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the uk and the u.s.a.

Holidays: Preview

1 In both the uk and the u.s., there are special holidays during the year when people have the chance to celebrate. here is a list of special holidays and pictures from the uk and the u.s. Label the pictures with the names of the holidays.

Independence Day Easter Christmas Guy Fawkes’ Night May Day Thanksgiving New Year Halloween

1

2 3

4 5

6

7 8

34Authorized adaptation © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Permission granted for classroom use.

the uk and the u.s.a.

Before watching

1 Match the words (1–7) with their meanings (a–g).

1. parade a. someone who has no religion

2. patriotic b. to put on special clothes

3. decorate c. an organized procession of people celebrating a special occasion

4. dress up d. political freedom, self rule

5. pagan e. to make something look better and beautiful

6. float f. showing support and love for one’s country

7. independence g. a pretty vehicle usually seen at fairs and carnivals

Holidays: Part one

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the uk and the u.s.a.

While watching

2 Watch the dVd. Complete the chart with the words from the box.

May 1st country fairs patriotic floats dancing small villages fireworks pagan July 4th

picnics parades not patriotic family day

Independence day May day

does your country have an Independence day or a traditional holiday? describe this holiday. What do people do on this day?

EXTENSION

36Authorized adaptation © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Permission granted for classroom use.

the uk and the u.s.a.

Before watching

1 these two pictures tell a story about a national holiday in the u.s. What is the holiday? What do you know about this u.s. holiday?

Holidays: Part two

2 What do you think happened before the first thanksgiving feast in the united states? Check all that apply. then watch the dVd and check your answers.

• The Pilgrims won a sports game against the native Indians.

• The local Indians taught the Pilgrims how to plant crops for food.

• The Pilgrims suffered a terrible winter.

• Many Pilgrims died during the harsh winter.

• The local Indians did not help the Pilgrims.

• The Pilgrims did not learn how to plant and raise animals for food.

• The Pilgrims prepared a feast to thank the Indians for helping them.

37Authorized adaptation © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Permission granted for classroom use.

the uk and the u.s.a.

While watching

3 Watch the dVd. What types of food are eaten at thanksgiving? Check (3) the best answers.

1. apple pie 2. beef 3. tomato sauce 4. turkey 5. pumpkin pie 6. mince pies 7. chicken 8. roast potatoes 9. cranberry sauce

10. mashed potatoes 11. carrots 12. roast pig

4 Whatch the dVd. Put the sentences below in the correct order. use numbers 1-6.

The Puritans arrive in the U.S.A.

The Puritans and Native Amercians have dinner together.

Fifty percent of the Puritans die.

The history of Thanksgiving starts in 1621.

The winter is very cold.

Native Americans teach the Puritans which crops to grow and how to look after them

think of a special holiday you celebrate in your country. What holiday is it? What do you do on this day? What kinds of food do you eat?

EXTENSION

38Authorized adaptation © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Permission granted for classroom use.

the uk and the u.s.a.

Holidays: Part threeBefore watching

1 Match the words about Christmas with the pictures.

Christmas pudding mistletoe holly singing carols silver bells tinsel mince pies

1

2 3 4

5 6 7

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the uk and the u.s.a.

While watching

2 Watch the dVd and complete the sentences with some of the words from the box.

forget loves buys want sun covers snow has sell makes presents

1. Jessica Christmas.

2. Jessica a huge fir tree.

3. Jessica the tree with silver bells.

4. James wants on Christmas Day.

5. Jessica New Year’s resolutions.

6. People their resolutions quickly.

Make a list of new Year’s resolutions. Compare your list with a classmate’s. Find out how many students in your class keep their new Year’s resolutions.

EXTENSION

a resolution = a promise

For example: Jessica says, “I’m going to study harder.”

40Authorized adaptation © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Permission granted for classroom use.

the uk and the u.s.a.

