April Fools!

On April 1, people play pranks on each other.  They try to trick people in a funny way.  On April Fools a few years ago, all the teachers changed classes in my children's elementary school for the first ten minutes.  Some children were really upset, but most of  them laughed when they realized it was a trick.

EL Civics-- April Fool's Day -- Do you agree that stealing the toilet paper is funny?

Children's Picture Book: Arthur's April Fools

Did you ever play a trick or be tricked on April 1st?  What happened?

Happy Nowruz! (Norooz?)

On March 20th, people all over the world are celebrating Norooz.  Norooz is an important Persian holiday. Many people clean their homes very well -- some shake it up so much that they get new furniture -- to prepare for the party. The party is always exactly at the time of the equinox that happens between winter and the beginning of spring. 

 Although many North Americans don't know about Norooz, our presidents always wish people well during it. In 2023, Biden gave a speech about brave women in Iran.  In 2025, Trump's white house said, "Warmest wishes to all those in the United States and around the world that celebrate Nowruz.  Nowruz is a joyous occasion for the Persian people, marking the beginning of spring, and the Persian New Year."

 The US traditions of spring cleaning and Easter eggs may come from Norooz.

 

Click to listen and read:  A Conversation about Nowruz in the USA!

Do you celebrate Nowruz?  Do you know anyone who celebrates the vernal equinox?  

Do you do spring cleaning?  

I won't give up on us

Tell me about a time you persisted and it was good.

Thank you for the music!

 

One of my former students recently told me that this was his favorite song.

Thank you for coming to class.

Thank you for listening to me.

Thank you for telling me stories about your families and other places.

Did any song help you with your English?  What song?

(Do wop)Yes, I do

 

Practice Question Words

Do you like music?

Did you learn a lot?

Will you come back

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

St. Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland.

He started more than forty churches.

Legend says he got rid of all the snakes in Ireland.

St. Patrick's Day is a celebration of Irish heritage in the USA,

NOT a celebration of St. Patrick.

People wear green and have parties with a lot of beer and whisky.  Stores have sales.

St. Patrick might not be happy that leprechauns -- mythical mischievous little fairies--symbolize his day.

In elementary school, any child (of any heritage) who doesn't wear green on St. Patrick's day gets pinched.  (I think some anti-bullying efforts may be stopping that now.  Tell your child to wear green anyway) 

There are usually many parades and many parties on St. Patrick's day.

Video: History of St. Patrick's Day

Usually there are parades in all the major US cities.  Some cities die fountains green.  Chicago usually dies a major river green.  People wear green.  

Some people want to change St. Patrick's Day to Immigrant's Day.

"Danny Boy" is a famous Irish song

Bide means stay and wait. It's an old word.  Don't use it.

A classic navy drinking song for St. Patrick's day.  Listen to the song and look at the words.  Can you point to the words you hear?  It's fast!

("till his sober"= "until he's sober" in good English.  Sober is the opposite of drunk.  You are sober if you don't drink any alcohol.)

drunken-adjective (description word) for someone who drank too much alcohol.  Often "drunk."

sailor-occupation-work on a boat

Video of a famous Christian Irish Blessing.

Pi Day

 

I planned to walk around the block with you, but it seemed awfully cold for that.

Some families celebrate Pi Day by eating pie.  I once made an apple pie and cut the Pi symbol in the top of it.  I usually buy pie at Trader Joes.  Since some of you like to cook, I'm posting videos about making pie for Pi Day.

Did you ever make a pie?  What kind? Do you like to do math?  Did you enjoy Geometry class?