HOLIDAYS, CELEBRATIONS, LESSON PLANS & ACTIVITIES: February

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Sunday, June 24, 2012

WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY (February)

WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY

http://www.eslHolidayLessons.com/02/washingtons_birthday.html

Presidents' Day, celebrated each year on the third Monday in February, is a day when Americans honor the legacies of the U.S. presidents. The holiday was established in 1800, when Congress declared February 22–George Washington's birthday–a federal holiday. Still legally known as Washington's Birthday, Presidents' Day has become a day to honor not only Washington, but Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S. president who was born on February 12, and the lives and accomplishments of all U.S. presidents.

CLICK HERE & WATCH = > Abraham Lincoln - America The Story of Us VIDEO

THE READING

In the U.S.A. people celebrate the birthday of their first president, George Washington. They don’t always celebrate on his birth date, which is February 22, because if it falls on a weekend, people don’t get the day off. So, on the third Monday in February there is a national holiday. Not everyone agrees on the name or even the reason for the holiday. A 1968 law called it Washington’s Birthday. However, since the 1980s, lawmakers have tried to change the name to Presidents Day. Many people want the holiday to celebrate the birthday of another president, Abraham Lincoln, who was also born in February. Different U.S. states have renamed the day Presidents Day. And in Alabama, they call it "Washington and Jefferson Day".

The holiday honors George Washington for founding the nation. He is perhaps the most famous face in U.S. history. Up and down America, towns become red, white and blue. People put flags in their windows and hang ribbons in their gardens or outside stores. Many children learn about the history of how the United States came into being. They learn about the Revolutionary War and Washington’s role in America’s independence. Various communities stage pageants and festivals that re-enact the important events in Washington's life. People also eat cherry pies, a food that has become associated with his birthday. It’s also a good day for shoppers, as many stores hold a sale hoping to attract customers with the day off.

PHRASE MATCH

Match the following phrases from the article.

Paragraph 1

1. people celebrate the birthday of a. or even the reason

2 They don’t always celebrate on b. of another president

3. Not everyone agrees on the name c. his birth date

4. lawmakers have tried to d. their first president

5. celebrate the birthday e. renamed the day

6. Different U.S. states have f. change the name

Paragraph 2

1. honors George Washington for a. and hang ribbons

2 perhaps the most famous b. important events

3. People put flags in their windows c. to attract customers

4. the history of how the United States d. founding the nation

5. festivals that re-enact the e. came into being

6. hold a sale hoping f. face in U.S. history

LISTENING GAP FILL

In the U.S.A. people celebrate the birthday ____________ president, George Washington. They don’t always celebrate on his birth date, which is February 22, because ____________ a weekend, people don’t get the day off. So, on the third Monday in February there is a national holiday. Not everyone ____________ name or even the reason for the holiday. A 1968 law called it Washington’s Birthday. However, since the 1980s, lawmakers have ____________ the name to Presidents Day. Many people want the holiday to celebrate the birthday of another president, Abraham Lincoln, who ____________ in February. Different U.S. states have renamed the day Presidents Day. And in Alabama, ____________ "Washington and Jefferson Day".

The holiday honors George Washington _______________ nation. He is perhaps the most famous face in U.S. history. Up and down America, towns become red, white and blue. _______________ in their windows and hang ribbons in their gardens or outside stores. Many children learn about the _______________ the United States came into being. They learn about the Revolutionary War and Washington’s role in America’s independence. Various communities stage pageants and festivals _________________ important events in Washington's life. People also eat cherry pies, _______________ become associated with his birthday. It’s also a good day for shoppers, as many stores hold a sale hoping to attract customers _______________.

WHILE READING GAP FILL

Put the words into the gaps in the text.

In the U.S.A. people __________ the birthday of their first president, George Washington. They don’t always celebrate on his __________ date, which is February 22, because if it __________ on a weekend, people don’t get the day off. So, on the third Monday in February there is a national holiday. Not everyone __________ on the name or even the reason for the holiday. A 1968 law __________ it Washington’s Birthday. However, since the 1980s, lawmakers have tried to change the __________ to Presidents Day. Many people want the holiday to celebrate the birthday of __________ president, Abraham Lincoln, who was also born in February. Different U.S. states have __________ the day Presidents Day. And in Alabama, they call it "Washington and Jefferson Day".

