BRITISH AND AUSTRIAN CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROJECT BETWEEN

STRATTON C. E. PRIMARY SCHOOL (Ms K. E. Chew)

EUROPAGYMNASIUM BAUMGARTENBERG

(Mag. Gertraud Gaisberger,

Mag. Rowena Hametner)

FIRST CONTACT (beginning of the term – mid September)

STRATTON AND BAUMGARTENBERG

Exchange of information and brochures about the respective schools

-         homepages

-         mail

-         presentation and explanation of project in class

Letter writing

Students write about themselves: hobbies, school, pets, etc.

CONKERS AND BONFIRE NIGHT (mid October)

STRATTON

BAUMGARTENBERG

Writing:

Pupils write individual letters describing Conkers (chestnut game) and give instructions on how to do it

Bonfire night: instructions on how to make a “Guy Fawkes figure” and what children in Britain do with it.

Activity:

Play Conkers at school

Make a “Guy Fawkes” figure

Extra School event: Burn figures of Guy Fawkes according to English custom

Writing:

Reply to Stratton about play and making of figures

Photographs of burning and playing

CHRISTMAS (beginning of December)

STRATTON

BAUMGARTENBERG

Activity:

Pupils play “Wichtel game” at school

Pupils learn “Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht”

Extra: puplic performance at Christmas celebration at school

(Photos?)

Writing:

Pupils create Christmas cards to send

Writing:

Pupils describe “Wichtel” game at school

Christmas in Austria

Description of traditions children know and practise at home/school/local communities

Christmas songs

Focus on “Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht”

Pupils send text and produce a video singing it

SHROVE TUESDAY/PANCAKE DAY

STRATTON

BAUMGARTENBERG

Writing:

Pupils describe activities of Pancake Day and the race and the rules

Add instructions on how to prepare pancakes

Activity:

Celebrate Pancake Day at school

Race and photos to send

EASTER

STRATTON

BAUMGARTENBERG

Activity: Prepare Easter eggs and hide them

Writing:

Pupils describe Austrian Easter traditions:

Instructions on how to prepare and paint eggs

Send colour and Easter stickers

Extra activity: BIRTHDAY

STRATTON AND BAUMGARTENBERG

Pupils describe birthday parties