МУНИЦИПАЛЬНОЕ БЮДЖЕТНОЕ ОБЩЕОБРАЗОВАТЕЛЬНОЕ УЧРЕЖДЕНИЕ ГЖАТСКАЯ СРЕДНЯЯ ОБЩЕОБРАЗОВАТЕЛЬНАЯ ШКОЛА

Научно – практическая конференция учащихся КУЙБЫШЕВСКОГО района

Секция: иностранный язык

Тема работы: CHRISTMAS IN GREAT BRITAIN: CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS.

Выполнил: Кононов Алексей, 6 класс

Научный руководитель: Михеева Светлана Викторовна,

 учитель английского языка

МБОУ Гжатская СОШ

КУЙБЫШЕВ

2011 ГОД

Contents

1.INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………………3

2.CHRISTMAS: ORIGIN OF THE HISTORY………………………………………...4

1. The history of Christmas……………………………………………………………….4
2.  Customs and traditions of celebrating Christmas……………………………………...5

3.RESULTS OF RESEARCH……………………………………………………………8

3.1.                                                                     ……………………………………………8

4.CONCLUSION………………………………………………………………………….13

5.LITERATURE………………………………………………………………………......14

6. SUPPLEMENT…………………………………………………………………………15

Introductio

Всем известно, что праздники являются неотъемлемой частью нашей жизни. Они помогают нам понять глубже историю, традиции и обычаи любой страны. Само понятие «праздник» в первую очередь ассоциируется с чем-то радостным, веселым, беззаботным, свободным.

Все праздники вызывают интерес, но самым загадочным по нашему мнению является Рождество, т.к. он интересен с точки зрения организации, проведения, символики и его значение в жизни людей. Данная точка зрения требует доказательства. Поэтому мы решили детально изучить особенности празднования Рождества в Англии.

The theme of our research work is “CHRISTMAS IN GREAT BRITAIN: CUSTOMS AND  TRADITIONS”. We have chosen this theme as Christmas is the most popular holiday in many countries of the world. It is of religious origin and has a long history.

The purpose of the research is explore the origin of Christmas and its traditions.

Задачи исследования:

1. Изучить литературные сведения о традициях празднования Рождества в Англии.
2. Выявить отношение  учащихся к празднику Рождество.
3. Выявить знание учащихся о традициях празднования Рождества в Англии.

Методы исследования:

1. анализ специальной литературы,
2. анкетирование,
3. оформление полученных результатов в форме диаграммы.

2.CHRISTMAS: ORIGIN OF THE HISTORY

2.1.The history of Christmas

       Traditionally Christmas is considered to be a religious holiday. It is the day on which Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.The Christmas story comes from the Bible. Long, long ago in the town of Nazareth the carpenter Joseph lived. Joseph had a wife, Maria. The god's angel once came to her and said: «You will give birth to a son and give him the name of Jesus. He will be great as the son of the God».

It happened so that Joseph and Maria had to go to a Judah town. While they were there time came for Maria to give birth for a child. So Maria gave birth1 to her first son, swaddled him and put into the manger, because there was no room in the inn. In that country there were shepherds in the fields. The God's angel appeared before them and said-Shepherds said to each other, «Let's go to the town and see what happened».

They hurried and they saw Maria, Joseph and baby in the manger.

Shepherds told the happy parents everything that the angel had told them, and everybody wondered.

So happened the birth of the great Jesus, which is celebrated so many centuries as Christmas. Such scenes as you have seen are played in American families on Christmas.

But the story about Jesus is not finished.

When Jesus was 30 years old, he began his service: he cured sick people, he raised them from dead, taught them love and kindness.

Simple people loved him for that, but he high priests, elders and scribers did riot like him.

So once, before the Easter they decided to find the God's son and ruin him, but did not know where to look for him.

So when, one of Jesus apostles, Judas, suggested to betray his teacher, and was given 30 silver coins.

So in the evening, when Jesus and the 12 apostles gathered for the secret dinner, the god's son foretold that one of twelve's would betray him. And so happened.

After the dinner Jesus and men went to the garden, Judas came near and kissed him. It was the sign to recognize Jesus among others.

Jesus was seized. The people sword him and beat him. Then they took

him to Pilate, procurator, and began to blame him for lewdness. Pilate and the king Nerod did not find any guilt, but the people began to shout, «Crucify him! »

Jesus was crucified, and people laughed at him.

At six o'clock it became dark. The sun grew dark when dying Jesus said,

«Father! Into your hands I commend my spirit».

So the greatest of men died to raise from dead and to rise to his father to rule us and defend from troubles.

