4.7    Lanterns
Rationale
In Germany, it is cumstomary to have lantern parades around St. Martins Day, which is on the 11th November.    At dusk, the children parade through the streets with paper latnerns or lanterns they have made.   The lanterns come in many different shapes and sizes, but most are in the shape of the sun, the moon or the stars.   Sometimes a band plays while the children parade and the children sing songs.   The children in Catholic areas usually sing songs about Saint Martin and in Protestant areas children sing song about their lanterns, as the Protestants do not have saints.

Making Lanterns
At our school, we made lanterns using milk cartons.    They made their lantern to resemble an owl.   It was a popular activity, however, it's only drawback was that we needed a lot of milk cartons.    Since then I have come across a simple design that is quite easy to make.
 
 


finishedlantern
Here is the finished lantern made from modified pattern of Julie Troschke from Good Shepherd Primary School.


 






Instructions for Lanterns
You need:
    (a)    Two copies of the blackline master for the lantern
    (b)    Some thicker cardboard for the base
    (c)    Cellophane in various colours
    (d)    Scissors
    (e)    Glue
    (f)    Pencils and textas for decorating

Before the lesson
1.    Print Blackline master for lantern* from webpage - these make up the four sides of the lantern - click on words highlighted before asterisk.
2.   Photocopy 2 sheets for each child

Method
1.     Cut out the four sides of the lantern.
2.     To create the stars and the flower cut-outs - fold the lantern in half - then cut along the dotted line - see diagram below.

This diagram shows one of the four sides of the lantern folded so that the stars can be easily cut out.
3.     Decorate the lantern - see above - this lantern has been photocopied onto coloured paper and then decorated.
4.    Paste some coloured cellophane behind the cut-out.
5.    Measure the base line of the side of the lantern - it should be around 10 cm and then use this measurement to make a square.
6.    Fold along the dotted line on the side and base of the lantern parts - to make it easier to apply the glue.
7.    Glue the four base flaps to the cardboard.

This picture shows the cardboard base with the
four base flaps glued to it.
8.    Now glue the sides together - reinforce using staples.
9.    Punch a hole (where marked) into the top of the four sides.
10.   Attach the string and then attach this string to a stick.
11.    Small glow sticks are a very safe way to light up the lanterns for a parade.
 
 


lanternfinished
This picture shows the ribbon attached


 
































The story of Saint Martin
Saint Martin was born around 316 and became a soldier in the Roman army.   While Saint Martin's parents worshipped the old Roman gods as Christianity had been forbidden, however, just before Martin was born, the Roman Emperor Constantine I became a Christian.    Martin, too chose to become a Christian.   Martin and his soldiers were riding to the town of Amiens in France.   It was very cold and finally they reached the gates of the town.   As they were going through the gates, Martin saw a beggar shivering with cold as he was wearing only a few clothes.    As Martin had no money or food to offer the poor man, he took his thick cloak and cut it into two, giving one half to the man.   That night Jesus appeared to Martin in a dream and told him he had been the poor shivering beggar.    Martin now realized that he must give his life to God.    He left the army and began to devote his life to Jesus.   He firstly become a monk and later he was made a bishop.    He was loved by all and after his death in 396, he was made a saint.

This poem tells the story of Saint Martin
      Sankt Martin
            Sankt Martin ritt durch Schnee und Wind,
            sein Roß, das trug ihn fort geschwind.
            Sankt Martin ritt mit leichtem Mut,
            sein Mantel deckt ihn warm und gut.

            Im Schnee, da saß ein armer Mann,
            hatt Kleider nicht, hatt Lumpen an.
            „O helft mir doch in meiner Not,
           sonst ist der bittre Frost mein Tod.!”

           Sankt Martin zieht die Zügel an,
           sein Roß steht still beim armen Mann.
           Sankt Martin mit dem Schwerte teilt
           den warmen Mantel unverweilt.

           Sankt Martin gibt den halben still;
           der Bettler rasch ihm danken will.
           Sankt Martin aber ritt in Eil
           hinweg mit seinemm Mantelteil.

Here are some lantern songs.

             Laterne, Laterne,
             Sonne, Mond und Sterne,
             brenne auf, mein Licht,
             brenne auf, mein Licht,
             nur meine schöne Laterne nicht.

             Ich geh mit meiner Laterne
             und meine Laterne mit mir.
             Dort oben leuchten die Sterne,
             hier unten da leuchten wir.
             Mein Licht is aus,
             wir gehn nach Haus.
             La-bimmel, la-bummel, la bum.

             Ich geh mit meiner Laterne
             und meine Laterne mit mir.
             Und oben leuchten die Sterne,
             und unten da leuchten wir.
             Ein Lichtermeer zu Martins Ehr!
             Eh, eh, eh, la bummel, la bum.