Halloween is celebrated on October 31st, just before All Saints Day. Did you know that Halloween is one of the world´s oldest holidays??? It all started as a Celtic festival called Samhain at the end of harvest time and marking their new year, which started on November 1st. They believed that the ghosts and spirits walked the earth at this time, and lit bonfires to protect themselves at night.
Want to practice some Halloween vocabulary? Click here to learn some spooky words!
We wrote Halloween stories using the book Funny Bones as a mentor text. Here is a video based on the book! Enjoy :)
We wrote Halloween stories using the book Funny Bones as a mentor text. Here is a video based on the book! Enjoy :)
THANKSGIVING 2012: Thursday, November 22nd
Typically, Americans celebrate Thanksgiving with family or close friends. The have a big dinner with turkey, stuffiing, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, pumpkin pie, and more. It is a time that we can come together and be thankful for all the good things we have in our lives (family, friends, healthy foods to eat, a warm home, school, teachers, fun hobbies, etc).
What are you thankful for this year?
Below is a video about Thanksgiving featuring the Charlie Brown cartoons. Enjoy!
CHRISTMAS!
Christmas is celebrated in different ways depending on where you live. In America we exchange gifts on December 25th, and Three Kings Day is more of a religious celebration. It is typical to hang holly around your house, and if you get caught under the mistletoe, you have to give a kiss to whoever is nearby! What holiday traditions can you think of from Spain?
Here are some Christmas words to get you ready for the season!
Click on the Penguin to read some Christmas Stories!
Want to learn some Christmas Carols in English??? Here´s a fun Sing-Along Video!
Pancake Tuesday!
When is Pancake Day?
Pancake Day (also known as Shrove Tuesday) takes place 47 days before Easter Sunday. Because the date of Easter Sunday is dictated by the cycles of the moon, Pancake Day can occur anytime between February 3 and March 9. In 2013 it takes place on February 12.What is Pancake Day?
Shrove Tuesday marks the last day before Lent, traditionally a period of abstinence, associated with clearing your cupboards of goods such as sugar, fats and eggs. It's commonly known as Pancake Day because it represents a good opportunity to use such ingredients ahead of the fasting period.
Valentine´s Day!
In the US, kids celebrate Valentine’s Day in school. They give Valentines to each other. These are little cards, often flat. Often they will attach a little piece of candy to each Valentine to give to their classmates. Nowadays, children are asked to give a Valentine to all the other kids in their class so that it’s not just the popular kids getting a lot of Valentines.
Valentine’s Day in Italy
Children do not celebrate St. Valentine’s Day in school. It is a celebration of people in love: the man gives flowers and chocolates to his wife or girlfriend, sometimes they go out in the evening for dinner. In some shops they sell beautiful boxes with heart-shaped chocolates or chocolates in the shape of rose buds, or postcards with special messages.
Valentine’s Day in France
They don’t do anything at school. Men and women who are in love exchange presents and cards or flowers.
Valentine’s Day Differences
In some countries Valentine’s Day is mainly a show of love for couples. While in the US, for kids it’s also a show of friendship and sometimes familial love. A son can give his Mom candy on Valentine’s Day to show his love for her, or a daughter may give her parents a Valentine’s Day card she made to show her love.
How do you celebrate in Spain?
St. Patrick´s Day
St. Patrick was a patron of Ireland.
Who is St. Patrick????
St. Patrick was born in Bannavem Taberniae England around 386AD. He died on March 17th 460 AD.
St. Patrick’s Day or also known as St. Patrick Feast Day is celebrated on March 17th in honor of the anniversary of his death.
Did you know....
Legend says that St. Patrick used a shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish. He used the clover to represent three separate parts (3 leaves of the clover) of the same being. The first leaf was God the Father, second leaf the Son and the third leaf the Holy Spirit. The shamrock is now the offical flower of Ireland.
Legend says that finding a four-leaf clover on St. Patrick’s Day will bring you luck. Each clover leaf represents something different. First leaf represents hope, second leaf represents faith, third leaf represents love and the fourth leaf represents luck.
There are many legends about St. Patrick. One story states that he drove all the snakes out of Ireland. He didn’t really drive snakes out of Ireland. The snakes represent the pagans he converted to Christianity.
Did you know that the original color for St. Patrick was blue? In Irish legends and stories green was worn by fairies and immortals. It was also believed that wearing green would help make a good growing season for their crops in Ireland. Green became the color for St. Patrick’s Day in the early 19th century.
The harp is the symbol of Ireland.
The color green represents Ireland. Ireland is also called “The Emerald Isle.”
The Irish flag is green, white and orange. Green represents the people of the South, Orange represents the people of the North and White represents the peace that brings the North and South together.
Dublin is the capital of Ireland.
In Dublin they celebrate the St. Patrick’s Day Festival March 15th -19th.
During the St. Patrick’s Day Festival there is a parade, carnival, treasure hunt and dances.
In Ireland people wear shamrocks on their jackets and hats. Children wear green, white and orange (colors of their flag) and girls wear green ribbons in their hair.
Did you know that a leprechaun is a type of fairy in Irish folklore.
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario