CAKE Lesson - Germany

Cheiyl }allow, CAKE 0NIT, TSLE , Fall Page

Germany Loves Cake!

Background: The Germanic tribes probably originated Irom a mixture oI peoples along the Baltic Sea coast. They inhabited the
northern part oI the European continent by about 500 B.C., advancing into the central and southern areas oI present-day Germany by
100 B.C. Germany is representative oI a people rich with tradition and culture. Some traditions and holidays celebrated in Germany
are Christmas, Easter, Fasching, Loveparade, and OktoberIest. 'According to legend, on Christmas Eve in Germany, rivers turn to
wine, animals speak to each other, tree blossoms bear Iruit, mountains open up to reveal precious gems, and church bells can be heard
ringing Irom the bottom oI the sea. Christmas celebrations begin on Dec. 6
th
, as in many European countries. Children place a shoe
or boot by the Iireplace. During the night, St. Nicholas hops Irom house to house, carrying a book oI sins, 'in which all oI the
misdeeds oI the children are written. II they have been good, he Iills the shoe or boot with delicious edibles. II they have not been
good, their shoe is Iilled with twigs. The custom oI trimming and lighting a Christmas tree has its origin in pre-Christian Germany.
The tree symbolized the Garden oI Eden. It was called the "Paradise Baum," or tree oI Paradise. Gradually, the custom oI decorating
the tree with cookies, Iruit and eventually candles evolved. Other countries soon adapted the custom. Charles Dickens called it "The
Pretty German Toy." It has a mysterious magic Ior the young because they are not allowed to see the tree until Christmas Eve.hile
the children are occupied in another room, the Christmas tree is decorated with apples, candy, nuts, cookies, cars, trains, angels, tinsel,
Iamily treasures and candles or lights, and presents are placed under the tree. Plates have been decorated Ior each Iamily member and
are loaded with Iruits, nuts, marzipan, chocolate and biscuits. hen all is ready, a bell is rung and the children can enter the room.
Carols are sung, the Christmas Story is read and giIts are openedChristmas Day brings a Ieast oI roast goose, "Christstollen" (long
loaves oI bread bursting with nuts, raisins, citron and dried Iruit), "Lebkuchen" (spice bars), marzipan, and "Dresden Stollen" (a moist,
heavy bread Iilled with Iruit).
Lebkuchen (or PIeIIerkuchen) is a traditional treat at Christmas in Germany. The Iorerunner oI today's Lebkuchen was "honey cake."
Its history can be traced back to the Egyptians, the Greeks, and the Romans. At the time, honey was the only sweetener widely
available, and the people believed that honey was a giIt Irom the gods and that it had magical and healing powers. Lebkuchen was
invented in the 13
th
century by medieval monks, in Franconia, Germany. Lebkuchen bakers were recorded as early as 1296 in Ulm,
and 1395 in Nuremberg. The product oI Nrnberg Lebkuchen is the most Iamous export there today.
CAKE Lesson - Germany

Cheiyl }allow, CAKE 0NIT, TSLE , Fall Page

Lebkuchen (Spice Bars)

2 cups honey
5 cups Ilour
l cup grated unblanched almonds
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. powdered cloves
l cup mixed candied Iruits (orange, lemon and citron peel)
tsp. baking powder
Egg hite Icing (see recipe below)
Heat honey until thin; do not boil. Mix in all other ingredients except icing. Turn onto Iloured board and knead until smooth, adding a
little Ilour iI necessary. Roll with a Iloured rolling pin to 1/2" thickness. Grease and Ilour a baking sheet and lay rolled dough on it.
Bake in pre-heated 350 degrees oven about 20 minutes. Spread with icing while hot; cool beIore cutting into rectangles.
Egg hite Icing
2 egg whites
1 L cups conIectioner's sugar, shiIted
1 tbl. Lemon juice
hip egg whites until they stand in stiII peaks. Add sugar and lemon and juice and continue beating until thick and glossy. Spread on
cake or cookies with a spatula.
Fun Facts: Honey cakes were also worn as a talisman in battle or as protection against evil spirits. German chocolate cake
originated in Dallas, Texas, and comes Irom a sweet chocolate baking bar, developed Sam German, Irom Baker's Chocolate Company,
in 1852.

