Mother's Day celebrates mothers every second Sunday of May. President Woodrow Wilson, who issued a proclamation in 1914, asked Americans to give a public expression of reverence to mothers on this day. Carnations have come to represent Mother's Day, following President William McKinley's habit of always wearing a white carnation, his mother's favorite flower.
CLICK HERE & WATCH = > History of Mother's Day VIDEO
CLICK HERE & WATCH = > History of Mother's Day VIDEO
Justin Bieber - Turn to You - Lyrics (Mother's Day Dedication)
Reading Comprehension Activities
INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: You will read the article about Mother's Day. The article is about 5 minutes long. Read only, and don't worry about understanding everything.
Step 2: Look at the questions. Read and understand them, then Read again. As you read, try to answer the questions in your head. Don't write the answers yet. Next, read again and write the answers this time. Compare your answers with a partner.
Step 3: Read the article. Check in your dictionary any unknown words. Now read again. Can you understand more?
Mothers’ Day Article
Mother's Day is a holiday to honor and give thanks to our mothers. People celebrate the day all over the world. In France, a flower-shaped cake is part of the family meal. In the U.S., most restaurants claim this day as their busiest all year. In many other countries, carnations have a special significance.
Although the holiday is very commercial, it's not a Hallmark holiday. In other words, it's not a holiday created by businesses to make money. Mother's Day actually has its origins long ago in ancient Greece. Rome, which copied much of the Greek way of life, had a similar holiday. So did other countries around the Mediterranean Sea. Unlike today, though, people didn't honor their own mothers. People honored the mother of the gods, Rhea. After the Roman Empire fell, Mother's Day disappeared.
So how did our modern version of the holiday come about?
Many believe that Mother's Day as we know it originated from the British holiday called "Mothering Sunday." All through the Middle Ages in Europe, people brought gifts to their home (or mother) church on the fourth Sunday of Lent. Then in the 16th century, people began to live greater and greater distances from where they had been born. About this time, it also became increasingly common for children to work far from home as servants and apprentices. They would often need the day off to make the journey, which also allowed them to visit their mothers and family. They would bring a cake and pick wildflowers to give as presents, too. From here the modern version of the holiday was born.
Americans have had a great influence on Mother's Day, too. A woman named Julia Ward Howe brought the holiday from Britain in the 1870s. She saw it as a way to honor mothers, of course, but also as a way to honor and promote peace. Then in the early 1900s, another woman campaigned for a national holiday for mothers. Her name was Anna Jarvis, and she sent letters to business leaders, clergy members, women's clubs, and anyone else who might help. Within a few years, forty-six States celebrated the holiday. In 1914, Mother's Day became an official holiday, and was quickly commercialized with cards, carnation flowers, and chocolate candy. Anna Jarvis "wanted it to be a day of sentiment, not profit." She also called greeting cards "a poor excuse for the letter you are too lazy to write!"
Different countries celebrate the holiday on different days. Different countries have adopted different traditions. But one thing remains the same everywhere: it's a day to say to your mom, "Thank you."
QUESTIONS
Answer the questions to check comprehension.
1. What is Mother's Day?
2. What happens at restaurants in America?
3. Where did the holiday begin?
4. According to the article, modern Mother's Day is based on a British holiday. What was it called?
5. What happened on the holiday back then?
6. How did the American Julia Ward Howe see Mother's Day?
7. What did Anna Jarvis do to make the holiday more widespread?
8. When was Mother's Day made a national holiday in the U.S.?
9. What did Anna Jarvis say about the holiday and its commercialization??
10. According to the article, what should all people everywhere do on the holiday?
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES (optional)
1. Which paragraph was the easiest to listen to? Which paragraph was the most difficult? Look at the vocabulary and sentence structure, then think why one paragraph was easy and another difficult.
2. Listen for these words, understand the context, then try to repeat the information from the sentence:
celebrate (paragraph 1)
commercial (paragraph 2)
originated (paragraph 4)
increasingly (paragraph 4)
influence (paragraph 5)
campaigned (paragraph 5)
3. Read and write the sentences:
All through the Middle Ages in Europe, people brought... (paragraph 4)
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In 1914, Mother's Day became an... (paragraph 5)
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But one thing remains the same everywhere... (paragraph 6)
___________________________________________________________________
MORE ACTIVITIES
THE READING
Mother's Day is an important day all around the world, even though it started in North America and Europe. Not all countries celebrate it on the same day, but the most popular day is the second Sunday in May. It is, of course, a day to honor our mothers and make them feel extra special. A punctuation point about the day is that most countries choose the singular possessive “Mother’s Day”, with the apostrophe before the ‘s’ to show that each family honors their mother, rather than all of the world’s mothers. Young children get especially excited about Mother’s Day and put a lot of effort into making cards and presents for their Mums, or Moms in America. For mothers, it is like having a second birthday.
