HOLIDAYS, CELEBRATIONS, LESSON PLANS & ACTIVITIES: January

Showing posts with label January. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

New Year's Day (January 01st / December 31st)

NEW YEAR’S DAY

http://www.eslHolidayLessons.com/01/new_years_day.html

CLICK HERE & WATCH = > New Years Eve History History Channel VIDEO

THE READING

New Year’s Day is, of course, the first day of the year. It is a national holiday in most countries around the world. It is a time when families get together and celebrate with a meal. Many people make new plans for the rest of the year. These plans are called New Year resolutions. People decide to lose weight, get fit, stop smoking, study English every day or save lots of money. I think most people are serious about these plans on January 1st, but then forget about them before the end of the week. Then one year later, it’s New Year’s Day all over again and people make the same resolutions again. I guess people all around the world make the same kinds of plans. I guess they also break their resolutions at the same time.

One thing I like about New Year’s Day are the TV programs that look back at the previous year. They are like highlights shows of the news. These always remind me how lucky I am because a lot of the news is about wars, famines, natural disasters, plane crashes and other terrible things. The shows also look back at the lives of people who died that year. Hmmm… That all sounds a bit depressing really. But then there are happier things, like the top sports and music stories. Another thing that happens on New Year’s Day is lists. The top ten movies of the year, the ten best sporting achievements of the year, etc. There is even a list for the top ten new English words of the year. Previous winners of this are the words ‘blog’ and ‘podcast’.

PHRASE MATCH

Match the following phrases from the article.

Paragraph 1

1. It is a national holiday a. called New Year resolutions

2 It is a time when families get b. resolutions again

3. These plans are c. together and celebrate

4. forget about them before d. at the same time

5. people make the same e. the end of the week

6. they also break their resolutions f. in most countries

Paragraph 2

1. TV programs that look a. a bit depressing

2 These always remind me how b. movies of the year

3. …natural disasters, plane crashes and c. lucky I am

4. That all sounds d. back at the previous year

5. The top ten e. ten new English words

6. a list for the top f. other terrible things

GAP FILL

New Year’s Day __________________ first day of the year. It is a national holiday in most countries around the world. It is a time when families _____________ celebrate with a meal. Many people make new plans for the rest of the year. These plans are called New Year resolutions. People decide __________________ fit, stop smoking, study English every day or save lots of money. I think most people are __________________ plans on January 1st, but then forget about them before the end of the week. Then one year later, it’s New Year’s Day ________________ people make the same resolutions again. I guess people all around the world make the same kinds of plans. I guess __________________ resolutions at the same time.

One __________________ New Year’s Day are the TV programs that look back at the previous year. They are like highlights shows of the news. These always __________________ lucky I am because a lot of the news is about wars, famines, natural disasters, plane crashes and __________________. The shows also look back at the lives of people who died that year. Hmmm… That __________________ depressing really. But then there are happier things, like the top sports and music stories. Another thing that happens on New Year’s Day is lists. The __________________ the year, the ten best sporting achievements of the year, etc. There is even a list for the top ten new English words of the year. Previous __________________ the words ‘blog’ and ‘podcast’.

WHILE READING GAP FILL

Put the words into the gaps in the text.

New Year’s Day is, of __________, the first day of the year. It is a national holiday in most countries around the world. It is a time when families get __________ and celebrate with a meal. Many people make new plans for the __________ of the year. These plans are called New Year resolutions. People decide to __________ weight, get fit, stop smoking, study English every day or save __________ of money. I think most people are serious about these plans on January 1st, but then forget about them before the __________ of the week. Then one year later, it’s New Year’s Day all __________ again and people make the same resolutions again. I guess people all around the world make the same kinds of plans. I guess they also __________ their resolutions at the same time.

lots rest over end

lose course break together

One thing I like about New Year’s Day are the TV programs that look __________ at the previous year. They are like highlights __________ of the news. These always remind me how lucky I am because a lot of the news is about wars, __________, natural disasters, plane crashes and other terrible things. The shows also look back at the lives of people who __________ that year. Hmmm… That all sounds a __________ depressing really. But then there are happier things, like the __________ sports and music stories. Another thing that happens on New Year’s Day is __________. The top ten movies of the year, the ten best sporting achievements of the year, etc. There is even a list for the top ten new English words of the year. Previous __________ of this are the words ‘blog’ and ‘podcast’.

