The Reading / Listening - Santa Claus - Level 3

Scientists from Oxford University in the UK believe they have found a bone that belonged to Santa Claus. The real name of Santa Claus is St Nicholas. He was a Christian holy man who lived in the 4th century in what is now Turkey. He died in the year 343. There are stories that he created many miracles, which is why the Christian church made him a saint. The scientists said the bone is from when St Nicholas lived. An archaeologist said: "This bone…suggests that we could possibly be looking at remains from St Nicholas himself." St Nicholas is the saint of children and students. There are stories that he secretly gave presents to poor people. This is the story behind today's Santa Claus.

Santa Claus has other names. His name can be shortened to Santa. In many countries, he is called Father Christmas. He is a legendary character who brings presents to the homes of well-behaved children on the evening of the 24th of December (Christmas Eve). Badly-behaved children get a piece of coal. He delivers the presents on a sleigh, which is pulled through the air by his flying reindeer. Santa Claus is usually seen as an over-weight, happy, smiling man with a white beard. He wears a red coat with a white fur collar and cuffs, red trousers, a black leather belt and black boots. He lives in the North Pole, where he has a toy-making workshop. Children today can track his Christmas Eve journey online.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Santa Claus - Level 0,  Santa Claus - Level 1   or  Santa Claus - Level 2

Sources
    http://www.
  • bbc.com
    • /news/education-42239197 https://www.
  • christiantoday.com
    • /article/is-this-father-christmass-pelvic-bone-quite-possibly/120672.htm https://en.
  • wikipedia.org
    • /wiki/Santa_Claus


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. SANTA CLAUS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Santa Claus. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

       scientists / universities / bone / holy / miracles / saint / children / presents / poor /
       name / legendary / character / well-behaved / beard / the North Pole / workshop

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. SANTA: Students A strongly believe Santa is a good thing to have in the world; Students B strongly believe it isn't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. CHRISTMAS: How can we make Christmas better? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What happens now?

How could it be better?

The true meaning

 

 

Presents

 

 

Food

 

 

Places of worship

 

 

Charity

 

 

Peace

 

 
MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. BONE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "bone". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. PRESENTS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best presents at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • a watch
  • movie tickets
  • a pen
  • socks
  • a book
  • chocolates
  • perfume / cologne
  • an iTunes card

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. scientists a. Was the property of someone.
      2. belonged b. A period of one hundred years.
      3. holy c. People who study or have expert knowledge of things like biology, physics, chemistry, etc.
      4. century d. A person who a church decided did something amazingly special and great, usually after their death.
      5. miracles e. An amazing and great event that no one can explain or no one can do.
      6. saint f. A person's body after his/her death.
      7. remains g. Strongly connected to God or to a religious reason.

    Paragraph 2

      8. shortened h. An act of traveling from one place to another.
      9. legendary i. Brings and gives something (e.g. a letter, parcel, Amazon order, etc.) to someone.
      10. well-behaved j. A large deer that lives in the far north and snowy areas of Europe and North America. They are famous for pulling Santa Claus through the sky at Christmas.
      11. delivers k. Made or became shorter.
      12. reindeer l. Of, described, or based on a popular story from the past.
      13. fur m. The short, fine, soft hair that covers some animals. Companies sometimes use this to make coats.
      14. journey n. Acting in a way that other people think is good and polite.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. Scientists from Oxford University found the body of Santa Claus.     T / F
  2. Santa Claus came from a real saint called Nicholas.     T / F
  3. St Nicholas lived in an area where Finland is now.     T / F
  4. St Nicholas is the saint of students.     T / F
  5. Another name for Santa Claus is Father Christmas.     T / F
  6. If children do not behave, Santa brings them coal.     T / F
  7. Santa Claus always wears a white leather belt.     T / F
  8. Santa Claus lives in the South Pole in his toy-making workshop.     T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. believe
  2. holy
  3. miracles
  4. remains
  5. presents
  6. shortened
  7. legendary
  8. air
  9. track
  10. journey
  1. gifts
  2. mythical
  3. body
  4. religious
  5. follow
  6. sky
  7. think
  8. reduced
  9. trip
  10. wonders