Mother’s Day in the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, etc. means mothers usually get the day off from housework. It is common for children to cook for their mother so she can have breakfast in bed. She also receives presents, flowers and cards. In America, Mother's Day is the busiest day of the year for restaurants, as children take their Mums to lunch and/or dinner. Americans spend a lot on this day - over $2.5 billion on flowers and $70 million on Mother’s Day cards. In Sweden, people buy small plastic flowers and the money raised goes to help needy mothers and their children. Many people are against the idea of Mother’s Day as it is upsetting for children (and adults) who have lost their mother. Spare a thought for them this Mother’s Day.
PHRASE MATCH
Match the following phrases from the article.
Paragraph 1
1. Not all countries celebrate it a. the ‘s’
2 honor our mothers and make b. into making cards
3. the apostrophe before c. a second birthday
4. Young children get especially d. on the same day
5. put a lot of effort e. excited
6. it is like having f. them feel extra special
Paragraph 2
1. mothers usually get the day a. a lot on this day
2 she can have breakfast b. thought for them
3. the busiest day c. needy mothers
4. Americans spend d. off from housework
5. money raised goes to help e. in bed
6. Spare a f. of the year
GAP FILL
Mother's Day is an important ________________ world, even though it started in North America and Europe. Not all countries celebrate it ________________, but the most popular day is the second Sunday in May. It is, of course, a day to honor our mothers and make them ________________. A punctuation point about the day is that most countries choose the singular possessive “Mother’s Day”, with the
apostrophe before the ‘s’ __________________ family honors their mother, rather than all of the world’s mothers. Young children get especially excited about Mother’s Day and put ________________ making cards and presents for their Mums, or Moms in America. For mothers, ________________ a second birthday.
Mother’s Day in the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, etc. means mothers ________________ day off from housework. It is common for children to cook for their mother ________________ breakfast in bed. She also receives presents, flowers and cards. In America, Mother's Day is ________________ the year for restaurants, as children take their Mums __________________. Americans spend a lot on this day - over $2.5 billion on flowers and $70 million on Mother’s Day cards. In Sweden, people buy small plastic flowers and the money raised ________________ mothers and their children. Many people are against the idea of Mother’s Day as it is upsetting for children (and adults) who have lost their mother. ________________ for them this Mother’s Day.
WHILE READING GAP FILL
Put the words into the gaps in the text.
Mother's Day is an important day all __________ the world, even though it started in North America and Europe. Not all countries
__________ it on the same day, but the most popular day is the second Sunday in May. It is, of course, a day to __________ our mothers and make them feel extra special. A punctuation point about the day is that most countries __________ the singular possessive “Mother’s Day”, with the apostrophe before the ‘s’ to
show that each family honors their mother, __________ than all of the world’s mothers. Young children get __________ excited about Mother’s Day and put a lot of __________ into making cards and presents for their Mums, or Moms in America. For mothers, it is like __________ a second birthday.
choose celebrate effort rather
having around honor especially
Mother’s Day in the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, etc. __________ mothers usually get the day off from housework. It is __________ for children to cook for their mother so she can have breakfast in bed. She also __________ presents, flowers and cards. In America, Mother's Day is the busiest day of the year for restaurants, as children take their Mums to lunch and/or dinner. Americans __________ a lot on this day - over $2.5 billion on flowers and $70 million on Mother’s Day cards. In Sweden, people buy small plastic flowers and the money __________ goes to help __________ mothers and their children. Many people are __________ the idea of Mother’s Day as it is upsetting for children (and adults) who have lost their mother. Spare a __________ for them this Mother’s Day.
spend receives needy thought
means common against raised
CHOOSE THE CORRECT WORD
Delete the wrong word in each of the pairs of italics.
Mother's Day is an important day all / every around the world, even though it started in North America and Europe. Not all countries celebrate it on the same daily / day, but the most popular day is the second Sunday in May. It is, of course / cause, a day to honor our mothers and make them feel extra special. A punctuation point about the day is that most countries chosen / choose the singular possessive “Mother’s Day”, with the apostrophe before the ‘s’ to show that all / each family honours their mother, rather than all of the world’s mothers. Young children get especially / special excited about Mother’s Day and put a lot / lots of effort into making cards and presents for their Mums, or Moms in America. For mothers, it is likely / like having a second birthday.
Mother’s Day in the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, etc. meaning / means mothers usually get the day off from housework. It is common for children to cook / cooking for their mother so she can have breakfast in bed. She also receives presents, flowers / flower and cards. In America, Mother's Day is the busiest day of the year for restaurants, as children takes / take their Mums to lunch and/or dinner. Americans spend a lot on this day - over $2.5 billion on flowers and $70 million on / in Mother’s Day cards. In Sweden, people buy small plastic flowers and the money raised goes / go to help needy mothers and their children. Many people are again / against the idea of Mother’s Day as it is upsetting for children (and adults) who have lost their mother. Spare a thought / think for them this Mother’s Day.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Mother's Day is an important day (1) ____ around the world, even though it started in North America and Europe. Not all countries celebrate it on the same day, but the most (2) ____ day is the second Sunday in May. It is, of course, a day to honor our mothers and make them feel extra special. A punctuation (3) ____ about the day is that most countries choose the singular possessive “Mother’s Day”, with the apostrophe before the ‘s’ to (4) ____ that each family honors their mother, rather than all of the world’s mothers. Young children get especially (5) ____ about Mother’s Day and put a lot of effort into making cards and presents for their Mums, or Moms in America. For mothers, it is like (6) ____ a second birthday.