name birth agrees renamed

celebrate called another falls

The holiday __________ George Washington for founding the nation. He is perhaps the most famous __________ in U.S. history. Up and down America, towns become red, white and blue. People put flags in their windows and __________ ribbons in their gardens or outside stores. Many children learn about the history of how the United States came into __________. They learn about the Revolutionary War and Washington’s __________ in America’s independence. Various communities stage pageants and festivals that re-enact the important __________ in Washington's life. People also eat cherry pies, a food that has become __________ with his birthday. It’s also a good day for shoppers, as many stores hold a sale __________ to attract customers with the day off.

role hang hoping events

honors associated face being

CHOOSE THE CORRECT WORD

Delete the wrong word in each of the pairs of italics.

In the U.S.A. people celebration / celebrate the birthday of their first president, George Washington. They don’t always celebrate on his birth date / dates, which is February 22, because if it falling / falls on a weekend, people don’t get the day off. So, on the third Monday in February there is a nation / national holiday. Not everyone agrees on the name or even the reason for the holiday. A 1968 law called it Washington’s Birthday. However, since / for the 1980s, lawmakers have tried to change / changed the name to Presidents Day. Many people want the holiday to celebrate the birthday of another president, Abraham Lincoln, who was also birth / born in February. Different U.S. states have renamed the day Presidents Day. And in Alabama, they call / calls it "Washington and Jefferson Day".

The holiday honoring / honors George Washington for founding / finding the nation. He is perhaps the most famous faces / face in U.S. history. Up and down America, towns become red, white and blue. People put flags in their windows and hung / hang ribbons in their gardens or outside stores. Many children learn about the history of how the United States came into becoming / being. They learn about the Revolutionary War and Washington’s role in America’s independence. Various communities stage pageants and festive / festivals that re-enact the important events in Washington's living / life. People also eat cherry pies, a food that has become associated with his birthday. It’s also a good day for shoppers, as many stores hold a sale / sales hoping to attract customers with the day off.

MULTIPLE CHOICE

In the U.S.A. (1) ____ celebrate the birthday of their first president, George Washington. They don’t always celebrate on his birth date, which is February 22, because if it (2) ____ on a weekend, people don’t get the day off. So, on the third Monday in February there is a national holiday. Not everyone (3) ____ on the name or even the reason for the holiday. A 1968 law called it Washington’s Birthday. However, (4) ____ the 1980s, lawmakers have tried to change the name to Presidents Day. Many people want the holiday to celebrate the birthday of (5) ____ president, Abraham Lincoln, who was also born in February. Different U.S. states have (6) ____ the day Presidents Day. And in Alabama, they call it "Washington and Jefferson Day".

The holiday (7) ____ George Washington for founding the nation. He is perhaps the most famous face in U.S. history. Up and (8) ____ America, towns become red, white and blue. People put flags in their windows and hang ribbons in their gardens or outside stores. Many children (9) ____ about the history of how the United States came into being. They learn about the Revolutionary War and Washington’s (10) ____ in America’s independence. Various communities stage pageants and festivals that re-enact the important (11) ____ in Washington's life. People also eat cherry pies, a food that has become associated with his birthday. It’s also a good day for shoppers, as many stores hold a sale (12) ____ to attract customers with the day off.

Put the correct words from this table into the article.

1. (a) people (b) persons (c) humans (d) us

2. (a) falling (b) befell (c) fall (d) falls

3. (a) agreement (b) agrees (c) agreeing (d) agreeable

4. (a) for (b) last (c) since (d) before

5. (a) the other (b) others (c) another (d) the others

6. (a) renaming (b) rename (c) renames (d) renamed

7. (a) honors (b) honorees (c) honored (d) honored

8. (a) up (b) around (c) down (d) in

9. (a) learners (b) learnt (c) learned (d) learn

10. (a) roll (b) role (c) rollover (d) rolled

11. (a) events (b) eventful (c) inventor (d) invents

12. (a) hopeful (b) hoping (c) hopeless (d) hapless

SPELLING

Spell the jumbled words (from the text) correctly.