Rationale: The purpose oI our unit is to expose students to cultural celebrations around the world. e will expose and teach the
students about language through the celebratory events around the world. One oI the predominant ways that our group will do this is
through the inclusion oI Iood. In this lesson, students will be introduced to IiIteen European countries, with particular Iocus on
Germany. To look at Christmas celebrations speciIic to Germany, the hope is to allow students to evaluate Christmas celebrations in
their native countries and the United States, and to determine those customs based in Christianity, and those based in custom and
CAKE Lesson - Germany

Cheiyl }allow, CAKE 0NIT, TSLE , Fall Page

heritage. Viewing Christianity under the umbrella oI celebration, it is the hope that students will Iind appreciation with the diIIerent
religious and cultural belieIs practiced throughout the world.

Lesson Plan:
Language Objectives:
IDA Standards
Speaking: S paraphrase and summarize ideas presented orally
Listening: S complete content-related task or assignment based on oral discourse
Reading: S identiIy summaries oI passage
Writing: S produce content-related reports: Cultures oI the orld Flip Book or Poster

Content Standards:
SS6G8. The student will locate selected features of Europe.
b. Locate on a world and regional political-physical map the countries oI Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain, Ukraine,
and United Kingdom.
SS6G11. The student will describe the cultural characteristics of Europe.
b. Describe the major religions in Europe; include Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Visuals/Resources/Supplementary Materials:
eebly, world map and globe. Map oI Europe, Background InIormation, and Venn diagram (15 copies). Paper, pencils, colored
pencils, and markers.

Key Vocabulary:
France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, and United KingdomTeaspoon, tablespoon, ounce, cup, pint, quart

Class: 6
th
& 7
th
grade Number of Pupils: 12 students Date: January 25, 2012 Time: 8:50 9:40 a.m.
Time/Part oI
Lesson
Objectives/ Rationale Teacher Activities Learner Activities Discourse
Pattern
Assessment
Opening
8:50 9:00



O Introduce
topic and
assess prior
knowledge

O T will read a short
passage:Eat
Humble Pie.
O T will explain
task and present





T-Ss









CAKE Lesson - Germany

Cheiyl }allow, CAKE 0NIT, TSLE , Fall Page

9:00-9:10






9:10 9:15











9:15 9:35








9:35 9:40










O Encourage
oral discourse










O Encourage
cooperative
learning
models: Foldable
and Poster
O T will present
Anticipation
Guide as an
introduction to
European
countries.

O T will elicit
student responses
Irom guide.
O T will show Ss
the globe, asking
volunteers to
point to the
European
continent, as well
as one country in
vocabulary terms.

O T will assign 4
groups oI 3, and
pass out copies oI
map oI Europe,
explaining task.



O Ticket out the
Door: 'List Iive
countries in
Europe.


O Ss will work
independently,
reading and
answering
statements in
Before Lesson oI
Anticipation Guide.
O Ss will discuss as a
class responses
Irom guide.
O S will identiIy
countries on
classroom orld
Map, articulating
names oI each.




O orking in
cooperative
groupings, students
will list 15
countries in Europe.
All names oI
countries will be
written into map
and map is colored.




T-Ss






T-Ss
Ss-T
Ss-Ss









Ss-Ss







Ss-T



O Ts will observe Ss
and assist during the
reading and writing
process.






O Ts will observe Ss
and assist with
articulation oI
countries, repeating
as necessary.




O Ts will assist with Ss
progress






O Completed map and
Ticket out the Door.
CAKE Lesson - Germany

Cheiyl }allow, CAKE 0NIT, TSLE , Fall Page

Class: 6
th
& 7
th
grade Number of Pupils: 12 students Date: January 26, 2012 Time: 8:50 9:40 a.m.
Time/Part oI
Lesson
Objectives/ Rationale Teacher Activities Learner Activities Discourse
Pattern
Assessment
8:50 8:55




8:55 9:05





9:05 9:25
















O Engage
readers and
stir interest








O Organize
ideas and
encourage
thoughtIul,
mindIul
cognitive
process in
writing









O T will read a short
passage: Bring
Home the Bacon.


O T will read
background
inIormation about
German culture
and Christmas
celebrations.
O T will distribute
Venn diagram
and explain task.

























O Using the Venn and
in groups, Ss will
compare and
contrast those
things that are
different, and those
things common to
Christian traditions
in Germany, their
native countries,
and in the United
States.
O Ss will transIer
inIormation into
journal, writing
three sentences, or
more.
T-Ss




T-Ss





T-Ss
Ss-T
Ss-Ss









S









O Ts will observe Ss
during oral reading,
mindIul that Ss are
Iollowing along with
the passage.