Mother’s Day in the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, etc. (7) ____ mothers usually get the day off from housework. It is common for children to cook for their mother so she can have breakfast (8) ____ bed. She also receives presents, flowers and cards. In America, Mother's Day is the busiest day of the year for restaurants, as children (9) ____ their Mums to lunch and/or dinner. Americans (10) ____ a lot on this day - over $2.5 billion on flowers and $70 million on Mother’s Day cards. In Sweden, people buy small plastic flowers and the money raised goes to help (11) ____ mothers and their children. Many people are against the idea of Mother’s Day as it is upsetting for children (and adults) who have lost their mother. Spare a thought for (12) ____ this Mother’s Day.
Put the correct words from this table into the article.
1. (a) every (b) all (c) whole (d) each
2. (a) popular (b) popularity (c) popularize (d) popularly
3. (a) sharp (b) point (c) end (d) show
4. (a) shown (b) showing (c) show (d) show off
5. (a) exciting (b) excite (c) excites (d) excited
6. (a) having (b) has had (c) had (d) has
7. (a) meant (b) meaning (c) meanie (d) means
8. (a) on (b) under (c) in (d) at
9. (a) cook (b) take (c) make (d) prepare
10. (a) eat (b) talk (c) laugh (d) spend
11. (a) needy (b) needed (c) necessary (d) needs
12. (a) they (b) this (c) them (d) we
SPELLING
Spell the jumbled words (from the text) correctly.
Paragraph 1
1. Not all countries rcebatele it
2. make them feel extra lciseap
3. the hstopaoepr before the ‘s’
4. Young children get lspecilaye excited
5. put a lot of roteff into making cards
6. it is like having a denosc birthday
Paragraph 2
7. the day off from eoohkrwsu
8. It is moconm for children to cook for their mother
9. She also rsieecev presents
10. help nyeed mothers
11. Many people are tgiasan the idea
12. Spare a hohgttu for them
PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER
Number these lines in the correct order.
( ) countries celebrate it on the same day, but the most popular day is the second Sunday in May. It is, of course, a day to
( ) presents, flowers and cards. In America, Mother's Day is the busiest day of the year for restaurants, as
( ) raised goes to help needy mothers and their children. Many people are against the idea of Mother’s Day as
( ) about Mother’s Day and put a lot of effort into making cards and presents for their Mums, or
( ) it is upsetting for children (and adults) who have lost their mother. Spare a thought for them this Mother’s Day.
( ) Moms in America. For mothers, it is like having a second birthday.
( ) Mother’s Day in the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, etc. means mothers usually get the day off from
( ) honor our mothers and make them feel extra special. A punctuation point about the day is that most
( 1 ) Mother's Day is an important day all around the world, even though it started in North America and Europe. Not all
( ) on flowers and $70 million on Mother’s Day cards. In Sweden, people buy small plastic flowers and the money
( ) children take their Mums to lunch and/or dinner. Americans spend a lot on this day - over $2.5 billion
( ) family honors their mother, rather than all of the world’s mothers. Young children get especially excited
( ) housework. It is common for children to cook for their mother so she can have breakfast in bed. She also receives
( ) countries choose the singular possessive “Mother’s Day”, with the apostrophe before the ‘s’ to show that each
SCRAMBLED SENTENCES
With a partner, put the words back into the correct order.
1. around world important all the an day
2. it Not on all the countries same celebrate day
3. feel make extra them special
4. get Young especially children excited
5. put cards making into effort of lot a
6. from off day the get usually mothers housework
7. It common children cook is for to
8. busiest the restaurants for year the of day
9. goes raised money the mothers needy help to
10. for thought a Spare them
DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)
STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1. ________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________
5. ________________________________________________________
6. ________________________________________________________
STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1. ________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________
5. ________________________________________________________
6. ________________________________________________________
THE MOTHER’S DAY SURVEY
Write five questions about Mother’s Day in the table. Do this in pairs/groups. Each
student must write the questions on his / her own paper.
Without your partner, interview other students. Write down their answers.
STUDENT 1
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STUDENT 2
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STUDENT 3
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Q.1.
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Q.2.
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Q.3.
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Q.4.
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Q.5.
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Return to your original partner(s) and share and talk about what you found out.
Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.
WRITING
Write about Mother’s Day for 10 minutes. Show your
partner your paper. Correct each other’s work.
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HOMEWORK
1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find more information about Mother’s Day. Talk about what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Write a magazine article about Mother’s Day. Write about what happens around the world. Include two imaginary interviews with people who did something on this day. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
4. POSTER: Make your own poster about Mother’s Day. Write about will happen on this day around the world. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
MOTHER’S DAY
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