German Festival Fun

Lesson Overview

Year Level: Foundation (Prep)
Subject Area: Languages – German
Unit Title: German to English Fun
Lesson Number: 11 of 15
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Australian Curriculum Link:
Languages: German – Foundation to Year 2 (F–2)
Strand: Understanding – Systems of language
Sub-strand:

• Recognising that German has rules for pronunciation, intonation and writing
• Understanding that language varies according to speakers and context
  Content Descriptions Addressed:
• Explore the sounds, rhythms and patterns of German through activities such as rhymes, songs and stories (ACLGER102)
• Notice and use context-related vocabulary and simple sentences during activities, such as shared reading and games (ACLGER101)

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WALT (We Are Learning To)

• Explore German culture through popular festivals and traditions.
• Learn and use key German vocabulary related to festivals.
• Compare German celebrations to familiar Australian festivities.

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Success Criteria

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

✅ Identify at least two German festivals by name.
✅ Say 3–5 German words related to celebration (e.g., "Licht", "Tanz", "Spaß").
✅ Recognise similarities and differences between German and Australian celebrations.
✅ Participate in a group activity representing a German tradition.

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Lesson Vocabulary (Word Wall)

German Word	English Translation	Visual Support
Fest	Festival	🎉
Laterne	Lantern	🏮
Licht	Light	💡
Tanz	Dance	💃
Musik	Music	🎵
Spass	Fun	😀

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Resources Required

• Flashcards with festival vocabulary and images
• Large world map or globe
• Smartboard or projector
• Printed colouring sheets: St. Martin’s lantern, Oktoberfest gingerbread heart
• Music clips: traditional German folk music
• Paper lantern craft materials (coloured paper, child-safe scissors, glue sticks)
• Teacher costume options (e.g. German hat or apron) to bring festivals to life

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Lesson Sequence (45 minutes)

1. Welcome & Warm-Up (5 mins)

• Greet students in German: Guten Morgen!
• Quick movement game: “Tanzen oder Sitzen?” (Dance or Sit?) using music – when the music plays, students dance; when it stops, they sit down quickly!
• Briefly introduce the lesson: "Today, we’re going to take a trip to Germany to explore how people celebrate festivals!"

2. Interactive Story & Discussion (10 mins)

• Use the smartboard to show photos of major German festivals:
  • Martinstag (St Martin's Day)
  • Oktoberfest
  • Karneval (Carnival/Fasching)
• Teacher reads a short, visual story about Martinstag, highlighting cultural aspects (lanterns, processions, giving/sharing).
• Pause to ask questions:
  • “Have you ever walked with lights at night?”
  • “Do we have something like this in Australia?”

3. Vocabulary Learning Game – “Vokabelzug” (Vocabulary Train) (10 mins)

• Display German vocabulary from Word Wall.
• Teacher says a word in German, and students repeat it with actions. (e.g., wave hands for “Spaß”, pretend to play an instrument for “Musik”)
• Group pronunciation challenge as students ‘build’ a human train. Each child becomes a ‘car’ by saying a word and linking behind the one before. Fun and active!

4. Craft Activity – Lanterns for Martinstag (15 mins)

• Students create their own mini paper lanterns.
• While working, play German festival music in the background.
• Teacher circulates, talking to students about their lanterns using key German words.
  • Example: “Dein Licht ist sehr schön!” (“Your light is very beautiful!”)

5. Reflection & Cultural Comparison (5 mins)

• Gather on the mat, hold up lanterns.
• Discuss: “How is Martinstag like or unlike our Aussie festivals?”
  • Connect to events like Lantern Walks, Carols by Candlelight, or Diwali celebrated by classmates.
• Close with a class-wide echo repeat of the new words learned.

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Differentiation Strategies

For Diverse Learners:

• Use visuals with all new German vocabulary.
• Allow pre-cut lantern templates for students with fine motor challenges.
• Pair ESL students or those with lower language confidence with a peer buddy for the craft and vocab game.

For Advanced Learners:

• Invite them to create a mini “poster” about a German festival with 1–2 German words and drawings.
• Teach them how to say a simple sentence: “Ich feiere mit Licht!” (I celebrate with light!)

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Assessment (Informal/ Formative)

• Observation of vocabulary pronunciation during group repetitions.
• Participation in the vocabulary train and lantern craft.
• Responses during discussion comparing Australian and German festivals.

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Extension Activity (Optional/Take Home)

• Take-home “Festival Passport”: Each student gets a template with the name of the festival and space to draw or write something they learned, with parent prompts to share what they know about Martinstag.

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Reflection Prompt for Next Lesson

“Next time, we're going to taste something very German! What do you think people eat during festivals in Germany?”

(A sneak peek into Lesson 12: “Yummy German Foods”)

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Notes for Teacher

• Remember to model enthusiasm – wear a silly German hat or apron during the festival story for fun immersion!
• Encourage cross-cultural empathy: point out that people all over the world have different, beautiful ways of celebrating together.
• Invite students to share celebrations they enjoy, making cultural learning inclusive and relevant.

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🎈This lesson helps lay the groundwork for cultural understanding through language in a play-based, engaging way – perfectly suited to the curious minds of Prep students!