Martinmas Celebration

LESSON 3

Children help create and participate in Martinmas traditions that emphasize kindness, togetherness, and cultural appreciation.

  • Lanterns you made in previous lesson.

    Optional:

  • A special meal

  • Baked goods

  • Treats and snacks

Materials

  • Gather materials

  • Read through lesson beforehand to gather materials necessary for activities of choice.

Preparations

  • Encourage children to think creatively and come up with their own Martinmas traditions.

  • Facilitate discussions that foster family engagement, emphasizing the importance of spending quality time together on this special day.

  • Guide conversations about the act of sharing with others, ensuring that children understand the value of kindness and giving back.

  • Provide assistance and guidance as children participate in baking, preparing special meals, and campfire cooking, promoting hands-on, practical learning experiences.

  • Introduce children to the cultural traditions associated with Martinmas, such as the lantern walk and songs, helping them appreciate different cultural celebrations.

Objectives for Teachers

  • Children actively engage in creating Martinmas traditions, allowing them to express their ideas and preferences for the special day.

  • Children develop a deeper sense of connection with their family as they plan and partake in Martinmas activities, promoting unity and shared experiences.

  • Children understand the importance of sharing with others, as they actively participate in donating warm clothing and toys, reinforcing the themes of kindness and generosity.

  • Children enhance their practical skills as they assist in baking, and prepare a special meal.

  • Children gain an appreciation for cultural traditions by participating in the lantern walk, learning songs, and experiencing the unique activities associated with Martinmas.

Objectives for Children

Collect and Connect

For this unit we will be learning and practicing two songs:

  • "I Go with My Little Lantern" - Many versions are available, but this is the one we enjoy. You can find it by skipping to the 3:34 time stamp in the video.

    "Magic Light" - This song is sung to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." These songs will add to the joy of your lantern walk this month.

I Go With My Little Lantern

I go with my bright little lantern,

My lantern is going with me.

In heaven the stars will be shining,

On earth shines my lantern with me.

The lights grow dim as we go in,

La bimmel, la bammel, la boom (x2)

I go with my bright little lantern,

My lantern is going with me.

In heaven the stars will be shining,

On earth shines my lantern with me.

So, shine your light in the still dark night,

La bimmel, la bammel, la boom. (x2)

Magic Light

We go walking in the park,

Welcoming the Autumn dark.

Even though the stars we see,

Shine above for you and me.

All together with our light,

We’ll make magic of the night.

Activity Flow

To begin today's activity, think about how you'd like to spend this special day with your child and family. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

Prepare baked goods:

On Martinmas, we often start our day by baking something special, whether it's for breakfast or a delicious dessert later. It's a fun way to kick off the day and build excitement for the festivities.

Donate warm clothing and toys:

As the holiday season nears, we take time to go through our clothing and toys. We pick out items that are still in good condition and can be shared with those who need them. It's a meaningful activity, especially for our children, who have been learning about kindness and sharing.

Prepare a special meal:

We have a tradition of making tin foil dinners over a campfire on Martinmas. We all work together to chop vegetables, add meat and spices, wrap them in foil, and cook them over the hot coals from the campfire. I encourage you to find a special meal you can create together.

Participate in a lantern walk:

Over the years, we've joined classmates, friends, and neighbors for a lantern walk. With our lanterns glowing, we sing songs and stroll together. Afterward, we often enjoy s'mores and warm drinks by a campfire.

Feel free to choose as many activities as you'd like to celebrate Martinmas this year. It's all about making the day special for your family.