Happy St. Patrick's Day!

St. Patrick's Day is approaching and people all over the world are preparing to celebrate. Throughout our country, people of different cultures and backgrounds observe this Irish holiday. Do you know who St. Patrick is, or where is holiday originated?

It is believed that St. Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to the Irish people many years ago. St. Patrick's Day is celebrated every year on March 17, and has been observed in the United States since 1737. The first New York City St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in 1766!
Whether you’re Irish or not, you can wear green on St. Patrick’s Day to join in on the Irish tradition. Another Irish tradition is to pinch anyone who is not wearing green on this day! Corned beef and cabbage are traditional Irish foods that are eaten on this holiday. Some other things associated with St. Patrick’s Day are shamrocks and leprechauns.
It is important to remember that although St. Patrick's Day originated in Ireland, people all over the world acknowledge and celebrate it. Like many other holidays recognized in the United States, appreciating the diversity of our citizen's cultures is essential and enjoyable for all!

VOCABULARY:

celebrate- to observe (a day) or commemorate (an event) with ceremonies or festivities.

observe- to keep or celebrate (a holiday, for example).
originated- to take its origin or rise; begin; start; arise.

Christianity- the Christian religion, including the Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox churches.

tradition- the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation, esp. by word of mouth or by practice.

shamrocks- any of several plants, such as a clover or wood sorrel, having compound leaves with three small leaflets, considered the national emblem of Ireland.

leprechauns- one of a race of elves in Irish folklore who can reveal hidden treasure, such as gold, to those who catch them.
acknowledge- to show or express appreciation or gratitude for.
essential- absolutely necessary; indispensable.

SENTENCES: Fill in the blanks using the vocabulary words listed above.

St. Patrick's Day ____________ almost 300 years ago.

____________ are the national emblem of Ireland.

People all over the world ____________ St. Patrick's Day each year on March 17th.

If you are lucky, you will catch a ____________ and get his gold!

It is important to ____________ the different traditions and holidays around the world.

I ___________ this holiday by wearing green!

___________ is the dominant religion in Ireland.

It is ___________ to eat corned beef and cabbage for dinner on St. Patrick's Day.

The history of St. Patrick is ___________ to knowing how the holiday began.

GRAMMAR POINT:

This blog has an abundance of verbs. Can you find and list 5 verbs written above? Use these verbs to write a paragraph about how you will celebrate this St. Patrick's Day.

Hooray for Pizza!

I am looking forward to the pizza party my sister is planning tomorrow night. Every friday afternoon Heather places an order at the local pizzeria around the block from our house. Pizza night acts as a social gathering for our whole family to get together, talk about our week, and play fun games. Everyone benefits from pizza night, regardless of age or choice of topping!

Do you know where pizza originates from? Pizza was originally created in Italy. It made its way to the United States in the late 19th century, when Italian immigrants came to our country. It was first sold on the streets of Italian neighborhoods, but is now sold by vendors and restaurants all over the country. Some pizzerias, such as Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana in New Haven, Connecticut, is a pizzeria that opened in about 1900, and is still run by descendants of the original family. This delicious pizza may taste the same, but prices rose from only 5 cents per slice to nearly 20 dollars for a pie!

VOCABULARY:

benefits- something that is advantageous or good; an advantage.

regardless- having or showing no regard; heedless; unmindful.

originates- to take its origin or rise; begin; start; arise.

immigrants- a person who migrates to another country, usually for permanent residence.

vendors- a person or agency that sells.

descendants- a person or animal that is descended from a specific ancestor; an offspring.

delicious- highly pleasing to the senses, esp. to taste or smell.


SENTENCES: Fill in the blanks using the vocabulary words listed above.

1. I bought a scarf from one of the __________ selling snow gear on the street.

2. ___________ of what my friends say, I love broccoli and beets.

3. You and your siblings are ____________ of your parents, Tom and Sue.

4. My grandparents are Irish ____________ who came to the USA in 1919.

5. Pizza is the most ____________ food in the world, in my opinion.

6. Like pizza, spaghetti ____________ in Italy as well.

7. We all ___________ from pizza night!

GRAMMAR POINT & ACTIVITY:

What is your favorite thing to eat? Make a list of your favorite foods (at least 5) and write 2-3 adjectives that describe the food or why you enjoy it so much.

Snow Day!

All of the students at Archer Street Elementary School are hoping the weatherman is accurate today. He predicts that Freeport will accumulate between 12-14 inches of snow tonight. I sure hope all of my students are prepared with shovels, snow boots, and hot cocoa!
What about the students who have never seen snow? Some students at Archer, and many children around the world, have never seen snow before. For our ESL students who come from warm climates, snow is a whole new part of winter in New York. Some people love to play in snow, to gaze at it from the window while sipping cocoa from beside the fire, or to make some extra cash by shoveling a neighbor’s driveway. Other people loathe the snow because it is a hassle; it causes accidents and aggravation, it is difficult to shovel, and could shut down businesses for days.

VOCABULARY:

accurate- free from error or defect; consistent with a standard, rule, or model; precise; exact.

accumulate- to gather or collect, often in gradual degrees; heap up.

climates- the composite or generally prevailing weather conditions of a region throughout the year, averaged over a series of years.

gaze- to look steadily and intently, as with great curiosity, interest, pleasure, or wonder.

loathe- to feel disgust or intense aversion for; abhor.

hassle- a disorderly dispute.

aggravation- an increase in intensity, seriousness, or severity; act of making worse.

SENTENCES:
1. Is the weatherman’s prediction about the weather ____________?
2. How much snow will _____________ by tomorrow morning?
3. Different parts of the United States have different ____________ in January.
4. I __________ at the snowflakes falling from above.
5. Many people __________ snow because it can cause accidents.
6. My father thinks snow is a ________ because he is the one who has to shovel it!
7. Do you think snow makes people happy or just causes too much _____________?

GRAMMAR POINT:
Can you find the nouns and adjectives associated with snow? Write a paragraph about your first memory of snow, or what you think a heavy snowfall would be like. Use at least 3 nouns and 3 adjectives in your writing.