An Aussie Christmas: Ages 5-7 by Teacher Superstore

RIC-6461 4.2/354

AN AUSSIE CHRISTMAS (Ages 5–7)

A number of pages in this book are worksheets. The publisher licenses the individual teacher who purchased this book to photocopy these pages to hand out to students in their own classes.

Additional titles available in this series: AN AUSSIE CHRISTMAS (Ages 8–11+)

Except as allowed under the Copyright Act 1968, any other use (including digital and online uses and the creation of overhead transparencies or posters) or any use by or for other people (including by or for other teachers, students or institutions) is prohibited. If you want a licence to do anything outside the scope of the BLM licence above, please contact the Publisher.

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This information is provided to clarify the limits of this licence and its interaction with the Copyright Act.

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For your added protection in the case of copyright inspection, please complete the form below. Retain this form, the complete original document and the invoice or receipt as proof of purchase. Name of Purchaser:

Supplier:

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School Order# (if applicable):

Signature of Purchaser:

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Internet websites In some cases, websites or specific URLs may be recommended. While these are checked and rechecked at the time of publication, the publisher has no control over any subsequent changes which may be made to webpages. It is strongly recommended that the class teacher checks all URLs before allowing students to access them.

View all pages online PO Box 332 Greenwood Western Australia 6924

Website: www.ricpublications.com.au Email: mail@ricgroup.com.au

Foreword An Aussie Christmas (Ages 5–7) is one of a series of two books written with a uniquely Australian focus. This series includes fun and creative hands-on activities across many curriculum areas, all of which relate to and consolidate information about ‘Christmas Down-Under’. Titles in this series are: An Aussie Christmas — Ages 5–7 An Aussie Christmas — Ages 8–11+

r o e t s Bo r e p ok u S Teachers notes ........................................................iv – v Curriculum links............................................................. v A ‘dictionary’ of Aussie slang and colloquialisms . vi – viii An Aussie Christmas cover page...................................1

‘True blue’ traditions and customs .............................2–7 Teacher information .................................................2 Christmas Down-Under.................................... 3–4 Bonzer Chrissie Day .............................................5 Dinky-di first Christmas ........................................6 Aussie Christmas wordsearch..............................7

Dinkum decorations, symbols and prezzies ............8–41 Teacher information..................................................8 Ancient traditions and Christmas – 1 ...................9 Ancient traditions and Christmas – 2 ................. 10 Christmas tree number puzzles ......................... 11 Shining star ........................................................ 12 Christmas wreath ............................................... 13 Teacher information................................................ 14 A corker of a card ............................................... 15 Spiffy stocking .................................................... 16 Beaut 3-D bell..................................................... 17 Teacher information................................................ 18 Aussie Christmas tags ....................................... 19 Aussie advent calendar 1 & 2 ....................... 20–21 Teacher information................................................22 Aussie Santa ......................................................23 SMS to Santa .....................................................24 Aussie Chrissie stamp........................................25 Teacher information................................................26 Children’s best mate — Santa ............................27 Apply now! .........................................................28 An Aussie sleigh .................................................29 Teacher information................................................30 Specky Chrissie gift ............................................31 Chrissie gift certificates ......................................32 Giving to others ..................................................33 Teacher information................................................34 Boomer — the red-nosed kangaroo hat .............35 This angel is a star! ............................................36 Aussie Chrissie chain characters ........................37

Teacher information................................................38 Aussie Christmas flora .......................................39 Christmas trees and bushes ..............................40 Christmas bells and orchids ...............................41

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Contents

Aussie Christmas tucker ...........................................42–57 Teacher information................................................42 Aussie Christmas tucker 1 & 2 ..................... 43–44 My Aussie Christmas meal ................................45 Teacher information................................................46 Aussie Chrissie ice-cream pudding ....................47 White cockatoo Christmas .................................48 Frosted strawberries ..........................................49 Teacher information................................................50 Chrissie damper .................................................51 Aussie Christmas table candle ...........................52 Snazzy Santa serviettes .....................................53 Teacher information................................................54 Hanging lolly holder ............................................55 Aussie Christmas pud .................................. 56–57

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Aussie carols and Christmas songs ........................58–69

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Teacher information................................................58 Sing Christmas songs! 1 & 2 ....................... 59–60 Light up Christmas! ...........................................61 Teacher information................................................62 Away in a ... ........................................................63 Aussie jingle bells...............................................64 Aussie twelve days of Christmas .......................65 Teacher information................................................66 Aussie carols ......................................................67 Aussie Christmas songs.....................................68 My Christmas songs ..........................................69

Ridgy-didge bits ‘n’ pieces .......................................70–75 Teacher information................................................70 An outback Christmas message (play) ......... 71–73 But it’s not really Christmas! (story) ..............74–75 An Aussie Christmas

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Teachers notes An Aussie Christmas is a series with a uniquely Australian focus. The fun and creative activities cover many curriculum areas, all of which relate to and consolidate information about Christmas Down-Under. Throughout the book, Australian slang and colloquialisms are used to further enrich the Aussie flavour. (A dictionary to explain these terms may be found on page v – vii.)

The format of the book: The book is divided into five sections. These five sections provide information about: • True blue traditions and customs,

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• Dinkum decorations, symbols and prezzies, • Aussie Christmas tucker,

• Aussie carols and Christmas songs,

A cover page on page 1 is provided for a collection of completed student pages.

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• Ridgy-didge bits ‘n’ pieces (a Christmas play, for that very important end of year performance, and a story).

Each section begins with a page of student information followed by an activity. The subsequent student pages are fun and creative activities which relate to the information. The book is predominately divided into a four-page format with one teacher information page followed by three student pages. This format ensures that as many student activities are provided as possible.

(NOTE: Pages 2–7, 8–13 and 70–75 do not follow this format. Instead, these groups of pages include one teacher page of information followed by five student pages.)

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The title and page number of the corresponding student page is given.

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The indicator(s) is(are) stated.

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completing each student page.

The section of the book is indicated.

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Answers are supplied where necessary.

Relevant background information is given about using the work sheet.

An Aussie Christmas

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Teachers notes Student pages The student pages provide of wide variety of fun and creative activities including craft to complete, puzzles and codes to solve, reading, writing and drawing activities, recipes and procedures for making cards, tags and gifts. All activities are intended to be ‘child-friendly’ and completed with minimum assistance from adults during the very busy last weeks of school.

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The title of each student page is indicated.

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Clear, concise instructions for completing the student activity are supplied.

Appropriate Australian artwork complements each page and may be coloured by students.

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Curriculum links

Society and Environment NSW

CUS1.3 CUS1.4

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SOSE 0201

ICP 2.1

2.7

SOSE 0202

C 2.1

2.9

CI 2.5

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Qld

CI 2.3

C 2.2

TCC 2.1 TCC 2.2

PE, Health and Values NSW

Vic.

Qld

COS 1.1

HPSR 0101

ISP 2

2.5

EPD 1.1

IRS 1.11

HPSR 0102

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EPD 1.4

An Aussie Christmas

Dictionary of Australian slang and colloquialisms A Ace:

excellent

Aggro:

aggravated, upset about something

Ankle biter:

small child

Arvo:

afternoon

Aussie (pronounced Ozzie):

call for greeting someone at a distance in the bush

Corker:

something excellent

Cozzie:

swimming costume (see bathers)

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Australian

Dag:

a funny person, nerd, goof

Damper:

flour and water bread mix cooked in the coals of a camp fire

Didgeridoo:

Aboriginal wind musical instrument

Back of Bourke: the middle of nowhere

Dinkum, fair dinkum: true, real, genuine

Barbie or BBQ: barbecue Bathers:

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Back of Beyond: as far out bush as you can get, the far Outback of Australia

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Cooee:

swimming costume (also togs, cozzie or swimmers)

Beating around the bush: not getting to the point

Dinky-di:

the real thing, something good from Australia OR originating from Down-Under

Dob (somebody) in: inform on somebody. Hence, dobber, a telltale/ tattletale

Bloke: Bonzer:

an ox-bow river or watering hole

Esky™:

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Billy:

has gone really well

teapot, container for boiling water

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man, feller

great, ripper

large insulated food/drink container for picnics, barbecues etc. (Tradename)

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Beaut, beauty: great, fantastic

F Fair dinkum:

true, genuine

Fair go:

a chance (‘give a bloke a fair go’)

Free-for-all:

a fight where everyone joins in

Fruit loop:

fool

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Boomer:

a large male kangaroo

Bush:

the hinterland, the Outback, anywhere that isn’t in town

Bushranger:

highwayman, outlaw

C Chalkie:

teacher

Chokkie:

chocolate

Chook:

a chicken

Chrissie:

Christmas

Cobber:

friend

An Aussie Christmas

G’day:

hello, good day

Galah:

loud, rudely behaved person, an insult (a galah is a loud, raucous parrot)

Good sport:

someone who is good about losing

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Dictionary of Australian slang and colloquialisms Grouse (adjective):

great, terrific, very good

Matilda:

swagman’s bedding, sleeping roll

Mozzie:

mosquito

Mug:

friendly insult (‘Have a go, yer mug’); a gullible person

Muster:

round up sheep or cattle

Mystery bag:

a sausage

Nipper:

young surf lifesaver, young child

Noggin:

head or brains

No drama:

same as ‘No worries’

No worries!:

Expression of forgiveness or reassurance (No problem; forget about it; I can do it; Yes, I’ll do it)

No-hoper:

somebody who’ll never do well

H Hang out:

spend time out, usually with friends

Heaps:

a lot; e.g. ‘thanks heaps’, ‘She earnt heaps of money’

goodbye (also ‘Ooroo)

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Hooroo:

Jackaroo:

a male station hand (a station is a big farm/grazing property)

Jillaroo:

a female station hand

Joey:

baby kangaroo

Jug:

electric kettle

Jumbuck: Jumper:

K Kindie:

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Hooley dooley!: an explanation of surprise— ‘Good heavens!’, ‘My goodness!’, ‘Good grief!’ etc.

a woollen sweater

Ocker:

an unsophisticated person

Knock:

to criticise

Oldies:

parents

Knock back:

refusal (noun), to refuse (verb)

interior of Australia

Oy! or Oi!:

an Aussie call

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Australia

Lamingtons:

sponge cakes coated in chocolate and grated coconut

Larrikin:

a bloke who is always enjoying himself; a harmless prankster

Lollies:

sweets; candy

Lucky Country, The:

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Australia, of course!