bit shows lists back

died winners famines top

CHOOSE THE CORRECT WORD

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

New Year’s Day is, of cause / course, the first day of the year. It is a national holiday in most / much countries around the world. It is a time when families get together and celebrate within / with a meal. Many people make new plans for the rest / rested of the year. These plans are called New Year resolutions. People decide to lose weight, get / got fit, stop smoking, study English every day or save lots of money. I think most people are serious by / about these plans on January 1st, but then forget about them before the end for / of the week. Then one year later, it’s New Year’s Day all over again and people make the same resolutions again. I guest / guess people all around the world make the same kinds of plans. I guess they also break their resolutions at the same time.

One thing I like about New Year’s Day are the TV programs that look forward / back at the previous year. They are like highlights shows / showed of the news. These always remind me how lucky / unlucky I am because a lot of the news is about wars, famines, natural disasters, plane crashes and other terrible things. The shows also look back at the live / lives of people who died that year. Hmmm… That all sounds a bit / bite depressing really. But then there are happier things, like the top sports and music stories. Another thing that happens on New Year’s Day is lasts / lists. The top ten movies of the year, the ten best sporting achievements of the year, etc. There is even / ever a list for the top ten new English words of the year. Previous winners / winnings of this are the words ‘blog’ and ‘podcast’.

MULTIPLE CHOICE

New Year’s Day is, of course, the first (1) ____ of the year. It is a national holiday in most countries around the world. It is a (2) ____ when families get together and celebrate with a meal. Many people make new plans (3) ____ the rest of the year. These plans are called New Year resolutions. People decide to lose weight, get (4) ____, stop smoking, study English every day or save lots of money. I think most people are serious about these plans on January 1st, but then forget about them before the end of the (5) ____. Then one year later, it’s New Year’s Day all over again and people make the same resolutions again. I (6) ____ people all around the world make the same kinds of plans. I guess they also break their resolutions at the same time.

One thing I like about New Year’s Day are the TV programmes that (7) ____ back at the previous year. They are like highlights shows of the news. These always (8) ____ me how lucky I am because a lot of the news is about wars, famines, natural disasters, plane crashes and other terrible things. The shows also look back at the (9) ____ of people who died that year. Hmmm… That all sounds a bit depressing really. But then there are (10) ____ things, like the top sports and music stories. Another thing that happens on New Year’s Day is lists. The top ten movies of the year, the ten best sporting achievements (11) ____ the year, etc. There is even a list for the top ten new English words of the year. Previous (12) ____ of this are the words ‘blog’ and ‘podcast’.

Put the correct words from this table into the article.

1. (a) daily (b) daytime (c) days (d) day

2. (a) timely (b) time (c) times (d) timing

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

4. (a) fitness (b) fitting (c) fit (d) fittest

5. (a) weekly (b) week (c) weak (d) weeks

6. (a) guess (b) guesses (c) guessing (d) guest

7. (a) look (b) looked (c) looks (d) looking

8. (a) reminder (b) remind (c) remainder (d) reminding

9. (a) live (b) living (c) lives (d) lived

10. (a) happiness (b) happiest (c) happily (d) happier

11. (a) for (b) by (c) with (d) of

12. (a) winner (b) wins (c) winners (d) winning

SPELLING

Spell the jumbled words (from the text) correctly.

Paragraph 1

1. families get together and tceeebrla

2. People decide to lose ieghwt

3. most people are souersi

4. fergot about them

5. it’s New Year’s Day all over aaign

6. arkeb their resolutions

Paragraph 2

7. look back at the ruiospev year

8. These always irndme me how lucky I am

9. other ielretrb things

10. a bit depressing lyelra

11. the ten best topnisgr achievements

12. Previous wsinner

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( ) One thing I like about New Year’s Day are the TV programs that look back at the previous

( ) year. They are like highlights shows of the news. These always remind me how lucky I am because a lot of the

( ) ten movies of the year, the ten best sporting achievements of the year, etc. There is even a list for the top ten new

( 1 ) New Year’s Day is, of course, the first day of the year. It is a national holiday in most countries around

( ) English words of the year. Previous winners of this are the words ‘blog’ and ‘podcast’.