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. they have found a bone
  2. a Christian holy man who
  3. There are stories that he
  4. he secretly gave
  5. This is the story
  6. His name can
  7. brings presents to the homes
  8. Badly-behaved children
  9. He wears a red coat with
  10. in the North Pole, where he
  1. behind today's Santa Claus
  2. created many miracles
  3. has a toy-making workshop
  4. of well-behaved children
  5. that belonged to Santa Claus
  6. a white fur collar and cuffs
  7. be shortened to Santa
  8. presents to poor people
  9. get a piece of coal
  10. lived in the 4th century

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
century
saint
behind
believe
miracles
secretly
real
possibly

Scientists from Oxford University in the UK (1) ____________ they have found a bone that belonged to Santa Claus. The (2) ____________ name of Santa Claus is St Nicholas. He was a Christian holy man who lived in the 4th (3) ____________ in what is now Turkey. He died in the year 343. There are stories that he created many (4) ____________, which is why the Christian church made him a (5) ____________. The scientists said the bone is from when St Nicholas lived. An archaeologist said: "This bone…suggests that we could (6) ____________ be looking at remains from St Nicholas himself." St Nicholas is the saint of children and students. There are stories that he (7) ____________ gave presents to poor people. This is the story (8) ____________ today's Santa Claus.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
fur
shortened
track
behaved
legendary
seen
pulled
piece

Santa Claus has other names. His name can be (9) ____________ to Santa. In many countries, he is called Father Christmas. He is a (10) ____________ character who brings presents to the homes of well-(11) ____________ children on the evening of the 24th of December (Christmas Eve). Badly-behaved children get a (12) ____________ of coal. He delivers the presents on a sleigh, which is (13) ____________ through the air by his flying reindeer. Santa Claus is usually (14) ____________ as an over-weight, happy, smiling man with a white beard. He wears a red coat with a white (15) ____________ collar and cuffs, red trousers, a black leather belt and black boots. He lives in the North Pole, where he has a toy-making workshop. Children today can (16) ____________ his Christmas Eve journey online.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Scientists from Oxford University in the UK believe they ______ bone
     a.  have fond a
     b.  have fund a
     c.  have found a
     d.  have founder

2)  He was a Christian holy man who lived in the 4th century in ______ Turkey
     a.  what is know
     b.  what is known
     c.  what is now
     d.  what is not

3)  he created many miracles, which is why the Christian church ______ saint
     a.  made him a
     b.  made him one
     c.  made him that
     d.  made him be

4) This bone suggests that we could possibly be looking at remains from ______
     a.  St Nicholas itself
     b.  St Nicholas themself
     c.  St Nicholas his self
     d.  St Nicholas himself

5)  he secretly gave presents to poor people. This is the story ______ Santa Claus
     a.  beyond today's
     b.  behest today's
     c.  behind today's
     d.  before today's

6)  Santa Claus has other names. His name can ______ Santa
     a.  be short and to
     b.  be shortened to
     c.  be short end to
     d.  be short add to

7)  He is a legendary character who brings presents to the homes of ______ children
     a.  well-behaved
     b.  well be-halved
     c.  well behavior
     d.  well-behaves

8)  Badly-behaved children get ______ coal
     a.  a piece of
     b.  up piece of
     c.  app ease of
     d.  appease of

9)  He delivers the presents on a sleigh, which is pulled through the air ______ reindeer
     a.  buy his flying
     b.  by his flying
     c.  by his fly in
     d.  buy his fly in

10)  He lives in the North Pole, where he has a ______ workshop
     a.  toy make in
     b.  toy may king
     c.  toy-make king
     d.  toy-making

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Scientists from Oxford University in the UK believe they (1) ___________________ bone that belonged to Santa Claus. The real name of Santa Claus is St Nicholas. He was a Christian (2) ___________________ lived in the 4th century in (3) ___________________ Turkey. He died in the year 343. There are stories that he created many miracles, which is why the Christian church made (4) ___________________. The scientists said the bone is from when St Nicholas lived. An archaeologist said: "This bone…suggests that we could possibly (5) ___________________ remains from St Nicholas himself." St Nicholas is the saint of children and students. There are stories (6) ___________________ gave presents to poor people. This is the story behind today's Santa Claus.

