Unit 4 Family Celebrations
More Reading
Unit 4 Family celebrations
More reading
A time of reunion
settler _____
folk _____
highway _____
shut down _____
reunite _____
thankful _____
occasion _____
entire ______
to stop being opened for business
a main road, usually connecting large towns
a particular time when something happens
pleased (about something good that has happened)
a person who goes to live in a new country or region
to come together again
including everyone
people in general
Pre-reading Vocabulary Check-up
Directions: Match the words in the left column with their meanings on the right.
e
h
b
a
f
d
c
g
While-reading: Skimming
Directions: Listen to the recording and skim the passage quickly. Match the headings with paragraphs.
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3
A. Main themes of Thanksgiving
B. A brief history of Thanksgiving
C. The celebrations of Thanksgiving
Main Ideas of Each Paragraph: A Summary
Paragraphs 1 A brief history of Thanksgiving
Paragraph 2 The celebrations of Thanksgiving
Paragraph 3 Main themes of Thanksgiving
1.When is Thanksgiving celebrated in the USA every year?
On the fourth Thursday in November.
2. Where did the Pilgrims come from and where did they arrive in the New World?
They came from England and arrived at Plymouth, Massachusettes.
While-reading: Scanning & Reading in Depth (Paragraph 1)
Directions: Scan Paragraph 1 quickly and answer the following questions
The Discovery of the New World
In 1492, Christopher Columbus, an Italian navigator, discovered the new world. Then the colonization of America by European forces began. The Spanish came first, then the French,the Dutch, Swedes, Germans, Italians, Portuguese and Englishmen followed.
European Exploration (1492-----1607)
The Beginning of American History
By the early 17th century, the overwhelming majority of immigrants were English.
The first permanent English settlement in North America was established at Jamestown, Virginia, as a trading post in 1607. Among the earliest settlers was Captain John Smith(1580-1631).
The Pilgrims received a charter from the Virginia Company in 1620 to settle in northern Virginia.
Charter – legal document giving certain rights to a person or company
The Pilgrims agreed to work for the company as indentured servants.
In 1620, the Pilgrims set sail for Virginia on the Mayflower,
but a storm blew them instead to Plymouth, Massachusetts.
The Embarkation of the Pilgrims
4. Why was it fortunate that the American Indians helped the Pilgrims?
Because the Pilgrims had no idea how to farm or hunt for food.
5. When was the first Thanksgiving celebrated and how was it celebrated?
It was first celebrated in 1621 after the harvest and by setting aside a day of thanks and having a big dinner with new Indian friends.
While-reading: Scanning & Reading in Depth (Paragraph 1)
Directions: Scan Paragraph 1 quickly and answer the following questions
The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth
While-reading: Scanning & Reading in Depth (Paragraphs 2&3)
Directions: Scan Paragraphs 2 & 3 quickly and fill in the corresponding information in the chart on your handout worksheet.
Before Thanksgiving
On Thanksgiving
(Celebrations)
Weather
Street Scenes
A Big Feast
Dinner Table
Fare
hurrying back home
(a mad scramble at airports and on highways)
lonely (shops and restaurants closed, roads empty, as if the whole country were shut down…)
turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie…
filled with brisk autumn air
filled to overflowing with food
Thank You Very Much~~~
Thanksgiving Fare
Thanksgiving Fare
mashed potatoes
(potato mash)
gravy
turkey and stuffing
pumpkin pie
cranberry sauce
触身式橄榄球
While-reading: Scanning & Reading in Depth (Paragraphs 2&3)
Directions: Scan Paragraphs 2 & 3 quickly and fill in the information on your handout worksheet.
On Thanksgiving
Other Outdoor Activities
Main Themes of Thanksgiving
A time
As
Thanksgiving is all about
playing touch football, watching a Thanksgiving parade, just sitting around and catching up with each other…
to be reunited with loved ones and to tell each other what we are thankful for.
the only occasion of the year when the entire family gets together
family, community and togetherness.
Post-reading:
A Comparison between Thanksgiving Day and the Spring Festival
Directions: Discuss with your partners and try to make a comparison between Thanksgiving Day and the Spring Festival. The following chart may help you.
Thanksgiving Day
The Spring Festival
Time of Year
Main Themes
Major Activities
Food to be Enjoyed
Street Environment
Shops and Restaurants
……
……
……
A Tip: After you finish filling in the chart, it’s advisable to summarize what aspects the two festivals are similar or different in, so that your speech will be made in a clear way.
Assignment
If you were Mei, write a letter (in around 120-150 words) in reply to Helen about the spring festival in China. You may refer to the chart in the post-reading part and introduce the spring festival by comparing it with Thanksgiving Day in the USA.
A reminder: You may discuss or exchange your written work with your classmates for their feedback and suggestions. But copying from each other is not allowed.