( ) about them before the end of the week. Then one year later, it’s New Year’s Day all over

( ) news is about wars, famines, natural disasters, plane crashes and other terrible things. The shows also look back

( ) of plans. I guess they also break their resolutions at the same time.

( ) of the year. These plans are called New Year resolutions. People decide to lose weight, get fit, stop smoking, study English

( ) every day or save lots of money. I think most people are serious about these plans on January 1st, but then forget

( ) again and people make the same resolutions again. I guess people all around the world make the same kinds

( ) at the lives of people who died that year. Hmmm… That all sounds a bit depressing really. But then there are happier

( ) things, like the top sports and music stories. Another thing that happens on New Year’s Day is lists. The top

( ) the world. It is a time when families get together and celebrate with a meal. Many people make new plans for the rest

SCRAMBLED SENTENCES

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

1. in holiday national a is It countries most

2. and together get families meal a with celebrate

3. to People lose decide weight

4. plans are I serious think about most these people

5. the same kinds of plans people all around the world make

6. previous look year back TV at programs the that

7. I lucky how me remind always These am

8. a depressing That sounds bit really all

9. is thing on Day Another happens Year’s lists that New

10. the for list a even is There words English new ten top

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 NEW YEAR’S DAY SURVEY

Write five questions about New Year’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	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 New Year’s Day 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 New Year’s Day. Talk about what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Write a magazine article about New Year’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 New Year’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.

Martin Luther King Day (January 21st)

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY

http://www.eslHolidayLessons.com/01/martin_luther_king_day.html

Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in January. The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. was an African-American clergyman who is recognized for his tireless efforts to win civil rights for all people through nonviolent means.

"I HAVE A DREAM"

THE READING

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a U.S. holiday that celebrates the birth date of one of America’s greatest civil rights leaders. Dr. King’s date of birth is January 15th, but the actual holiday is on the third Monday in January. The holiday recognizes the great achievements Martin Luther King made to American society. His leadership in the campaign to achieve equal rights for black Americans changed America forever. His focus on non-violent protests led to new laws that ended racial discrimination in America. The USA became a more equal society. The holiday is only one of four national holidays in America to commemorate a person. This shows just how important Martin Luther King was – one of the greatest Americans ever.

Dr. King was assassinated in 1968. Just 25 years later, in 1983, then President Ronald Reagan signed this holiday into U.S. law. People first observed the holiday three years later, in 1986. At first, the holiday was not popular with all American states. Some didn’t like the name and so they called it “Civil Rights Day”. However, in the year 2000, all 50 states observed the holiday using its correct name. The musician Stevie Wonder helped the campaign for the holiday. He released a hit single called “Happy Birthday” in 1980. The song made millions of Americans aware of the campaign. Six million people signed a petition for the American Congress to create the holiday. It is still the largest petition in U.S. history in favor of an issue.

PHRASE MATCH

Match the following phrases from the article.

Paragraph 1

1. one of America’s greatest civil a. violent protests

2 The holiday recognizes the b. rights leaders

3. the campaign to achieve c. commemorate a person

4. His focus on non- d. great achievements

5. new laws that ended racial e. equal rights

6. four national holidays in America to f. discrimination

Paragraph 2

1. Dr. King was assassinated a. three years later

2 People first observed the holiday b. its correct name

3. At first, the holiday c. aware of the campaign

4. all 50 states observed the holiday using d. in 1968

5. The song made millions of Americans e. in U.S. history

6. the largest petition f. was not popular

GAP FILL

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a U.S. holiday _________________ birth date of one of America’s greatest civil rights leaders. Dr. King’s date of birth is January 15th, but the actual holiday _________________ Monday in January. The holiday _________________ achievements Martin Luther King made to American society. His leadership in the campaign _________________ rights for black Americans changed America forever. His focus on non-violent protests led to new laws that ended racial discrimination in America. The USA _________________ society. The holiday is only one of four national holidays in America to commemorate a person. This _________________ important Martin Luther King was – one of the greatest Americans ever.