So there are the laws of life which all the people must follow to become happy:

Honors your father and your mother and you will live long.

Don't kill. Murder is the most dreadful sin. You have no right to take away another's life.

Leave the lascivious thoughts and affairs.

Don't steal. Secret always becomes evident.

Don't lie. It is prohibited to slander, to gossip and condemn.
Live the Christian laws and you'll be happy.

2.2.Customs and traditions of celebrating Christmas

There are some interesting traditions and customs connected with Christmas in Great Britain. British people are very proud of them and try to observe them carefully. Today we will tell about some of these traditions.Christmas is a happy holiday. Families prepare for this holiday weeks before. They decorate their homes with wreaths of holly, ivy, evergreens and mistletoe.Holly is an evergreen plant with sharp-pointed leaves and red berries. People use it to decorate their homes. It is a very old tradition. Long ago people began to put holly in their homes during the dark cold winters. They liked to look at this plant and think about the spring and the sun.Holly is one of the most popular evergreens. It is a symbol of good luck, just like the horseshoe. By the way the word “holly” comes from the same word as “holy”. A holly bush planted in the garden is said to keep the house safe from lightning. Farmers used to hang a sprig of holly in their cowsheds on Christmas Eve to make sure they had a good supply of milk and healthy calves during the coming year.Ivy, which is a soft and clinging plant, was once thought to be a symbol of woman. Holly, with its tough and leathery leaves, was supposed to be a symbol of man. Entwining holly and ivy in a Christmas decoration was supposed to ensure peace in the home between a husband and a wife in the year ahead. Mistletoe is an evergreen plant with small leaves and small white berries.Mistletoe was a special plant for the Druids, who lived in Britain before the days of Christianity. If it is to flourish, it needs the support of a tree, such as an oak. The oak was a sacred tree to the Druids, who believed that the evergreen mistletoe kept the spirit of the tree alive during the winter months.This evergreen plant became a symbol of peace and friendship.

 On Christmas Eve there is a bunch of mistletoe in every house. The traditional colours for this holiday are red and green; and poinsettia is considered the Christmas flower. It has been a Christmas symbol since the 1820s, when Joel Poinsett, the American minister to Mexico, brought it to his country. Let’s listen to a story about this wonderful flower.Poinsettia is called the “Flower of the Holy Night”. There is a legend that tells about a little peasant girl who, on Christmas Eve, wanted to go to a Midnight Mass with a gift for Jesus. She had nothing to give, but angels appeared and told her to pick some weeds and take them into the cathedral. As she went in, everyone laughed at her. Suddenly, the top leaves on each stem burst into a flame of scarlet. The people fell to their knees and the little peasant girl marched proudly forward to make her offering at the crib. The shape of poinsettia is often compared to the mythically symmetrical Star of Bethlehem.

The most popular of all the Christmas evergreens is the fir tree. The idea of bringing a fir tree indoors at Christmas occurred in the 16th century. Fir trees decorated with fruit, sweets, cookies, wafers and candles have been popular in Germany ever since. By the 17th century they were known as “Christ trees”. The Christ tree remained largely a German custom until the nineteenth century, when it was taken to England by German merchants and popularized by Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert. Ever since, it has been an essential ingredient of the Christmas season. No family which takes a properly enthusiastic view of the festival could possibly imagine Christmas without a Christmas tree. It just would not be the same! Children decorate the Christmas tree with 'tinsel, toys, shining balls and flags. They place a shining star at the top of the Christmas tree.Sales of artificial trees are booming too. Particularly popular are the silvery tinsel affairs made of aluminum-coated artificial fibre. They are very attractive and there is always an advantage that they can be folded up and put away till next year.

At Christmas traditional gift bringers visit children all over the world. Santa Claus is the best known of these. Santa Claus is an American name. In Europe he was known for centuries as St. Nicholas. The change occurred when the Dutch imported Nicholas to America. His name became “Sinterklass” and finally Santa Claus.St. Nicholas is said to be a rich man who used his wealth to help others. People loved him for his generosity. He always left presents to good children.Santa Claus did not always arrive at Christmas. In Europe he showed up on December, 6. And he did not always look the way he does now. The Dutch made him out to look thin, tall and dignified. Later in the early 1800s he was imagined as a bulky man who smoked a pipe and wore baggy trousers. He did not even have a beard. Then thanks to the cartoonist Thomas Nast Santa Claus began to look the way we know him today.In England the spirit of Christmas is known as Father Christmas. They say he comes from the North Pole in a reindeer-drawn sleigh. He has a white beard and red and white clothes. He is always merry.