O Ts will assist with Ss
progress, checking
Ior understanding,
scaIIolding and
modiIying as
necessary











CAKE Lesson - Germany

Cheiyl }allow, CAKE 0NIT, TSLE , Fall Page

9:25 9:35















9:35 9:40



















O ClariIy key
concepts and
make sense oI
what they just
learned

















O T will redistribute
Anticipation
Guides


O Ss will discuss with
group Iindings and
prepare Iour
sentences,
presenting to class:
1. Christmas
celebration(s) in
Germany.
2. Two sentences oI
Christmas
celebrations in their
native countries.
3. Christmas
celebrations in the
United States.

O Ss will complete
After Lesson oI
Anticipation Guide.



Ss-Ss















S


















O Ss Venn diagram,
group`s written
sentences, and
completed
Anticipation Guide.

Accommodations: All students will receive scaIIold support. Frequent checks Ior understanding (and recommendations) will be
incorporated into the lesson.

Homework & Extended Activities: Bring in one item used in baking and a recipe used in celebrations in their native countries.

Notes: Each lesson is designed to address the Iour language domains: reading, writing, speaking and listening, incorporating the use
oI IDA Standards, as well as Sixth Grade Social Studies Georgia PerIormance Standards. 'People learn a second language more
successIully when they use the language as a means oI acquiring inIormation, rather than as an end in itselI (Richards & Rodgers,
2001, p. 209). Richards & Rodgers go on to say that 'activities that involve real communication are essential Ior language learning;
as well, 'activities in which language is used Ior carrying out meaningIul tasks promote leaning (p.223). ith this in mind, the
CAKE Lesson - Germany

Cheiyl }allow, CAKE 0NIT, TSLE , Fall Page

approach to teaching this lesson is content-based, as well as task-based. Research suggests that there are advantages to the content-
based teaching approach. 'In general, it increases the amount oI time Ior learners to be exposed to a new language. It creates a
genuine need to communicate, motivating students to acquire language in order to understand the content (Lightbrown & Spada,
2006, p. 159). I tried to use a topic I thought would engage my learners and incorporate their personal experiences. I attempted to
engage my audience and stir interest using an Anticipation Guide. 'As part oI a well-planned lesson, such a guide serves as a catalyst
Ior activating relevant schemata and leads into reading with some personal investment in Iinding out what is in the text (Alvermann,
et. al., 2010, p. 178). During the work periods, I will determine needs and Iacilitate inIormation and delivery. I will check Ior
understanding and ask challenging questions, scaIIolding instruction as necessary, and making modiIications so that all learners
experience success with the lesson. A work model and rubric will be provided. 'The use oI a rubric helps to score student work more
accurately, quickly, Iairly, and reliably.Rubrics give students a better idea about the qualities their work should exhibit and help
them to understand the meaning behind the grades they are given (Diaz-Rico, 2008, p. 82). I want to take students to the level oI
appreciation oI religious and cultural diIIerences, building a bridge Ior discourse and Iree-Ilow oI ideas and belieIs. Due to the
sensitive nature oI discussion, no sarcasm and or ridicule will be tolerated. Discourse in religious nature that berates belieIs and
groups will not be tolerated. I hope that students will recognize the beauty in diversity by acknowledging and appreciating diverse
cultural celebrations.
Bibliography:

Diaz-Rico, L.T. (2008). $trategies for teaching English learners. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Lightbrown, P. M. & Spada, N. (2006). How languages are learned (3
rd
ed.). OxIord University Press.

Richards, J. C. & Rogers, T. S. (2001). 55roaches and methods in language teaching. $econd edition. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge
University Press.

British in Germany. (1999). Retrieved November 18, 2011, Irom http://www.british-in-
germany.de/LivinginGermany/germanculture.html

German Culture. (1998). Retrieved November 18, 2011, Irom http://www.germanculture.com.ua/library/links/Iood.htm

Ma5s. Retrieved November 20, 2011, Irom http://www.yourchildlearns.com/megamaps/print-europe-maps.html



CAKE Lesson - Germany

Cheiyl }allow, CAKE 0NIT, TSLE , Fall Page 8

Cermany Loves Cake!

Answer True or False to the statements below:
Before Lesson Statement After Lesson
The custom oI trimming and lighting a
Christmas tree has its origin in the United Kingdom.

St. Nicholas is not recognized as a saint, nor is a part oI
Christmas celebrations in Germany.

People once believed that honey was a giIt Irom the
gods and that it had magical and healing powers.

German Chocolate cake originated in Germany.
Sugar has been used as a sweetener Ior 2000 years.


In complete sentences:
1. Explain one Christmas celebration in Germany that is shared by all other countries discussed.

2. Explain two Christmas celebrations in your native country, or practiced in your Iamily, or by Iriend(s).

3. Discuss a Christmas event that happens in Georgia that does not happen in Germany.