Paddock:

areas of land where cattle are grazed or animals kept on a farm

Pav:

Pavlova—a rich, creamy Australian dessert

Plate, bring a:

Instruction on party or BBQ invitation to bring your own food. It doesn’t mean ‘short of crockery’!

Pozzy:

position; e.g. get a good pozzy at the football stadium

Prezzy:

present, gift

M Maccas (pronounced ‘Mackers’): McDonald’s® (the hamburger place) Mate:

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Outback:

somebody who criticises

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Knocker:

friend, buddy

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An Aussie Christmas

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Dictionary of Australian slang and colloquialisms Q Quid, make a:

earn a living; e.g. ‘Are you making a quid?’

Sunnies:

sunglasses

Surfies:

people who go surfing

Swag:

rolled-up bedding etc. carried by a swagman; canvas bag or cover that you keep all your belonging and bedroll in, to protect it from the weather when camping out

Quid, not the full: of low IQ. [Historical note: ‘quid’ is slang for a pound. £1 became $2 when Australia converted to decimal currency in 1966]

r o e t s Bo r e p ok u S T swagman

Swagman:

tramp, hobo

Right, she’ll be: it’ll be all right

Ta:

thanks

Righto:

Thongs:

cheap rubber sandals, flipflops

Togs:

swimsuit

Too right!:

definitely!

Top End:

far north of Australia

You bet! Absolutely!

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Reckon!: Ridgy-didge:

original, genuine

okay or that’s right

Ripper/Ripsnorter:

great, fantastic

Ripper, you little!: Exclamation of delight or as a reaction to good news

© R. I . C.Pu bl i cat i osuit ns Trackies: track stout bar fixed to the front of True blue: patriotic, Australian • f o r r e v i e w p u r p o s e sonl y• a vehicle to protect it against Tucker: food

Road train:

big truck with many trailers

Roo:

kangaroo

Roo bar:

hitting kangaroos (also ‘bull bar’)

Trackie daks/dacks:

Tuckerbag:

a sandwich

tracksuit pants

food bag

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Sanger:

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Swaggie:

Ute:

utility vehicle, pick-up truck

She’ll be right: it’ll turn out okay

Shoot through: to leave

Vegies:

vegetables

Vee dub:

Volkswagen (Vee-dubya)

Veg out:

relax in front of the TV (like a vegetable)

Walkabout:

to travel through the Outback (by Aborigines); lasts for an indefinite time

Whinge:

complain

Sleepout:

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house veranda converted to a bedroom

Snag:

a sausage

Snazzy:

smart, good, exciting, interesting

Spiffy, pretty spiffy:

great, excellent

Sprung:

caught doing something wrong

Station:

a big farm/grazing property

Stickybeak:

nosy person

Stoked:

very pleased

Sunbake:

sunbathe

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An Aussie Christmas

Y Yobbo:

an uncouth person

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An Aussie Christmas

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True blue traditions and customs c c a k e s b r o o h x l o i s a l a n i g d d e c o r a t a h y y u s r s c u h f a m m b e r

Christmas Down-Under – pages 3–4 Indicators: • Reads an informational text about Christmas. •

Completes a crossword using information from a text.

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Background information:

Pages 3 and 4 can be used in conjunction with each other.

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Students read and use the information on page 3 to answer the crossword on page 4.

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Bonzer Chrissie Day! – page 5 Indicator:

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Views and discusses an illustration about Christmas in Australia.

Background information:

Look at the picture and have the students identify different ways families in Australia celebrate Christmas. Ask students to relate how they spend Christmas. Students may colour the worksheet and write sentences about the different activities to attach to the completed picture when displayed.

Dinky-di first Christmas – page 6 Indicator:

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Completes a stained glass window picture of the first Christmas.

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Background information:

Enlarge the work sheet to A3 size. The students carefully select colours for each section of the nativity picture. Using oil pastels, students complete the picture and cut it out. Completed pictures may be painted with a thin layer of vegetable oil on the back and allowed to dry. They will then become translucent and may be displayed on the windows.

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Indicators: • Completes a wordsearch. •

Uses words from a wordsearch to write sentences about Christmas in Australia.

Background information: Students should select different colours to put a line through words are they are found. They should also tick them in the list.

An Aussie Christmas

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Christmas Down-Under— 1 Read the information. Christmas in Australia is during the hot summer months. Most children have just started their long summer holidays from school, which last at least six weeks! Christmas Day is a special time for families to be together. Many parents try to have holidays at the same time as their children.

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Christmas cakes and puddings are cooked ready for the big family celebration on Christmas Day, which involves opening presents and enjoying a very large meal. This varies from the traditional roast turkey, ham and chicken with baked vegetables, to cold meats, seafood and salads. Christmas Day celebrations may take place in a backyard, at the beach or on a picnic in the park, because the weather is usually hot and sunny. Cards have been sent to friends and relatives and children have written their letters to Santa. Most families start to put up their decorations in early December. These decorations include wreaths for the door, Christmas lights around the house, artificial Christmas trees with lights, tinsel, bells, nativity scenes and, of course, Santa and his reindeer. Some children hang stockings on their bed or near or under the tree. Many families still put up a ‘real’ Christmas tree with lights just before Christmas Day.

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Many children like to leave out food and drink for Santa and his reindeer on Christmas Eve when he comes to deliver their presents.

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Traditional Christmas carols can be heard in large shopping centres and sung in churches, but Australian carols are heard as well. Many families attend ‘Carols by Candlelight’ in their community to listen to singers and choirs and to sing carols with other families.

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o c . A lot of Australian plants and trees flower at Christmas c e her r and are used as decorations. These include the native o t s s uper Christmas bush and Christmas bell. Boxing Day (26 December) is a public holiday, when many people eat ‘leftovers’ from Christmas Day or just relax and watch the Test Cricket match or the beginning of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Other families, who stayed at home for Christmas Day, leave to start their summer holidays on Boxing Day! R.I.C. Publications® www.ricpublications.com.au

An Aussie Christmas

Christmas down under — 2 Use the information on page 3 to complete the crossword. 1.

Across 3.

Families bake these ready for eating on Christmas Day.

Children write letters to him.

3. 4.

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Many families eat cold food, including on Christmas Day.

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10.

People put these up at Christmas time.

11.

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14. Some families may celebrate Christmas Day at . the

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13. Christmas is a special time for to get together.

o c . c e Traditional and Australianh 8. Many families sing carols by r e o t r s . songs sung at Christmas. super

Down 1.

2. Many native are used as decorations at Christmas.

10. Some families attend services.

4. The day after Christmas Day, when people watch the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race or the Test cricket.

11. People send these to family and friends.

6. Christmas Day occurs during the summer . 4

An Aussie Christmas

12. The season when Christmas occurs in Australia. R.I.C. Publications® www.ricpublications.com.au

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Bonzer Chrissie Day!

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An Aussie Christmas

Dinky-di First Christmas

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Select appropriate colours to complete the stained glass picture

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An Aussie Christmas

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Aussie Christmas wordsearch 1.

Find the words below in the wordsearch. Be careful! Some read backwards! celebration

others

presents

shopping

Christmas December family lights

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meal

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nativity

special

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2. Use the words to write sentences about Christmas in Australia. Try to fit as many words as you can in each sentence.

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An Aussie Christmas

Dinkum decorations, symbols and prezzies Ancient traditions and Christmas — pages 9 and 10 Indicators: • Illustrates an idea from the text. • •

Demonstrates understanding of the text. Describes personal experiences of Christmas.

Background information •

Before reading the text to or with the students, make a collection of the articles mentioned; i.e. tinsel, Christmas tree lights, holly, mistletoe and so on. Find or colour pictures of any that are not easy to find. Display each item with its name written beneath.

Answers:

r o e t s Bo r e p ok u S 3. wreath

4. spirits

5. peace

6. generous

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1. 1. ancient 2. special 7. tinsel 8. lights 2.– 3. Teacher check

Christmas tree number puzzles — page 11 Indicators: • Solves number problems •

Matches answers to appropriate colour.

Background information •

There is room on each decoration for students to write the answer to the problem before colouring it.

•

Students could work in pairs, writing different problems for each other in the decorations. They may need to alter the colour key to make it appropriate to their new problems. The original problems will need to be removed.

Shining star — page 12 •

Demonstrates painting and gluing skills.

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Background information •

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To make the stars more durable, they could be copied on to thin card.

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Indicators: • Practises cutting skills

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Securing the two stars with a staple will ensure they do not come apart.

•

Students could draw a smiling face in the top triangle of one star.

— page 13

Indicators: • Follows instructions. •

Demonstrates painting and gluing skills.

Background information For each student:

•

Make a wreath circle by drawing two concentric circles on thin card, 25 cm outer diameter, 15 cm inner diameter. Cut the inner circle out to reveal the wreath circle.

•

Using a hole punch, make two holes in the circle through which string may be threaded to hang the wreath.

•

Make six stiff paper holly sprigs, using the template on the student page. Draw the outlines of the berries and the central spine on the leaves of each sprig. An Aussie Christmas

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Ancient traditions and Christmas – 1 People all over the world celebrate the festival of Christmas, the birthday of Jesus Christ in the stable in Bethlehem. They fill their homes with many decorations. These types of decorations have been used for thousands of years. Bringing green leaves into the house during the wintertime was a symbol of hope for the coming spring. The people of ancient times believed plants had special powers.

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People also decorate trees in the garden. In Australia, many people decorate the outside of their houses with hundreds of Christmas lights. As the sun goes down and the lights are turned on, families from all over the neighbourhood come to see the wonderful sight.

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r o e t s Btree. r The most popular Christmas decoration is the fir o e plook forward to decorating theok Children all over theu world tree with tinsel, lights and ornaments. Many children make S their own tree decorations, which are very special.

© RIn. I . C.P ubpeople l i cathought t i onthe spointed leaves of ancient times, the holly bush had special magical powers. They hung a •f orr ev i ewreath w ponuthe r p os es nl y holly front door too protect the• family from

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In ancient Scandinavia, the mistletoe was called the plant of peace. If enemies met under a tree on which mistletoe was growing, they put down their weapons and held a truce until the next day.