Paragraph 1

1. people bceeelrta

2. falls on a dekenew

3. Not everyone egsera

4. the renosa for the holiday

5. gencha the name

6. states have edmnera the day

Paragraph 2

7. nufongid the nation

8. People put flags in their iwodswn

9. how the United States came into igenb

10. pageants and tsflvaeis

11. a good day for hpresops

12. ttartac customers

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( ) pies, a food that has become associated with his birthday. It’s also a good day for

( ) ribbons in their gardens or outside stores. Many children learn about the history of how the United States came

( ) to change the name to Presidents Day. Many people want the holiday to celebrate the birthday of another

( 1 ) In the U.S.A. people celebrate the birthday of their first president, George Washington. They don’t always

( ) U.S. history. Up and down America, towns become red, white and blue. People put flags in their windows and hang

( ) celebrate on his birth date, which is February 22, because if it falls on a weekend, people don’t get the day

( ) reason for the holiday. A 1968 law called it Washington’s Birthday. However, since the 1980s, lawmakers have tried

( ) shoppers, as many stores hold a sale hoping to attract customers with the day off.

( ) off. So, on the third Monday in February there is a national holiday. Not everyone agrees on the name or even the

( ) The holiday honors George Washington for founding the nation. He is perhaps the most famous face in

( ) stage pageants and festivals that re-enact the important events in Washington's life. People also eat cherry

( ) president, Abraham Lincoln, who was also born in February. Different U.S. states have renamed

( ) into being. They learn about the Revolutionary War and Washington’s role in America’s independence. Various communities

( ) the day Presidents Day. And in Alabama, they call it "Washington and Jefferson Day".

SCRAMBLED SENTENCES

With a partner, put the words back into the correct order.

1. people president first their of birthday the celebrate

2. it day don’t weekend falls off get , on if the people a

3. even the reason Not everyone agrees on the name or

4. the lawmakers tried change name have to

5. renamed Different U.S. have day states the

6. famous perhaps history face the He U.S. in most is

7. hang windows in put ribbons and their flags People

8. States being of United into history the came the how

9. become a associated food with that his has birthday

10. hold attract a customers sale many hoping stores to

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1. ________________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________________

4. ________________________________________________________

5. ________________________________________________________

6. ________________________________________________________

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

1. ________________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________________

4. ________________________________________________________

5. ________________________________________________________

6. ________________________________________________________

THE WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY SURVEY

Write five questions about Washington’s Birthday 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	STUDENT 2	STUDENT 3
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

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 Washington’s Birthday for 10 minutes. Show your partner your paper. Correct each other’s work.

____________________________________________________________________

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 Washington’s Birthday. Talk about what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Write a magazine article about Washington’s Birthday. 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 Washington’s Birthday. 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.

MARDI GRAS (Feb. 16th)

MARDI GRAS

http://www.eslHolidayLessons.com/02/mardis_gras.html

CLICK HERE & WATCH = > Mardi Gras Origins History Channel VIDEO

THE READING "Mardi Gras" is French for “Fat Tuesday”. It is the name of a celebration that takes place on the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the 40-day period of Lent. Mardi Gras is the final day of a three-day period, which starts on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. In Catholic countries, people fast during lent. People eat well the day before Ash Wednesday and hold celebrations. These can be wonderful, colorful carnivals all over the world. The most famous are those in Rio de Janeiro, New Orleans and Venice. The tradition of Mardi Gras goes back hundreds of years in Catholic Europe. Explorers, settlers and missionaries exported the tradition worldwide.

Today, Mardi Gras is a riot of color, street carnivals, marching bands, dancing and all-night partying in the streets. Many people dress up in spectacular costumes and wear beautiful masks. The biggest Mardi Gras carnivals are in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Thousands of people from all over the world visit these cities to join in the fun. Venice is home to one of the oldest carnivals in the world, called Carnevale di Venezia. This dates back to 1268. Thousands of mask-wearing revelers fill the Venetian streets and attend special masked balls. In Sydney, Australia, Mardis Gras is celebrated by the city’s gay and lesbian community with street parades and costumes.

PHRASE MATCH

Match the following phrases from the article.

