Tasks: to draw and name some symbols of St. Valentine’s Day
to learn some facts about valentine cards (in the past and today)
Preparation: make copies of the worksheet (1 copy per student)
Skills: speaking, reading (understanding words from the context)
Language: vocabulary related to St. Valentine’s Day (symbols)
linking devices
words and their synonyms
Sources: WIKIPEDIA (en.wikipedia.org) – the FREE encyclopaedia
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
■ Elicit that February 14th is St. Valentine’s Day. Make sure that your Ss know how to write and say the name of the festival.
■ Distribute the worksheet. Ask your Ss to think of some symbols of St. Valentine’s Day. They should draw/sketch three symbols in the boxes provided on the worksheet. Divide your group into pairs and ask them to try to label the pictures. If they are unable to name all the pictures, ask them to work in groups of 4 and continue with the task. Provide any words your Ss lack.
■ Once the pairs/groups are ready, ask them to compare their symbols with the suggestions at the bottom of the worksheet. Ask them to tick the boxes. Then, elicit some reasons why these things are symbols of the day. Start with the ideas on the worksheet; proceed with your Ss’ symbols and reasons.
Key
· Cupid (with a bow and arrows) – in Roman mythology, a symbol of love; if his arrow hits a person in the heart, this person falls in love with somebody
· a red heart – heart is a symbol of love
· a valentine card – people send lots of valentine cards every year, most of them are anonymous, i.e. not signed
· a bouquet of roses / a heart-shaped box of chocolates – two popular small gifts people give on this day
· a diamond ring – a symbol of engagement; St. Valentine’s Date is associated with romantic love, so many couples get engaged on this day
[+ Ss’ own answers]
■ Explain that during the remaining part of the lesson, Ss will learn some facts about valentine cards. In this task, they will discover their medieval origins.
■ Pre-teach these words: associate, pair off, mate.
■ Ask Ss to read the text and choose two linking devices which cannot be used in this text. Check the answers with your group.
WRONG linking devices:
· but – but is used to show contrast, whereas the as and because give reasons
· However – however is used to show contrast, whereas moreover and also are used to show addition
■ Explain that Ss have to complete the text with the words in the box. The text describes the first mass-produced valentine cards produced in the US. Ask them to work individually or in pairs. After a few minutes, check the answers.
(a) shortly
(b) received
(c) inspiration
(d) stationery
(e) annual
■ Explain that the text in this task is complete but there are some difficult words. Ss have to match the probably unknown words in bold with their more common equivalents.
■ Ask your Ss to work in pairs and complete the task. Do not pre-teach any words at this stage, as the Ss are supposed to get the meaning of the words from the context. You can answer questions after you check the answers.
<1> about ≈ approximately
<2> buy ≈ purchase
<3> every ≈ each
<4> guess, speculate ≈ estimate
<5> today ≈ nowadays
■ [TASK ] As a follow up you may elicit/introduce some similar linking devices, e.g.
· devices we use to show reason: because, as + SINCE
· devices we use to show addition: moreover, also + AND, WHAT IS MORE, FURTHERMORE
· devices we use to show contrast: but, however, ON THE OTHER HAND
■ [TASK ] Esther A. Howland sold the first valentine cards in her father’s shop. Where can you buy them today? Make a list of places where valentines are available.
■ [VOCABULARY] Copy the activity below.
(a) inspiration
(b) approximately
(c) stationery
(d) nowadays
(e) receive
(f) purchase
(g) shortly
(h) annual
HOMEWORK
Complete the sentences with the words from Task and .
(a) The author of this book took _______________ from everyday life.
(b) How much will it cost, _______________?
(c) Ann works at the ______________ shop in the High Street.
(d) But ______________, everyone uses a mobile phone.
(e) I _______________ about 50 letters from his fans every day.
(f) You can _______________ the tickets 2 weeks before the departure.
(g) The accident happened _______________ before noon.
(h) Our __________ meeting will take place in London this year.
Designed by Bartosz Michałowski for Pearson Longman PHOTOCOPIABLE
Sentences adapted from Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English on CD-ROM
Designed by Bartosz Michałowski for Pearson Longman 2
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