Weird, Wacky and Yucky History: Christmas
In this one off class, learners will explore the ways people in the past celebrated Christmas.
Dr Anne Holdorph
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(426)
Star Educator
What's included
1 live meeting
25 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 2 - 4
In this one off class, learners will explore the ways that different people in the past have celebrated festivals and holidays in December. Learners will look at the way Christmas was celebrated in Medieval Europe, looking at gifts that were given by Lords and Henry II's peculiar Christmas Jester. We will also look at associated Christmas celebrations, such as Childermas and the Feast of Fools. We will also look at the development of the Victorian Christmas and how traditions such as Christmas trees and Christmas crafts became popular. Learners will also look at some Christmas traditions from Catalonia, including 'Tio' the Christmas log and the figure of the Caganer. The class will be discussion based, using primary sources and photographs to prompt discussion, which will take place in English. no prior knowledge is needed for this class.
Learning Goals
After this class, learners will:
Know how December festivals were celebrated at different points in history
Look at the development of Christmas traditions
Other Details
Parental Guidance
This class looks at ways different people have celebrated December festivals in history. This class is secular in nature.
This class will talk about poop at various points. Please ensure you and your learner are comfortable with this topic.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
Photograph of a recreated Medieval feast (modern)
Medieval illustration of Peasants harvesting Wheat from Queen Mary's Psalter
Image of Henry II
1848 engraving of Queen Victoria and family decorating a tree
Image of Caganer (modern)
Image of Tio the Christmas log (modern)
Victorian Christmas Cards:
The first Christmas Card
May Christmas be Merry (Indiana University) shows a frog dancing with a beetle
A Happy Christmas to you (Brighton Museum) shows owls on a bicycle
Merry Xmas (Sydney Living History Museum) Shows a cat painting a portrait of a heron
A Joyful Christmas to You (Derbyshire Museum) shows a dog reading a newspaper
Secondary Sources:
Fanny Dolansky
Ruth Goodman
Ben Johnson
Anne Lawrence-Matthers
John Matthews,
Alexander Murray
Dave Roos
Matt Salisbury
Neil Stokes
Cillian Shields
Henk Versnal
World Encyclopedia,
BBC History
English Heritage
Victoria and Albert Museum
Catalan News
Joined December, 2020
5.0
426reviews
Star Educator
Teacher expertise and credentials
Non-US Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Doctoral Degree in History from University of Southampton
I have a PhD in history and have taught history to learners from the age of 3 up to undergraduate level.Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$10
per classMeets once
25 min
Completed by 14 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 7-10
2-9 learners per class
Financial Assistance
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