Teaching Unit: Ascension Day – Meaning, Modernity & Culture

Christi Himmelfahrt Englisch Unterrichtsmaterial Target Group:

Grades 8–12 (Sek I & Sek II)
Competency focus: Reading comprehension, writing skills, speaking, intercultural learning

Duration: 1–3 lessons (modular use possible)

Overview of Learning Objectives

Skill Area	Learning Objective
Reading	Understand and reflect on the origin and meaning of Ascension Day
Writing	Write a diary entry or opinion piece related to the topic
Speaking	Discuss cultural practices and societal meaning of holidays
Vocabulary	Learn and use terms related to religion, culture, reflection
Intercultural skills	Compare religious holidays across cultures

Core Material Components

Material Type	Content Example	Skills Covered
Informational Text	History and meaning of Ascension Day	Reading & vocabulary
Discussion Prompts	Debate: Should religious holidays still be public holidays?	Speaking & critical thinking
Creative Writing Task	Diary of a disciple / „A Day in Heaven“ short story	Imaginative writing
Vocabulary Worksheet	Key terms + idioms: „heavenly“, „to ascend“, „divine“	Lexical work
Listening Task (opt.)	YouTube Video or podcast: Ascension explained (link optional)	Listening & comprehension
Project Task	Research holidays in world religions and present comparisons	Research & speaking

Sample Text: Informational (Reading Task)

What is Ascension Day?
Ascension Day, celebrated 40 days after Easter Sunday, commemorates the Christian belief that Jesus Christ ascended into heaven after his resurrection. According to the Bible, Jesus appeared to his disciples over a period of 40 days, teaching and encouraging them. On the 40th day, he was „taken up“ into heaven while they watched.
Today, Ascension Day is a public holiday in many European countries. In Germany, it also coincides with Father’s Day (Vatertag), which is often celebrated with outdoor activities and group excursions. This double meaning makes Ascension Day both a religious and a cultural event.

📝 Comprehension Questions:

When is Ascension Day celebrated?
What is its religious significance?
How is the day celebrated in Germany today?
Why might some people see a contradiction in the way it is celebrated?

Vocabulary Worksheet: Heaven & Beyond

Word / Phrase	Meaning	Example Sentence
to ascend	to rise or go up	Jesus is said to have ascended into heaven.
divine	holy or god-like	The church spoke of divine love.
resurrection	rising from the dead	Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus.
spiritual	related to the soul or spirit	Some people seek spiritual meaning in nature.
heavenly	very beautiful or perfect	This cake tastes absolutely heavenly!

🧠 Task: Create your own sentence with each new word.

Creative Writing Task: Diary Entry of a Disciple

Imagine you are one of Jesus’s disciples. Write a diary entry on the day of Ascension. How did you feel? What did you see? What questions did you have?

🎯 Focus on:

Past tense narration
Expressing feelings and thoughts
Using vocabulary from the topic

Alternative: Write a short story titled “A Day in Heaven”, mixing metaphor and imagination.

Speaking Task: Holiday Debate

Topic: Should religious holidays remain public holidays in a multicultural society?

PRO	CONTRA
Cultural tradition	Not all citizens share the same faith
Rest and reflection days	Can be replaced with flexible holidays
Educational value (teaching culture)	Separation of church and state

🎤 Method: Fishbowl discussion, role-play, or small group debates

Intercultural Project: Compare Religious Holidays

💡 Task: Research a religious or spiritual holiday from a culture other than your own (e.g. Diwali, Eid, Hanukkah, Vesak). Prepare a short presentation comparing it with Ascension Day.

Focus Questions:

What is the purpose of the holiday?
How is it celebrated?
Is it a public holiday?
What values are associated with it?

Extension Task: Modern Holiday or Spiritual Disconnection?