According to time-honoured tradition, all English children hang their stockings at the foot of their beds or at the fireplace on Christmas Eve. During the night Father Christmas (Santa Claus) comes in his reindeer-drawn sleigh, creeps stealthily down the chimney and fills the stockings with presents.The custom of hanging stockings on a mantel in anticipation of small presents has started of one very popular story about the kindness of St. Nicholas who provided dowries for the three daughters of an impoverished nobleman by dropping bags of money down the chimney. One of these down-the-chimney gifts happened to fall into a stocking that was hung to dry by the fire; hence the custom of hanging stockings in the same place.A Christmas stocking is not a real stocking. It is big and beautifully decorated.

It is a tradition to sing Christmas carols on the radio and in public places during this season. Carols are Christmas songs. They are songs about the birth of Jesus. The word “carol”, which comes from the same Greek word as “chorus”, used to mean originally not a song but a dance. Round dances, performed to flute music, were popular among the ancient Greeks and Romans, and the latter brought them to England.By the 13th century a carol had come to mean not just a dance but the music that was sung to accompany it. Today only this meaning remains. Christmas songs spread from Italy throughout Europe and enjoyed great popularity. People often sing carols in the streets or at home on Christmas Eve.The most popular carols are “O Little Town of Bethlehem”, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”, “Silent Night”, “The First Noel”, “Joy to the World” and “Jingle Bells”. Turkey, goose, roast beef,

 Christmas pudding, small round mince pies, nuts and oranges….Every year the traditional Christmas dishes appear on the dinner tables of Britain. Yet how many people ever think about their origins?Christmas pudding is a traditional English dish for the Christmas dinner table. It is the highlight of the Christmas dinner. In the old days it was made of beef or mutton broth thickened with brown bread, prunes, raisins, currants, ginger and mace. This was served as a thick soup in a huge tureen and eaten at the beginning of the meal. In the 18th century flour was added to the pudding and it became the custom to eat it at the end of the meal.Nowadays the ingredients of Christmas pudding include raisins, currants, sultanas, candied peel, chopped almonds and walnuts, grated carrot and a good measure of brandy, whisky or old ale.The traditional time for making Christmas pudding is “Stir-up Sunday” at the beginning of Advent. In many households the mixing of the pudding is quite a ceremony. All the members of the family take turns to stir and make a secret wish. A wooden spoon is normally used. A proper Christmas pudding is always stirred from East to West. It is served to table decorated with sprigs of holly. Traditionally a coin is placed into the pudding. It brings good luck to a person who finds it. It used to be the custom to bake a special rich cake for Twelfth Night, the last day of Yuletide. Yuletide begins in the middle of December and ends on the 6th of January.Today a lighter Christmas cake is made and eaten throughout the Christmas period. It is a succulent fruit iced cake.

It is a custom in Britain for everybody to send Christmas cards to their friends and relatives just before Christmas. There is usually a pretty picture of some kind on the card, and a few words such as "Best wishes for a happy Christmas" or simply "A Merry Christmas".John Calcott Horsley, an English artist, is generally considered the creator of the first Christmas card. This innovation took place in 1843, when a certain Henry Cole asked the artist to design a card that he could send to each of his friends. That card sold perhaps a thousand copies at a shilling each.Very often the card brings good wishes for the New Year too, and then it will say: "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year".There are also special cards for the New Year, but in Britain only those people usually send them who have forgotten to send a Christmas card.One can often see a robin on Christmas cards. Robins have been a popular image on Christmas cards since Victorian times.Many years ago postmen had bright red coats. They looked like robins. At Christmas they brought a lot of Christmas cards. And people began to think about a robin as a Christmas bird.It is also a custom in Britain to give friends and relatives presents on the day after Christmas Day. People call this day Boxing Day. Listen to a story about this day and you will learn why it has such a special name.Boxing Day is on the 26th of December. It is the second day of Christmas. This day is a bank holiday. People do not go to work on that day. They visit friends or go to the theatre. Everybody gives and receives Christmas cards and Christmas boxes.Traditionally people put their Christmas presents into boxes. That is why the day on which they give and receive these boxes is called Boxing Day. A Christmas box is wrapped in bright coloured paper with ribbons.

 So, you see that Christmas is a wonderful holiday. Both children and grown-ups like it for presents and cards, decorations and good things to eat. I wish you to be happy, healthy,

3.Results of research

 3.1. Результаты анкетирования учащихся

 Для выяснения знания о традициях проведения Рождества среди учащихся мы провели анкетирование (Приложение 1).

В опросе приняли участие 74 учащихся.

Полученные данные были подвергнуты статистической обработке.

