Lesson "Celebrations and holidays in Canada"

Lesson

Celebrations and holidays in Canada

Aims:

• to improve, revise and enrich students’ vocabulary;
• to develop students’ abilities to transfer knowledge and skills in different situations;
• to facilitate free speaking;
• to broaden students’ outlook;
• to develop students’ interest to English;
• to develop creative thinking.

Materials:  a CD record of a text, cards with tasks, hand-outs.

 PROCEDURE

1. Warm up.

- What do people need holidays for?

- Which role do traditions play in the life of people and society?

- Do you like holidays? If yes, describe your favourite holiday?

- How much do you know about the Canadian festivals?

2. Reading.

Read and guess the meaning of the words in bold.

Celebrations and holidays

Canada Day

July 1 is Canada Day, and the date signifies the date in 1867 when Canada became a Dominion (instead of a colony) under British rule and established itself as a semi-autonomous nation. The national holiday is celebrated with parades, music concerts, fireworks, barbecues and many outdoor activities. The holiday is more popular in English-speaking Canada than in French-speaking areas.

Thanksgiving

Canadian Thanksgiving occurs at the same time as the American Columbus Day holidays, even though the festival is a harvest celebration and not relevant to the "Great Admiral." In fact, the holiday is thought to be related to a similar harvest festival held in Europe at the same time. Thanksgiving is a statutory holiday in all of Canada, except the far eastern provinces of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Labrador.

Winter Carnival

Except for the addition of a lot of snow and some very cold temperatures, this is virtually the same celebration that takes place in Latin America and southern Europe in mid February or early March. The celebration is a pre-Lenten festival, which always ends on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. The biggest celebration takes place in Quebec City, but smaller celebrations can be found all across the country. Many outdoor winter events such as dog-sled races, ice sculpture contests, skiing contests and ice skating are associated with the popular holiday.

Victoria Day

This national holiday traditionally occurred on May 24 to celebrate the memory of Queen Victoria and to acknowledge the current Queen (of England). It is also called May Two-four and May Long or May Long Weekend, as it is now a three-day weekend that falls on or near the 24th of May. Victoria is most popular in the western provinces and territories, especially the city of Victoria in British Columbia. Today, May Long has developed into a popular time to celebrate the end of a long winter and the arrival of spring.

Labour Day

The Labour Day in Canada is observed on the first Monday of September. It is one of the Canadian statutory holidays that are celebrated with great fun and enthusiasm. The Labour Day is observed to honor the workforce and celebrate their social and economic achievements. This is the day when people celebrate the rights of workers and enjoy taking part in parades organized by trade unions. There are picnics, fairs, festivals and fireworks to add color to this event.

3. Check it

      Fill in the missing words.

1. There are statutory as well as unofficial … in Canada.
2. July 1 is Canada Day, and the date signifies the date in 1867 when Canada became a Dominion (instead of a colony) under British rule and established itself as a semi-autonomous … .
3. Canadian Thanksgiving occurs at the same time as the American … holidays.
4. Many outdoor winter events such as dog-sled races, ice sculpture contests, skiing contests and ice skating are associated with the ….
5. … traditionally occurred on May 24 to celebrate the memory of Queen Victoria and to acknowledge the current Queen (of England).
6. The …  in Canada is observed on the first Monday of September.

4. Listening.

                                   New Year

 This is a public and a statutory holiday in Canada. This is one of the most celebrated Canadian holidays. This is when people blow horns at midnight and hug each other to start the new year with peace and happiness.
                                            Family Day

It is a statutory holiday that falls on the third Monday of February. The Family Day is observed in Alberta, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. It is known as the Louis Riel Day and Islander Day in the provinces of Manitoba and Prince Edward Island respectively. However, it is not observed anywhere else in Canada.

Remembrance Day

It is observed on the 11th of November every year. This is the day when people commemorate the death of Canadian soldiers in World War I. The Remembrance Day is considered as the day of poppies. The poppy flower is considered as the flower of remembrance. The blood-red colored flower actually grew in the fields of Flanders where several Canadians died in war.
       The Remembrance Day is a statutory holiday in British Columbia, Alberta and other areas of Canada. However, it is not a statutory holiday but an "Official day of Observance" in Manitoba. In Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec, the Remembrance Day is not considered to be a statutory holiday.

                                          Christmas Day

The Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December in order to honor the birth of Jesus Christ. This is when people in Canada participate in celebrations and perform the traditions. They attend a church liturgy on the evening of December 24. This is known as midnight mass.
        On the Christmas day, people exchange gifts with their friends and family members and party to have fun and enjoyment. They prepare traditional recipes like the roast turkey, turnips, and cranberry sauce on this special day. On this day, people offer gifts to their dear ones and send warm wishes to make their day a memorable one. They decorate the Christmas tree and their houses with sparkling and colorful lights.

                                              Boxing Day
      The Boxing Day is celebrated a day after the Feast of St. Stephen, a Catholic Christmas Holiday. It is listed as a holiday in the Canada Labour Code. The Boxing Day is observed as a statutory holiday in Ontario. On this special day, families offer gift boxes to those who provide services throughout the year. They even gift presents, mostly gift boxes to those who’re poor. The Boxing Day is that day when the Canadians enjoy a unique shopping experience with their friends or families.

 5. Understanding the text.

      Which of these statements are wrong? Correct them.

1. New Year  is one of the most celebrated Canadian holidays.
2. The Remembrance Day is a statutory holiday in British Columbia, Alberta and other areas of Canada.
3. The Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December in order to honor the birth of Jesus Christ.
4. On the Christmas day, people exchange gifts with their friends and family members and party to have fun and enjoyment.
5. The Boxing Day is celebrated a day after the Feast of St. Stephen, a Catholic Christmas Holiday.

 6. Words and phrases

       Find the heads and tails of the sentences.

1.   New Year  is when people blow horns at midnight …

2.   The Family Day is observed in …

3.  The Remembrance Day is the day when …

4.  On the Christmas day people prepare …

5.   The Boxing Day is observed as …

a)  a statutory holiday in Ontario.

b)  people commemorate the death of Canadian soldiers in World War I.

c)   Alberta, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.                                                 

d)   and hug each other to start the new year with peace and happiness.                   

e)  traditional recipes like the roast turkey, turnips, and cranberry sauce.

7. Understanding the texts (writing)

 By yourself

Complete the table below with the most important events and celebrations in Canada. Which are celebrated the most? Use a dictionary if necessary.

8. Relaxation.

Read the jokes silently to make sure you understand each sentence. Retell the jokes.

The Smoking Chimney

      One afternoon Professor N was walking along a country road when he saw a farmer eating his supper alone in the road before his house.

The professor approached the farmer and asked him:

“Why are you eating here alone?”

“Well, sir”, answered the farmer after a short pause, “the chimney smokes.”

“That is too bad,” said the professor. “You must have it repaired. Let’s have a look at it.”

And before the farmer could say a word the professor tried to enter the farmer’s house. As soon as he opened the door a broom fell on his shoulders and a woman’s voice cried:

“Go away, you old rascal, or I’ll kill you…”

The professor left the house quickly. The farmer sat in the road looking very unhappy. The professor approached him and put his hand on his shoulder.

“Never mind,” said he, “my chimney smokes sometimes too.”

 9. Home task

Projects

     Find some information about an interesting tradition / custom / festival in Canada.

Be ready to present it to the class.

Use the guide below when you prepare your project.

1. Introduction.

2. Name of festival (season and length).

3. Main contents (1): historical, religious or other significance.

4. Main contents (2): preparations, customs, activities.

5. Conclusion. Comment significance, personal views about the festival.