Santa Claus has other names. His name can (7) ___________________ Santa. In many countries, he is called Father Christmas. He is a legendary character who brings presents to (8) ___________________ well-behaved children on the evening of the 24th of December (Christmas Eve). Badly-behaved children get (9) ___________________ coal. He delivers the presents on a sleigh, which is pulled through the air (10) ___________________ reindeer. Santa Claus is usually seen as an over-weight, happy, smiling man with a white beard. He wears a red coat with a (11) ___________________ and cuffs, red trousers, a black leather belt and black boots. He lives in the North Pole, where he has a toy-making workshop. Children today (12) ___________________ Christmas Eve journey online.

Comprehension questions

  1. What university are the scientists from?
  2. What century did St Nicholas live in?
  3. Why did the Christian church make Nicholas a saint?
  4. Who is St Nicholas the saint of?
  5. According to stories, who did St Nicholas give presents to?
  6. What is another two-word name for Santa Claus?
  7. What present do Badly-behaved children get?
  8. What does Santa Claus use to deliver his presents?
  9. Where does Santa Claus live?
  10. What can children track on Christmas Eve?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What university are the scientists from?
a) Helsinki University
b) Jerusalem University
c) Oxford University
d) Cambridge University

2) What century did St Nicholas live in?
a) the 4th century
b) the 6th century
c) the 8th century
d) the 10th century

3) Why did the Christian church make Nicholas a saint?
a) he created many miracles
b) for making toys
c) he invented a religion
d) he loved children

4) Who is St Nicholas the saint of?
a) teachers and parents
b) children and students
c) children and parents
d) students and teachers

5) According to stories, who did St Nicholas give presents to?
a) badly-behaved children
b) other saints
c) his friends
d) poor people

6) What is another two-word name for Santa Claus?
a) Father Claus
b) Father Christmas
c) Mister Christmas
d) Saint Christmas

7) What present do badly-behaved children get?
a) coal
b) cheese
c) a stone
d) water

8) What does Santa Claus use to deliver his presents?
a) the post office
b) a carriage
c) a sleigh
d) a donkey

9) Where does Santa Claus live?
a) the South Pole
b) the Holy Land
c) Siberia
d) the North Pole

10) What can children track on Christmas Eve?
a) Santa's journey
b) their pocket money
c) snow
d) a news story

Role play

Role  A – Movie Tickets

You think movie tickets would be the best present. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their presents. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these presents (and why): chocolates, an iTunes card or a watch.

Role  B – Chocolates

You think chocolates would be the best present. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their presents. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these presents (and why): movie tickets, an iTunes card or a watch.

Role  C – An iTunes Card

You think an iTunes card would be the best present. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their presents. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these presents (and why): chocolates, movie tickets or a watch.

Role  D – A Watch

You think a watch would be the best present. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their presents. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these presents (and why):  chocolates, an iTunes card or movie tickets.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'bone'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'Christmas'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • other
    • character
    • coal
    • air
    • fur
    • track
    • believe
    • 4th
    • miracles
    • suggests
    • students
    • behind

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Scientists find a bone from Santa Claus

