Beginning Spl 1-2 Civics by the Calendarliteracynet.org/colorado/elcivics/civics.pdf · holidays (e.g. Halloween) “Special” days typically known in American culture (e.g. April

Civics by the Calendar

Topic, System, Service, Issue

EL/Civics Competencies 1. Interpret information about

community resources (CASAS 5.6.1)

2. Express a need or opinion about a current issue (CASAS 5.1.6)

National holidays (e.g. Indepen-dence Day or the Fourth of July)

Acknowledged but not Federal holidays (e.g. Halloween)

“Special” days typically known in American culture (e.g. April 15)

Each holiday has its own target vocabulary and symbols; see the attached list of holidays and their

Beginning Spl 1-2

· These Activity Options grids provide suggested topics and activities for teachers to use in incorporating EL/Civics content into Life Skills lessons. This packet is a resource of ideas, not a prescribed curriculum.

· All activities are standard ESL classroom instructional techniques as well as assessment activities and should be used for evaluation only after learners are familiar with the techniques.

· Activity types (Match, Information Gap, Cloze, Line Dialogue, etc.) are described in the EL/Civics Teaching and Assessment Activities chart in Section I of this packet.

Activity Options

Target Vocabulary: (e.g., Independence Day or the Fourth of July) fireworks, parade, picnic, indepen-dence, revolution, barbecue, declaration (e.g., Halloween) witch, goblin, trick-or-treat, costume, black cat, broom (e.g., April 15) taxes, refund, deadline, IRS, owe, postmark

· Brainstorm: Ask learners what they know about the upcoming holiday or event, or ask them to respond to pictures of holiday or event symbols. Write key words that students mention on the board.

· Match: Students (Ss) match target vocabulary words with pictures.· Match: Using a worksheet with words and pictures, learners draw lines to link them.· Focused Listening: Ss look at a worksheet with words or pictures of symbols; e.g.,

33 A Project of the Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning, 2002



symbols. Consider the learner’s home cultures and background when choosing a symbol. Certain American symbols (witch, skulls, etc.) may be offensive to some people.

Beginning Spl 1-2 (continued)

Activity Options

fireworks, parade. Ss listen to sentences; e.g., “The fireworks are beautiful.” “There goes the parade.” Ss mark the appropriate word.

· Listen and Point: While looking at a worksheet which has examples of target vocabulary--e.g., witch, costume, broom, black cat--Ss listen to the statement and then point to the broom, the witch, a costume, etc.

· Fill in a Form: Complete an IRS tax form. The exercise may be best for a higher levelgroup, but targets the April 15 “special day”. Stand Out, book #4, pp. 147-149







National holidays (e.g. Memorial Day)

Acknowledged but not Federal holidays (e.g. Mother’s Day)

“Special” days typically known in American culture (e.g. Daylight Savings Time)

Each holiday has its own target vocabulary and symbols; see the

Intermediate Spl 3-4




Activity Options

Target Vocabulary: (e.g., Memorial Day) veterans, cemetery, memorial, parade, remember (e.g., Mother’s Day) gift, remember, brunch, honor (e.g., Daylight Savings Time) “spring forward and fall back”, change the clocks

· Brainstorm: Ask learners what they know about an upcoming holiday or event. Write the words they identify on the board.

· Cloze worksheet: Learners fill in the blanks of sentences or a paragraph with learned vocabulary words listed on the worksheet.

· Card game: Learners pick a picture card and tell what it represents, or answers information questions about it; e.g., “What is this?” “Where are these people?” “What are they doing?”



Intermediate Spl 3-4 (continued)

Topic, System, Service, Issue Activity Options

attached list of holidays and their symbols. Consider the learner’s home cultures and background when choosing a symbol. Certain American symbols (witch, skulls, etc.) may be offensive to some people.

· Read and Answer Questions: Ss read level-appropriate stories about the holiday or event, and answer “yes or no” questions; e.g., “Are the children giving their mother a gift? Are the people dancing? e walking/marching in a parade.” Also, comprehension questions orally or in writing. .

