Holidays and Festivals New Century English Unit Four Holidays and Festivals

Dragon Boat Festival Mid-Autumn Festival Spring Festival National Day

1 New Year’s Day Christmas Easter May Day

Easter Day Falls in March or April 31 March 2002 20 April 2003 On Easter we celebrate the historical fact that nearly 2,000 years ago a man ( Jesus Christ ) died, lay in a grave(tomb) for three days and then got up and began walking around again, telling people that God loves them.

The exchange of Easter eggs in the springtime is a custom. In medieval time （中世纪） eggs were given at Easter to the servants. The eggs were exchanged by lovers, much the same as valentines. Eggs were given to children along with other Easter gifts.

Easter gifts Easter rabbits (Easter bunnies) a symbol of fertility (birth) Easter gifts Easter cards Easter baskets

Easter Sunday Good Friday Easter Monday 31 March 2002 (the Friday before Easter,when Christ died) Easter Monday (the day after Easter) a Bank holiday

Please click for more information Easter Story in English Easter Story in Chinese

May Day (Beltane) The first of May It is a festival of coming of summer. Beltane was the time of milk and honey, so ______and _______were both symbols for this celebration. the cow the bee

Happy May Day Cut down a tree and put up a May Pole in the middle of a village.

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Main topic : what will happen later on? Make up a story after watching the short period of movie. Main topic : what will happen later on?

Before Christmas On Christmas Eve On the afternoon of Christmas Day On the morning of Christmas Day Elizabeth Later in the evening On the evening of Christmas Day

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Easter __________________________________________ Christians celebrate the holidays to remember ________________and his rising from the grave. ___________________ Hot cross buns a)On Good Friday,_____________________ b)On Easter Monday, ___________________ ___________________________________ Varies each year,but usually falls in March or April Date the death of Christ Purpose Chocolate Easter eggs Food hot cross buns are sold. Activities people enjoy a trip to the seaside or watch a sports game.

May Day Date ___________________ Purpose ____________________________ ___________________________________ Food Not given. Activities a) Traditionally, _________________________ _____________________________________ b) Today, _______________________________ The first of May Celebrate the leaving of winter. Welcome the coming of spring and summer. people dance to encourage life and growth and to drive away harmful spirits. children dance around the May Pole.

Christmas _____________________ Date Purpose Food Activities Christmas Day falls on December 25. Purpose _____________________ Food a) _____________________ b) _____________________ Activities On Christmas Eve, _________________________ _________________________________________ On Christmas Day, 1) in the morning, ________________________ 2) in the afternoon, ___________________________ 3) in the evening, _____________________________ _______________ 4) later in the evening, _________________________ c) On Boxing Day, _____________________________ Celebrate the birth of Christ A big goose or turkey dinner Christmas pudding People (esp. children) leave a long stocking by the bed or hanging by the fireplace. many people go to church. people stay at home and open gifts. the family sits down to a big goose or turkey dinner. people watch the Queen on TV. people visit friends or watch football.

Homework 1.Find out more Western Festivals and holidays, and choose your favorite one to complete the clippings or ppt. works. 2. Compare the Western Festivals with Chinese Traditional Festivals. ( Spring Festival --- Christmas )