Результаты ответа учащихся на вопрос:  «Рождество –это….» представлены на рисунке 1:

Рис.1 Результаты ответа учащихся

Как видно из рисунка 1, 34% учащихся думают, что Рождество – это государственный праздник, 66% - религиозный, 0% - обычный день.

Результаты ответов на вопрос анкеты «Когда празднуют Рождество православные христиане?» представлены на рисунке 2:

Рис. 2 Результаты ответов на вопрос анкеты

Как видно из рисунка 2, 5% опрошенных учащихся думают что Рождество празднуют 25 декабря, 95%  - 7 января

Результаты ответов на вопрос анкеты «Когда празднуют Рождество католики?» представлены на рисунке 3:

Рис.3 Результаты ответа на вопрос анкеты

Как видно из рисунка 11% учащихся выбрали 31 декабря,  73% - 25 декабря, 16% -19  декабря.

Результаты ответов на вопрос анкеты «Что символизирует Рождество?», представлено на рисунке 4.

Рис.4 Результаты ответов на вопрос анкеты

Как видно из рисунка, 68% опрошенных учащихся считают , что Рождество символизирует рождение Иисуса Христа, 24% считают воскрешение, 8% считают семейным ужином.

Соотношение ответов на вопрос анкеты «Традиционное блюдо на Рождество в Англии?», представлены на рисунке 5:

Рис. 5 Результаты ответов на вопрос анкеты

Из рисунка видно, 81% учащихся ответили что это запеченная индейка и пудингн,0% что, это запеченный картофель и пудинг, 16%  - запеченная утка с фруктами.

Результаты ответа учащихся на вопрос:  «Традиционные цвета Рождества» представлены на рисунке 6:

Рис.6 Результаты ответа учащихся

Как видно из рисунка 6, 54% учащихся думают что это красный и зелёный, 20% - жёлтый и красный, 26% - синий и белый.

Результаты ответов на вопрос анкеты «Самое популярное дерево Рождества» представлены на рисунке 7:

Рис. 7 Результаты ответов на вопрос анкеты

Как видно из рисунка 7, 64% опрошенных учащихся думают что это ёлка, 36%  - сосна

Результаты ответов на вопрос анкеты «Кто приносит подарки на Рождество в Англии» представлены на рисунке 8:

Рис.8 Результаты ответа на вопрос анкеты

Как видно из рисунка 86% учащихся выбрали Санта Клаус,  14% - родители

Следовательно, на основе анкеты для учащихся, видно, что многие учащиеся знают английские традиции празднования Рождества.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, it is worth noticing that in spite of the popularity of different Christmas customs and traditions, only few people think of the origin of the holiday and traditions. The holiday itself has lost its religious significance for some people. But it doesn’t matter if Christmas is a religious or public holiday for the population, it is still the most widely celebrated festival. Thanks to its numerous traditions that came from ancient times, it is undoubtedly the most colourful holiday of the year and for many people it is a time for eating, drinking. They celebrate it in the same way as ancient Christians many years ago.  Christmas customs and traditions are immortal . Learning origin of Christmas makes us think about the link between different generations and importance of the past for us, people, who live in the 21st  centure.

LITERATURE

1. Английский для детей №21/1994

2. Английский язык. Приложение к газете «1 сентября» №47/1996

3. Английский язык. Приложение к газете «1 сентября» № 47/1996

4. Английский язык. Приложение к газете «1 сентября» №7/1998. Статья “Birthdays”

5. Aнглийский язык. Приложение к газете «1 сентября» №20/2000

6. Барменкова О.И. Читай и говори по-английски -.Пенза,1999.

7. Иностранные языки в школе №8,2005

8. сайты Интернета:solnet.ru.

Приложение 1

Анкета

1. Рождество – это …

А) государственный праздник

Б) религиозный

В) обычный день

2. Когда празднуют Рождество православные христиане.

А) 1 января

Б) 25 декабря

В) 7 января

3.Когда празднуют Рождество католики.

А) 31 декабря

Б) 25 декабря

В) 19 декабря

4. Что символизирует Рождество.

А) рождение Иисуса Христа

Б) воскрешение

В) семейный ужин

5. Традиционное блюдо на Рождество в Англии

А) запеченная индейка и пудинг

Б) запеченный картофель и пудинг

В) Запеченная утка с фруктами

6. Традиционные цвета Рождества

А) красный и зеленый

Б) жёлтый и красный

В) синий и белый

7. Самое популярное дерево Рождества

А) ива

Б) ёлка

В) сосна

8. Кто приносит подарки на Рождество в Англии

А) Дед Мороз

Б) Санта Клаус

В) родители