All eyes will be on London on April 29th as the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton is broadcast around the globe. Even if you've never been on England's capital, you'll likely recognize some famous sights such as Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace. Whether you already have a visit scheduled or are just living vicariously through the happy couple, here are some of our favorite ways to live royally in London to inspire your next trip
We've got the scoop about hitting the town with the royals, not just Will and Kate, but the Queen too. From glossy magazines to royal diaries, here is the best way to catch a glimpse of the royal family. As a bonus you may just find the latest hot shops or film premieres along the way.
Mothers’ Day Gift ‘A box filled with love’. After showing the children a special wrapped box (mini smartie box) tied with ribbon we say that there is something very special inside. Can they guess? There is a poem attached – You never can unwrap it. Please leave the ribbon tied. Just hold the box More…close to you, It’s filled with love inside. Bring out the filled smartie boxes & shake. Oh dear there is a problem – they should be empty! What shall we do? (love their reactions). After eating the contents they put their ‘love’ inside the empty box (again this is lovely to see – some blow inside, others take handfuls of ‘fresh air’ out of their mouths). Quickly close the box & wrap. We’ve found that pre-cut adhesive ‘wrappers’ are best. We were lucky enough to be given iridescent silvery sticky backed paper which was ideal as the children ‘rolled’ their boxes over the paper & it stuck. We used the ribbon that comes with the bows you find at Christmas. Attach the poem. If you want lots of ideas to use with your students at any level click here.
"A Visit from St. Nicholas", also known as "The Night Before Christmas" and "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" from its first line, is a poem first published anonymously in 1823 and generally attributed to Clement Clarke Moore, although the claim has also been made that it was written by Henry Livingston, Jr.
The poem, which has been called "arguably the best-known verses ever written by an American", is largely responsible for the conception of Santa Claus from the mid-nineteenth century to today, including his physical appearance, the night of his visit, his mode of transportation, the number and names of his reindeer, as well as the tradition that he brings toys to children. Prior to the poem, American ideas about St. Nicholas and other Christmastide visitors varied considerably. The poem has influenced ideas about St. Nicholas and Santa Claus beyond the United States to the rest of the English-speaking world and beyond.
THE POEM
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."
...where you can learn about the instruction and resources I provide for English language learners and teachers worldwide. Many of you know me as JenniferESL on YouTube, but my work is not limited to the videos on my YouTube channel. Read about all my past and present projects on these pages.
Thank you for visiting! Warm regards, Jennifer Recio Lebedev
(Con los videos de Jennifer podrás mejorar muchas habilidades de tu inglés ya que sus videos se centran en diferentes aspectos de la gramática, vocabulario, pronunciación y entonación. Aquí tenéis un ejemplo!)