Paragraph 1

1. a celebration that takes place on the a. before Ash Wednesday

2 the beginning of the 40-day b. tradition worldwide

3. the final day of a three- c. period of Lent

4. People eat well the day d. back hundreds of years

5. The tradition of Mardi Gras goes e. day before Ash Wednesday

6. missionaries exported the f. day period

Paragraph 2

1. Mardi Gras is a riot a. all over the world

2 Many people dress up in b. the Venetian streets

3. Thousands of people from c. and lesbian community

4. Venice is home to one of the oldest d. spectacular costumes

5. mask-wearing revelers fill e. of color

6. celebrated by the city’s gay f. carnivals in the world

LISTENING GAP FILL

"Mardi Gras" is French for “Fat Tuesday”. It is the name of a celebration __________________ the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the 40-day period of Lent. Mardi Gras is __________________ three-day period, which starts on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. In Catholic countries, people fast during lent. People __________________ before Ash Wednesday and hold celebrations. These can be wonderful, colorful carnivals all over the world. The ____________________ in Rio de Janeiro, New Orleans and Venice. The tradition of Mardi Gras goes back hundreds of years in Catholic Europe. Explorers, settlers and missionaries __________________ worldwide.

Today, Mardi Gras is __________________, street carnivals, marching bands, dancing and all-night partying in the streets. Many people dress __________________ costumes and wear beautiful masks. The biggest MardiGras carnivals are in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Thousands of people __________________ the world visit these cities __________________. Venice is home to one of the oldest carnivals in the world, called Carnevale di Venezia. __________________ 1268. Thousands of mask-wearing revelers fill the Venetian streets and attend special masked balls. In Sydney, Australia, Mardis Gras is celebrated by the city’s gay and lesbian community with street __________________.

WHILE READING GAP FILL

Put the words into the gaps in the text.

"Mardi Gras" is French for “Fat Tuesday”. It is the __________ of a celebration that takes place on the day __________ Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the 40-day __________ of Lent. Mardi Gras is the __________ day of a three-day period which starts on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. In Catholic countries, people fast __________ lent. People eat well the day before Ash Wednesday and hold celebrations. These can be wonderful, colorful carnivals all __________ the world. The most famous are those in Rio de Janeiro, New Orleans and Venice. The __________ of Mardi Gras goes back hundreds of years in Catholic Europe. Explorers, __________ and missionaries exported the tradition worldwide.

tradition final name over

before during settlers period

Today, Mardi Gras is a riot of color, __________ carnivals, marching bands, dancing and all-__________ partying in the streets. Many people dress up in spectacular costumes and wear beautiful __________. The biggest Mardi Gras carnivals are in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Thousands of people from all __________ the world visit these cities to join in the fun. Venice is home to one of the __________ carnivals in the world, called Carnevale di Venezia. This dates back to 1268. Thousands of mask-wearing revelers __________ the Venetian streets and __________ special masked balls. In Sydney, Australia, Mardi Gras is celebrated by the city’s gay and lesbian __________ with street parades and costumes.

attend masks oldest community street over fill night

CHOOSE THE CORRECT WORD

Delete the wrong word in each of the pairs of italics.

"Mardi Gras" is French for / by “Fat Tuesday”. It is the name of a celebration that takes placed / place on the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the 40-day during / period of Lent. Mardi Gras is the final / finally day of a three-day period which starts on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. In Catholic countries, people fast during lent. People eat well / good the day before Ash Wednesday and hold celebrations. These can be wonderful, colorful carnivals all overall / over the world. The most famous are those in Rio de Janeiro, New Orleans and Venice. The traditional / tradition of Mardi Gras goes back hundreds of years in Catholic Europe. Explorers, settlers / settles and missionaries exported the tradition worldwide.

Today, Mardi Gras is a riot of color / colorful, street carnivals, marching bands, dancing and all-night partying in the streets. Many people dress on / up in spectacular costumes and wearing / wear beautiful masks. The biggest Mardi Gras carnivals are in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Thousands / Thousand of people from all over the world visit these cities to join in / on the fun. Venice is home to one of the oldest carnivals in the world, called Carnevale di Venezia. This date / dates back to 1268. Thousands of mask-wearing revelers fill the Venetian streets and attend special masked hoops / balls. In Sydney, Australia, Mardis Gras is celebrated by the city’s gay and lesbian community with street parade / parades and costumes.

MULTIPLE CHOICE

"Mardi Gras" is French (1) ____ “Fat Tuesday”. It is the name of a celebration that takes place on the day before Ash Wednesday, which (2) ____ the beginning of the 40-day period of Lent. Mardi Gras is the final day of a three-day period, (3) ____ starts on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. In Catholic countries, people fast during lent. People eat well the day before Ash Wednesday and (4) ____ celebrations. These can be wonderful, colourful carnivals all over the world. The most famous are those in Rio de Janeiro, New Orleans and Venice. The (5) ____ of Mardis Gras goes back hundreds of years in Catholic Europe. Explorers, settlers and missionaries (6) ____ the tradition worldwide.

