Lesson Plan

Purpose of the Lesson: To teach about the history, traditions and food eaten on Independence Day and Thanksgiving. I want Italian students to learn what we do for these two holidays and compare it to Italian traditions and holidays.

Key English Words/ Concepts Students Should Learn: Holiday, tradition, freedom, independence, turkey, stuffing, gravy, fireworks, bonfires, cookout, etc.

Materials: Construction paper (3 pieces per student), paints, straws, scissors, glue, markers

Procedures: I will write the history, traditions, and food eaten for Independence Day and Thanksgiving Day on posters so that students will be able to see as well as hear the information in English. After teaching about Independence Day, I will have students fold a piece of construction paper in half. They will write Independence Day at the top of one half of the page and a similar Italian holiday at the top of the other half. They will write a couple of sentences (in Italian) comparing and contrasting the American and Italian holidays and traditions and draw pictures of each holiday. They will do this same activity comparing Thanksgiving and an Italian holiday after I review it. Next, the students will be able to participate in a craft project for each holiday. They will each get a piece of construction paper and share the paint. In order to make the paint fireworks, the students will put drops of paint on their construction paper and use the straws to blow the paint in firework-like shapes.For Thanksgiving Day, the students will make the traditional hand-turkeys that American students make for the holiday. Finally, the students will get into groups and work together to create their own holiday. They must create and name, traditions, history and food traditionally eaten. These students will work together to write this in English.