To use this lesson you will need a copy of the “Jesus” Film produced by The Genesis Project and distributed by Campus Crusade for Christ.
Knox International / Beginners’ Bible Class Christmas Lessons
the Nativity Story DVD Lessons
You will need a copy of the DVD of The Nativity Story (2006).
Student Activity Handouts
- The Nativity Story Activities Part 1
- The Nativity Story Activities Part 2
- The Nativity Story Activities Part 3
- The Nativity Story Activities Part 4
- Scene by scene script
Online Lessons – 5 Online Interactive Lessons
Miscellaneous Christmas Resources
- Christmas Symbols
- Santa Claus is coming to town!
- Saint Nicholas
- The Visit of the Magi
- Christmas Carol Sheet with Scripture
- Christmas party mixer activity
- Christmas party activity – Scavenger Hunt
- A Humble Christmas (reading lesson)
- Christmas Conversation Exercise
- Christmas lesson 1, Lesson 2, Lesson 3
External Links
- Christmas idioms
- Christmas vocabulary
- Christmas jokes
- Christmas quotes
- Links to 20 Famous Christmas Stories
- Free Christian scripts (scroll down to find Christmas)
Easter
Lessons Based on Magdalena: Released from Shame
Lesson based on Magdalena – Magdalena is an adaptation of the Jesus Film specifically for women. These Easter lessons are suitable for both men and women as the segments used focus on the Easter story. The first sheet is a sheet with pictures and descriptions of symbols of Easter, and students match the words with the pictures. The next is a conversation sheet from the SOCEM Conversation guides which introduces some of the traditions associated with Easter. The third is the story of Good Friday from Magdalena, and the last sheet is the story of Easter Sunday.
The segments you will need to show from the DVD are chapter 14 (59:10) and chapter 16 (1:07) The sheets have lessons that include filling in the missing words from the movie, discussion questions and vocabulary exercises.
Easter Lessons Based on the Gospel of John Film (2003)
Lessons based on Gospel of John Film – Two lessons for Easter based on The Gospel of John DVD (2003) starring Henry Ian Cusick and narrated by Christopher Plummer.
An Easter Conversation Guide
Resurrection Eggs
One SOCEM teacher has used the commercially made ‘dozen eggs’ children’s tool to teach the Easter Story to her students. Each of the 12 ‘egg’ cups in the egg carton contains a small symbol from the Biblical account eg. a stone to represent the stone rolled over the tomb; a wine cup; a piece of rope, etc. All these are presented in a certain order and can be used with or without the reading of the appropriate scripture, depending on the group you are teaching.
These kits can be made at home or usually purchased at a Christian bookstore.
Movie and Discussion: “The Passion: the Last Days of Christ”
Consider watching and discussing the movie “The Passion – The Last Days of Christ” (not the Mel Gibson movie – it’s part of The Visual Bible series with Bruce Marchiano playing Jesus). The video runs for 45 minutes. The movie divides the last days of Jesus into six parts – The Triumphant Entry, The Last Supper, The Garden, The Betrayal, The Crucifixion and The Resurrection. Play each section and then pause to discuss what had happened.
This 2 page handout of discussion questions was developed by one of our teachers.
Valentine’s Day
The Virtues: Love and Valentine’s Day lessons
Lessons – Readings, including from the Bible; discussion questions, quotes and other activities.
External Resources
- Great conversation starters: http://justmytype.ca/definition-of-love-as-told-by-children/
- Excellent reading on the history and customs of Valentine’s Day, with glossary: http://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/valentinesday.pdf
- A reading with lots of accompanying activities: http://www.eslholidaylessons.com/02/valentines_day.pdf
- Conversation questions: http://iteslj.org/questions/valentine.html
- Vocabulary and writing activities for lower level: http://bogglesworldesl.com/valentines_day_worksheets.htm
- Low beginner material on pp 5-6: http://www.bestofthereader.ca/Ebooks/Holidays-print.pdf
Seasonal Activity Ideas
Fall
- Thanksgiving – skit, Powerpoint presentation of Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving games, special pumpkin tarts and whipped cream for refreshments, etc.
- Remembrance Day – interviews with war vets, attending police choir with seniors, history of the war presentation, observation of 2 minute silence with the playing of the trumpet, etc.
Winter
- Christmas – Party, Nativity movie night with discussion, games, singing, Christmas lights tour with the seniors
- Chinese New Year – students present their games and traditions and share their special food with us for a luncheon
Spring
- Easter – visit an Easter play or music concert
- April Fool’s Day – jokes on students and explanation of the day
- Victoria Day – quizzes, history of Queen Victoria
Summer
- Canada Day – BBQ, old fashioned picnic with games and prizes
- Visit to Fish Farm (owned by one of our past teachers)
- Hiking
- Berry or fruit picking
- If you’re in Toronto, a trip to Centre Island
Other ideas
- Baking or cooking night (see resources for <baking muffins> and <making pizza>)
- Art displays by students in seniors’ events
- Nursing home visit
- A list of even more seasonal resources