· Active Listening: In pairs or small groups, Ss tell a listener a story about the holiday. Follow up with a discussion.

· Discussion: Students discuss questions; e.g., Ask learners to identify gifts they might give their mothers. Ask learners whom they want to remember on Memorial Day. Ask learners which they like better, the short days of winter or the long days of summer. Ask additional questions about the day’s history, local cultural significance, whether or not there is a similar day/event in their culture.

· Listen and Answer Questions: Read aloud sections such as Stand Out, Book #3, pp. 144-145 and 146-147, “Leaders and Holidays” and “Political Parties.” Stand Out, Book #4 pp. 150-151,

· Interview or Survey: Learners interview classmates about whether or not they will celebrate the U.S. holiday and how.

· Search and Circle: Ss read a level-appropriate paragraph about a holiday or calendar event. get vocabulary.

· Role Play/Simulation: Student A is a person running for office. tudent B is a potential voter. tudent A talks about his/her campaign promises, Student B listens and asks clarifying questions.

No, they’rHave learners identify additional new vocabulary

“Elections”, and ask questions.

Develop a tally of their results and discuss.

Ss circle the tarS

S







National holidays (e.g. Presidents’ Day)

Acknowledged but not Federal holidays (e.g. April Fool’s Day)

“Special” days typically known in American culture (e.g. Election Day)

Each holiday has its own target vocabulary and symbols; see the

Advanced Spl 5+




Activity Options

Target Vocabulary: (e.g., Presidents’ Day) parade, speech, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, honor, “Father of the Country” (e.g., April Fool’s Day) joke, prank, fool (verb and noun), laugh, trick (e.g., Election Day) vote, polls, candidate, count, campaign, political parties (donkey, elephant), platform

· Brainstorm: Ask learners what they know about an upcoming holiday or “special day/ event”. Write key vocabulary on the board.

· Discuss: Engage learners in a discussion about their knowledge of the holiday or event by asking questions about its local cultural significance, history, whether or not there is a similar day or event in their culture, how it is “observed”.




attached list of holidays and their symbols. Consider the learner’s home cultures and background when choosing a symbol. Certain American symbols (witch, skulls, etc.) may be offensive to some people.

Advanced Spl 5+ (continued)

Activity Options

· Read and Answer Questions: Ss read level-appropriate stories about the history or significance of the holiday or event and answer questions orally or in writing to check comprehension. Have learners identify any further new vocabulary.

· Research: Have Ss look through the local newspaper for references to the holiday or event, or have students do an online search to identify information they can share with classmates (see Project).

· Project: Pairs or small groups take the research they have found about the topic and present an oral report to classmates, develop posters, or make classroom decorations in honor of the holiday or event.

· Interview: Pairs ask each other questions or engage in conversation about how they plan to observe the holiday or special event. Each pair tells their classmates any new information or ideas they’ve identified.

· Guest Speaker: A representative from the Board of Elections or other organization visits the class. Ss prepare questions to ask.



Suggested Holidays, Symbols, and Vocabulary

January February March

Holiday

New Year’s Day

Martin Luther King Birthday

Super Bowl Sunday

Symbols and Vocabulary

top hat, baby wearing a banner, toast, old man with scythe, resolutions

photo of MLK, civil rights, speech

football, teams, trophy, ring, fans, play-offs

Holiday Symbols and Holiday Symbols and Vocabulary Vocabulary

Ground Hog Day ground hog, St. Patrick’s Day shamrock, Irish, shadow, green, leprechaun Puxatawny Phil, winter, spring Spring begins equinox, flowers

blooming, showers Valentine’s Day hearts, flowers,

candy, love, greeting cards, Cupid, pink, red

Presidents’ Day Abe Lincoln, Geo.Washington, parade, speech




April May June

Holiday

Earth Day

Arbor Day

April Fool’s Day

IRS Day (April 15)

Daylight Savings Time (repeat in October when clocks change back)