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witches and evil spirits. They believed that bringing holly inside the house gave shelter from the cold weather to the fairies of the forest.

o c . che e r o t r s supise r Receiving gifts very popular at Christmas, especially for children! Santa Claus is said to be a descendant of St Nicholas. St Nicholas was a very generous man who lived a long time ago. He once threw gold coins down the chimney of a very poor family. They landed in stockings which had been hung by the fire to dry. To this day, stockings hung out empty on Christmas Eve are full of gifts on Christmas morning!

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An Aussie Christmas

Ancient traditions and Christmas – 2 1.

Use the words in the box to fill the gaps. People of lights special generous wreath

times thought green winter 2

powers.

outside their r o e t s Bo . r e houses to ward off evil p ok u S The mistletoe was called the plant of 3

They hung a holly

ancient tinsel

St Nicholas was a

peace

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spirits

plants had

man.

People decorate trees with

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3. Colour the fairy resting beside a sprig of holly.

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ornaments and

An Aussie Christmas

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Christmas tree number puzzles 1.

Colour the key boxes below. 3 – yellow

4 – purple

5 – red

12 – pink

15 – orange

16 – blue

2. Now follow the key to colour the decorations on the Christmas tree.

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3. Colour the tree itself green. Choose your own colours for the pot and tree trunk.

7+5=

5x3=

10 ÷ 2 = 8+7=

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7+9= 12 – 9 =

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16 – 11 =

4x4=

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9÷3=

An Aussie Christmas

Shining star Make a shining star for the top of your Christmas tree. 1.

Colour each star with yellow paint. Let them dry.

2. Dab patterns of glue all over each star. 3. Cover each star with coloured glitter.

r o e t s Bback r e oo Cut out the stars and glue them together, to back, p u leaving a space at the bottom to attach to the top k of a tree. S

4. Shake the stars to see the glitter patterns.

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An Aussie Christmas

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Christmas wreath Make a Christmas wreath for your front door. Your teacher will give you one wreath circle, six holly sprigs and some string.

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r o e t s Bo r e p the berries red and the leavesok Paint the circleu brown, green. Let them dry. S Dab glue on all the berries. Cover with red glitter. Shake off excess.

3. Paint glue on the spines of the holly leaves. Cover with green glitter. Shake off excess. Let them dry. 4. Thread the string through the holes of the wreath circle and tie a knot.

5. Place the holly sprigs evenly around the wreath. Glue them in place. Let them dry.

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An Aussie Christmas

Dinkum decorations, symbols and prezzies A corker of a card — page 15 Indicator:

Completes a Christmas card by colouring, cutting, folding and drawing.

Background information:

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After students have coloured and cut out the card, they will need to fold the top part of their picture down along the fold lines and in half along the vertical centre line. This should make a picture which ‘pops’ up when opened. Students will need to sign their names on the inside of the card. The front of the card will be blank for students to decorate with a suitable title and Australian Christmas picture or decoration.

Spiffy stocking — page 16 Indicator:

Completes a Christmas stocking by colouring, cutting and gluing.

Background information:

•

Encourage students to colour the leaves and Christmas bells carefully. The outline and the veins on the leaves should be completed in dark green crayon and the remainder coloured in light green. The Christmas bells should have yellow or orange edges with the largest section being red. Students may select any other colour for the bow.

•

If desired, the cellophane section on the front section of the stocking may be covered with ‘chips’ of coloured cellophane.

•

Once hung in the room (out of reach of students), students may have confectionery put into them as rewards.

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Enlarge the stocking to A3 size if desired and if possible photocopy onto light card.

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Beaut 3-D bell — page 17 Indicator:

Completes a Christmas bell using colouring, cutting and joining techniques.

Background information:

•

Each student will need three copies of the worksheet to make his/her 3-D bell.

•

Discuss the correct colours to complete each section of the bell.

•

After colouring and cutting out each bell, students must fold them with the right sides together. The back half of one is stapled to the back half of another and so on to create a 3-D bell. (Stapling by an adult is the quickest and most effective method of joining the bells.)

•

Hang bells suspended across the room from small lengths of tinsel.

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A corker of a card

G’day, mate! Merry Christmas!

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1. Colour, cut and fold the Christmas card. 2. Write your name inside the card. 3. Decorate the front of the card.

from

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An Aussie Christmas

Spiffy stocking 1.

Colour the stocking and cut it out.

2. Cut out the centre of the stocking. 3. Glue cellophane to the back of the stocking.

r o e t s Bo r e ptogether. ok Glue or staple the edges u Sthe Christmas Colour and cut out

5. 6.

bells and glue at the top.

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4. Trace around the stocking and cut out a sheet of coloured card the same size.

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Beaut 3-D bell 1.

You will need three bells.

2. Colour and cut them out. 3. Fold each bell upwards so A touches B.

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Finished 3-D bell

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5. Join them together, stapling A side to B side, with the folded sections meeting in the middle.

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Dinkum decorations, symbols and prezzies Aussie Chrissie tags — page 19 Indicator:

Follows written and verbal instructions to make Christmas gift tags.

Background information: •

The gift tags can be created as a whole-class or small-group activity for students to attach to prezzies they make at school or they can be taken home and attached to gifts.

r o e t s Bo r e p ok u Aussie S advent calendar

Discuss appropriate colours to use to decorate the tags. Paints, marker pens, glitter, cellophane, tinsel etc. could also be used for extra effect. Students then cut out the tags, fold along the solid line and add a small spot of glue to form the closed tag. Punch a hole where indicated and thread tinsel, ribbon or wool through so the tag can be attached to the prezzie.

— pages 20–21

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•

Indicators: • Demonstrates an understanding of the origins of advent calendars. •

Follows verbal instructions to make an advent calendar.

Background information: •

The word ‘advent’ comes from the Latin word ‘adventus’ and means ‘coming toward’ or ‘arrival’. It is used at Christmas time to refer to the coming of Jesus on Christmas Day. The advent calendar has been around for about 150 years. Christians first marked off the 24 days preceding Christmas Day from December 1 with chalk on their doors. Then in Germany in the late 19th century, a mother attached 24 small sweets to a piece of cardboard. Her child, Gerhard Lang, would take one off each day. As an adult, Gerhard produced the first printed advent calendar. They have since spread throughout the world. The calendars vary greatly in design (many have little windows that open with a picture, number or verse behind) but all work on the same principle of counting down the 24 days before Christmas.

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The days of the month and background template on pages 20 and 21 can be copied onto card for durability. Students should colour the pictures on page 21 and cut out the dates on page 20. Discuss the best colours to choose for each picture. They then glue the numbers over each picture. (Glue the top edge only, so the number can be lifted to reveal the picture below.) Holes can be punched where indicated to thread tinsel or wool so it can be hung up.

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Aussie Chrissie tags Merry Chrissie! To:

To:

r o e t s Bo r e p ok u S Happy

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From:

Chrissie!

From:

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Bonzer Chrissie!

o c Ho! Ho! . che e r Ho! o r st super

To:

Have a beaut Chrissie!

From:

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An Aussie Christmas

Aussie advent calendar – 1

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Aussie advent calendar – 2

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An Aussie Christmas

Dinkum decorations, symbols and prezzies Aussie Santa — page 23 Indicator:

Follows written instructions to colour a picture.

Background information: •

Discuss the names given to the various pieces of clothing that make up Santa’s Aussie outfit and interesting facts about each. Akubra® –

r o e t s Bo r e p ok u S

Claimed to be an Aboriginal Australian word for ‘headcovering’. An Akubra® is a hat with a broad brim, usually made from rabbit fur felt, that is quite waterproof. The corks are meant to keep the flies away.

Stubbies® – work shorts made of strong cotton material, usually blue in colour singlet –

a popular item of clothing in hot weather

swag –

popular footwear in hot weather

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sandals –

travellers used a ‘swag’ (a roll or bundle carried on the shoulders) to transport personal belongings

SMS to Santa — page 24

Indicators: • Demonstrates an understanding of why people use shortcuts in mobile phone •

messages. Uses a key to help solve a message.

•

Many students will be aware of SMS shortcuts and discuss any they may know of or have used on parents’ phones etc. Some students may be able to complete the worksheet with little guidance while others may need more explanation.

•

Students may like to create their own SMS message to Santa.

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People use shortcuts when sending messages on mobile phones as there is only a certain amount of space available (usually about 160 characters), plus it saves time!

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o c . Aussie Chrissie che stamp e r o t r s super — page 25

Indicator:

Designs a Christmas stamp with an Australian theme.

Background information:

•

Show and discuss the designs on various stamps, particularly Christmas stamps. Identify where the cost of the stamp is printed and the country it is from.

Students can work in pairs or individually to create a design for an Aussie Chrissie stamp. They should make sketches on scrap paper before drawing and colouring their final design.

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Aussie Santa

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Colour Santa’s Akubra® brown.

2. Colour the corks and hatband green and gold. 3. Colour his singlet red and his Stubbies® dark blue. 4. Colour his sandals green and gold. 5. Colour his swag of Chrissie prezzies red, green and gold. R.I.C. Publications® www.ricpublications.com.au

An Aussie Christmas

SMS to Santa When people send a message (SMS) on a mobile phone they often use shortcuts for some words. For example: great = GR8

are by the way you love new very please year Merry Christmas thank you very much means a friendly smile

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Dear Santa, how RU?

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The SMS below was sent to Santa. Look at the table to help you work out the message. Write the full message on the lines.

R BTW U LUV NU VRY PLZ YR MC TUVM :-)

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may I have a NU bike?

TUVM

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VRY good this YR. PLZ

o c . che e r o t r s super

LUV from Jack :-)

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Aussie Chrissie stamp Every Christmas, Australia Post brings out special Christmas stamps for people to use on the Christmas cards they send by mail. Imagine you are in a competition to design an Aussie Chrissie stamp. Some things you will need to think about are: •

What kind of Aussie picture will you draw?

•

r o e t s B r e – an Aussie animal p with a Chrissie decoration? o ok u Syour stamp cost? Where will you write the cost? How much will

•

Where will you write ‘Australia’ to show where it was made?

– an Aussie Santa?

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– an Aussie scene? (beach, outback, barbie)

Make sketches on a separate sheet of paper, then draw your final design below.

