Second Monday of October –Columbus Day.
In fourteen hundred and ninety-two
Columbus sailed the ocean blue…
This is a song that many children learn about Christopher Columbus and his journey to America. On Columbus Day people display a flag to honour the man who discovered their country.
Third Monday of February – Presidents` Day.
On this day students read about George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Eisenho-
wer, Kennedy and other great Presidents who did much for the development of the American history. These days the American President is one of the most powerful men of the world. He can make war or peace , he can touch the lives of millions in different countries. American people honour the memory of each President.
March 17th – St. Patrick` Day.
St. Patrick was an Irish saint, and St. Patrick` Day is very popular in cities where there are many Irish Americans. Green is the Irish colour and people wear something green on this day. If you aren’t wearing something green, be careful –
someone may pinch you!
June 14th - Flag Day.
In 1777 the “ Stars and Stripes “ became the official flag of the USA.. Flag Day was first celebrated in 1877 on the flag` hundredth birthday.
Many people display a flag on this day, but it is not a major
event and people don’t stop their work.
IV. Answer the questions:
Who discovered America and when?
Why do the American people celebrate Presidents` Day?
Why do people wear something green on St. Patrick` Day?
Who follows this tradition?
How is the American flag called?
What do people do оn this day?
Watch the video and find out how Americans celebrate the most important
holiday.
VI. Listen to the text about the traditions of the Wild West.
VII. Complete the sentences:
In the 18th century some Americans went to the west because……
The Native Americans didn’t like white people and…….
There were wild animals and people……
In the Wild West clothes were very important because……
Cowboys usually wore …….
It was comfortable to wear boots because……
Wide hats helped cowboys…….
A man from San Francisco called Levi Strauss made….
X
I.
Read the dialogue and speak about the most popular holidays in the
USA.
- I say, Lucy! Do you like holidays?
- Of course, I do. There are many holidays in my country and we celebrate them in different way.
- Yes, I know. More of it, Russian people have the same holidays.
- What do you mean?
- Take Halloween, for example. In our school we have parties devoted to this holiday. Girls and boys are dressed as ghosts, witches. They make pumpkins with a light inside .
- Quite right. In America children also wear costumes of evil characters on this day, they hold a bag and knock at somebody’s door. They shout “ Treat or Trick ”.
- Have you ever gone with them?
- Yes, and people always give us some candy. They don’t want to be tricked.
- By the way, are there any holidays which are celebrated only in America?
- Thanksgiving Day. People think, it s the most popular holiday in the American year.
- Wow! As I know, it comes from your history. I’ve read that it started in the 17th century.
- Yes, indeed. In 1620 first colonists came to America and began a new life.
- Oh, I can imagine how hard their life was!
- But a year later they had a good harvest. They wanted to thank God and had a special dinner which lasted for three days.
- And since then, it has become your national holiday, has’t it?
- You are perfectly right. People go to church. At home they decorate their houses with fruits, flowers and prepare traditional American food: roast turkey, potatoes and pumpkin. Turkey has become a symbol of Thanksgiving Day.
X
II.
Discuss in groups the main characteristics of your holidays according
to the plan ( what, when, how ).
XIII. Choose two typically Russian holidays and write some facts about them.
Stop !
Test.
Complete the sentences.
1. A tradition is……………………
2. Originally Native Americans brought traditions from……………….
3. The Germans brought ………………………to America.
4. The Irish brought…………………..
5. The Scots brought………………….
6 . Only Americans celebrate such holidays as…………….
7. Columbus Day is on……………………
8. The third Monday of February is………….
9. St. Patrick`s Day is…………………
10. The Irish colour is……………….
11. “ Stars and Stripes ” became……………….
12. The most famous tradition among Native Americans is called………..
13. One of the national holidays of the USA is……………..
14. The symbol of Thanksgiving Day is……………
Glossary.
tradition – something that people have done for a long time and continue to do
mixture – something that is made of different things that are mixed together
celebrate – to do something nice because it is a special occasion
сеlebration – a party, meal, dance when you celebrate something special
display – to put things on the place where people can see them
honour – to respect someone
pinch – to press a part of someone` s skin tightly between your finger and thumb
pipe – something that is used for
Unit 6.
American Lifestyle.
T i p s for E n g l i s h L e a r n e r s .