Symbols and Vocabulary

environment, recycle

trees, plant, conservation

pranks, fool (verb and noun), jokes laugh

taxes, refund, deadline

“spring forward, fall back” , clocks change, “save/lose an hour”

Holiday Symbols and Vocabulary

Memorial Day parade, picnic, veterans, cemetery

Mother’s Day gifts, remember, Mom, memory

Armed Forces Day soldiers, airplanes, ships, uniforms


Summer begins solstice, swimming pools, vacation, “longest day of the year”

World Refugee refugee, United Day Nations

Flag Day flag, flagpole, stars, stripes, Betsy Ross, “Old Glory”

Father’s Day remember, gift, Dad, memory


July August September




Independence Day fireworks, parade, Vacation trip, travel, Labor Day labor, parade, (Fourth of July) independence, suitcases, itinerary march, workers,

revolution, picnic, unions, employee, barbecue employer

Autumn begins equinox, harvest, (falling) leaves, “Indian summer”




October November



Columbus Day discover, ships, Thanksgiving turkey, dinner, America Pilgrims, harvest,

Massachusetts United Nations United Nations Day (UN), New York Veterans’ Day soldiers, veterans,

City war, uniform

Halloween witches, goblins, Election Day vote, polls, trick-or-treat, candidates, count, costumes, ghost, political parties, black cat, bats campaign,

“race”,”running”

Calendar VocabularyCivics by the Suggested Holidays, Symbols, and

December


Christmas evergreen tree, Santa Claus, presents, star

Winter begins solstice, snow, cold, “shortest day of the year”

New Year’s Eve champagne, celebrate, party, top hat, baby wearing banner, old man with scythe, resolutions



Possible Holidays that may vary by month or culture

Betsy Ross’s birthday (January)—see “Flag Day” for symbols Ben Franklin’s birthday (January)—proverbs, statesman, ambassador, American colonies

African American (Black) History Month (February)—see “Martin Luther King birthday” Winter Olympics (February)—Greece, sports (winter sports), medals, competition Chinese New Year (February)—zodiac (signs), “year of the ___”, fireworks, dragon dance

Women’s History Month (March)—feminists, women’s rights, suffrage March Madness (basketball) (March)—basketball, tournament, play-off

Passover (spring)—special foods, ceremony, Jewish Easter (spring)—Easter bunny, decorated eggs, Easter bonnet, Christian

National Library Week (April)—books, library, borrow

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (May)—Asian countries, heritage, Pacific Islanders May Day (May)—see “Labor Day” Cinco de Mayo (May)—Mexico, independence National Wildflower Week (May)—wildflowers, geography (where they grow)

Dairy Month (June)—milk, dairy products and farms, calcium Little League Baseball Week (June)—baseball equipment, age limit, sponsors



Possible Holidays that may vary by month or culture

National Recreation and Parks Month (July)—Teddy Roosevelt, national parks (geography) National Ice Cream Day (July)—ice cream, cones, sundae

National Inventors’ Month (August)—inventors and inventions National Aviation Day (August)—airplanes (types), pilots, maps

International Literacy Day (September)—literacy, reading, writing, script, print Yom Kippur (September)—atonement, observe, Jewish, religious Constitution Week (September)—”signers”, document, Bill of Rights, amendments, Supreme Court

World Space Week (October)—rockets, space, planets, moon, astronauts Make a Difference Day (October)—community service, charity, charitable, “take action”, volunteer, donate

Ramadan (November)—Muslim, fasting, mosque, Islam Hanukkah (November)—menorah, Jewish, candles Children’s Book Week (November)—see “National Library Week”

Kwanzaa (December)—harvest, festival, community, African American


45 A Project of the Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning,

Civics by theCalendar

Clip Art cut sheets for major holidays:Thanksgiving

turkey

family dinner

football

the Mayflower

cornucopia

the Pilgrims

pumpkin pie

harvestNative Americans

2002



Clip Art cut sheets for major holidays:Christmas

candycane

Christmas cookies

stocking

Christmastree

snowman

wreath

SantaClaus

presents or gifts

carolers

2002



Clip Art cut sheets for major holidays:New Year’s Eve

champagne

Baby New Year

party hats&

balloons

fireworks

noisemaker

toast

midnightcountdown

Old Father Time

New Year’skiss

2002

EL/Civics Resources Civics by the Calendar

Systems/Services Listed below are State/National government agencies and community organizations that provide information and services for this life skill area and the means to access them.

