Christmas detective
Warm-up
Watch the video. What’s in it?
- Do you like decorating a Christmas tree?
- Where will you celebrate New Year / Christmas?
- What present do you want to get?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IJnifCTafU&ab_channel=4KStockVideos
Now look at the picture. What is the girl doing?
Do you like reading detective stories?
What’s wrong?
Look at the picture. What can you see? Do you know what it’s called? A stump!
What do you think has happened?
The Christmas tree is missing!
Who stole the Christmas tree?
Today we’re going to play detectives and find the thief!
Do you know?
Before looking for the thief, let’s learn some words. Look at the pictures and read the words.
To remember the words better, let’s play a snowball: I say a word, you repeat it after me and add yours. Then I repeat your and my words and add the 3rd word, etc. You start!
Okay, let’s talk to the witnesses!
The witnesses
What do detectives usually begin with?
They talk to the witnesses.
Let’s think.
- Can the girl help?
- Can the man help? Why?
- Can the old lady help? Why?
- Who’s the best witness? Why?
Possible answers: 1. No. 2. Yes. He saw a tall man in a black tracksuit. 3. Yes. She saw a man in a black tracksuit, he had black hair and a beard. 4. Ms Jones. She saw more details.
Suspects
Look at the pictures. Who can you see?
One of these men can be the thief. Read again what Mrs Jones says, she gives more details.
Read Ms Jones’ message again and choose the suspects.
Who is the thief?
Look! This is Mr James. He fits the description and can be the thief. Let’s ask him what he did yesterday:
What did you do yesterday?
I didn’t steal the Christmas tree! I’m not a thief! Yesterday I was in the post office. You can check it!
Let’s check if he is telling the truth! Read the riddle and find out where he was yesterday.
What has more letters than the alphabet?
So, is he telling the truth? Well done! Mr James is not the thief.
Key: Post office
Look! This is Mr Roberts — he’s our second suspect. Let’s ask him what he did yesterday.
“I didn’t steal the Christmas tree! I’m not a thief! I was in another place!”
Let’s check if he is telling the truth! Unscramble the phrase to find out where he was yesterday.
I swa ta eht ianrt tsoaint.
So, is he telling the truth? Well done! Mr Roberts is not the thief.
Key: I was at the train station.
Look! This is Mr Brown, the third suspect. Let’s ask him what he did yesterday.
“Well… I… I’m not a thief! Yesterday I was in the café… Sorry, I have to go now… Bye!”
Oh no! He’s running away! Mr Brown is the thief! Let’s catch him!
Look at the picture. Where is Mr Brown?
A hint: can you see the footprints in the snow? He can be in the building!
Great! Tell him to come out! There’s nowhere he can hide.
“Mr Brown! You’re arrested! Put your hands up and come out!”
Mr. Brown
Mr Brown is arrested. Why do you think he stole the Christmas tree?
Read the text below to find out.
I’m so sorry. I stole the Christmas tree. But I’m not a bad person, not at all! I’m lonely. I live alone. Everyone celebrates Christmas with their family and friends. I haven’t got any friends. I haven’t got a family. I was angry and sad. I wanted to mess up Christmas!
Discuss!
- Is Mr Brown bad? Why?
- Should we punish him? How?
- Can we forgive Mr Brown if he returns the Christmas tree?
- Can we invite Mr Brown to celebrate Christmas together? Why?