Process

For the lessons on holidays in the English speaking countries the class will be divited into small groups. Each group will get one aspect of holidays. Your task will include the following:

1. Pre-class preparation

- study web-based materials using the links suggested;

- do additional search for useful information on the target issue;

- answer the questions;

- divited the material between all team members for presentation in class for the members of other groups;

- prepare your projects.

 2. In-class activity

-report to the whole class what you have learned on the topic for your group activity

Stage 1 Background information

  For this lesson we break all holidays into 5 parts. Each group will need to study only one topic and inform the class about the major features of the holiday.

Stage 2 Roles

You will be working in teams. It will be up to you to divide roles in each team. For eficiency, there should be a team leader, who will organize the work and divide the issues within each topic to make sure everything is covered and there is no overlap. All team members are responsible for presenting information in class.

Group 1 - Christmas

http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_Tree

http://www.allthingschristmas.com/traditions.html

http://www.carols.org.uk/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_card

 http://www.history.com/topics/christmas

Questions:

1. When is Christmas celebrated?

2. What are the traditional Christmas songs called in Britain?

3. What do children leave at the end of their beds and why?

4. What present do the people of Norway give the city of London for Christmas?

5. Is Christmas a great time for shopping in London?

Group 2 - St.Valentine's  Day

http://www.stvalentinesday.org/

http://www.dinternal.com.ua/country-study/saint-valentines-day/

http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day

http://www.theholidayspot.com/valentine/wish101languages.htm

http://www.theholidayspot.com/valentine/history_of_valentine.htm

Questions:

1. When is St. Valentine's Day celebrated?

2. Who is Saint Valentine?

3. What are the main symbols of this holiday?

4. Is St. Valentine's Day British or American holiday?

Group 3 - Thanksgiving Day

http://www.thanksgiving-day.org/

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/thanksgiving-day

http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/590003/Thanksgiving-Day

Questions:

1. When is Thanksgiving Day celebrated?

2. What do people do in this day?

3. What is traditional food?

4. Who are the Pilgrims?

    Group 4 - Halloween

http://www.halloween.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween

http://www.halloween-online.com/

http://www.answers.com/topic/halloween

Questions:

1. When is Halloween?

2. What Halloween customs do you know?

3. What are the symbols of Halloween?

4. Have you ever taken part in Halloween's party?

Would you like to play? Do it! 

   Group 5 - April Fool's Day

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Fools'_Day

http://www.wilstar.com/holidays/aprilfool.htm

http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/af_database/permalink/origin_of_april_fools_day

http://www.april-fools.us/

Questions:

1. When is April Fool's Day celebrated?

2. What April Fool's jokes do you know?

3. What is the origin of this holiday?

4. What are famous April hoaxes?

Stage 3 - Project

Work in groups and prepare presentations of your projects. Decide who will present your work. Be ready to answer the questions of your classmates.