Name

Federal Information Center

Bookstore, U.S. Government

Government pages of the telephone directory for specific agencies/departments

Office Address

1660 Wynkoop Street, Ste 130 Denver, CO 80202

List the local Systems/Services available in your community. Name Office Address

Phone Number/website

(800) 699-9889

(303) 844-3964

Phone Number


:

EL/Civics Resources Civics by the Calendar

Materials/Resources: Listed below are suggested State/National realia (brochures, forms, directories, websites, etc.) that teachers can gather for self-education or teachers or students can gather for use in the classroom.

Chase’s Calendar of Events, reference calendar. See http://books.mcgraw-hill.com. Book is revised annually and contains holidays, special days, historical anniversaries. The Day-by-Day Directory to Holidays, Historic Events, Birthdays, and Special Days, Weeks andMonths, Sandy Whiteley, McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Books, 2002 (annual edition). Of special note isThe Teachers Calendar. ISBN 0071385231On This Date, Sandy Whiteley, McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Books, 2003. Items selected from Chase’sCalendar of Events and include traditional, humorous, and obscure references. ISBN 0071398279.Holiday Symbols, second edition. Edited by Sue Ellen Thompson, Omnigraphics, 2000. See websitewww.omnigraphics.com and search by title or holiday category.Rocky Mountain News “mini pages”Hands-on English, vol. 10, no. 6, March/April 2001 “’Tis the tax season”ESL Teacher’s Holiday Activities Kit, Elizabeth Claire, Center for Applied Research in Education, 1993Americans of Dream and Deed (2nd edition), Lila and Robert Lowenherz, Amsco School PublicationsVoices of Freedom (3rd edition), Bill Bliss with Steven Molinsky, Prentice Hall Regents, 2002

www.eslcafe.com Dave’s ESL Café Internet pages on “holidays”www.google.com for web searches for “holidays” in general, or by namewww.cnn.com for current eventshttp://members.cyberz.net/jkeepes/holiday.htm website for holiday clip art, including symbols and otherpictures of vocabularyhttp://www.clipartguide.com/clipart_holidays.shtml website for holiday clip art, including symbols andother pictures of vocabularyhttp://webclipart.miningco.com/library/weekly/blindx5.htm website for holiday clip art, includingsymbols and other pictures of vocabularyhttp://members.tripod.com/Jennifer_R/day/html website listing a “special” day for every day of theyear; most are “made-up” and may be more geared to children’s interests, but could be an enjoyablespringboard for adultshttp://www.listsandlinks.com/calendarholidays.html a website list of “food holidays”; e.g., “NationalPopcorn Day” and “National Frozen Food Month”http://www.epals.com/projects/class/holiday/pi_holiday_en.pdf a website offering a teacher’s guide forusing electronic, international “pen pals” to teach cross-cultural content, including a worksheet forkeeping records of students’ growing knowledge about holidays around the world

List materials and resources available in your community. Name Office Address Phone Number


http://books.mcgraw-hill.com

www.omnigraphics.com

www.eslcafe.com

www.google.com

http://members.cyberz.net/jkeepes/holiday.htm

www.cnn.com

http://www.clipartguide.com/clipart_holidays.shtml

http://webclipart.miningco.com/library/weekly/blindx5.htm

http://members.tripod.com/Jennifer_R/intro.htm

http://www.listsandlinks.com/calendarholidays.html

http://www.epals.com/projects/class/holiday/pi_holiday_en.pdf

Documents

Beginning Spl 1-2 Civics by the Calendarliteracynet.org/colorado/elcivics/civics.pdf · holidays (e.g. Halloween) “Special” days typically known in American culture (e.g. April