Write an argumentative text (120–180 words) on the question:
„Have we lost the true meaning of holidays like Ascension Day?“

⚙️ Language focus:

Linking words (however, therefore, although…)
Opinion phrases (I believe…, in my opinion…, it is argued that…)
Formal register

Optional: Video Input / Listening Task (suggested resource)

🎧 YouTube: “What is Ascension Day?” – short educational clips
🎧 Podcast (English): “The Christian Year Explained: Ascension Day”
➡ Create a listening worksheet with fill-in-the-blanks and comprehension questions

Idiom	Meaning
„Heaven on Earth“	a perfect situation
„To move heaven and earth“	to do everything possible
„Heavens above!“	exclamation of surprise or shock
„Reach for the heavens“	to set very high goals

📝 Task: Write a short dialogue or comic using at least two of these expressions.

Conclusion: Celebrate Language Through Culture

Teaching Ascension Day in the English classroom bridges cultural understanding, linguistic development and personal reflection. Whether you focus on history, religion, language or modern society – this topic offers rich potential for meaningful, competenceorientiertes Lernen.

Unterrichtsmaterial zum Mai

🌤️ Creative Tasks for Ascension Day

Write a diary entry from one of Jesus’ disciples on Ascension Day.
Create a modern-day news report covering the Ascension event.
Write a poem called “Rising Above”.
Imagine you are Jesus. Write a farewell speech to your friends.
Design a comic strip (5 scenes) telling the story of Ascension Day.
Create an interview with a fictional witness of the event.
Write a dialogue between two disciples trying to understand what just happened.
Draw and label a symbolic image of the Ascension.
Write an Instagram post from one of the disciples with hashtags.
Create a social media debate on what the Ascension means for the future.
Write a song or rap about hope and trust in times of change.
Make a list of 5 metaphors for “ascension” and use them in a short story.
Create a mind map titled “What does Ascension mean today?”.
Write a letter from a disciple to a friend describing the last 40 days.
Invent a fictional newspaper article: “Man Disappears Into the Clouds”.
Write a script for a mini podcast on Ascension Day.
Create a role-play where students play angels and ask questions to Jesus.
Write a vision or dream inspired by Ascension Day.
Compare the theme of ascension in Christianity and another culture/religion.
Design a poster for a youth event about “Following in Faith”.
Write a short story titled “The Last Goodbye”.
Create a text conversation between two disciples during the event.
Make a timeline of events from Easter to Ascension Day.
Design a travel brochure for a spiritual journey “From Earth to Heaven”.
Write an apology letter from a disciple for not believing at first.
Draft a speech about what Jesus’ ascension means for humanity.
Draw a comic where the story is told from the cloud’s point of view.
Translate the story into a modern-day superhero version.
Write a reflection text: “What would I do if I were a disciple?”.
Design an Ascension Day celebration with symbolic rituals and modern meanings.

✨ Solution Keywords / Teacher Notes

Comprehension of Ascension narrative
Development of creative writing and reflective thinking
Emphasis on trust, farewell, spiritual journey, faith
Interdisciplinary connections (religion, ethics, literature)
Encouragement of modern formats (social media, podcast, dialogue)
Focus on symbolism and interpretation

✝️ 30 Multiple-Choice Questions on Christi Himmelfahrt (Ascension Day) – Christi Himmelfahrt Englisch Unterrichtsmaterial

