This story is about Professor Verity’s Christmas. Professor hated Christmas. Because of that his whole family could not celebrate Christmas. On 31th December Professor saw someone in the red and white suit. It was the Santa Claus. Santa Claus came nearer and nearer. Santa asked:

-Do you hate Christmas?

-Yes, I do.

-Ok, than come with me.

-I don’t know……ok yes.

When they got outside Professor saw sled. Next to sled there were deers. Professor Verity got inside the sled and they flew. Professor Verity was scared of heights and he was screaming. Professor saw big company. It was Santa’s shop. They landed and they went inside. There were elves. Elves were little. There were wrapping gifts for kids. Professor saw a big bike. It was pink and white. Professor started to like Christmas. Then they went outside and jumped in the sled. They flew. Professor saw very beautiful lights. The lights were in the city, mini-city. In that city there were elves. There was snow everywhere. The lights were angels, trees and gifts. Also there was a huge tree. That tree was very beautiful. It was time to go. It was 11’o clock. Professor already loved Christmas. When they got home they celebrated New Year. It was so fun.

Note: The teacher’s notes for this webquest can be found at the bottom of the page by clicking the button marked “Teacher’s Notes”. We have also included a link to a student-facing page which does not have any links to the answers. You’ll find it by clicking the button marked “Student’s Page” at the bottom of this page. We suggest that you send students the link to the student page to prevent them from finding the answers too easily!

New Year is an exciting time and many cultures celebrate it in a special way. This may include special foods and drinks, parties, religious festivals and other traditions. Answer these questions in pairs or small groups:

1. How is New Year celebrated in your country?
2. Do you know of any similarities or differences in New Year celebrations in other countries?
3. How do you and your family celebrate New Year?

Visit http://www.history.com/topics/new-years and read the sections titled ‘Early New Year’s Celebrations’ and ‘January 1 becomes New Year’s day’. Look for the answers to these questions:

1. When were the earliest New Year celebrations and where did they take place?
2. What name was given to the religious festivity, and where did the name come from?
3. How long did the original celebration last?
4. When people began to develop their own calendars, to what events did they tie the beginning of a new year?
5. What event marked the beginning of the New Year in Egypt?
6. When was the city of Rome established?
7. Who included the first two months of the year to the calendar, and what were the names of the first two months?
8. Who introduced January 1 as the start of the New Year?
9. What changes did Christian leaders make in the middle ages?
10. When was January 1 reintroduced as the beginning of the calendar year?

When you’ve finished, discuss what you found out with your partner.

Discussion:

Discuss one other significant festival in your country – do you know how long it has been celebrated, and why it became important?

Now go to http://www.history.com/topics/new-years and read the final section of the page titled ‘New Year’s Traditions’. Answer the following questions and then compare your answers with your partner.

1. What do Spanish people eat 12 of at midnight on New Year’s Eve and what do they symbolize?
2. Which countries eat legumes and what do they represent?
3. What do pigs represent in some cultures and where is pork eaten?
4. Which countries eat ring-shaped cakes and why?
5. What is hidden inside the rice pudding eaten in Sweden and Norway at New Year? What will happen to the person who finds it?
6. Which people first made New Year’s resolutions?
7. What did they promise to do?
8. What’s the most famous symbol of the beginning of the New Year in America?
9. How long has the event taken place?
10. What alternative objects are dropped in other American cities?

New Year is celebrated on different dates in different places, and often involves very different traditions. In this activity you and a partner will find out all about two countries and their New Year celebrations.

Student 1 – Scottish New Year

Before you look at the weblink, decide whether the following statements are true or false:

1. ‘Hogmanay’ means the first day of the year.
2. Scottish people used to celebrate Hogmanay more than Christmas.
3. Strangers are not allowed inside people’s houses during Hogmanay.
4. It is considered very unlucky to enter a household without any gifts.
5. A lump of coal is a traditional gift.

Now visit http://www.scotland.org/features/hogmanay-top-facts/ to check your answers.

Student 2 – Jewish New Year

Before you look at the weblink, decide whether the following statements are true or false:

1. Jewish New Year is a celebration of the creation of the world.
2. The celebration lasts a whole week.
3. Jews believe that God will decide what the next year will be like for someone.
4. A special song called the ‘Shofar’ is sung in the synagogue.
5. A round loaf is eaten to symbolize the circle of life.

Now visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/judaism/rosh_hashanah.shtml to check your answers.

Compare your answers with your partner. Then together, copy the table below and fill it in using the information on the websites:

Use the following website to access this quiz based on New Year’s Eve customs around the world. In pairs, discuss each question and decide which option you think is correct. When you have finished, you can check your answers on the screen.

http://www.topics-mag.com/internatl/holidays/new-year/quiz/new-years.htm

Post-quiz discussion:

How many of the customs are also practised in your own country?

Imagine that you have friends from another country coming to celebrate New Year with you and your family. In pairs, plan the evening, considering the following points:

• What kind of food are you going to serve?
• Which local traditions are you going to show them?
• Will you visit any special people or places?
• What are you going to do at midnight?
• Will you make any resolutions?

When you have finished, compare the plans you have made with another pair.

Optional activity

Make your own list of New Year’s resolutions. Compare your list to your classmates to see if any are similar.

We wish you a happy New Year!

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Events inspired by Mark Twain’s works are some delightful highlights of this entertaining festival. From the National Fence Painting Contest to a Frog Jumping Contest to Live Entertainment at Tanyard Gardens, National Tom Sawyer Days is for the young and the young at heart. Visitors from all over the world come to experience the history of Hannibal, through the eyes of Mark Twain.

Here are some interesting facts about Mark Twain:

• His real name was Samuel Clemens
• Mark Twain was a pen name he picked up while writing for the Virginia City newspaper, which he first wrote under in 1863
• He also wrote under Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass, W. Epaminondas Adrastus Blab, Sergeant Fathom, and Rambler during his career
• Before 13, he nearly drowned 9 documented times

“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”