Mini maker Faire in Gibsons
Free the Children and we day
Free the Children was started by two brothers who wanted to change the world. Marc and Craig Kielburger created an international human rights movement called Free the Children. A documentary excerpted from In Search of Character, a ten part video series from Live Wire Media, produced in association with Character Counts is below. It all began when, 12-year-old Craig Kielburger read a story about Iqbal Masih, a 12-year-old former child slave in Pakistan, who had been murdered because he spoke up for human rights.
Craig was 12. Iqbal was 12. In that moment, Craig was struck by a single and profound connection – except for the happenstance of birth, he could have been Iqbal – and he needed to do something. So Craig convinced a handful of Grade 7 classmates that together they could make an impact, and Free The Children was born. It is now 20 years later and free the children has grown to WE day and much much more.
Craig was 12. Iqbal was 12. In that moment, Craig was struck by a single and profound connection – except for the happenstance of birth, he could have been Iqbal – and he needed to do something. So Craig convinced a handful of Grade 7 classmates that together they could make an impact, and Free The Children was born. It is now 20 years later and free the children has grown to WE day and much much more.
Valentine's Day Traditions
Valentine's Day
On February 14th, many people exchange cards, candy, gifts or flowers with their special “valentine.” The day of romance we call Valentine’s Day is named for a Christian martyr and dates back to the 5th century, but has origins in the Roman holiday Lupercalia.Celebrated at the ides of February, or February 15, Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.
The day is known as “Ystavan Paiva” in Finland. People from Finland celebrate this day of love as Friendship day. They celebrate the relation of friendship instead of celebrating love. They gift presents, greeting cards and chocolates to their friends. They seem to truly believe that “Friendship is the only ship that never sinks”:-
South Korea has women giving men chocolates on the February 14th. Men give non-chocolate candy to women on March 14th. On the day of April 14th, people who did not receive anything on the earlier two days go to a Chinese restaurant to eat “black noodles” in order to mourn their single life.
In China, roses are to be sent to your loved ones on the Valentine Day. Instead of the color of the rose, the number of roses holds a great importance in China. One rose refers to confessing that the person is their one and only love. Sending 11 roses means that they are the person’s favorite. 99 roses promises everlasting love to the persona and 108 roses is a proposal for marriage to the women.
Continue reading here: http://likelovequotes.com/9-wonderful-and-strange-valentines-day-traditions-from-around-the-world/
On February 14th, many people exchange cards, candy, gifts or flowers with their special “valentine.” The day of romance we call Valentine’s Day is named for a Christian martyr and dates back to the 5th century, but has origins in the Roman holiday Lupercalia.Celebrated at the ides of February, or February 15, Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.
The day is known as “Ystavan Paiva” in Finland. People from Finland celebrate this day of love as Friendship day. They celebrate the relation of friendship instead of celebrating love. They gift presents, greeting cards and chocolates to their friends. They seem to truly believe that “Friendship is the only ship that never sinks”:-
South Korea has women giving men chocolates on the February 14th. Men give non-chocolate candy to women on March 14th. On the day of April 14th, people who did not receive anything on the earlier two days go to a Chinese restaurant to eat “black noodles” in order to mourn their single life.
In China, roses are to be sent to your loved ones on the Valentine Day. Instead of the color of the rose, the number of roses holds a great importance in China. One rose refers to confessing that the person is their one and only love. Sending 11 roses means that they are the person’s favorite. 99 roses promises everlasting love to the persona and 108 roses is a proposal for marriage to the women.
Continue reading here: http://likelovequotes.com/9-wonderful-and-strange-valentines-day-traditions-from-around-the-world/
Winter Idioms
winter over (some place)to spend the winter at some place.
The bears all winter over in their dens. All the animals are getting ready either to migrate or to winter over. My parents winter over in Florida.
snowball’s chance in hell – to be very unlikely to succeed at something
ex: The small boat had a snowball’s chance in hell of surviving the storm.
dead of winter – the coldest, darkest part of winter
ex: It feels like the dead of winter out there.
to be on thin ice – to be in a risky situation
ex: If you keep asking him about his ex-girlfriend, you’ll be on thin ice.
pure as the driven snow – to be innocent and chaste (frequently used ironically)
ex: I never thought Madonna was pure as the driven snow, but the book she wrote is crazy!
to break the ice – to create a more friendly and relaxed atmosphere
ex: Charmaine was great at breaking the ice, she always knows what to say to people.
to run hot and cold – to be unable to make up one’s mind
ex: Alexi’s feelings about her run hot and cold, one minute he loves her, and the next, he’s bored of her.
Christmas Time is upon us.....Christmas is coming! Christmas is one of the most important holidays in the English speaking world. There are many Christmas traditions in these countries. The traditions are both religious and secular in nature.
What does the word 'Christmas' mean? The word Christmas is taken from 'Christ's Mass' or, in the original Latin, Cristes maesse. Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus on this day. |
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Why is Christmas so important?
There are two reasons:
There are approximately 1.8 billion Christians in a total world population of 5.5 billion, making it the largest religion worldwide.
And, some think more importantly, Christmas is the most important shopping event of the year. It is claimed that up to 70 percent of many merchants' annual revenue is made during the Christmas season. It is interesting to note that this emphasis on spending is relatively modern. Christmas was a relatively quiet holiday in Canada until the 1860s.
Why do people give gifts on Christmas day?
This tradition most probably is based on the story of the three wise men (the Magi) giving gifts of gold, incense and myrrh following the birth of Jesus.
