Lesson 4

The lesson plan

1. Introduction to the theme (5 min)

2. Lexical exercises on the topic holidays, customs and traditions (15-20 min)

3. Reading skills development (15 min)

4. Writing practice (20 min)

5. Speaking practice (17 min)

6. Homework (1 min)

Introduction to the theme

As an introduction to the lesson “Customs and traditions” for students a teacher may say that there are many countries over the world. Different countries have different customs, cultures, languages, and religions. They also have different holidays.

LEXICAL EXERCISES

I. Ask students to check the meaning of unknown words relating to holidays, customs and traditions of the country and to make up sentences with them.

customs and traditions обычаи и традиции

publicholidaysофициальный нерабочий день (установленный законом)

day off from work выходной

shops and factories close магазины и фабрики закрываются

familyholidayсемейный/ домашний праздник

partyвечеринка

inviteприглашать

decorateукрашать

celebrateотмечать /праздновать

give/receivepresentsдарить /получать подарки

greetingcardпоздравительная открытка

visitfriendsandrelativesпосещать друзей и родственников

festivedinnerпраздничный обед

funвеселье, шутки

II. Ask students to arrange the sentences in the correct order and create two humorous stories.

THE INVITATION

3. A man inviting his friend to his home explained to him where he lived.

5. "Come to the third floor," he said, "and where you see the letter "E" on the door, push the button with your elbow and when the door opens put your foot against it."

2. "Why do I have to use my elbow and my foot?" asked his friend.

9. Well," exclaimed the man, "You're not going to come empty-handed, are you?"

THE FARMER

7. A curious tourist, after passing a huge field of carrots alongside the road, stopped and asked the farmer what he did with his large crop.

1. "Well", said the farmer, scratching his chin, "I'll tell you what we do."

6. "We eat what we can and what we can't eat we can".

4. The man went back to his car with a puzzled look on his face and said to his wife, "I think he must be crazy."

8. "He said they ate what they could and what they couldn't they could."

II. Ask students to match the names of holidays in English speaking countries with the dates they are on and the symbols of these holidays.

holiday	date	symbol
Halloween	31st of October	pumpkins
Easter	March	coloured eggs
Christmas Day	25th of December	stockings for presents
Valentine’s Day	14th of February	sweethearts
Boxing Day	26th of December	boxes with presents

III. Explain that there are nine words denoting holidays of different countries in this word search below. Ask students to find them. Say that the words begin with these letters.

They go across and down What countries are they celebrated in?

Independence Day	Christmas	Women Day
Victory Day	Halloween	Easter
Thanksgiving Day	New Year	Knowledge Day

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Writing practice

I. Ask students to match things that people write or say on holidays

A	B
Merry Christmas!	Thank you very much.
Congratulations!	Cheers!
Pumpkins and candles witches and bats decorations for handles and tall pointy hats	It's nice to have a friend like you. I'll tell you what I'm going to do. Because you make me feel so fine, I'll take you for my valentine!
Happy New Year!	Trick or Treat!
Ours love will pass all tests It's too early for the rest! You and me, we both together Will be glad for any weather!	A health to you, A wealth to you, And the best that life can give to you.

II. Ask students to choose a holiday and write a greeting card to their friend.

SPEAKING PRACTICE

I. Ask students to put sentences describing holidays in the correct order and describe the way you celebrate your favourite holidays.

___6___People give presents to their relatives and friends.

___1___They organise a party to celebrate their favourite holiday.

___8___All the guests go for a walk together.

___2___They write cards and invite their friends to the holiday.

___4___They prepare a festive dinner.

___3___They decorate the house for the holiday.

___5___Relatives and friends visit the party.

___7___They enjoy the party.

II. Ask students to describe their favourite holiday to a friend using the vocabulary of the section. Encourage them to use the following questions

• Is it a public or private holiday?

• Is it national or international holiday?

• When do you celebrate it?

• How do you prepare for the holiday?

• How do you celebrate it?

• Are there any customs and traditions connected with the holiday?

• What are they?

• Why is it your favourite holiday?

Homework

Ask students to study new vocabulary. Get ready for Lesson 5a “Holidays in Great Britain” (see Lesson 5a Instructor’s manual).