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An Aussie Christmas

Dinkum decorations, symbols and prezzies Children’s best mate—Santa — page 27 Indicators: • Labels a diagram. •

Completes explanations about articles of clothing.

Background information: Read the information at the top of the page with the students.

•

Discuss or list items of clothing which may be worn in hot weather and why.

•

The students label and write explanations for Santa wearing the particular items of clothing.

•

Students may add other details which they feel should be included, such as suntan cream, UVprotective shirt etc.

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•

Apply now! — page 28

Indicator:

Completes a form about a visit by Santa.

Background information:

Read the information at the top of the page with the students, and then each part, until all are sections are completed.

•

Discuss other details which Santa may need to know.

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o c . An aussiec sleigh e her r o t s super — page 29

Indicators: • Reads information about how Santa travels. • •

Identifies suitable forms of transport. Draws and labels a design for an Australian sleigh.

Background information:

•

Read the definition of a sleigh with the students.

•

Students read the information and tick the answers for Question 1.

•

The definition of a sleigh should form the basis of the students’ designs. Discuss what animal could be used to pull the sleigh, what would help the sleigh to run smoothly, what kind of roof Santa would need to protect him from hot sun etc.

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Children’s best mate — Santa Have you ever wondered what clothes would best suit Santa if he lived in Australia instead of at the North Pole? 1.

Look at the picture of Santa below.

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2. Label the parts of Santa’s clothes and say why he needs to wear them.

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An Aussie Christmas

Apply now! Complete the form below, which gives Santa helpful information for delivering your prezzies.

Santa visit form 1.

Name:

r o e t s Bo r e p ok u On the scale, show how good perfect annoying S (or bad) you have been by

colouring the number.

painful

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2. Address:

9 10

4. If you coloured numbers between 1 and 7, write what you would like for Christmas.

is very steep

(a) My roof:

only slopes a little

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(b) The following obstacles may get in Santa’s way:

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a TV antenna

a satellite dish

is flat

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a chimney

o c . other c e her r o t s upshould er Tick the box to say where the s prezzies be placed. in the stocking

an air-conditioning unit

a rainwater tank

at the end of the bed

under the tree

other 7.

Will refreshments be provided?

Yes

If so, what? 28

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An aussie sleigh A sleigh is a vehicle on runners, drawn by horses, dogs etc., which is used for transport on snow or ice. Very few places in Australia have snow or ice at Christmas! What kind of transport would be best for Santa to travel in when he visits Australia?

r o e t s Bo r e p ok u S a fire engine

Tick the forms of transport listed which Santa could use in Australia to get to different places to deliver the prezzies. a ute

a helicopter

a motorbike

a beach buggy

a kombivan™

a horse and cart

a four-wheel drive vehicle

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2. In the space below, draw and label an Australian ‘sleigh’ suitable for Santa to use when he visits.

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An Aussie Christmas

Dinkum decorations, symbols and prezzies Speccy Chrissie gift — page 31 Indicator:

Reads and follows information for making a confectionery wreath.

Background information: This activity may also be completed using a cheap woven wreath purchased from a craft shop.

•

Adult assistance may be required to bend the coathanger into shape.

•

Students should hold the wreath by the hanger at regular intervals to see where gaps in the confectionery occur when hanging.

•

If possible, students should choose lollies which are preferred by the person receiving the gift.

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Chrissie gift certificates — page 32

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Read the introductory information with the students and discuss things which students could do for Mum, Dad, brothers, sisters, grandparents and friends to help them. Suggestions may include agreeing to not bother a big brother or sister while doing his/her homework, keeping computer games or music CDs at a lower volume while his/her brother or sister is watching the television etc.

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Students may like to discuss ideas with a partner before completing their gift certificates.

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Indicator:

Reads and completes information about Christmas charities.

Background information:

•

Read the information with the students and discuss. Allow students to relate ways which they, or their family, may have contributed to a charitable activity during a previous Christmas period. Students may mention ways which they may have contributed to appeals to provide aid for survivors of a tsunami disaster or bushfires or floods which occurred during the Christmas period.

•

Students complete the answers to questions on the worksheet independently.

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Speccy Chrissie gift Read the information for making a Christmas gift for a special mate or oldie. 1.

Collect your materials to make a lolly wreath. You will need: •

a thin wire coathanger (from a drycleaner)

•

wide strips of red crepe (about 3 cm wide)

•

two or three gumnuts

•

ribbon bow

•

sticky tape

•

scissors

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•

r o e t s B r e oo strips of green curling ribbon p u k wrapped lollies S

2. Follow the instructions. (You may need an adult to help with some parts!)

Bend the coathanger so that it forms a circle.

(b)

Secure a strip of red or green crepe paper to the coathanger with sticky tape and wrap it around the coat hanger until it is completely covered. Secure with sticky tape again.

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(a)

(c)

(d) (e)

. tother end to the wreath. o Tie thee c . c e he r Repeat using the remaining curling ribbon and lollies until the entire o t r s s r ubetter pe wreath is covered. (It looks if the lollies are tied to the coathanger Cut lengths of curling ribbon and tie to one end of a lolly.

using different lengths of ribbon.)

(f)

Attach the bow to the wreath.

(g)

Tie extra ribbon around the gumnuts and tie them in a group at the top of the wreath in front of the bow.

(h)

Wrap and give to a special mate (or teacher) and, if you are lucky, he/she will share!

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An Aussie Christmas

‘Chrissie’ gift certificates Gifts don’t always have to cost a lot money. Often they are better appreciated, if the gift is something more personal, such as giving your own time to do something. Complete some gift certificates for family or friends. The first one has been done for you!

Colour and cut them out.

To:

r o e t s Bo r e Gift certificate p ok u S

From:

I will:

clean my room for a week without complaining.

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From:

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To: From: I will:

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Giving to others 1.

Read the information. Many families in Australia are not able to enjoy a happy time at Christmas with gifts, food and fun. In order to help families with this problem, churches and community groups hold appeals for gifts, food and cash. Some charities sell calendars, cards or Christmas cakes to raise money to help people. Others simply collect money.

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tree and ask shoppers to place a present underneath the tree. These go to children whose parents cannot afford to give presents.

There are also many people in countries overseas who are very poor and need help at all times of the year. Christmas is a good time to remind ourselves how lucky we are in Australia and to give generously to help others!

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r o e t s Bo r e p ok u Scentres put up a large Christmas Often, shopping

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helped someone else at Christmas time.

. te o Use the Internet to find out about The Christmas Bowl Appeal and write your c . c e information below. h r er o st super

4. Think about giving to or helping someone else this Christmas! R.I.C. Publications® www.ricpublications.com.au

An Aussie Christmas

Dinkum decorations, symbols and prezzies Boomer, the red-nosed kangaroo hat — page 35 Indicator:

Constructs a Christmas kangaroo party hat using colouring, cutting and gluing techniques.

Background information: Enlarge the work sheet to A3 size and, for best results, photocopy onto card.

•

Colour the kangaroo and cut out the hat.

•

Glue red glitter to his nose.

•

Curve the hat and glue or staple to fit.

•

Use brown paper to trace around and cut out two handprints.

•

Glue the handprints in place for ears.

•

Glue or staple tinsel around the edge of the hat.

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Completed hat with handprint ears attached

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This angel is a star! — page 36 Indicator:

Creates a star-shaped angel using colouring, cutting and joining techniques.

Background information:

Photocopy the worksheet onto card if possible.

•

Students will need crayons or pencils, scissors, string, fishing line or wool for hanging the completed angel, curling ribbon, a marker, part of a gold pipe-cleaner each and strong glue or sticky tape.

•

Ask students to point to the different sections of the angel (head, wings, body) and colour one part before progressing to the next. Encourage them to choose appropriate colours.

•

Students will need to cut out the completed angel then draw simple facial features with the marker.

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Cut several small sections of curling ribbon for students to curl and ask them to glue them along the edge of the face. They may also glue them onto the back of the head if desired.

•

Students curve the gold pipe-cleaner into a halo shape with a straight length and attach to the back of the angel using sticky tape.

•

Allow to dry completely, punch a small hole where indicated and hang from string, wool or fishing line.

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o c . che e r o t r s Aussie Chrissies chain characters r upe

— page 37

Indicator:

Creates individual units for a chain by colouring and cutting.

Background information:

•

Photocopy the worksheet onto card for best results.

•

Students colour and cut out each character.

•

An adult will need to loop each character over tinsel and staple the ends together to hang as part of a chain.

•

These may also be used as decorations on a Christmas tree.

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Boomer, the red-nosed kangaroo hat

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An Aussie Christmas

This angel is a star! 1.

Colour and cut out the angel.

2. Use a marker to draw a face on the angel. 3. Cut small strips of curling ribbon, curl and attach for hair. 4. Bend a gold pipe-cleaner to form a halo, leaving a straight length to tape to the back of the angel.

r o e t s Bwool or fishing r Punch a small hole e in the top and add string, o p ok line to hang.u S

5. Decorate with glitter.

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Aussie Chrissie chain characters 1.

Colour and cut out the characters.

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2. Loop over tinsel with those of other class members and staple.

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An Aussie Christmas

Dinkum decorations, symbols and prezzies Aussie Christmas flora — page 39 Indicator:

Completes a cloze text and a wordsearch about Australian Christmas flora.

Background information: Read the information with the students while they look for suitable words from the list to complete the text.

Answers 1. (a) people (b) pleased (c) trees

(e) cold

(f) decorate (g) Christmas

X W O

A M E

A M T

G N Q B

O M M

T M A

O R

T M A Y

T M A

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(d) bare

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3. Christmas tree, Christmas bells, Christmas orchid, Christmas bush

Christmas trees and bushes — page 40

Finds and writes the dictionary meaning of words in a text. Colours pictures using information from a text.

Students will need dictionaries to complete activities on the worksheet.

•

Read the information in the table with the students then allow them to find the dictionary meaning of the words listed in Question 2.

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Students colour the pictures using information from the text.

Answers

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2. (a) parasite — an animal or plant which lives on or in an organism of another species (the host), from the body of which it obtains nutriment. (b) sucker —

a part or organ of an animal adapted for sucking nourishment, or for adhering to an object as by suction

Christmas bells and orchids — page 41 Indicators: • Reads information from a text about Christmas bells and orchids. •

Uses information from a text and a key to colour pictures of Christmas bells and orchids.

Background information:

•

Read the information with the students.