Dr. King was assassinated in 1968. _________________, in 1983, then President Ronald Reagan signed this _________________. People first observed the holiday three years later, in 1986. At first, the holiday was not _________________ American states. Some didn’t like the name and so they called it “Civil Rights Day”. However, in the year 2000, all 50 states observed the holiday _________________ name. The musician Stevie Wonder helped the campaign for the holiday. He released a hit single called “Happy Birthday” in 1980. The song made millions of Americans aware of the campaign. Six million people _________________ for the American Congress to create the holiday. It is still the largest petition in U.S. history _________________ issue.

WHILE READING

Put the words into the gaps in the text.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a U.S. holiday that __________ the birth date of one of America’s greatest civil rights __________. Dr. King’s date of birth is January 15th, but the actual holiday is on the __________ Monday in January. The holiday recognizes the great achievements Martin Luther King made to American __________. His leadership in the campaign to achieve equal rights for black Americans changed America __________. His focus on non-violent protests led to new laws that ended __________ discrimination in America. The USA became a more equal society. The holiday is only one of four national holidays in America to commemorate a __________. This shows just how important Martin Luther King was – one of the greatest Americans __________.

racial third forever ever

celebrates society person leaders

Dr. King was assassinated in 1968. Just 25 years __________, in 1983, then President Ronald Reagan signed this holiday into U.S. law. People first __________ the holiday three years later, in 1986. At first, the holiday was not __________ with all American states. Some didn’t like the __________ and so they called it “Civil Rights Day”. However, in the year 2000, all 50 states observed the holiday __________ its correct name. The musician Stevie Wonder helped the campaign for the holiday. He released a hit __________ called “Happy Birthday” in 1980. The song made millions of Americans aware of the campaign. Six million people signed a __________ for the American Congress to create the holiday. It is still the largest petition in U.S. history in favour of an __________.

popular using later petition

name issue observed single

CHOOSE THE CORRECT WORD

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

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a U.S. holiday that celebrating / celebrates the birth date / dates of one of America’s greatest civil rights leaders. Dr. King’s date of birth is January 15th, but the actually / actual holiday is on the third Monday in January. The holiday recognizes the great / grate achievements Martin Luther King made to American society. His leadership in the campaign to achieve equals / equal rights for black Americans changed America forever. His focus on non-violent protests led to new laws that ended racially / racial discrimination in America. The USA became a more equal society. The holiday is only one / once of four national holidays in America to commemorate a person. This shows just how importance / important Martin Luther King was – one of the greatest Americans ever.

Dr. King was assassinated / assassination in 1968. Just 25 years later, in 1983, then President Ronald Reagan signal / signed this holiday into U.S. law. People first observed the holiday three years later, in 1986. At / On first, the holiday was not popular / popularity with all American states. Some didn’t like the name and so they called it “Civil Rights Day”. However, in the year 2000, all 50 states observe / observed the holiday using its correct name. The musician Stevie Wonder helped the campaign / campaigned for the holiday. He released a hit single called “Happy Birthday” in 1980. The song made millions of Americans aware of the campaign. Six million people signed a competition / petition for the American Congress to create the holiday. It is still the largest petition in U.S. history in against / favor of an issue.

MULTIPLE CHOICE

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a U.S. holiday that (1) ____ the birth date of one of America’s greatest (2) ____ rights leaders. Dr. King’s date of birth is January 15th, but the actual holiday is on the third Monday in January. The holiday (3) ____ the great achievements Martin Luther King made to American society. His leadership in the campaign to achieve (4) ____ rights for black Americans changed America forever. His focus (5) ____ non-violent protests led to new laws that ended racial discrimination in America. The USA became a more equal society. The holiday is only (6) ____ of four national holidays in America to commemorate a person. This shows just how important Martin Luther King was – one of the greatest Americans ever.

