German Christmas Song - Kling Glöckchen

Here's another 'earworm' Christmas song: "Kling Glöckchen Klingelingeling" (ring little bell) sung by Michelle to get you into the Christmas mood! I'm sure you can sing along after the first listening!

Chinese Y7 Taster Lessons - Bejing Opera Masks

Over the past few weeks, Year 7 classes at Tomlinscote have had the opportunity to participate in taster Chinese classes. Apart from learning some basic language, they also found out about Chinese culture, for example about the Bejing Opera Masks:

Then they were allowed to make their own masks. 

Here is a selection of their best work!  It is very obvious that the children put a lot of effort in their masks! Well done!

These are the best masks from 7Q

Masks from 7H

more masks from 7H

Kings and Queens of Bejing Opera Masks from 7P

Here is a fascinating video of the Bejing Opera masks in action!

 and another video of Bejing Opera - 
watch the fight scenes and acrobatics!

Traditional Christmas in Spain -part 1 (in English)

Traditional Christmas in Spain. Part I

(in English)

On the 22nd of December is the National Christmas LOTTERY draw.

If you win “el Gordo” , you receive the top prize of four million Euros!! The second prize is 1.2 millions. Because the tickets are so expensive, many people only buy 'a tenth', which still costs 20 Euros, and for which the  top prize is 400.000€. 
Certainly enough for a big party!

Therefore, in all Spanish families, there is always someone who buys a lottery ticket.

  There are some special lottery shops that are supposed to bring good luck. Like ‘doña Manolita’ in calle del Carmen, nº 22 in Madrid (which is the Spanish city which has won most often). If you want to buy a ticket here, you will have to wait in a long queue, but who knows, it could be you who wins the top prize!

This is how our Chrismas begins.

The Spanish Christmas season lasts from 24 December to 7 January. Although, like in many other countries, shops start to put up decorations before, as a marketing strategy.

One of the most important Christmas traditions in Spain are los dulces, or the SWEETS. There are a lot of varieties, and each region has different types of Christmas sweets.

My favorite are TURRONES (a type of nougat) and chocolates. 

When it is really cold, we usually buy roasted chestnut in the street. Or we go to any chocolateria to drink a cup of good dark hot chocolate.

One of the oldest chocolaterías in Madrid is ‘SAN GINÉS’, established in 1894. It is in the old city centre, in the passage San Ginés. It is one of the most popular and touristic places for eating chocolate con churros. I love their chocolate! If you visit Madrid, do not forget to go there. Another good chocolateria is called 'Chocolatería “Valor”.

Useful Spanish Websites

If you are searching for a trustworthy online dictionary for your Spanish studies, look no further:

Natalia, our Spanish assistant recommends these:

Diccionario del periodico El Pais
http://servicios.elpais.com/diccionarios/  
English - Spanish dictionary of a popular and reputable Spanish newspaper.

Diccionario de la Real Academia Española
http://www.rae.es/rae.html  
(for experts: Spanish-Spanish dictionary created by the Spanish Royal Academy, -a bit like the Oxford English Dictionary here)

Diccionario de distintos tipos de español. Gramatica y normas de su uso.
http://www.wikilengua.org/index.php/Portada 
Grammar explanations, verb tables, typical use, everything you might want to know about Spanish - in Spanish, though.

Crucigramas
http://www.laspalabras.net/ 
help with Spanish crosswords...

Traditional Christmas in Spain (part1)

Las NAVIDADES tradicionales en España

Traditional Christmas in Spain. Part I.

22 de Diciembre. LOTTERY. Sorteo nacional de La  LOTERÍA de Navidad.

Si te toca “el Gordo” ganas el premio máximo de =4.000.000€ por serie. El segundo premio =1.200.000€ por serie. Y si compras un décimo y te toca, ganarás 400.000€ por décimo. ¡Serán tus mejores fiestas!

Por eso en todas las familias españolas siempre hay alguien que compra lotería.

Y hay algunas administraciones (tiendas) de lotería que dan buena suerte. Como ‘doña Manolita’ en la calle del Carmen, nº 22, Madrid (ciudad más premiada de España). Para comprar un décimo aquí, tendrás que esperar una larga fila, pero, quién sabe, puede que te toque.

