March heralds the arrival of vibrant celebrations and historical commemorations! From cultural observances to notable events, this month offers a diverse array of learning experiences for young minds. Let’s embark on an enriching journey through March’s tapestry of traditions!
Embracing March’s Diversity
Engaging Activities
International Women's Day: Recognize the achievements of women globally. Discuss gender equality, influential women in history, and their contributions.
Read Across America Day: Celebrate the joy of reading and literacy. Engage in book-related activities, storytelling, or a themed reading challenge.
St. Patrick’s Day: Discover the customs and folklore surrounding this Irish celebration. Engage in arts and crafts, learn about Irish culture, and explore the history of St. Patrick.
Exploration of Weather: Discuss the arrival of spring, changing seasons, and weather patterns as March marks the transition from winter to spring.
These are some suggestions:
- Talk about each special day
- Have students do a blog about it
- Organise a writing competition
- Get students to write a song or rap about it
- Do a role-play about it
- Have students design a poster about it
- Watch a video about it
- Display a quiz about it
- Go to a museum about it
- Create a reading list about it
- Research more about it online
Every day is a special day in the ESL classroom – but these are our favorite!
March is…
Irish American Month
Music in Our Schools Month
National Craft Month
National Nutrition Month
National Peanut Month
National Women's History Month
Red Cross Month Social Workers Month
Special Days:
1- Saint David's Day
2-Dr Seuss’ Birthday
2- Read Across America
5- World’s Book Day
6- Dentist’s Day
8- International Women’s Day
2- Read Across America
5- World’s Book Day
6- Dentist’s Day
8- International Women’s Day
11- Johnny Appleseed Day
12- Girls’ Scout Day
12- Plant a flower day
14- Learn about butterflies
16- Giant Panda’s Day
17- St. Patrick’s Day
20- Earth Day
21- First Day of Spring/ Fall
21- Teenager Day
23- World Meteorology Day
How to use this printable set:
•Follow instructions:
Point to the clover
Find the leprechaun
•Answer questions:
Who was St. Patrick?
Can you see the butterfly?
Where is the giant panda?
•With older kids:
When is Spring celebrated?
Where? Why? How?
Let's make this March a time of discovery, appreciation, and celebration in our ESL classroom! Embrace diversity, honor achievements, and instill a love for learning.
Read-alouds
Here's a list of engaging read-aloud books that are perfect for young learners in March:
"The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle: A classic that explores the life cycle of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly, great for discussing change and growth. Grab some ideas to do with this book
"Green Shamrocks" by Eve Bunting: A story about a rabbit who grows shamrocks for St. Patrick's Day, teaching about perseverance and luck. Grab some ideas to do with this book
"Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms" by Julia Rawlinson: Follow Fletcher the fox as he tries to save his favorite tree during the changing seasons, perfect for discussing spring and changes in nature.
"The Story of Ferdinand" by Munro Leaf: A tale about a gentle bull who would rather smell flowers than fight, ideal for discussing individuality and staying true to oneself.
"Weather" by Seymour Simon: A non-fiction book exploring different aspects of weather, suitable for teaching weather-related vocabulary and concepts.
"The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss: A classic story that introduces environmental themes and the importance of taking care of nature.
"How to Catch a Leprechaun" by Adam Wallace: A playful story about trying to catch a mischievous leprechaun on St. Patrick's Day.
"And Then It's Spring" by Julie Fogliano: A beautifully illustrated book about a boy waiting for his garden to grow, perfect for discussions about patience and the changing seasons.
These books cover themes of spring, nature, St. Patrick's Day, and growth, providing ample opportunities for discussion, vocabulary building, and engaging storytelling for young learners in March. Enjoy sharing these wonderful stories with your students!
Themes to teach during March
March offers a variety of thematic opportunities for ESL classes. Here are some engaging themes that could be interesting and relevant for ESL learners during this month:
Spring and Renewal: Exploring vocabulary related to spring, discussing changes in nature, and how different cultures celebrate the arrival of spring. Grab some ideas here
Women's History Month: Learning about influential women in history, discussing their achievements, and their impact on society. Grab some ideas here
St. Patrick's Day: Exploring Irish culture, traditions associated with St. Patrick's Day, discussing symbols like shamrocks, and learning about the history of this celebration. Grab some ideas here
Weather Changes: Discussing the transition from winter to spring, focusing on weather-related vocabulary and how it affects daily life.
Reading and Literacy: Promoting reading habits, discussing favorite books or authors, and emphasizing the importance of literacy.
Cultural Diversity: Celebrating and discussing the diversity within the classroom or exploring different cultures around the world. Grab some ideas here
Global Awareness: Learning about global issues such as environmental conservation, water conservation, or cultural heritage preservation.
Healthy Living and Nutrition: Focusing on healthy eating habits, discussing balanced diets, and the importance of exercise.
These themes provide ample opportunities for vocabulary expansion, cultural understanding, discussions on history and current events, and language practice within an ESL classroom. Tailor these themes to suit the language proficiency level and interests of your students for a more engaging learning experience.
March hosts various cultural celebrations and observances worldwide:
Holi (India and Nepal): Celebrated predominantly in India, Holi marks the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. It involves colorful powder throwing, water fights, music, dancing, and the sharing of sweets.
St. Patrick's Day (Ireland and global Irish communities): Celebrated on March 17th, it honors Ireland's patron saint, St. Patrick. Festivities include parades, wearing green attire, traditional music, dancing, and enjoying Irish foods and drinks.
Nowruz (Persian New Year): Celebrated by Persian and Central Asian communities, Nowruz marks the first day of spring and the Persian New Year. It involves special dishes, cultural performances, and rituals symbolizing renewal and rebirth.
Cherry Blossom Festival (Japan): Celebrated in March or April, it marks the blooming of cherry blossoms. Events include hanami (flower-viewing) picnics, cultural performances, and light displays under cherry blossom trees.
International Women's Day (Global): Celebrated on March 8th, it honors women's achievements and advocates for gender equality. Events include rallies, discussions, performances, and highlighting women's contributions.
Hinamatsuri (Japan): Celebrated on March 3rd, it's also known as Doll's Day or Girls' Day, involving displaying dolls representing the Emperor, Empress, and court musicians on tiers, wishing for the well-being of girls.
St. Joseph's Day (Italy and Catholic communities): Celebrated on March 19th, it honors St. Joseph, featuring feasting on traditional pastries like zeppole and other Italian foods.
Las Fallas (Spain): Celebrated in Valencia, Spain, in mid-March, it involves elaborate sculptures (ninots) displayed throughout the city, culminating in their burning to welcome spring.
These celebrations in March reflect the diversity of cultural traditions, religious observances, and festive customs celebrated across different regions and communities globally. Each celebration carries its unique significance and offers insights into the values and customs of diverse cultures.
How do you plan to celebrate these significant days in your classroom? Share your ideas below and let's create a vibrant learning community together!
No comments
Post a Comment
Thanks for your comment!