Unit 14 Festivals

Speaking & Reading

1. Kwanzaa is very old festival.

2. The word Kwanzaa means first fruit in Swahili.

3. Kwanzaa is based on African festivals.

4. People created Kwanzaa to celebrate American culture.

5. Kwanzaa is celebrated on Christmas Day.

6. People who celebrate Kwanzaa light a candle for each of the seven principles.

F

True or false statements

T

T

F

F

T

Discussion

Festivals, need or not? Why?

Significance of festivalsThey help us remember our history. They help us understand our culture.They give us the chances to relax and reunite.They promote friendship and understandingbetween us.They develop tourism.They bring hope for a future and good luck to us.They make us happy…

What kinds of gifts and things do peoplebuy during festivals like Christmas andthe Spring Festival?

The Spring Festival: noodles and eggs;fruits; nutritious foods; Supplements;flowers; toys; books; CD and so on

Christmas: chocolate and sweets; gloves and scarfs;

The Birth Of a The Birth Of a festivalfestival

Where

When

Why

Who

The African-Americans

In the United States

To celebrate the cultureand history of African Americans

How

Date:

The week following Christmas Day(from December 26 to January 1)

Why were the dates chosen?

People can enjoy the spirit of the holidays without all the commercial activities of Christmas.

How was Kwanzaa created?Reason:

Age:

Meanings:

Principles:

To celebrate African-American historyand culture.Less than 40

First fruit

Which one do you think is the most important?Why?

UnitySelf-determinationLiving togetherWorking togetherPurposeCreativityfaith

•light a candle each day and discuss one of the seven principles.

•On the last day, they gather to enjoy a large meal and to celebrate the new year.

How is Kwanzaa celebrated?

Post-Reading

Many festivals around the world are celebrated around the same time. Why do we celebrate these festival at these times?

Many holidays celebrate the arrival of a new season or a new harvest and their past.

Compare Kwanzaa with the Chinese Spring Festival and Christmas. In which way are theysimilar and in which way different?

All three reunite families. Christmas and Kwanzaa also bring together friends and members of the community. Spring Festivalis tied to the lunar calendar while Christmasand Kwanzaa are fixed dates. Christmas isboth a religious and popular celebration whileKwanzaa also honours a specific group of people.

Post-Reading

Useful expressions1. celebrate the Spring Festival

2. major festivals3. hear about/hear of/hear/hear from4. a seven-day festival celebrating the culture an

history5. The week following Christmas Day6. get together to greet the new year and think

about the past think of ; think out ; think over 7. have a long history and a rich culture8. creat a new festival9. so that10. have many/something/a lot/(a) little/nothing in

common in common with11. would/used to12. give thanks for their harvests and for life13. honour their ancestors14. as well as the new year

15. the characteristics of the African festivals16. so…that17. the seven principles18. build unity of family,community and nation 加强家庭、社区和国家的团结 19. Build our own lives, think for ourselves and

speak for ourselves 建设自己的生活，为自己思考，为自己说话 for/by/in/to/of oneself

20. build our future21. …do as much as we can to make our

community better22. believe in / believe23. enjoy the spirit of the holiday without all the

commercial activities24. a time for learning as well as joy25. by lighting a candle26. each time + clause 每当…27. in that way28. keep our culture alive29. share our hops for a happy future

Retell the text using about 100 words.

1. Date: between Dec.26th and Jan,1st.

2. Purpose: to celebrate history and culture.

3. Principles: seven

4. Activities: light a candle; discuss the principles; enjoy a large meal

5.Significance: understand who we are; remember where we come from; share our hopes for a happy future;

Retell the text using about 100 words.