Holidays: Part fourBefore watching

1 What do you do on new Year’s eve? Check (3) the things you do.

1. play games 2. give presents 3. be with friends 4. eat special food 5. dance 6. go to a party 7. watch TV 8. be with family 9. sing

While watching

2 Watch the dVd and listen to the students talk about holidays in the u.s. and the uk.

1. What is the favorite holiday of each of these students?

• Kelly

• Anders

• Rebeca

• Milenka

• Raj

• Jonathan

• Ahmed

• Imogen

Plan a new Year’s eve party with your class. What do you want to do? What do you want to eat?

EXTENSION

2. Who likes Christmas because of the presents?

• Kelly

• Anders

• Rebeca

• Milenka

• Raj

• Jonathan

• Ahmed

• Imogen

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the uk and the u.s.a.

2 Label the pictures in exercise 1 with the words from the box.

Gunpowder Plot stuffed figure of Guy Fawkes’ toffee apples fireworks

While watching

3 Which sentences are true about Guy Fawkes’ night? Which ones are false? Check (3) the correct boxes.

1. Guy Fawkes’ Night is on November 5th.

2. The real Gunpowder Plot was in 1606.

3. We burn a “Guy” on a bonfire.

4. There are a lot of fireworks.

5. The Houses of Parliament were blown up.

6. People eat tomatoes.

7. It’s usually cold.

Choose a historical day, for example, Independence day, a popular uprising, or the birthday of a famous person. Make a presentation about the event. Find pictures to show to the class.

EXTENSION

1

2

3

4

true False

Holidays: Part fiveBefore watching

1 Below are some pictures about Guy Fawkes’ night. What do they tell you about Guy Fawkes’ night?

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the uk and the u.s.a.

Follow-up: Ba’ game

Scotland: The land of festivalsNo one knows why, but Scotland seems to have more festivals than any other country in the world. We talked to some teenagers

in different parts of Scotland and asked them about some of the not-so-famous festivals that are popular in their country.

Duncan, KirkwallEvery year at Christmas and New Year, we play Ba’, a version of Medieval football game. It has been played in Scotland since 1850. Ba is basically a village football. Two parts of a town, the South (the Uppies) and the North (the Doonies) ends of the town, have to get a ball to their respective side. The game moves through the town -- into yards, streets, and alleys. Shops and houses board up their windows to prevent damage. A typical Ba’ game can go on for hours. The game can be dangerous, but it’s a lot of fun.

Heather, BraemarBraemar is famous because of its Highland Games. The event takes place on the first Saturday in September. There are many Highland Games in Scotland but the most famous is in Braemar. The first Braemar Gathering (and Games) took place in 1816. It is an opportunity for all the clans (traditional groups of Scottish families) to come together and have fun. There is singing, dancing, and traditional Scottish games such as sword dancing and tossing the caber (throwing a tree). The Braemar Gathering is now very famous, and the Queen comes nearly every year.

Kenneth, LerwickAt the end of January every year, we have the festival of Up-Helly-Aa. The festival started a long time ago on the Shetland Islands and has been celebrated in Lerwick since the 1820s. On this night, everyone comes out on the street to sing, dance, and have fun. Since 1880, it has become a festival of Viking tradition. Every year a model of a Viking ship is carried through the streets by people dressed as Vikings. Everyone has a great time and people come from all over the world to see the festival.

Craig, BurgheadOn January 11th every year, we celebrate the Burning of the Clavie. The Clavie is a set of whisky barrels. Nobody really remembers the meaning of the Burning of the Clavie because this festival is more than 2,000 years old. For many years this was a local festival and only a few hundred people would attend. Now people come from all over the world. Last year there were more than 10,000 visitors.

1 Read the text and complete the chart.

Festival Where? When? When first happened? how many people?

Burning of the Clavie (1) (2) more than 2,000 years ago thousands

(3) (4) (5) 1850 over 200

(6) (7) September (8) don’t know

(9) Lerwick (10) (11) don’t know

2 Project

Find out about an unusual festival from another country. Make a poster about it and give a presentation to the class.