•

Explain the key and, in particular, number 1 (the white flowers of the Christmas orchid) and allow the students to complete the pictures. An Aussie Christmas

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Aussie Christmas flora 1.

Use the words below to complete the cloze. Christmas cold pleased bare flowering trees decorate people (a)

When the first European

came to live in

(b)

Australia, they were really

to see that lots of

r o were flowering at Christmas time. e t s Bo r e okwere They were usedu to p living in a country where many trees S and very few plants were flowering (c)

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plants and

(d)

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(e)

during their

Christmas in winter. They

(f)

liked being able to use flowering plants to .(g)

their homes for

2. Many Australian native plants have become known as Christmas plants. Find the names of four Australian native Christmas plants in the wordsearch below. C

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M M

o H c . che e r o Write the names below. r st super C

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An Aussie Christmas

Christmas trees and bushes 1.

Read the table of information about the Western Australian Christmas tree. Where does it grow?

Mostly in forests, woods and coastal areas of Western Australia

When does it flower?

Spring and summer

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How tall does it grow?

From 8–10 metres

Interesting facts

• a parasite • other names — Mudja, Mooja • Aboriginal people liked to dig up and eat the sweet suckers

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What does it look like?

Grey to brown bark; dull green to bluish-green leaves; yellow to orange flowers in sprays; dry brown fruit with 3 wings and 1 seed

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2. Find and write the dictionary meaning of the following words:

o c . che e r o t r s There are many different kindss r u e p of Christmas bush, which grow

3. Read the information about the Christmas bush.

4. Use the information to colour the picture below.

all over Australia. They can grow from 2 metres up to 10 metres tall, with many different kinds and colours of flowers, such as white, pink or mauve. Some flowers change to a red colour at Christmas time. 40

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Christmas bells and orchids 1.

Use the information and the key to colour the pictures of the Christmas bells and the Christmas orchid. (a) The Christmas bells plant has grass-like green leaves and flowers which can be yellow to red with yellow tips. The flowers come out in summer.

2 5

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Many Christmas bells plants are disappearing because lots of bushland has been cleared to make room for homes.

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Christmas bells are protected plants.

Key

2c © R. I . C.Publ i at i ons Christmas bells •f orr evi ew pur posesonl y• 2

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(b) Christmas orchids have white flowers on a tall, green spike, which appear in summer. They like to grow in moist, shady places.

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1 = trace the lines in black 2 = blue 3 = red 4 = yellow 5 = green

o c . che e r o 1 t r s s r u e p Christmas orchids are 4

becoming hard to find in some parts of Australia as the bush is being cleared away.

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Aussie Christmas tucker Aussie Christmas tucker — pages 43–44 Indicators: • Reads (or listens to) and comprehends text about how Australian families enjoy •

their Christmas meal. Completes a variety of word study and comprehension activities based on a text.

Background information:

r o e t s Bo r e p ok u S

Pages 43 and 44 are to be used in conjunction with each other.

Answers: r

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savoury—turkey, peas, pumpkin, lobster, ham, nuts, pretzels

Teacher check

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2–3.

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sweet—trifle, pavlova, shortbread, custard, pudding, cake, punch

. te Christmas meal My Aussie o c . che e r o t r s super — page 45

Indicator: Completes a simple report using keywords, phrases and pictures about how his/her family celebrates their Christmas meal.

Background information:

•

Read and discuss the text on page 43 before students complete the report on page 45. They may like to draw a large picture an a separate sheet of paper of their family celebrating their Christmas meal. Share and/or display completed reports.

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In the section, ‘Other things you do for your Christmas meal’, students could explain what they wear, rituals such as saying grace, pulling bonbons or table decorations used etc.

An Aussie Christmas

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Aussie Christmas tucker – 1 Whether you live in the south of Australia in Hobart, Tasmania, in the middle in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, or in the north in Broome, Western Australia, Christmas Day is often hot—sometimes very hot! The weather doesn’t stop families from eating what they really like. Some families prepare traditional foods of roast turkey; ham; roast potatoes, sweet potatoes and pumpkin; cauliflower cheese; and green peas. Dessert is plum pudding with custard or brandy sauce. It doesn’t matter if cooking in the oven makes the house hotter. Fans can be used to cool things down or the air-conditioner turned up!

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Other families like a cold Christmas meal. This may include cold meat such as turkey and ham, seafood such as lobster and prawns, salads, and ice-cream pudding and pavlova for dessert. Fruit mince pies and shortbread might also be served. Some families eat their main Christmas meal at lunchtime, while others have it at night or even on Christmas Eve. Some families have the meal with other relatives and set the table with a Christmas tablecloth, Christmas serviettes etc. Other families have a barbecue meal with family or friends at home, the park or the beach. Because the fridges are full of yummy food, Eskies™ are used to keep extra foods and, of course, the drinks cool. Everyone is thirsty, especially if the day is very hot. Some families make a drink called ‘punch’ in a large bowl. It is made from soft drinks and fruit juice. Iceblocks and chopped strawberries are added.

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shortbread, pretzels, nuts that you need to open with a nutcracker, Christmas cake, a slice called ‘white Christmas’, Christmas lollies and chocolate, candy canes, trifle and all kinds of yummy dips. Whether the meal is inside or outside, many people pull open bonbons which have a joke, toy and paper hat inside. Everyone enjoys reading out their joke and wearing their paper hat. It doesn’t matter how funny they look!

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An Aussie Christmas

Aussie Christmas tucker – 2 Use the text on page 43 to complete the activities. Find foods from the text in the wordsearch and list them under the correct heading. t

2. Write keywords to explain where and when families have their Christmas meal.

o e at mr n s Bo r e ok a s p u a k p c u St d k e k u v

Where

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When

©t R . I . C . Publ i cat i ons b r e a d •f or r evi ew pur posesonl y• Savoury

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3. Label these pictures.

o c . Sweet che e r o t r s super (a)

(b)

An Aussie Christmas

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My Aussie Chrissie meal Write words or draw pictures to explain what your family does for its Christmas meal. When do you have it?

Who do you have it with?

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r o e t s Bo r e p ok u Where do youS have it?

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What do you eat?

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o c . Other things you do for your Christmas meal. ch e r er o t s super

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An Aussie Christmas

Aussie Christmas tucker Aussie Chrissie ice-cream pudding — page 47 Indicator: Follows written instructions to make a Christmas ice-cream pudding. Background information: This recipe requires no cooking, but care should always be exercised if chopping activities are required; these are best undertaken by an adult beforehand.

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The recipe is very flexible—other nuts may be substituted, or different flavours of ice-cream (even a mixture!) can be used.

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Traditionally, a ‘pudding’ contained meat. It wasn’t until the end of the 1500s that what we know as ‘plum’ pudding arose. It contained spirits, dried fruit, eggs and breadcrumbs—but never any plums! They were so rich and decadent that they were even banned in 1664 by the puritans as being unfit for people who followed God. (See page 54 for more information.)

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White cockatoo Christmas — page 48 Indicator:

Follows written instructions to make and wrap a white Christmas slice.

Background information:

This popular white Christmas slice has been given an Aussie flavour and named after the sulphur-crested cockatoo. (Note: Yellow cherries can be added to the recipe to add to the white and yellow theme.)

•

The sulphur-crested cockatoo, a large white bird found in northern and eastern Australia, is one of the icons of Australia. It often forms large flocks of several hundred birds and its screech is loud and raucous. They are popular as pets and can be affectionate and friendly. Both sexes can become good talkers.

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Indicator:

Follows written instructions to prepare frosted fruit.

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Frosted strawberries — page 49

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Background information:

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Students could compare their family’s preferred Chrissie pud. The recipes could be compiled and illustrated, or even published for the rest of the school.

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The light, fresh taste of this fruit recipe complements some of the heavier tastes of Christmas.

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Most fruit is suitable for frosting in this way. It can be cut or sliced into different shaped and sized pieces to add variety and colour.

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Fruit will probably need to be refrigerated, especially at this time of the year.

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Aussie Chrissie puddings On a hot Chrissie Day, this is a cool dessert. Make sure the ice-cream goes in the pudding though, not in you!

1 tsp cinnamon 1 /2 tsp nutmeg 1 /4 cup hot (not boiling) water

large mixing bowl r o e t s Bo r e spoon p o u k basin pudding-shaped S plastic wrap

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You will need: 2 L vanilla ice-cream 100 g chopped almonds (unsalted) 2 cups dried mixed fruit 1 /2 cup glace cherries, chopped (red and green) 1 glace cherry, red, whole mint leaves (real or confectionery) 1 tsp mixed spice Follow these steps:

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Place dried fruit in mixing bowl, add hot water and mix. Let stand two hours.

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Let ice-cream soften. Then add to bowl and gently mix with other ingredients.

Line pudding basin with plastic wrap. Make sure it overlaps basin. Spoon in ice-cream mixture and smooth it out with the bottom of the spoon.

Completely cover with plastic wrap. Place in freezer until set solid.

Serve by turning upside-down onto a plate and removing the plastic. Garnish with a whole cherry and some mint leaves. Yum!

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An Aussie Christmas

White cockatoo Christmas You can make this beautiful white slice to cut up and wrap in pieces of clear cellophane paper, tied with yellow ribbon. Give it to friends or use it to decorate your Christmas table.

Ingredients:

Things you’ll need:

r o e t s Bo sifter r e p o spoon u k 1 cup dried, shredded coconut S biscuit tray 1 cup powdered milk 3 cups rice bubbles™

mixing bowl

/4 cup icing sugar

saucepan

225 g copha™

knife

1 drop vanilla essence

cellophane and yellow ribbon

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1 cup mixed fruit

Put rice bubbles™, mixed fruit, coconut and powdered milk in a bowl and mix well.

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2. Sift icing sugar and add to bowl.

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3. Add vanilla essence.

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o c . che e r o Add copha™ to mixture and mix very well. t r s super

4. Melt copha™ in a saucepan. (You will need help because it will be very hot.) 5.

6. Press mixture firmly into a biscuit tray. 7.

Refrigerate.

8. Cut into squares. 9. Wrap and enjoy!

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Frosted strawberries In Australia, we are lucky to have lots of beautiful strawberries to eat at Christmas. This recipe makes them taste and look even better.

Follow these steps: Ingredients:

Wash the strawberries.

