Lesson Plan: Uncovering the Origins of the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree Tradition

Lesson plans One comment

Objective: Students will learn about the little-known history of the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree tradition and its connection to Ian Fleming, while developing critical thinking, research, and presentation skills.

Introduction:

  1. Engage Background Knowledge: Begin by asking students, “What do you know about the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree tradition?” Prompt them to think beyond the tree itself and consider why it might hold significance. Record their responses on the board.
  2. Introduce Key Inquiry Questions: Share that today’s lesson will focus on uncovering hidden histories, specifically examining how WWII, international relations, and traditions intersect. Write the following guiding questions on the board:
    • How did a seemingly simple tradition become an important international symbol?
    • How do new discoveries change what we believe to be “official” history?

Main Activities

Questions to check for understanding:

        1. What is the traditional story behind the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree?
        2. Who traditionally gives the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree to London, and why?
        3. What new information has recently emerged about the origins of the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree tradition?
        4. Which notable British writer is linked to the Trafalgar Square tree tradition according to this new story?
        5. Where and when did Ian Fleming, a British admiral, and a Norwegian commando reportedly meet?
        6. What item did the Norwegian agent have with him during the 1942 meeting, and how does it relate to the tradition?
        7. Who suggested placing a Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, and why was this idea significant?
        8. What was used to decorate the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square during the wartime blackout, and why were traditional decorations not allowed?
        9. Who encouraged author Nicholas Shakespeare to investigate this newly revealed story, and what role did his research play?
        10. How has the tradition of the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree evolved over the decades, and what does it symbolize today?

Critical Thinking Prompt:

Pose the question: Why might certain parts of history remain hidden or unofficial? Encourage students to reflect on why some historical narratives are prioritized over others. Discuss how uncovering new information challenges our understanding of the past.

 

 

Part 2: Research and Verification

  1. Group Research Assignments:
    Divide students into small research groups. Assign each group to investigate one of the following topics:

    • Ian Fleming’s wartime activities and legacy
    • WWII Anglo-Norwegian relations
    • The history and symbolism of the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree tradition
    • The career and influence of Admiral Norman Denning
  2. Research Goals and Sources:
    Instruct students to use credible sources to verify or expand on the details from the story. Provide graphic organizers for note-taking, focusing on the following:

    • Key facts or details
    • Any discrepancies or additional insights they find
    • A summary of how new information affects their view of the tradition
  3. Encourage Source Evaluation:
    Have each group briefly discuss how they evaluated the credibility of their sources. Emphasize the importance of assessing information critically.

Presentation and Discussion:

  1. Group Presentations:
    Each group presents its findings, focusing on how the information supports or challenges the traditional story of the Trafalgar Square tree.
  2. Class Discussion:
    After all groups have presented, facilitate a class discussion exploring how new information impacts our understanding of the tradition. Discuss the following:

    • How does new information change what we consider “official” history?
    • What might motivate people to maintain a particular version of a story?
  3. Debate/Reflection (if time allows):
    Organize a short debate: Should traditions be altered or reconsidered based on new historical findings? Encourage students to think critically about how history evolves and whether traditions should be adjusted accordingly.

Conclusion and Reflection:

  1. Summarize Key Points:
    Recap the lesson’s main takeaways, focusing on the evolving nature of historical narratives, the impact of individual actions on history, and the symbolic significance of the Trafalgar Square tree.
  2. Reflective Questions:
    Prompt students to journal or discuss the following questions:
      • Why is it important to question established narratives?
      • What personal or societal values do you think are reflected in this tradition?
      • How can uncovering hidden aspects of history change how we see the present?

Essay Questions

  • How should newly uncovered historical evidence—such as the possible role of wartime diplomacy and propaganda—shape our understanding of the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree tradition?
    In your answer, weigh the tension between historical accuracy, national myth-making, and the political uses of public rituals.

  • In what ways does the annual tree from Oslo function as a form of “soft power,” and how does this complicate the narrative that the tradition is purely about gratitude and friendship?
    Consider how nations use symbolic gestures to reinforce alliances, shape public sentiment, or influence cultural memory.

  • Why is it important for students today to learn about the origins of well-known traditions like the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree?
    Explain how understanding the background of familiar customs can influence the way we think about history and international relationships.

 

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