Today, Mardi Gras is a riot of (7) ____, street carnivals, marching bands, dancing and all-night partying in the streets. Many people dress up (8) ____ spectacular costumes and wear beautiful masks. The biggest Mardis Gras carnivals are in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Thousands of people from all over the world visit (9) ____ cities to join in the fun. Venice is home to one of the oldest carnivals in the world, called Carnevale di Venezia. This (10) ____ back to 1268. Thousands of mask-wearing revelers fill the Venetian streets and (11) ____ special masked balls. In Sydney, Australia, Mardis Gras is celebrated by the city’s gay and lesbian communities (12) ____ street parades and costumes.

Put the correct words from this table into the article.

1. (a) for (b) from (c) with (d) by

2. (a) marking (b) marker (c) markings (d) marks

3. (a) when (b) which (c) where (d) whom

4. (a) bold (b) cold (c) hold (d) fold

5. (a) traditions (b)tradition (c)traditionally (d)traditional

6. (a) exported (b) exporting (c) exporter (d) export

7. (a) coloring (b) colored (c) color (d) colorful

8. (a) along (b) for (c) to (d) up

9. (a) these (b) them (c) this (d) then

10. (a) date (b) dates (c) dating (d) dateline

11. (a) attendance (b) attendee (c) attend (d) attended

12. (a) from (b) at (c) for (d) with

SPELLING

Spell the jumbled words (from the text) correctly.

Paragraph 1

1. marks the beginning of the 40-day ipoedr of Lent

2. people fast rgdiun lent

3. These can be olfwudren

4. The most asuomf

5. goes back ddrusneh of years

6. exported the tradition wwrloedid

Paragraph 2

7. a orti of color

8. all-night anptgriy in the streets

9. dress up in spectacular mtssceou

10. one of the oldest viaalcrns in the world

11. etadnt special masked balls

12. street esparda

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( ) well the day before Ash Wednesday and hold celebrations. These can be wonderful, colorful carnivals all over the

( ) partying in the streets. Many people dress up in spectacular costumes and wear beautiful masks. The biggest

( ) and attend special masked balls. In Sydney, Australia, Mardi Gras is celebrated by the city’s

( 1 ) "Mardi Gras" is French for “Fat Tuesday”. It is the name of a celebration that takes place on the day before Ash

( ) called Carnevale di Venezia. This dates back to 1268. Thousands of mask-wearing revelers fill the Venetian streets

( ) over the world visit these cities to join in the fun. Venice is home to one of the oldest carnivals in the world,

( ) gay and lesbian community with street parades and costumes.

( ) period, which starts on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. In Catholic countries, people fast during lent. People eat

( ) settlers and missionaries exported the tradition worldwide.

( ) Mardi Gras goes back hundreds of years in Catholic Europe. Explorers,

( ) Mardi Gras carnivals are in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Thousands of people from all

( ) world. The most famous are those in Rio de Janeiro, New Orleans and Venice. The tradition of

( ) Today, Mardi Gras is a riot of color, street carnivals, marching bands, dancing and all-night

( ) Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the 40-day period of Lent. Mardi Gras is the final day of a three-day

SCRAMBLED SENTENCES

With a partner, put the words back into the correct order.

1. Mardi is for Tuesday Gras French Fat

2. of day final the is Gras Mardi period day - three a

3. fast people , countries Catholic In lent during

4. goes hundreds years Gras back of Mardi

5. tradition exported worldwide the missionaries

6. Mardi of Gras color is Today a , riot

7. spectacular Many dress in costumes people up

8. cities the people world from visit all these over

9. Venice of is the home oldest to carnivals one

10. revelers wearing - mask streets Venetian the fill

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1. ________________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________________

4. ________________________________________________________

5. ________________________________________________________

6. ________________________________________________________

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

1. ________________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________________

4. ________________________________________________________

5. ________________________________________________________

6. ________________________________________________________

THE MARDI GRAS SURVEY

Write five questions about Mardi Gras 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	STUDENT 2	STUDENT 3
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

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 Mardi Gras for 10 minutes. Show your partner your paper. Correct each other’s work.

____________________________________________________________________

HOMEWORK

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find more information about Mardi Gras. Talk about what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Write a magazine article about Mardi Gras. 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 Mardi Gras. 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.