2. t Pat them dry with paper towel. r o e s Bo r e 2 eggs p 3. Separate the eggwhites okcarefully. u / cup caster S sugar 4. Beat eggwhites until they look white. fresh strawberries

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5. Brush fruit with eggwhite.

You will need:

6. Fill a shallow bowl with caster sugar.

shallow dish 7.

Hold fruit by stems and dip in sugar.

pastry brush

8. Allow to dry. © R . I . C . Publ i cat i ons paper towel 9. Pile on dish and serve. • f o r r e v i e w pur posesonl y• mixing bowl

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More ideas for you to try: • •

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egg beater

o c . c e her r Make more colourful frosting o t s by putting two drops s of u food r e p colouring into a quarter of a cup Frost other summer fruits and put them with your strawberries.

of caster sugar. •

Add coloured jelly crystals to the caster sugar to make your fruits sparkle.

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An Aussie Christmas

Aussie Christmas tucker Chrissie damper — page 51 Indicator:

Follows written instructions to make damper.

Background information: •

Damper and bully beef were and still are part of the staple diet of many stockmen and others when working in the bush. Damper is easy to make and the ingredients readily available and easily stored for lengthy periods of time. It is also great for dipping in billy tea.

r o e t s Bo r e p ok u S Aussie Christmas table candle

Students may like to suggest other toppings for their damper; e.g. golden syrup and honey.

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They may also like to work out suitable ways of decorating their damper with Australian flora; e.g. gumnuts, wattle.

Indicator:

— page 52

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Follows written instructions to choose materials for and make a Christmas candle table centrepiece.

Background information: •

It is important that suitable shallow dishes are selected for these candle centrepieces. They need to be wide enough to hold the decorations but not so deep that the decorations cannot be seen. They must be sufficiently stable to support the candle and strong enough to support the weight of the decorations without bending.

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Encourage students to make suggestions for other suitable decorations. They could walk through the local bush or park looking for suitable materials.

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Indicator:

Follows written instructions to fold a serviette and make a Santa serviette ring.

Background information:

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Snazzy Santa serviettes — page 53

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White paper or light card can be substituted for the felt.

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Students should take care not to glue their band to their serviettes, as the band needs to be able to slide off and on the serviette.

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Students may like to make a snazzy Santa serviette for each member of their family to use on Christmas Day.

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An Aussie Christmas

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Chrissie damper Damper is a type of bread that is quick and easy to make. When people living in the Australian bush couldn’t buy bread and didn’t have time to make it, they made damper. At Christmas they made it into special Christmas shapes. Then they cooked it, often in the ashes of their campfires.

r o e t s Bo r 2 cups self-raising flour e 1. Put fl our and butter in o bowl. p u 2 teaspoons sugar S 2. Rub butter into flour. k 1

Steps

/2 teaspoon salt

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You will need:

3. Add sugar and salt and mix.

1 tablespoon butter

4. Add milk slowly to make dough.

1 cup milk or water

5. Knead the dough.

butter and jam or honey

6. Make into Christmas shapes (perhaps a star or a wreath).

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wooden spoon knife

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8. Bake in hot oven for 20 minutes. 9. Remove from oven when brown.

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Equipment:

10. Serve with butter and honey, jam or Vegemite™.

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I am cooking Christmas damper. R.I.C. Publications® www.ricpublications.com.au

An Aussie Christmas

Aussie Christmas table candle Make this beautiful Australian candle to put in the middle of your table on Christmas Day. It should look and smell like the Australian bush. Colour the finished candle. You will need: dish

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candle (in a Christmas colour)

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modelling clay

gumnuts and gum leaves small pine cones

gold or silver paint

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Steps to follow: Paint small pine nuts gold or silver and allow to dry.

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o c . Place modelling clay in the bottom of the dish ch e r e o t r s super Put candle in the middle.

2. Choose gumnuts and leaves for your candle. 3. 4.

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5. Arrange the gumnuts, pine cones, and flowers around the candle. 6. Add gum leaves and berries. 7.

Add ribbon and tinsel.

Place your candle on the table and enjoy it. 52

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Snazzy Santa serviettes Make these Christmas serviettes to use on Christmas Day. You will need: red or green paper serviette

scissors

white felt 8 x 6 cm

glue

r o e t s Bo r Follow these steps:e p ok u 1. Fold cornersS ‘a’ and ‘b’ of 2. Cut out beard shape. pencil

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cotton wool

your serviette to meet in the middle.

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5. Wrap band around serviette and glue ends together at the back.

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3. Place shape on felt, draw around it and cut out felt beard.

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6. Glue a little cotton wool to the tip of Santa’s ‘hat’. You can give him a moustache too. R.I.C. Publications® www.ricpublications.com.au

An Aussie Christmas

Aussie Christmas tucker Hanging lolly holder — page 55 Indicator:

Follows oral and written instructions to make a hanging lolly holder.

Background information: •

The hanging lolly holder template can be photocopied onto stiff white card to make a stronger holder. Students colour the holder, including both sides of the four triangular sections at the top as these will be folded down and on ‘show’. The section marked ‘Glue’ should not be coloured.

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Aussie Christmas pud — pages 56–57 Indicator:

Follows oral and written instructions to make an Aussie Christmas pudding.

Background information: •

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After the holder is cut out, the sides should be folded in along the dark solid lines. The three triangular sections without the hole should be folded down. Add glue to the section indicated and stick to the opposite side. Use a paper punch to make a hole where indicated and thread tinsel or wool through to hang on the Chrissie tree. Fill with candy canes and lollies.

Christmas pudding was a treat that started several centuries ago. Dried fruits were always available but sugar and spices were kept for special treats to be eaten at times such as Christmas.

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Originally, the pudding was made of boiled wheat and spices and eaten on Christmas Eve. Over time, eggs, spirits and suet (fat) were added. The traditional Christmas pudding is totally round in shape, flamed in brandy to represent the sun and warmth and eaten at the end of the Christmas meal. Silver coins or charms are often added. The person who finds one of these in his or her slice of pudding is thought to have luck all year. (Note: As our coins are not made from silver any more, they are wrapped in foil before being placed in the pudding.)

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Students colour the face, body, arms and legs of the Christmas pudding, before cutting out each part and stapling the arms and legs. Puddings can have some tinsel or wool attached and be hung up for display.

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Further suggestions: A story about a day in the life of a plum pudding or an explanation about the type of pudding each student has at Christmas could be written on the back before the arms and legs are attached.

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An outline of the pudding’s body could be traced on another sheet of paper. The back can be coloured and partly stapled to the back of the face to form the back of the head. It can be stuffed with scrunched scraps of paper etc. and stapled completely for a 3–D effect.

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Hanging lolly holder Colour and cut out the hanging lolly holder.

•

Fold along the dark solid lines and glue where shown.

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Make a hole and thread with tinsel or wool.

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Add small candy canes or lollies and hang on the Chrissie tree!

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An Aussie Christmas

Aussie Christmas pud – 1 Colour and cut out the Christmas pud’s face and body.

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Attach the arms and legs from page 57.

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An Aussie Christmas

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Aussie Christmas pud – 2 Colour and cut out the Christmas pud’s arms and legs.

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Attach to the body on page 56.

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An Aussie Christmas

Aussie carols and Christmas songs Sing Christmas songs! — pages 59–60 Indicators: • Reads information about Australian Christmas carols and songs. • •

Completes a wordsearch to find words from a text. Uses a code to write a sentence about Christmas in Australia.

Background information: •

Read the information on page 59 with the students.

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Students use different-coloured pencils to highlight the words in bold from the text on page 59.

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Students use the code to write the letters above each number to form a sentence about Christmas.

Page 60 1.

M M

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Answers

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Light up Christmas! — page 61

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2. Australians celebrate Christmas by singing carols and songs.

Indicators: • Creates a candle holder by colouring, cutting and gluing. •

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Creates a 3-D candle by colouring, cutting and joining.

Background information:

•

Enlarge the worksheet to an appropriate size for the candle holder and photocopy onto card.

•

Students colour and cut out the candle holder and glue to fit the candle as indicated, ensuring that the coloured section faces upwards. Insert candle and adjust to fit. (Note: The base of the candle should be showing at the bottom of the holder so that students have something to hold onto! Care should be taken to ensure that this holder is not used without adult supervision.) Other containers suitable for holding candles include small decorated jars.

•

Colour and cut out the candles and cut up or down the centre lines, being very careful to stop at the crosses. Insert one candle inside the other and secure with sticky tape. Attach string or wool to the top to hang.

An Aussie Christmas

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Sing Christmas songs! — 1 Read the information below. Many different songs are heard and sung in Australia at Christmas time, just as they are in many countries around the world. Traditional carols such as ‘Away in a manger’, ‘Silent night’, ‘O little town of Bethlehem’ and ‘Hark the herald angels sing’ are still sung in churches and heard in large shopping centres.

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Other carols, written in Australia, are also sung. Some of these include ‘Christmas Day’ (The north wind is tossing the leaves ...), ‘The carol of the birds’, ‘The three drovers’, ‘The silver stars are in the sky’ and ‘Christmas bush for His adorning’.

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Often, new words are written for more traditional songs to make them ‘more Australian’. These include ‘Deck the shed with bits of wattle’ (Sung to the tune of ‘Deck the hall’...), ‘Aussie jingle bells’, ‘Australian twelve days of Christmas’ and ‘Australians let us barbecue’ (Sung to the tune of ‘Advance Australia fair’). Other songs which have special significance to Australians are ‘Six white boomers’ by Rolf Harris and ‘Santa never made it into Darwin’, written by Bill and Boyd (about Cyclone Tracy which struck Darwin at dawn on Christmas Day in 1974).

‘Messiah’ is a well-known musical production for singers, choirs and orchestra, written by George Handel, which is often performed at Christmas. The bestknown song from this oratorio is the ‘Hallelujah’ chorus

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One Australian tradition which started in Melbourne in 1937 is Carols by Candlelight. Radio announcer Norman Banks saw a woman alone, listening to carols by the light of a single candle. He thought how lonely she looked, so he organised community carol singing outdoors for everyone who wanted to join in. The idea became so popular that many ‘Carols by Candlelight’ events are held all over Australia in the week before Christmas. Large-scale productions are held in Melbourne at the Myer Music Bowl and in the Domain in Sydney, but many smaller towns, cities and communities hold their own events in parks.Well-known singers and entertainers often perform at these events to raise money for charities. Families enjoy singing carols together from printed sheets, sitting on blankets, picnic mats or fold-up chairs, holding candles in protective containers.

