Lesson Overview:

In this holiday lesson, students will learn the old carol “Good King Wenceslas” by John Mason Neale.  Many students are unfamiliar with the song, but it is a traditional carol that the students will enjoy learning and singing together.

Lesson Plan:

Suggested Grades:

4-5

Objective:

To teach the old, traditional Christmas carol, “Good King Wenceslas.”

Suggested Time:

30-40 minutes

Success Criteria:

Each student will be able to explain the story of King Wenceslas and sing the carol “Good King Wenceslas.”

Lesson Outline:

1. Introduction:

Ask the students to name some of their favorite Christmas carols.  Ask them if they know the meanings of these songs.   Ask what people typically do for one another at holiday time.  (Make sure you get the idea of giving.)

Tell the kids that there was a song written over 160 years ago that talks about giving to the poor.  It is a beautiful carol, but it takes a little bit of work to understand the lyrics.  Today we will work on understanding the words, then learn to sing the carol together.

There will be no writing today!

2. Main:

Teach the lyrics to the carol “Good King Wenceslas.”  Be sure to clarify any new vocabulary such as page, peasant, hither, monarch, etc.  Do your best to find a copy of McCaughrean’s book, Wenceslas.  Although you can teach the lesson without the text, the instruction will be much more effective with this book!  The use of color and light is spectacular and the children will be captivated by it.

Once the kids have worked on understanding the vocabulary and understand the story, play the carol for them.  The YouTube recording I have linked has the words on the screen.  So, the students can sing along without having to refer to the handout.

Sing the hymn twice, having children take the part of the king and the page boy.

3. Conclusion:

Emphasize the last line of the carol, “You who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing.”  Ask the children what that means and how it connects to the Christmas season.  Wish the children a happy, happy holiday!

Resources:

1. Choral recording of Good King Wenceslas, found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQVUMG6LZGM
2. Lyrics to Good King Wenceslas, printed on handouts for the students. You can find the printed lyrics here, http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Good_King_Wenceslas/.
3. Wenceslas by Geraldine McCaughrean and illustrated by Christian Birmingham.
4. Computer or ability to project the YouTube video for the children to follow.

Notes:

I believe that Wenceslas by Geraldine McCaughrean and illustrated by Christian Birmingham is out of print.  Be sure to purchase a used copy from a third-party vendor if you can.  If not, you can still teach the lesson by using the printed lyrics found at the link in Resources above.  However, it is much more effective when you have the book.  The colors and illustrations are exquisite, and they will help bring this old hymn to life!

I have found that learning this song helps children solidify their understanding of the true meaning of Christmas.  The language in the carol is a bit antiquated, but the children can understand it with help.

Recommended books for this lesson:

Wenceslas by Geraldine McCaughrean and illustrated by Christian Birmingham.

Key Terms:

Wenceslas, Christmas, Blessings, Charity, Holidays, Kings, Carols

Lesson Overview:

Children have heard the tune to Auld Lang Syne, but very few of them know the words or what the lyrics mean.  In this lesson, the children learn about the song, its origins, and how to sing it.  I love to do this lesson early in January when the students come back from their winter holidays.  Most of them are eager to reengage with school, and this is a fun lesson to get the creativity and energy flowing again.  Use confetti, streamers, and noise makers, and make party hats if you are up for a true celebration!

Lesson Plan:

Suggested Grades:

1 and everyone older

Objective:

To teach the children to understand and sing the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne.  (AASL 4.1.8, “Use creative and artistic formats to express personal learning.”)

Suggested Time:

45-50 minutes

Success Criteria:

Each student will be able to explain what “Auld Lang Syne” means and sing the chorus with his classmates.

Lesson Outline:

1. Introduction:

Ask the students whether they have ever heard this melody.  (Play a sample of the audio files from the Wikipedia article “Auld Lang Syne.”)  They will probably be able to hum the tune, but will not know what the words mean.

Ask the kids where they have heard the song, when they have sung it, or if there are any special traditions associated with it.  This will let you assess their current understanding.

2. Main:

Teach the children the history of Auld Lang Syne.  Include that Auld Lang Syne is:

• A poem written by Robert Burns, a Scotsman
• Set to a traditional Scottish folk tune
• Means “To Old Times” or “To Times Long Past”
• Honors the last year while looking forward to the new year
• Is traditionally sung at New Year festivities.

Show the children a picture of Robert Burns, a map of Scotland, and the Scottish flag, so that they have a context for the song.

Pass out the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne (attached).  Read and discuss them with the children so that they understand what the lyrics mean.  Go slowly, as the language is challenging.  For example, “Should old acquaintance be forgot?” translates into modern English as “Should you forget your old friends?”  Try to make the language accessible to the children.  Let them write on their lyrics sheets if that will help them remember the meaning of the poem.  You may wish to concentrate only on the first and last verses, as is done in the first recording in the Wikipedia audio files.

Sing the song together a few times.  Use a few different YouTube recordings if you want to give some variety to your singing.  The Red Hot Chili Peppers do a rock version, and Mariah Carey has a modern version, but there are many to choose from.  Be sure to play a traditional Scottish bagpipe version of the song.  I particularly like this one:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to1xT93IlUI

If you have time, let the children make and throw confetti, make and decorate party hats, or blow noisemakers.  They will enjoy having their very own New Year’s Back-To-School Celebration!

3. Conclusion:

Ask the children to review with you some of what they have learned.  Use questions like these as a wrap-up:

• Who wrote Auld Lang Syne?
• What country and language was Auld Lang Syne written in?
• When is Auld Lang Syne most commonly sung?
• What does Auld Lang Syne mean?

Resources:

1. Computer and Internet to access the Wikipedia article “Auld Lang Syne” and the three audio recordings.
2. Speakers and the ability to play back the three audio recordings from the Wikipedia article.
3. Copies of Auld Lang Syne Lyrics (attached).
4. Materials for making confetti and/or party hats.
5. Noisemakers (if you can find them on sale at a party shop after New Year.)

Notes:

The few times I have taught this lesson, the kids have really enjoyed learning the song.  However, once I taught it and a Scottish member of staff told me that I have it all wrong!  She said that you must lock arms and sing it quickly, with gusto!  Most of the online recordings are slow.  They feel like ballads, but my Scottish friend that the song should be sung more like a celebration!  Maybe you can find a Scotsman or Scotswoman to lend some authenticity to your lesson, but either way, your kids will learn something of cultural significance and will enjoy themselves!

Recommended books for this lesson:

None

Key Terms:

Robert Burns, Scotland, Poetry, Auld Lang Syne, Songs, New Year’s Eve, New Year, Celebrations

Auld Lang Syne Lyrics