Halloween Halloween is celebrated on October 31st A pumpkin pie Children dress up as witches, fairies or ghosts. The afternoon, they have a party. They play games with apples. They make a «Jack-o-lantern». It s a lantern made with a pumpkin. They light candles in pumpkin lanterns and they put them outside their homes to frighten away witches and ghosts. The evening, they walk in teh steets of the neighborhood, and they knock on doors. They ask «Trick or treat?» If you don t give them sweets, they play a trick on you. We could make a jack o lantern. We could cook a pumpkin pie with our students. Songs : Incy Wincy Spider Books : Maisy s Halloween, Funny bones
Bonfire Night Guy Fawkes Guy Fawkes is celebrated on November 5 th Potatoes wrapped in foil and soup A traditional cake : a parkin cake with oatmeal, ginger, sugar syrup Guy Fawkes wanted to kill the King of England by blowing up the Houses of Parliament in London. He was discovered and executed. Nowodays, during the day, children used to take their handmade «guys» out on the street and they ask «a penny for a guy». Adults make a effigy: a homemade model of a man. This is a reminder of Guy Fawke. People have fireworks parties. The evening,, they make a big fire. Crowd comes to watch the fireworks. The effigy is burned in this celebration known as "Bonfire Night". Discovery of London monuments : Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the parliament, The Towwer of London, The Tower Bridge, The Westminster Abbey...
Thanksgiving It is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States and on the second Monday of October in Canada Canada A big turkey stuffing with bread, eggs, herbs Cranberry sauce, Greenbeans, Corns, Sweet potatoes, and Pumpkin pie are the traditional dishes. It is a time to remember the pilgrims. Pilgrims sailed from England to America on the «Mayflower». They wanted to start a new life. Their first winter was very cold, and many of them became ill and died. The native Americans helped them. They gave them medicine, they taught them how to hunt for food, and how to grow corn and other plants. They showed them how to build better houses. To thank the Native americans, the Pilgrims invited them to a special dinner to celebrate their friendship. Thanksgiving day remind the Pilgrims. Cornucopia is the most common symbol of Thanksgiving. This day, Everyone follows the custom of family dinner. People decorate their home with flowers. All dishes are served in the same time during dinner This day is a time to show gratitude, good feelings, respect, to the family members, friends, colleagues. People send loving messages and warm wishes too. Popular gifts include thanksgiving flowers, jewellery, baked cookie hampers, chocolate gift baskets, candy-wreaths, wine etc. The next day is often a free day called «the black friday». It s the beginning of Christmas American custom, American food. Songs : Five currant buns, Ten fat sausages, I eat apples and bananas. Books : Maisy s Thanksgiving
Christmas Christmas is celebrated on December 25 th It s a public holiday. They eat roast turkey, chestnut stuffing, sausages wrapped in bacon potatoes, Brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce, Christmas pudding. Christmas pudding is dark, dense. Families have their own receipes. It s basicily a mix of fruit, sugar and spices. During the weeks before Christmas, they send lots of Christmas cards to their family and their friends. They sing Christmas songs called «Carols» They decorate their homes with Christmas trees, colored fairy lights, they hang up holly and mistletoe branches. Red and green are the traditional colours. Christmas dinner is served around 2 PM for the whole family. A christmas cracker is placed next to each plate. There is a small gift or toy inside. They eat the menu. They stay at home with their family on Christmas day. Santa Claus brings many gifts. We could make a Christams card, christmas decorations. We could watch a video about Christmas in england. (This is Britain ) Songs : Merry christmas, Twinkle, twinkle star Book: Maisy s christmas Eve
Boxing day Boxing day is celebrated on December 26th Britain It s a public holiday Saint Stephen s day in Ireland It s a traditional day in Britain to open the Christmas Box to share with the poor. Today, the tradition of giving money to the workers still continues. For example, the milkman, the paper boy. This is a day for Fox Hunting. Many people find it cruel, and this is illegal in some areas. Boxing day is associated with outdoor sports, especially horse racing. Traditionaly, families stay at home, it is the day of watching sports, and playing board games. But now, Some stores have started to open on boxing Days and are known for their «After Christmas Sales»
Valentine s day Valentine s day is celebrated on Februar 14 th Canada It s lovers day It is a old traditional day. People express their love for each other by sending Valentine's cards, flowers, chocolate, or other gifts. The symbol is Cupid. Traditionally, spring begins on St Valentine's Day. Because, this, day birds chose their mates. In parts of Sussex Valentines Day was called 'the Birds' Wedding Day'. In the United States, Valentine s day is not just fot lovers. Children make a Valentine s card for their classmates. They put them in a box. Each child take a card in the box. It s a friendship holiday. Then, they have a party in the classroom. We could make a Valentine card. I could bring a box for cards. We could do a party like American students Poem: Roses are red, Violets are blue, Sugar is sweet, And so are you.
Saint Patrick Saint Patrick s day is on march 17 th : Ireland Irish beer, Irish food ( corned beef, lamb, shepherd s pie filled with meat and potatoes ), Irish coffee Saint Patrick is celebrated by the wearing of the green and the wearing of Shamrock which is the traditional symbol of Saint Patrick s Day. Some people dress up with a Leprechaun costume. Saint Patick used the shamrock to explain the concept of the Trinity to the king. The three leaves are the symbols of Father, son and Holy Spirit. They celebrate this day with parades, beer, dance and musik. Leprechauns are another symbol. They are shoemakers. They live overside the rainbow. If you catch one, you cane become rich because they have a caudron full of Gold. On march, to celebrate Saint Patrick, The Empire State Building become green and the river of chicago too. We could watch a video of the Irish Parade, and look at pictures of green monuments. Colors of the rainbow Songs : What is yellow? Book: Ten lucky leprechauns