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'saint'?
    3. What do you know of Oxford University?
    4. What do you think of Santa Claus?
    5. Should parents make children believe in Santa Claus?
    6. How big is this news?
    7. What do you know about saints?
    8. What would it be like to be an archaeologist?
    9. What would a saint of children do?
    10. Have you ever given or received a secret present?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'bone'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Which is the better name – Santa Claus or Father Christmas?
    5. Why is Santa usually seen as white?
    6. Were you a well-behaved child?
    7. What's the best present you've ever received?
    8. What do you think of the clothes that Santa wears?
    9. Would you like to visit Santa's toy-making workshop?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Santa Claus?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    Scientists from Oxford University in the UK believe they have (1) ____ a bone that belonged to Santa Claus. The (2) ____ name of Santa Claus is St Nicholas. He was a Christian holy man who lived (3) ____ the 4th century in what is now Turkey. He died in the year 343. There are stories that he created many (4) ____, which is why the Christian church made him a saint. The scientists said the bone is from when St Nicholas lived. An archaeologist said: "This bone…suggests that we could (5) ____ be looking at remains from St Nicholas himself." St Nicholas is the saint of children and students. There are stories that he secretly gave presents to poor people. This is the story (6) ____ today's Santa Claus.

    Santa Claus has (7) ____ names. His name can be shortened to Santa. In many countries, he is called Father Christmas. He is a (8) ____ character who brings presents to the homes of well-behaved children on the evening of the 24th of December (Christmas Eve). Badly-behaved children get a (9) ____ of coal. He delivers the presents on a sleigh, which is (10) ____ through the air by his flying reindeer. Santa Claus is usually seen as an over-weight, happy, smiling man with a white beard. He wears a red coat with a white (11) ____ collar and cuffs, red trousers, a black leather belt and black boots. He lives in the North Pole, where he has a toy-making workshop. Children today can (12) ____ his Christmas Eve journey online.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     finding     (b)     found     (c)     founded     (d)     funded    
    2. (a)     realism     (b)     real     (c)     really     (d)     reality    
    3. (a)     on     (b)     at     (c)     to     (d)     in    
    4. (a)     miraculous     (b)     miracles     (c)     miracle     (d)     miraculously    
    5. (a)     possible     (b)     possibilities     (c)     possibility     (d)     possibly    
    6. (a)     in front of     (b)     next to     (c)     behind     (d)     above    
    7. (a)     other     (b)     the other     (c)     another     (d)     others    
    8. (a)     legend     (b)     legends     (c)     legendary     (d)     legendarily    
    9. (a)     drop     (b)     serving     (c)     slice     (d)     piece    
    10. (a)     pulled     (b)     pushed     (c)     dragged     (d)     hauled    
    11. (a)     fur     (b)     for     (c)     fir     (d)     far    
    12. (a)     track     (b)     trick     (c)     truck     (d)     trek

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. dongbele to Santa Claus
    2. lived in the 4th utrecyn
    3. he created many lsaericm
    4. the Christian chhcur
    5. looking at ianrsme
    6. he rsceelty gave presents

    Paragraph 2

    1. His name can be htrdenose to Santa
    2. He is a anelerdgy character
    3. well-dvaheeb children
    4. He idelrsve the presents on a sleigh
    5. a smiling man with a white arebd
    6. a black tlrehae belt

    Put the text back together

    (    )     Father Christmas. He is a legendary character who brings presents to the homes of well-behaved children on the

    (    )     name of Santa Claus is St Nicholas. He was a Christian holy man who lived in the 4th century in what is now

    (    )     coat with a white fur collar and cuffs, red trousers, a black leather belt and black boots. He lives in the North

    (    )     church made him a saint. The scientists said the bone is from when St Nicholas lived. An

    (  1  )     Scientists from Oxford University in the UK believe they have found a bone that belonged to Santa Claus. The real

    (    )     presents to poor people. This is the story behind today's Santa Claus.

    (  8  )     Santa Claus has other names. His name can be shortened to Santa. In many countries, he is called

    (    )     evening of the 24th of December (Christmas Eve). Badly-behaved children get a piece

    (    )     archaeologist said: "This bone…suggests that we could possibly be looking at remains from

    (    )     St Nicholas himself." St Nicholas is the saint of children and students. There are stories that he secretly gave

    (    )     of coal. He delivers the presents on a sleigh, which is pulled through the air by his flying

    (    )     Pole, where he has a toy-making workshop. Children today can track his Christmas Eve journey online.