Traditional spot of the Lottery in Spain. 'El Calvo' is 'the bald man' that represents Good Luck in the Lottery. This spot and, especially, the song is traditional on Spanish Christmas.

Así comienzan nuestras Navidades.

Las Navidades en España se celebran del 24 de Diciembre al 7 de Enero. Aunque, como en muchos países, los comercios comienzan mucho antes a decorar sus establecimientos como estrategia de marketing.

Una de las tradiciones navideñas más importantes en España son los dulces (SWEETS). Hay muchas variedades, e incluso, hay dulces navideños típicos de cada región.

Mis preferidos son los TURRONES y los bombones. 

Cuando hace frío, se suele comprar castañas asadas en algún puesto de la calle. O entrar en una chocolatería a tomar una rica taza de chocolate caliente.

Una de las chocolaterías más antiguas de Madrid es ‘SAN GINÉS’, se fundó en 1894. Está situada en el centro de la capital, en el pasadizo de San Ginés. Es uno de los sitios más populares y turísticos para tomar chocolate con churros o porras. ¡Me encanta su chocolate! Si visitáis Madrid, no olvidéis pasar por ahí. Otra chocolatería buena es la de “Valor”.

POLVORONES: son como galletas anchas que se desmenuzan en la boca y se convierten en polvo con sabor a almendras, vainilla y canela.

Roscón de Reyes (Rosca en Sudamérica): es una rosca que puede estar rellena de nata y cubierta de frutas en almíbar. Se come en el Día de Los Reyes Magos, el 6 de Enero.

:D Si lo comes y al masticar te encuentras con una figura o juguete ‘coronado y rey o reina serás’, no tendrás que pagar el roscón y tendrás buena suerte el año nuevo.

:C Pero si lo comes y masticas un haba seca… ¡ohh ohh! ¡Te toca pagar el roscón de todos!

Turrón: dulce que viene de los árabes. Se hace con almendras, miel y caramelo. Es típico comerlo en Navidades. Hay 3 tipos: el turrón blando, el más popular es el de Jijona. El duro, el más típico es de Alicante. Y el turrón de chocolate. 

MAZAPÁN: es un dulce navideño hecho con almendras y huevo. El mejor es el de Toledo.

Todos estos dulces españoles suelen ser de muy buena calidad y los mejores son los artesanales. Pero hay mucha más variedad.

by Natalia Ordoñez, our Spanish assistant

International Christmas traditions

In which country do you find a 'Stille Nacht Society' which makes sure that the Christmas carol Silent Night does not get used for commercial purposes?

In which country does 'Sinterklaas' celebrate his birthday on the 5th of December by giving presents to all the children?

Where does the head of the household throw a spoonful of sticky food at the ceiling to predict next year's crop?

And where would you find a Christmas cake made to look like a log?

If you are interested in Christmas customs from all over the world, follow this link to the website by the German embassy to find an advent calendar with fascinating facts about the weird and wonderful traditions our European neighbours have!

http://www.germanembassyadventcalendar.org/#

Advent - German wreaths and advent decorations

Did you know that today is the first advent Sunday?

Many families have an advent wreath. In the UK, these symbols of December and the countdown to Christmas are mostly hung on the front door. But in Germany, while there are many wreaths on doors, most families will also have one Adventskranz lying flat on a table in the living room with four candles on top.
One the first advent Sunday, one candles gets lit, one the second, two, and so on, until on the last Sunday before Christmas all candles are burning.

Florists sell very elaborate and beautiful versions of these wreaths, which go by the fashion ranging from traditional Christmas tree branches and red candles, to brown woven sticks with white glitter.

Here is a fantastic little overview of what the Bau und Gartencenter Eberhardt, in 36208 Wildeck Obersuhl
has to offer in their range of advent decorations! 

and here is a video of how to make an advent wreath out of old Christmas baubles...
Enjoy and get into the festive spirit!

Student of the Month - November 2012

Frau Savochkin has nominated this month's Student of the Month!

It is Alana Scott in 7K  who deserves this recognition for her hard work and the incredible accuracy of her German.

Wunderbar!

A further special mention goes to  
Jack Elliott & Michael Kelliher in Frau Savochkin's year 8 group, who both work incredibly hard.
Ausgezeichnet !