Skyping with Marcel

We have been learning about Christmas all around the world over the passed 2 weeks. One of the most interesting countries to the kids was Germany. I just happen to have a very special friend from Germany! I asked him if he would Skype with our class and let each student ask him questions about Christmas time (and other times) in Germany! He even sang to us “Happy Birthday” in German! This was SO MUCH FUN. This was our first time Skyping in class. I think we will be trying this again in the future!

 

Here are some interesting things we learned:

• In Germany, the kids place out their shoes by the door for Santa to leave treats instead of stockings!
• They hide a pickle in the middle of the tree, and the first one to find it gets to open presents first!
• Christmas Eve is December 6th
• Instead of coal for naught kids, they get spanked with a rod.
• A lot of traditions we know come from Germany! The most famous is the Tannenbaum, or Christmas Tree!
• Gingerbread people and homes are another tradition from Germany! One of the most famous examples is in the German story “Hansel and Gretel”.

Thanks Marcel for taking time to share with our class!!