    (    )     Turkey. He died in the year 343. There are stories that he created many miracles, which is why the Christian

    (    )     reindeer. Santa Claus is usually seen as an over-weight, happy, smiling man with a white beard. He wears a red

    Put the words in the right order

    1. belonged   found   to   a   Santa   bone   Claus   that   They   .
    2. holy   lived   4th   Christian   who   the   A   man   in   century   .
    3. he   that   are   many   There   stories   miracles   created   .
    4. that   There   are   stories   secretly   gave   presents   he   .
    5. story   the   is   This   Claus   Santa   today's   behind   .
    6. to   His   can   shortened   Santa   name   be   .
    7. of   well-behaved   He   children   the   to   presents   homes   brings   .
    8. delivers   presents   a   He   the   on   sleigh   .
    9. a   with   fur   wears   coat   white   He   red   a   collar   .
    10. Eve   Christmas   his   track   can   today   Children   journey   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Scientists from Oxford University in the UK believe / beliefs they have found a bone that belonged to Santa Claus. The really / real name of Santa Claus is St Nicholas. He was a Christian holy / holly man who lived in the 4th century in that / what is now Turkey. He dried / died in the year 343. There are stories that he created many miracles / miraculous, which is why the Christian church made him a saint. The scientists said the bone is from which / when St Nicholas lived. An archaeologist said: "This bone…suggests that we could possibly be looking at remains / remain from St Nicholas himself." St Nicholas is the saint of children and students. There are stories that he secrets / secretly gave presents to poor people. This is the story behind / before today's Santa Claus.

    Santa Claus has other / another names. His name can be shorter / shortened to Santa. In many countries, he is called Father Christmas. He is a legendary / legend character who brings presents to the homes of well-behaved children on / in the evening of the 24th of December (Christmas Eve). Badly behavior / behaved children get a piece of coal. He delivers the presents on a sleigh, which is pulled though / through the air by his flying reindeer. Santa Claus is usually seen / seeing as an over-weight, happy, smiling man with a white beard. He wears a red coat with a white fur / for collar and cuffs, red trousers, a black leather belt and black boot / boots. He lives in the North Pole, where he has a toy-making workshop. Children today can truck / track his Christmas Eve journey online.

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    Sc__nt_sts fr_m _xf_rd _n_v_rs_ty _n th_ _K b_l__v_ th_y h_v_ f__nd _ b_n_ th_t b_l_ng_d t_ S_nt_ Cl__s. Th_ r__l n_m_ _f S_nt_ Cl__s _s St N_ch_l_s. H_ w_s _ Chr_st__n h_ly m_n wh_ l_v_d _n th_ 4th c_nt_ry _n wh_t _s n_w T_rk_y. H_ d__d _n th_ y__r 343. Th_r_ _r_ st_r__s th_t h_ cr__t_d m_ny m_r_cl_s, wh_ch _s why th_ Chr_st__n ch_rch m_d_ h_m _ s__nt. Th_ sc__nt_sts s__d th_ b_n_ _s fr_m wh_n St N_ch_l_s l_v_d. _n _rch___l_g_st s__d: "Th_s b_n_…s_gg_sts th_t w_ c__ld p_ss_bly b_ l__k_ng _t r_m__ns fr_m St N_ch_l_s h_ms_lf." St N_ch_l_s _s th_ s__nt _f ch_ldr_n _nd st_d_nts. Th_r_ _r_ st_r__s th_t h_ s_cr_tly g_v_ pr_s_nts t_ p__r p__pl_. Th_s _s th_ st_ry b_h_nd t_d_y's S_nt_ Cl__s.

