OSTERN

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The Holy Week – Die Karwoche

Easter is considered to be the most holy of all

Christian festivals as it commemorates the

death and resurrection of Christ.

The Holy Week which starts on Palm Sunday

and ends on Holy Saturday is known as the

“Karwoche”.

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday celebrations in Germany often include a

procession through the streets with a wooden donkey

on wheels. As palms do not grow in Germany, other twigs and branches are taken to church and blessed.

Traditionally,small crosses were made out of wood and put into fields to ensure a good harvest. These

were then brought home or hung in the stable. This custom still takes place in many Christian communities in Germany.

Karfreitag – Good Friday

On Good Friday, Christians remember

the suffering of Jesus on the cross.

In Catholic areas of Germany, it is seen

as a day of mourning. The church has no

decorations and the cross is covered with

a cloth. Catholics are asked to fast on this

day. They are only allowed to eat one real

meal during the day.

Karsamstag – Easter Saturday

On Easter Saturday, Germans often spend time preparing

for Sunday. Traditional food is cooked and the children

often make a nest for the Easter bunny.

At around midnight, fires are lit to scare the Winter demons

away. The spokes of giant wheels are packed with straw,

set alight and rolled down the hill. It is believed that the

field where the wheel lands will be blessed with a good harvest.

Ostersonntag – Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday is the most important day in the Easter period as Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ. At midnight, church bells ring.

For children, it is also a time for joy. This is the day when the egg hunt begins. Brightly painted eggs have been hidden in the garden by the Easter bunny and it is time to search for them. Children may have made a nest and in it they will find chocolate eggs and bunnies.

Ostermontag –Easter Monday

Easter Monday is the last of the Easter holidays and many Germans spend this day again with their families. Easter games are very popular. Sometimes, families visit the Easter markets. Church services are also held on this day.

OSTEREIER

Children can create beautiful, decorated eggs for Easter.

Use wax crayons to create a design and then place the egg in dye. The wax will repel the dye and leave behind your design. As an alternative to wax crayons, sticky tape may be used.

Spaß mit dem Wörterbuch

Wie heißt das auf Englisch?

Frühling

Kaninchen

Osterhase

Osterei

Blumen

Küken

Lamm

Ostern

Male die Hasen an !

-fünf Hasen rot

- drei Hasen gelb

- zwei Hasen blau

- sechs Hasen orange

- vier Hasen rosa

Kekse

150g plain flour

25g cornflour

50 g caster sugar

115g butter

Use the ingredients to create your dough

Roll out

Cut out oval shapes to make Easter eggs

Place on a greased baking tray and cook in the oven at 180degrees C or Gas mark 4 for 10-12 mins

Allow to cool and then decorate your eggs with coloured icing

Easter poetry is lovely to use and can be linked with literacy, rhyme, rhythm,

Drama and previous language learning – here is a nice one !

Osterhase, Osterhase !

Im grünen, grünen Gras,

Unter Busch und Hecken

Müssen Eier stecken.

Suchen wir, suchen wir

Einmal dort, einmal hier.

Unter Busch und Hecken

Müssen Eier stecken.

Blaues Ei, rotes Ei

In den Blumen sind zwei,

Hier ein Nest, dort ein Nest,

Schön ist ein Osterfest !