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An Aussie Christmas

Sing Christmas songs! — 2 Find the bold words from page 59 in the word search.

G W C

O M M U

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H t Oo P P I N G r e s B r e R S R O O D T U o Oo A p u E S V I T C E T O R Pk K

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2. Use the code to write a sentence about Christmas in Australia. B

17 15 20 3 16 17 13 4 17 21 20

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17 21 8

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5 13 5

6 12

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6 16 17 3

An Aussie Christmas

9 16 4 20 3 25 17 20

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Light up Christmas! Colour, cut out and glue the candle holder.

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The finished candle

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An Aussie Christmas

Aussie carols and Christmas songs Away in a … — page 63 Indicators: • Reads an Australian version of a verse from a traditional carol. •

Writes and illustrates an Australian version of a verse from a traditional carol.

Background information: Read the Australian version of the first verse of ‘Away in a manger’ Note: ‘Nipper’ is Australian slang for small child; ‘noggin’ = head.

•

Discuss what the words in verse two mean: ‘lowing’ - mooing; ‘cradle’ - a little bed or cot for an infant, usually built on rockers‘; nigh’ - near. Suggest that the new words do not need to be ‘translated word for word’ but may be changed slightly. The students need to include the following ideas: farm animals are making noises; the baby wakes up but doesn’t cry; the baby is being watched over; an adult will be close by until He wakes up and needs something.

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One suggestion is: ‘The chooks are all clucking, the little nipper wakes, But the cute little feller doesn’t make one mistake, He smiles and he gurgles — he’s a real little corker, He knows I’ll be close by — just as I ought to!’

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Students may write four non-rhyming sentences instead of a rhyming verse.

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Completed works should be shared with the class and the illustrations should be displayed.

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Answers

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•

1. 2. 3.-–5.

Teacher check ‘Away in a manger’ Teacher check

Indicator:

Writes new words for a well-known Christmas song.

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Background information:

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Aussie jingle bells — page 64

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An Australian version of ‘Jingle bells’ may be found at http://users.tpg.com.au/sharenet/c/ jinglebells.html

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Prepare an overhead or photocopy of the traditional words to ‘Jingle bells’. A version may be found on http://www.carols.org.uk/jingle_bells.htm

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Students complete the activities as directed on the worksheet. Repeat the activity once students have made their first attempt.

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Students may design their own ‘noise-makers’ to accompany their song; e.g. riceshakers.

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Aussie twelve days of Christmas — page 65 Indicator:

Writes new words for a traditional Christmas song.

Background information:

•

Brainstorm to list Australian animals, plants or typically Aussie items—e.g. a jar of Vegemite™, Aeroplane™ jelly etc.—to include in the song.

•

Students complete and share their new words with the class. An Aussie Christmas

R.I.C. Publications® www.ricpublications.com.au

Away in a ... 1.

Read the first verse of this Australian version of a well-known Christmas carol. Out front in the sleepout, no swag to sleep in, One very small nipper laid down his noggin. The stars way out yonder kept their eagle eye

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On the little nipper who snoozed there nearby.

3. Read the original second verse of this carol.

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2. Write the original name for this traditional children’s Christmas carol.

The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes, But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes

I love Thee Lord Jesus, look down from the sky,

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And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

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5. Draw a picture to match on the back of the worksheet. R.I.C. Publications® www.ricpublications.com.au

An Aussie Christmas

Aussie jingle bells ‘Jingle bells’ is a very popular Christmas song. Some clever people have even written words to make this song more Australian. 1.

Listen to or sing the traditional version of ‘Jingle bells’.

2. Write words of your own to complete the first verse and chorus of an Aussie ‘Jingle bells’. (Note: You have to select one of the words listed to complete the first line.) Don’t worry if your lines don’t rhyme!

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Over the

Laughing all the way

we go

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r o e t s Bo r e p ok Racing through the u (bush/sand/grass/mud) S In a

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Jingle all the way

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Oh, what fun it is to ride

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While

o c . c e r Jingle bells, jingle bellsh er o t s super In a

Jingle all the way

Oh, what fun it is to ride In a

3. Check your work and make corrections then read or sing it for the class. 64

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Aussie twelve days of Christmas 1.

Use the name of Australian things to complete the song. On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me A big jar of black Vegemite™. On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Two roos a-bounding ...

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On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Three galahs singing ...

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On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Five wombats waddling ... On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Six wattle trees a-waving ...

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On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Four dingoes dashing ....

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

Eight

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On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

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On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me ,

. t e o On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me c . c e her r Ten o t s super Nine

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eleven On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Twelve

2. Sing your song from start to finish, adding all the parts. R.I.C. Publications® www.ricpublications.com.au

An Aussie Christmas

Aussie carols and Christmas songs Aussie carols — page 67 Indicator:

Listens to and answers questions about Australian Christmas carols.

Background information: • •

• •

NOTE: If possible, teachers should have copies of a CD with the Australian carols mentioned below, but should at least have copies of the lyrics (see websites below). The lyrics for ‘Carol of the birds’ may be found on http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/ Hymns_and_Carols/carol_of_the_birds.htm Lyrics for ‘Christmas Day’ (The north wind ...) and ‘The three drovers’ may be found on http://ozguru.mu.nu/archives/2005/12/ NOTE: Dance movements to accompany the ‘Carol of the birds’ and ‘Merry Christmas’ may be found on http://www.earthlydelights.com.au/xmas6.htm Students will need to listen to each carol more than once before completing the questions.

1. (a) and (b) Teacher check (c) orana 2. (a) Teacher check (b) (i) drover (ii) swan (iii) plain (iv) Noel 3. (a) Teacher check (b) (i) red (ii) brown (c) (i) tree ferns (ii) joy bells

Aussie Christmas songs — page 68 Indicators: • Solves a code to write a sentence about a song. • •

Writes new words for a traditional carol. Solves a wordsearch to find words from a song.

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Answers

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Background information:

NOTE: Lyrics for the songs on this page may be found on <http://www.silver-mg.com/ Xmas/Xmas_Lyrics_Aussie_Songs2.htm#anchor9> (‘Six white boomers’), <http://www. australianjoeyscouts1.4t.com/xmas/bbq.html> (‘Australians let us barbecue’) and <http://www. silver-mg.com/Xmas/Xmas_Lyrics_Aussie_Songs.htm#anchor21> (‘Deck the shed with bits of wattle’). Ideally, music CDs would be provided for the students to listen to.

•

‘Australians let us barbecue’ is sung to the tune ‘Advance Australia Fair’.

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Answers

1. (a) Teacher check 2. Teacher check 3. (a) Teacher check

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(b) Santa took Joey to find his mum. G

(b)

N G E R B E

T B O N E S T

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•

E R

E A K

o c . che e r o t r s super My Christmas songs P S

U X C O L

E S K T Y

E S

L A W

D S E G A S U A S U

— page 69

Indicators: • Writes words to create new Christmas songs. •

Illustrates a song he/she has created.

Background information: • NOTE: Dance movements to ‘Where is Santa?’ may be found on http://www.earthlydelights. com.au/xmas6.htm • Sing the song with the students (or ask a small group to sing it!). Discuss and explain the pattern (A A B B C D E E). Students write their own words for Question 1 (b). • Sing or listen to ‘Once a jolly swagman’ and discuss possible words to fit each section. • Students write, illustrate and share their work with the class. 66

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Aussie carols Three well-known Christmas carols are ‘Carol of the birds’, ‘Christmas Day’ (The north wind is tossing the leaves) and ‘The three drovers’. 1. (a) Listen carefully to the words of ‘Carol of the birds’.

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(b) Write and draw three birds from the carol.

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(ii) a swimming bird with a long, slender neck

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o c . (iv) Christmasc e her r o t sDay’. su er (a) Listen carefully to the words ofp ‘Christmas (iii) an area of flat land

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2. (a) Listen carefully to the words of ‘The three drovers’.

(b) Colour the box to match the word from the carol. (i) ... the

dust’

(ii) ‘... paddock is

’

(ii) An Aussie Christmas

Aussie Christmas songs 1.

(a) Listen to the song ‘Six white boomers’ by Rolf Harris. (b) Break the code to write a sentence about the song. a .– m––

.–

–––

f ..–. s ...

h .... t–

i .. u .–.

j –... y ...–

o –t ––r – –e –– B –.– –... – – – s r e oo p u k S ..–. .. –. –.. .... .. ... – – .–. –

.–

k –.–

...–

––

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–

e. o–––

–.

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...

d –.. n –.

(c) Draw and write about the song on a large, separate sheet of paper. 2. (a) Listen to the words to ‘Deck the shed with bits of wattle’. (b) Write new ‘Australian’ words for part of the song.

‘Deck the

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Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! - Oi! Oi! Oi!

Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! - Oi! Oi! Oi!’

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o c . c coleslaw e r E Sh T E A K e o t r s supe t-bone steak r I E S K T Y

3. (a) Listen carefully to the words of ‘Australians let us barbecue’. G

T B O N P S

U X C O L

R B E

E R

sausages

pud

E S

L A W pies D S E G A S U A S U ginger beer

(b) Find the listed words in the wordsearch. (c) The words are all about

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My Christmas songs 1.

(a) Sing these words to the tune (b) Follow the pattern to write new words. ‘Frère Jacques’. Where is Rudolph? ‘Where is Santa? Where is Santa? Here I am! Here I am!

r o e t s Bo r e Changing into shorts p ok u Slipping on Smy thongs Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho!’

2. Write new words to fit the song ‘Waltzing Matilda’.

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Here I am!

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‘Who’ll

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?’

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3. Draw a picture to match your song in Question 2.

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An Aussie Christmas

Ridgy-didge bits ’n’ pieces An outback Christmas message — pages 71–73 Indicators: • Demonstrates clear, expressive speech. •

Follows script to speak on cue.

Background information Before reading through the play script with the students, discuss their understanding of the Christmas message of peace and goodwill to all. Explain that it is not exclusively a Christian belief. Many world religions teach the same message.

•

Discuss the ways in which students practise this message with their families and friends and within the community. Discuss the effect it has on others.