    S_nt_ Cl__s h_s _th_r n_m_s. H_s n_m_ c_n b_ sh_rt_n_d t_ S_nt_. _n m_ny c__ntr__s, h_ _s c_ll_d F_th_r Chr_stm_s. H_ _s _ l_g_nd_ry ch_r_ct_r wh_ br_ngs pr_s_nts t_ th_ h_m_s _f w_ll-b_h_v_d ch_ldr_n _n th_ _v_n_ng _f th_ 24th _f D_c_mb_r (Chr_stm_s _v_). B_dly b_h_v_d ch_ldr_n g_t _ p__c_ _f c__l. H_ d_l_v_rs th_ pr_s_nts _n _ sl__gh, wh_ch _s p_ll_d thr__gh th_ __r by h_s fly_ng r__nd__r. S_nt_ Cl__s _s _s__lly s__n _s _n _v_r-w__ght, h_ppy, sm_l_ng m_n w_th _ wh_t_ b__rd. H_ w__rs _ r_d c__t w_th _ wh_t_ f_r c_ll_r _nd c_ffs, r_d tr__s_rs, _ bl_ck l__th_r b_lt _nd bl_ck b__ts. H_ l_v_s _n th_ N_rth P_l_, wh_r_ h_ h_s _ t_y-m_k_ng w_rksh_p. Ch_ldr_n t_d_y c_n tr_ck h_s Chr_stm_s _v_ j__rn_y _nl_n_.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    scientists from oxford university in the uk believe they have found a bone that belonged to santa claus the real name of santa claus is st nicholas he was a christian holy man who lived in the 4th century in what is now turkey he died in the year 343 there are stories that he created many miracles which is why the christian church made him a saint the scientists said the bone is from when st nicholas lived an archaeologist said "this bone…suggests that we could possibly be looking at remains from st nicholas himself" st nicholas is the saint of children and students there are stories that he secretly gave presents to poor people this is the story behind today's santa claus

    santa claus has other names his name can be shortened to santa in many countries he is called father christmas he is a legendary character who brings presents to the homes of well-behaved children on the evening of the 24th of december (christmas eve) Badly-behaved children get a piece of coal he delivers the presents on a sleigh which is pulled through the air by his flying reindeer santa claus is usually seen as an over-weight happy smiling man with a white beard he wears a red coat with a white fur collar and cuffs red trousers a black leather belt and black boots he lives in the north pole where he has a toy-making workshop children today can track his christmas eve journey online

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    ScientistsfromOxfordUniversityintheUKbelievetheyhavefoundabon
    ethatbelongedtoSantaClaus.TherealnameofSantaClausisStNicholas
    .HewasaChristianholymanwholivedinthe4thcenturyinwhatisnowTur
    key.Hediedintheyear343.Therearestoriesthathecreatedmanymiracl
    es,whichiswhytheChristianchurchmadehimasaint.Thescientistssaid
    theboneisfromwhenStNicholaslived.Anarchaeologistsaid:"Thisbone
    …suggeststhatwecouldpossiblybelookingatremainsfromStNicholas
    himself."StNicholasisthesaintofchildrenandstudents.Therearestorie
    sthathesecretlygavepresentstopoorpeople.Thisisthestorybehindtod
    ay'sSantaClaus.SantaClaushasothernames.Hisnamecanbeshorten
    edtoSanta.Inmanycountries,heiscalledFatherChristmas.Heisalegen
    darycharacterwhobringspresentstothehomesofwell-behavedchild
    renontheeveningofthe24thofDecember(ChristmasEve).Badlybehav
    edchildrengetapieceofcoal.Hedeliversthepresentsonasleigh,whichis
    pulledthroughtheairbyhisflyingreindeer.SantaClausisusuallyseenas
    anover-weight,happy,smilingmanwithawhitebeard.Hewearsaredco
    atwithawhitefurcollarandcuffs,redtrousers,ablackleatherbeltandbla
    ckboots.HelivesintheNorthPole,wherehehasatoy-makingworksho
    p.ChildrentodaycantrackhisChristmasEvejourneyonline.

    Free writing

    Write about Santa Claus for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Santa Claus is a good thing to believe in. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. SANTA CLAUS: Make a poster about Santa Claus. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. A GOOD CHARACTER: Write a magazine article about Santa Claus being a good character for children. Include imaginary interviews with people who believe this and with people who do not believe it.

    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on Santa Claus. Ask him/her three questions about him. Give him/her three of your ideas on how Santa Claus should help children more. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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