Dr. King was assassinated in 1968. Just 25 years (7) ____, in 1983, then President Ronald Reagan signed this holiday into U.S. law. People first observed the holiday three years later, in 1986. At first, the holiday was not (8) ____ with all American states. Some didn’t like the name and so they called it “Civil Rights Day”. However, in the year 2000, all 50 states observed the holiday (9) ____ its correct name. The musician Stevie Wonder helped the campaign (10) ____ the holiday. He released a hit single called “Happy Birthday” in 1980. The song made millions of Americans aware of the campaign. Six million people (11) ____ a petition for the American Congress to create the holiday. It is still the largest petition in U.S. history in favour of an (12) ____.

Put the correct words from this table into the article.

1. (a) celebration (b) celebrates (c) celebrated (d) celebratory

2. (a) civil (b) civilian (c) civility (d) civil war

3. (a) recognize (b) recognition (c) recognizes (d) recognized

4. (a) equality (b) equals (c) equaled (d) equal

5. (a) at (b) in (c) by (d) on

6. (a) once (b) ones (c) one (d) oneness

7. (a) earlier (b) later (c) time (d) then

8. (a) popularity (b) population (c) popularize (d) popular

9. (a) used (b) used to (c) using (d) uses

10. (a) for (b) by (c) at (d) at

11. (a) signed (b) signature (c) sign (d) signs

12. (a) issued (b) issue (c) issues (d) issuing

SPELLING

Spell the jumbled words (from the text) correctly.

Paragraph 1

1. the brtih date

2. the claatu holiday is on the third Monday

3. American oeisyct

4. changed America rrovfee

5. a more quela society

6. commemorate a psnroe

Paragraph 2

7. Dr. King was sdessaanista in 1968

8. Ronald Reagan indegs this holiday into U.S. law

9. not oaruppl with all American states

10. 50 states svdboeer the holiday

11. He rlaesdee a hit single

12. Six million people signed a npeiitto

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( ) millions of Americans aware of the campaign. Six million people signed a petition for the American Congress to

( ) civil rights leaders. Dr. King’s date of birth is January 15th, but the actual holiday is on the third Monday in

( ) the campaign to achieve equal rights for black Americans changed America forever. His focus on non-violent

( ) Dr. King was assassinated in 1968. Just 25 years later, in 1983, then President Ronald Reagan signed this

( ) popular with all American states. Some didn’t like the name and so they called it “Civil Rights Day”. However, in

( ) how important Martin Luther King was – one of the greatest Americans ever.

( ) society. The holiday is only one of four national holidays in America to commemorate a person. This shows just

( ) create the holiday. It is still the largest petition in U.S. history in favour of an issue.

( ) protests led to new laws that ended racial discrimination in America. The USA became a more equal

( 1 ) Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a U.S. holiday that celebrates the birth date of one of America’s greatest

( ) holiday into U.S. law. People first observed the holiday three years later, in 1986. At first, the holiday was not

( ) the year 2000, all 50 states observed the holiday using its correct name. The musician Stevie Wonder helped

( ) January. The holiday recognizes the great achievements Martin Luther King made to American society. His leadership in

( ) the campaign for the holiday. He released a hit single called “Happy Birthday” in 1980. The song made

SCRAMBLED SENTENCES

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

1. rights one America’s civil leaders of greatest

2. actual on Monday the is third January holiday the in

3. campaign the rights equal achieve to

4. on - protests focus non violent His

5. equal The became more society USA a

6. Dr King assassinated 1968 . was in

7. three holiday the observed first People later years

8. American not states popular the with holiday all was

9. observed holiday its name the using correct

10. million Six petition a signed people

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

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

1. ________________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________________

4. ________________________________________________________

5. ________________________________________________________

6. ________________________________________________________

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

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

1. ________________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________________

4. ________________________________________________________

5. ________________________________________________________

6. ________________________________________________________

THE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY SURVEY

Write five questions about Martin Luther King Jr. 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	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 Martin Luther King Jr. Day for 10 minutes. Show your partner your paper. Correct each other’s work.

HOMEWORK

_____________________________________________________________

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find more information about Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Talk about what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Write a magazine article about Martin Luther King Jr. 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 Martin Luther King Jr. 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.