However, it is important to note that gift giving has only become popular in the last 100 years as figures such as Santa Claus have come to be more important, and emphasis has been shifted to giving gifts to children.
Why is there a Christmas Tree?
This tradition was begun in Germany. German immigrants moving to England and Canada brought this popular tradition with them and it has since become a much loved tradition for all.
This tradition most probably is based on the story of the three wise men (the Magi) giving gifts of gold, incense and myrrh following the birth of Jesus.
However, it is important to note that gift giving has only become popular in the last 100 years as figures such as Santa Claus have come to be more important, and emphasis has been shifted to giving gifts to children.
Why is there a Christmas Tree?
This tradition was begun in Germany. German immigrants moving to England and Canada brought this popular tradition with them and it has since become a much loved tradition for all.
ELL Activities
Winter
Winter Idioms:
to be on thin ice – to be in a risky situation
ex: If you keep asking him about his ex-girlfriend, you’ll be on thin ice.
to break the ice – to create a more friendly and relaxed atmosphere
ex: Charmaine was great at breaking the ice, she always knows what to say to people.
snowed under – to be overwhelmed, usually with responsibilities
ex: I’m sorry I can’t go to the party tonight, I’m snowed under with homework.
put something on ice – to stop doing something
ex: Herbert is going to put the project on ice until he gets a response from his supervisor.
to be on thin ice – to be in a risky situation
ex: If you keep asking him about his ex-girlfriend, you’ll be on thin ice.
to break the ice – to create a more friendly and relaxed atmosphere
ex: Charmaine was great at breaking the ice, she always knows what to say to people.
snowed under – to be overwhelmed, usually with responsibilities
ex: I’m sorry I can’t go to the party tonight, I’m snowed under with homework.
put something on ice – to stop doing something
ex: Herbert is going to put the project on ice until he gets a response from his supervisor.
Halloween Idioms
Skeleton in the Cupboard – a scandal that is kept secret
Ex: James has a few skeletons in his cupboard and is terrified that he will be found out.
Scared Stiff – so scared that you cannot move
Ex. I am scared stiff of walking on ice.
Stab in the back – to stab someone in the back means to betray them
Ex: After all I did for him, he stabbed me in the back when he told all those lies about me.
Skeleton staff – the fewest number of people needed in an office
Ex: We always operate with a skeleton staff over the Christmas period.
Scare the pants off someone – to frighten someone a lot
Ex: The film “Nightmare on Elm Street” scared the pants off me.
Idioms
Easter related:
Don't put all your eggs in one basket means:
Do not risk everything by placing too many hope on one project or job.
Easter related:
Don't put all your eggs in one basket means:
Do not risk everything by placing too many hope on one project or job.
Winter Cloze
Fill in the blanks with words from below:
Snowmen, season, icicles, hot chocolate, slide, snowfall, scarves, frost, breaking, snow angels, heavy
below , storms , catch, blizzards , fireplace, blackouts, enjoy, freezes , keep, boots, build, slip
gloves, snowball, drop, covers, hockey
Winter Weather:
Winter is the _________________ when temperatures ________________, snow _____________ the ground, ________________ covers windows and ________________ hang from roofs. When the temperature is _______________ zero, water ___________________ and ice ________________ on puddles, ponds and lakes. Children have great fun _________________ the ice in puddles on their way to school.
Winter Fun:
After a heavy __________________, children play in the snow. They _____________ snow forts, make _______________ and ______________, and have _________________ fights. People also ________________ skiing, skating, and sledding in the winter. Another popular winter sport is _______________.
Winter Dangers:
The cold weather can also be dangerous; people ______________ on the ice and cars ______________ down hills crashing into each other. As well, heavy snowstorms called _________________ can knock down power lines and cause _________________. Some people also _________________ a cold when they stay out in the cold.
Keeping Warm:
Because winter is so cold, people have to find ways to ________________ warm. People wear ___________ coats, ______________ for their necks, _______________ for their hands, and ______________ on their feet. Children drink __________________ when they come in from the cold. And families sit around the _________________ at night and talk about what they did during the day.
Fill in the blanks with words from below:
Snowmen, season, icicles, hot chocolate, slide, snowfall, scarves, frost, breaking, snow angels, heavy
below , storms , catch, blizzards , fireplace, blackouts, enjoy, freezes , keep, boots, build, slip
gloves, snowball, drop, covers, hockey
Winter Weather:
Winter is the _________________ when temperatures ________________, snow _____________ the ground, ________________ covers windows and ________________ hang from roofs. When the temperature is _______________ zero, water ___________________ and ice ________________ on puddles, ponds and lakes. Children have great fun _________________ the ice in puddles on their way to school.
Winter Fun:
After a heavy __________________, children play in the snow. They _____________ snow forts, make _______________ and ______________, and have _________________ fights. People also ________________ skiing, skating, and sledding in the winter. Another popular winter sport is _______________.
Winter Dangers:
The cold weather can also be dangerous; people ______________ on the ice and cars ______________ down hills crashing into each other. As well, heavy snowstorms called _________________ can knock down power lines and cause _________________. Some people also _________________ a cold when they stay out in the cold.
Keeping Warm:
Because winter is so cold, people have to find ways to ________________ warm. People wear ___________ coats, ______________ for their necks, _______________ for their hands, and ______________ on their feet. Children drink __________________ when they come in from the cold. And families sit around the _________________ at night and talk about what they did during the day.