What is commemorated on Ascension Day?
A) Jesus returning to Nazareth
B) Jesus crowning as King
C) Jesus’ return to the Father in heaven
D) The founding of the early church
When does Ascension Day take place?
A) 30 days after Easter
B) 39 days after Easter (the 40th day)
C) On Pentecost Sunday
D) 50 days after Easter
On which day of the week is Ascension Day always observed?
A) Monday
B) Tuesday
C) Thursday
D) Sunday
Which New Testament books describe the Ascension?
A) Matthew 28
B) John 3
C) Luke 24 and Acts 1
D) Revelation 21
What does “Ascension” symbolize theologically?
A) A spaceship flight
B) Jesus being exalted and taken to God’s right hand
C) The disciples’ journey to Rome
D) Jesus’ birth in heaven
How is Ascension Day related to Easter and Pentecost?
A) Unrelated
B) They form a triangular liturgical pattern
C) Ascension is 40 days after Easter and 10 days before Pentecost
D) Ascension happens 50 days after Pentecost
Which devotional practice is traditionally associated with Ascension Day?
A) Baptismal processions
B) Rogation processions (e.g. ploughing crosses)
C) Nativity crèche building
D) Palm frond distribution
Why is Ascension Day also celebrated as Father’s Day in Germany?
A) By papal decree
B) By church law
C) By popular tradition—men celebrate together
D) To coincide with May Day
Which activity is NOT typical on German Father’s Day at Ascension?
A) Pulling a “Bollerwagen” cart
B) Going on hikes with male friends
C) Attending a church procession
D) Drinking alcoholic beverages together
What is the date of Ascension Day in 2025?
A) May 29, 2025
B) May 1, 2025
C) July 14, 2025
D) June 12, 2025
What does the „exaltation of Christ“ mean in doctrine?
A) Jesus’ return to Galilee
B) Jesus being glorified and seated at God’s right hand
C) John the Baptist’s role
D) Jesus’ birth
How many days after Easter did Jesus ascend, according to Scripture?
A) 7 days
B) 12 days
C) 39 days
D) 100 days
What symbolic meaning does the number forty often hold in the Bible?
A) A period of preparation, testing, or purification
B) A random number
C) Just a coincidence
D) Symbolizing the apostles
In which Christian traditions is Ascension Day considered a major feast?
A) Only Protestant
B) Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican
C) Only Free Churches
D) Only Reformed
What is the origin of the “Rogation” processions (German: “Öschprozession”)?
A) From Latin “ostium”
B) From Old High German “esch” (field)
C) From Hebrew “osch”
D) From Greek
What is the legal status of Ascension Day in Germany?
A) Not a holiday
B) A public holiday
C) A regional memorial day
D) Celebrated only on Sunday
Which biblical word denotes the heavenly realm, distinct from “sky”?
A) firmamentum
B) aether
C) noûs
D) heaven (divine realm)
Which liturgical period ends the day before Ascension Day?
A) Lent
B) Advent
C) Eastertide
D) Christmas season
What event takes place on Ascension Day, according to the biblical narrative?
A) Jesus travels to Rome
B) Angels carry away Jesus’ body
C) Jesus is taken up into a cloud
D) The apostles distribute fish
In which art style is the Ascension commonly depicted?
A) Medieval sculpture
B) Modern street art
C) Baroque paintings with a mandorla
D) Political cartoons
Which musical work specifically centers on the Ascension?
A) Bach’s “Ascension Oratorio” BWV 11
B) Mozart’s Requiem
C) Handel’s Messiah
D) Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony
What Protestant custom is common on Ascension Day in Germany?
A) Incense rituals
B) Outdoor services often followed by hikes
C) Breaking fasts
D) Lighting palm-oil lamps
What is the “Novena of the Spirit”?
A) A seven-day prayer before Easter
B) A nine-day prayer between Ascension and Pentecost
C) Forty-day Lent before Easter
D) The fifty days after Pentecost
Which region in Germany is famous for the “Gymnich Ride” on Ascension Day?
A) Cologne
B) Erftstadt-Gymnich
C) Berlin
D) Munich
What do Rogation processions on Ascension Day invoke?
A) Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem
B) Prayers for blessing and thanksgiving
C) Celebrating Christmas
D) No church-related meaning
Why is celebrating Father’s Day on Ascension Day sometimes called a “(un)holy alliance”?
A) The church forbids it
B) Because it blends religious festival and secular male gatherings
C) They are unrelated
D) Father’s Day is the same everywhere
Which figure appears in some early portrayals of the Ascension?
A) A lamb
B) An eagle
C) A mandorla (halo around Christ)
D) No animals at all
What is common in open‐air services on Ascension Day in southern Germany?
A) Indoor mass only
B) Bitt‐prayers outdoors with brass ensembles
C) Carnival celebrations
D) Halloween-like decorations
Which statement is true about the role of the Holy Spirit between Ascension and Pentecost?
A) No connection
B) The Novena begins asking for the Spirit’s help
C) It marks the end of Lent
D) Only in Eastern churches
How are Easter (Resurrection) and Ascension related?
A) They happen at the same time
B) They are separate events yet theologically connected
C) Ascension happens before Resurrection
D) Resurrection happens 50 days later