Class, Meet Buddy the Elf

Back in my Thanksgiving blog post I mentioned how I described to the 6th grade students what my Thanksgiving looked like: family, food, football and watching the movie, Elf. And ever since that day, something was bothering me. Something big.

The kids may have never heard of Will Ferrell (which is shocking since they've seen plenty of American movies); but to not know Buddy the Elf?! It's just not right.

Besides Elf being an enjoyable Christmas movie in general, the movie almost seems like it was made for children who are learning English. It's perfect for their age (11-12 years old), funny, light-hearted and most importantly, a very easy story line to follow along.

This is what I explained to the teacher when I proposed watching Elf on our last day before Christmas break. And she was all in. I would make a worksheet for the movie, of course-but accompanied with popcorn and drinks.

Not to my surprise, the students loved the movie. They even enjoyed doing the worksheet...And after the movie, we brainstormed a list of all the American Christmas traditions they saw in the movie.

After I showed them my traditions, it was their turn to show me a little bit of theirs. The class went to the school common room, where the Three Kings were waiting. Instead of sitting on Santa's lap, in Spain the students all line up and sit on the laps of the Three Kings. Then they all got a goodie bag on the way out.

Last, we played a little Christmas trivia. Look at the lucky winners with their fun prizes! I know they'll cherish them forever...

#teaching #holiday #culture