Learn about Halloween’s origin and traditions
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Week of Feb. 2/26
This simplified version of information in Canada’s citizenship guide focuses on several of the first Europeans to explore Canada.
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Lesson plan overview
| Task | To learn about the origin of and current customs related to Halloween |
| CLB level | CLB Stage I (CLB 1-3) |
| Delivery method | Online |
| Class size | 10-15 students (vary the number of activities according to your class size) |
| Estimated time | 1.5 hours (depending on class size) |
| CLB Skills and Competencies | Speaking: Interacting with others Sharing information Listening: Interacting with others Comprehending information Reading: Comprehending information |
| Language focus | Learn the vocabulary needed to understand this topic. Use the appropriate grammar structures and vocabulary to respond personally to the reflection questions. (Encourage students to respond in full sentences.) |
| Cultural focus | Students will understand the Halloween customs they will see celebrated in Canadian media, ads, and public spaces. |
| Specific task learning objectives | To familiarize students with Halloween vocabulary. To help students participate in the traditions of Halloween. To encourage them to talk about any similar holiday traditions in their home countries. |
| ESL Directions original video (🎥) and audio (🔊) activities? | This lesson includes original video (🎥) and audio (🔊) activities. |
| Resource attribution | ESL Directions original resources are marked below with an asterisk (*). Feel free to use these, but please give credit to ESL Directions. |
Lesson plan
Warm-up: Introducing the topic and defining our terms
- Today, we’re going to learn about Halloween traditions.
- When is Halloween?
- What happens on Halloween?
- What are some words related to Halloween?
Skill-building activities
- Vocabulary flashcards*
- Let’s listen to the vocabulary again* (Ask students to pay attention to each word’s pronunciation and meaning.) 🔊
Skill-using tasks
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Assessment/review tasks
- Vocabulary quiz*
- Pair or no pair*
- Pair-matching game*
- Spin the wheel* (Ask students to answer each question in their own words.)
Reflection questions
- Does anyone here celebrate Halloween? What do you do to celebrate?
- Do your children go out “trick or treating”? If so, do you make or buy costumes for them?
- Do you decorate your home for Halloween? If so, what decorations do you have?
- Is there a similar festival for children in your country? What happens during this festival?
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Keep readingCANADA YOUTUBE PLAYLIST
Click the small arrow at the top right of this video to play the videos or go to the YouTube Canada Playlist.
CANADA WORDWALL ACTIVITIES
Wordwall is a very useful interactive lesson-creation site. If you sign up for a free Wordwall account, you will be able to see our “Canada” folder, which includes ESL Directions activities that you can add to your lessons.
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ABOUT ESL DIRECTIONS
ESL teacher, movie buff, constant reader, and former editor and communications pro. Now a graduate of the Teaching English as a Second Language program at the University of Manitoba and an ESL teacher in Edmonton, Alberta, I specialize in teaching online classes of beginner ESL students.
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