TA chat forum

susie · Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2006 8:08 pm Post subject: Christmas story

Taught an RE lesson this week with the learning intention 'I know the story of Chru=istmas'. Imagine my disappointment when I realised that the class knew more about Diwali the week before. They seemed to think that Christmas is presents, bells, reindeer and Santa. Only one child out of 17 could say it was when Jesus was born. The deputy head thinks that is exciting but it made me very sad. Isn't that the sort of thing children should learn at hoem before they even come to school? We are not in a deprived area, and the community is nearly 100% white christian. Crying or Very sad

summertime · Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2006 8:13 pm Post subject:

I think the problem now is that all they know about divali etc is what they learn at school but what they remember about christmas is all the hype about presents and santa and even if they are taught the meaning of it and the christmas story all the materialism out weighs the religious aspect for them

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Men are like a fine wine. They all start out like grapes, and it's our job to stomp on them and keep them in the dark until they mature into something you'd like to have dinner with.

susie · Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2006 8:16 pm Post subject:

Shouldn't we be making more effort as a Church of England primary? Confused

summertime · Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2006 8:18 pm Post subject:

what year are they

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Men are like a fine wine. They all start out like grapes, and it's our job to stomp on them and keep them in the dark until they mature into something you'd like to have dinner with.

susie · Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2006 8:20 pm Post subject:

1 and 2 although the 1's had a little more knowledge than the 2's.

summertime · Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2006 8:24 pm Post subject:

I do wonder how much influence we can have when outside school it will be all they are thinking about for weeks, and it wont be the birth of jesus occuping their thought but what the fat man will be bringing them and with all the media hype its any wonder we are fighting a loosing battle

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Men are like a fine wine. They all start out like grapes, and it's our job to stomp on them and keep them in the dark until they mature into something you'd like to have dinner with.

susie · Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2006 8:26 pm Post subject:

I agree, but it is still very sad. Next weeks lesson is about the 3 kings and explaining the first presents. Maybe I will have a bit more luck? Confused

dancingqueen · Moderator Joined: 30 Oct 2005 Posts: 42933

as a C of E primary do they go to church as a school? Mine were at a Catholic school and mass and the religious celebrations were an integral part of the school life

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susie · Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2006 8:50 pm Post subject:

We go for harvest festival, Christmas, Easter and leavers service. We have religious asemblies with the vicar once a week, with the head or deputy 3 times a week, a year group assembly once a week. Smile

Jack-of-all-Trades · prefect Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 9420 Location: england

Poor vicar s/he will be devastated.

Tiki · Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 8:07 am Post subject:

I'm suprised that by Y2 they don't know the story. Reception I could understand. I made up a large storyboard display a number of years ago that goes up on a displayboard next to the Christmas tree. It helps refresh their memories and the younger ones who can't read all the text ask whats happening.

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Accept that some days you are the pigeon and some days the statue

susie · Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 7:23 pm Post subject:

I was sur[prised too Tiki. Most of them have been with us since nursery so have already done the nativity twice and had 2 years of school input without any they may have had from home. Confused

Jack-of-all-Trades · prefect Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 9420 Location: england

Tiki what a lovely idea.We have Christmas Nativity boards in the hall.