Holidays
Our holiday themed lesson library grows each month. This popular section features a variety of beginner, intermediate, and advanced lessons to enlighten your students about holidays and traditions celebrated all over the earth. Each lesson plan includes a reading, vocabulary activities, comprehension questions, pair and group exercises, idioms and review work. From Valentine's Day to Chinese New Year and Ramadan, we're slowing filling up your calendar. Plan ahead each month by printing out our featured holiday lesson. (Beginner to Intermediate)
View a Sample From This Section
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Halloween (int)
Intermediate to advanced students can read about the origins and traditions of Halloween. Activities include 'How to Carve a Jack-O'-Lantern.' Related idioms are introduced.
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Father's Day (int)
In 1966, US President Lyndon Johnson signed a proclamation declaring the third Sunday in June as Father's Day. Students learn about Father's Day around the world. Theme-based idioms are introduced.
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Memorial Day
In this lesson, students learn about Memorial Day in the US. They learn related vocabulary and idioms, discuss these types of holidays, and practice summarizing the reading.
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Victoria Day (int)
Students read about Victoria Day, a Canadian public holiday. Includes, comprehension check, vocabulary review, a family tree information gap, and a comparison chart on 3 famous “Victorias”.
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Black History Month (int)
Students read about Black history month and Slavery in America. They are introduced to important black american figures and firsts. Includes vocabulary review, a Pair Activity, and a Debate.
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Guy Fawkes
Guy Fawkes Day is celebrated annually in the UK. Teach your students how this historic figure was caught red handed in the 1605 Gunpowder Plot.
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Remembrance Day (Lower Level)
This holiday is known as Armistice Day, Remembrance Day, Poppy Day, or Veterans Day. Students learn important history and vocabulary as well as the significance of the poppy.
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Diwali
The most joyful holiday in the Hindu calendar is Diwali, The Festival of Lights. In this lesson, students learn about the holiday and practice related vocabulary.
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Christopher Columbus Day
Not everyone thinks an annual party should be thrown in Christopher Columbus’ name. In this lesson, students practice word stress, summarizing, and giving an opinion.
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Independence Day (int)
On July 4th, Americans around the world celebrate Independence Day. In this lesson, students learn the history about the Declaration of Independence.
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Canada Day (int)
This lesson includes audio.Canada Day is celebrated on July 1st, just before the Americans celebrate their independence day. Students learn about the history of Canada Day and practise pronunciation and spelling.
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Running of the Bulls (int)
This lesson includes audio.This San Fermin festival in Pamplona Spain is world renowned. In this lesson, students learn about the Saint behind the holiday and the rules behind the dangerous race.
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Cinco de Mayo (int)
You don't have to be Mexican to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Students learn some myths about Mexico and play a Mariachi version of Hangman!
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Golden Week - Japan (int)
Four public holidays take place during Golden Week in Japan. Students learn about each special day and practice writing out a day planner. "Gold" idioms are introduced.
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April Fools' Day (int)
These days, pranksters use various methods to fool the masses, including email, tweets, Facebook updates, product launches, and YouTube videos. Students learn about trickery, including The April Fish.
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Earth Day (int)
In the words of the founding father, Gaylord Nelson, the first Earth Day "organized itself". Students learn about environmental movements and write an Earth Day theme song.
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Mardi Gras (beg)
Mardi Gras celebrations used to be religious. These days they are more like a party. Low-level students learn a brief history of the springtime celebration. Word forms are practiced through poetry.
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Mardi Gras (int)
The length of Mardi Gras celebrations varies. While some parties last a day or two, others run for 46 exciting days. Students learn about Krews, King Cake, and the symbolic colors of the parades.
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New Year's (beg)
New Year's Day wasn't always on January 1st. Every nation celebrates the New Year in a unique way. Students practice writing wh-questions and New Year's resolutions.
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New Year's (int)
Despite sharing a common date, countries around the world celebrate the New Year in a multitude of ways. Students learn about the New Year's ball in Times Square. Idioms are introduced.
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Remembrance Day (Intermediate)
This holiday is known as Armistice Day, Remembrance Day, Poppy Day, or Veterans Day. Students learn important history and vocabulary as well as the significance of the poppy.
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Intl. Women's Day (int)
Every year on March 8th, International Women's Day is celebrated by millions of women throughout the world. Students learn facts and figures about women's roles and rights around the world.
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Mother's Day (int)
Although the traditional role of mothers has changed over the years, the role of nurturing and caring for families remains. Students learn about how mothers are honored around the world.
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St. Patrick's Day (beg)
Low level learners read a short passage about St. Patrick's Day and practice vocabulary through writing, discussion, and puzzles. Students create St. Patrick's Day cards.
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St. Patrick's Day (int)
In this lesson, students read about the history of St. Patrick as well as facts about Ireland and the Legend of the Blarney Stone. "Green" idioms are introduced.
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Ramadan (int)
This lesson includes audio.More than one billion Muslims celebrate the month of Ramadan. Students learn important facts about the holiday and the Muslim faith, including the prophet Muhammad and the Five Pillars of Faith.
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Valentine's Day (beg)
On Valentine's Day, friends and lovers exchange valentine's cards, chocolates, candy, flowers and other gifts. Lower level students share thoughts about the holiday and write Valentine's cards.
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Valentine's Day (int)
There are many different stories about the origins of Valentine's Day. Students learn the history, symbols and various legends of the holiday. New vocabulary, idioms, and expressions are introduced.
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Halloween (beg)
Low level learners are introduced to Halloween vocabulary. A short reading about the holiday is included as well as questions and puzzles.
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Thanksgiving (beg)
Students learn basic history about the thanksgiving holiday. Key vocabulary is introduced and reviewed. Includes discussion questions, a puzzle, and a class survey.
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Thanksgiving (int)
Students learn the history of harvest festivals that have taken place around the world, including the ancient Chinese harvest festival and modern customs in North America. Introduces related idioms.
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Chanukah (int)
The Festival of Lights is a special time of year for Jewish people around the world. Students learn about the history of Chanukah and learn how to play the dreidel game. "Light" idioms are introduced.
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Kwanzaa (int)
The holiday of Kwanzaa was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966 during the civil rights movement in the United States. Students learn the history and symbols of this African American celebration.
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Chinese New Year (int)
Chinese New Year is the biggest and most important holiday of the year for Chinese people around the world. Students study the Chinese Zodiac and learn "red" idioms.
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Christmas (beg)
Low level learners are introduced to the history, customs, and vocabulary associated with Christmas. Includes pair work, puzzles, and a class survey.
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Christmas (int)
Although Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December, the Christmas season actually lasts for almost a month. Students complete a holiday survey and learn the story of Santa Claus.
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Easter (beg)
This beginner level lesson introduces learners to the Christian holiday, with fun tasks including an Easter themed mad lib.
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Easter (low-int)
This low intermediate level lesson introduces learners to the history of the Christian holiday, including religious and commercial symbols. Includes puzzles for vocabulary review.
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Easter (int)
Although Easter is celebrated as a religious holiday, it also has a non-religious side. This communicative lesson includes an information gap activity about the traditional Easter Basket.
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Yom Kippur
Also known as the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur is one of the most important days of the Hebrew year. In this lesson, students learn about this important Jewish holiday.
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