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Discuss ways in which they, or others, disregard the message and the effect it has on others.

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Read through the text, discussing each example of not practising peace and goodwill and how the others in the group are affected by it.

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Do students agree with Emu when she says that living in peace and harmony is a much better way? Ask them to explain their answers.

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There are parts in the play to suit students of different abilities, from the emu and Tasmanian devil, who have quite a lot to learn, to the koala, who has only a small part.

•

Many important skills are practised when performing a play, such as:

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speaking loudly and clearly and with expression

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using body language to emphasise mood

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learning the script

–

following the script and recognising cues.

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•

The play can be performed without the use of props and costumes. The crash of thunder can be achieved by banging two metal lids together and the flash of lightning by quickly turning the lights on and off.

To enhance the performance, Students could wear simple clothing such as sweat shirt and pants in brown, grey or black with a large, colourful picture of the animal they are portraying pinned to the front of the shirt.

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• •

An outback backdrop could be painted to give atmosphere to the scene.

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Students not acting in the play could play percussion instruments, with a score to represent each animal.

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o c . c e hreally r But it’s not Christmas er o t s super

— pages 74–75

Indicators: • Reads the text. •

Learns there is a difference between Southern and Northern Hemisphere Christmases.

Background information •

• 70

The text may be used for a number of language activities such as: –

initiating discussion about the different ways in which students and their families celebrate Christmas

–

use of punctuation, grammar and vocabulary.

Students could make a montage of Northern and Southern Hemisphere activities. An Aussie Christmas

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An outback Christmas message All the animals are on stage, trying to organise a game of T-ball. Koala is fast asleep in a tree, stage left. Kookaburra is twitching in a tree, stage right. Everyone freezes as the narrators speak. Welcome to our Christmas play. There is no stable, no bright star, No shepherds or angels or men from afar. But the message, you’ll hear it plain and clear, Lasts not just for Christmas, but all through the year.

Narrator 2:

r o e t s Bo r e p ok u S Out in the bush, where the sun fiercely burns, The animals were playing, But they were not taking turns!

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Narrator 1:

Kangaroo:

(punching his fists) Hey, you guys, I’m the strongest. Now unless you want to find out how good I am at boxing, I go first!

Emu:

(proudly) You may be the strongest, but I’m the fastest, so I get to go first!

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(spookily) There’s something in the air, I’m not sure what it may be, But I can feel it in my feathers, I can feel it in the tree.

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Everyone stops and looks up at Kookaburra as she speaks:

o c . (unhappily) Playing with you guys is no e fun. You’re always arguing c h r and beinge unkind to each other. t I’m off to my burrow for some o r s s r e left) pstage peace and quiet. u (exits

Tasmanian devil: (impatiently) Silly old bird! What is she on about? Wombat:

Dingo:

(laughing) Off you waddle then, Wally. You’re too slow for us anyway.

Kookaburra:

(more spookily) There’s something in the air, I’m not sure what it may be, But I can feel it in my feathers, I can feel it in the tree.

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An Aussie Christmas

An outback Christmas message Dingo:

(shouting up to Kookaburra) Hey fluffy head! I think your feathers are tickling your brain! Kookie by name, kookie by nature!

Echidna:

(shuffling towards Numbat and Possum) What’s up with you two? You’re wriggling around like you’ve got ants crawling up your legs. Here, let me have a taste!

Numbat:

(screaming) No! Please don’t! We don’t want to play any more. You’re all too big and scary for us!

r o e t s Bo r e p o u k (pointing in panic at Dingo and Tasmanian devil) Look at those S two! They’re ready to pounce. I think they want to have us for

Dingo and Tasmanian devil look hungrily at Possum and Numbat.

lunch!

Everyone freezes while narrator speaks.

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Possum:

Narrator 3:

The animals had been so busy arguing, They hadn’t noticed the skies had been darkening.

Kookaburra:

(very agitated) There’s something in the air, I’m not sure what it is, But I can feel it coming closer, Oh my goodness, here it is!

A tremendous crash of thunder and a bright flash of lightning disturb the scene.

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Koala:

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Numbat/Possum: (screaming in terror) Aagh! Let’s get out of here! Quickly, let’s run! (exits stage left) (wakes up, stretches and yawns) Someone had better run after those two. They might get lost.

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o c . c e r Not so fast,h mate. They’re my lunch! (exits stage left) er o t s s r upe (severely) Come back, you two! They’re our friends. Don’t you

Tasmanian devil: (quick as a flash) Yes, you’re right, Lazybones. I’ll go. (exits stage left) Dingo: Emu:

hurt them! Don’t you dare hurt them! Possum and Numbat appear from stage right, closely followed by Dingo and Tasmanian devil. Possum:

(in panic) Please don’t hurt us.

Numbat:

(very scared) Please let us go.

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An outback Christmas message Dingo:

(threatening) But I’m hungry and you’re my LUNCH!

Tasmanian devil: (softly) Hey, Dingo, mate. They’re terrified, let them go. They are our friends after all. Dingo: Emu: Kangaroo:

r o e t s Bo r e p ok u (gently) Sorry, guys. We didn’t mean to bully you. S (crossly) Dingo! Stop right there!

(seriously) Okay you two! Don’t you realise what you’re doing to these little guys? Can’t you see how frightened they are?

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Tasmanian devil:

(suspiciously) None of your tricks, Tassie. I know your game. These are mine!

Dingo:

(smiling) Just having a bit of a laugh. I wasn’t really going to eat you, honest!

Emu:

(seriously) We have to look out for each other. We should try to live together happily and not worry about our differences. It’s our differences that make us special. Let’s try to live together in peace and harmony. It’s much better that way. You’ll see!

© R. I . C.Publ i cat i ons •f or r evi ew pur posesonl y• Kangaroo: (with relief) The storm’s passed over now. Who’s up for a game Tasmanian devil: (jokingly) Long speech, Birdbrain, but it makes a lot of sense. You’re not as daft as you look! of T-ball? (cheering) Great idea!

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Everyone quickly gets into position for the game.

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Everyone:

Dingo:

(slapping Possum on the back) Want to be in my team, Possum, old pal?

Numbat:

(happily) Oh, yes, great, thanks.

Narrator:

So you see, When we all play together, things work out fine. I want to be your friend. Will you be mine?

. te(nervously) Er, er, sure, sure thing, er, old pal.o Possum: c . ch Tasmanian Devil: (hailing Numbat) Hey, Numbat! In my team! We’ll show them e r er o how it’s done. st super

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An Aussie Christmas

But it’s not really Christmas! table and his little sister was jumping up and down with excitement. ‘Now can we open our presents?’ she begged. ‘Tom’s up, Tom’s up!’

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‘You might like to go outside for a while’, Mum had suggested. They raced to the window and gasped with surprise at a beautiful snowy wonderland. A white Christmas, how perfect!

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They had all sat together close to the fire and unwrapped presents. It had felt just right and so special. Every year they made presents to give to children who didn’t have very much and now it felt lovely to get some of their own

Grabbing their coats, hats, gloves and boots they had rushed outside and stretched out on the ground to make snow angels, before having a wonderful snowball fight. The snowman they made was the best ever and they raced inside to get a carrot for his nose and to ask Mum and Dad to come and see him.

He had felt so excited in his dream as he leapt out of bed and raced downstairs, past the beautiful pine Christmas tree to the fireplace where his stocking was hanging. Father Christmas had been! Tom could see the presents he had left. He had eaten the Christmas cake Tom had put on the plate for him last night, as they listened to the carol singers outside in the street. The reindeer’s carrots had gone too.

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o c . che e r o t r s sup er He could still see the Christmas tree

Mum was in the kitchen, preparing their Christmas dinner. It all smelt so wonderfully warm and spicy. Dad was putting shiny crystal glasses on the

He could still taste and smell the wonderful hot ham and turkey covered with rich, warm gravy and the delicious, spicy Christmas pudding and brandy sauce and custard.

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Tom’s eyes opened slowly. He really didn’t want to wake up. His dream had been wonderful. He had been dreaming about Christmas. It had been warm there in his old bed under the thick feather quilt. Only the tip of his nose could feel the cold air.

An Aussie Christmas

He could still hear well-known Christmas carols like, ‘Away in a manger’ and ‘Jingle bells’.

with the beautiful angel at the top and the nativity scene they set up on the same table every year. But now he had to wake up—and everything was so different. He felt hot and sticky and uncomfortable. How could this be Christmas?

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But it’s not really Christmas! When Dad had told him they would be going to live in Australia, in a mining town in the north-west, he had been so excited. It had been very new and exciting and a great adventure—until now.

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When he finally got up, Tom saw the Christmas stocking at the end of his bed. It was full of parcels and he started to feel better. Santa didn’t only come to houses with chimneys!

Christmas dinner was great. They had hot turkey and salad and the best icecream pudding, as well as hot plum pudding, brandy sauce and custard.

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But Christmas was so different! It just didn’t seen right. Everything was hot and red! Where was the snow, the warm fires and the yummy hot food? How would Santa and the reindeer manage? Tom really didn’t feel any Christmas spirit. He was very sad.

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There were Christmas carols being played on the CD player and he decided ‘The three drovers’ sounded really good and he liked ‘Carol of the birds’ too. Then they played ‘Away in a manger’ and ‘Christmas Day’—and suddenly it felt just like Christmas!

After they had finished their Christmas lunch, they went outside and played cricket with lots of friends. Their mums and dads played, too. Everyone was happy and really having a great time. When Mum phoned England that evening and his cousin asked how he had enjoyed Christmas, Tom smiled and said that it was really good—a real Aussie Christmas!

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Dad was outside, cooking turkey in the barbecue, and it smelt pretty good. Mum suggested he put on his bathers and grab his hat and shirt and she would take them down to the pool for a morning swim. What a good idea!

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The pool was wonderful and everyone seemed to be there. Suddenly, there was a really loud noise and a helicopter appeared and landed on the oval. Guess what? Tom couldn’t believe his eyes, but out stepped Santa with a sack full of presents! All the people cheered as he walked towards them. He did look a bit strange. He was wearing thongs, he had on a big hat and was carrying a can of cool drink in his hand.

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When Tom returned home he noticed the shiny angel was on the top of their plastic Christmas tree and the nativity scene was on a little table.

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An Aussie Christmas