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With these rules in mind, let’s use the rules to decode some of the vocabulary in
the passage, “So Many Holidays, So Little Time!” We’ll look at some suggested
activities for low level, intermediate, and advanced learners.
So Many Holidays, So Little Time
Right after Halloween, stores in the United States change their decorations and
their window displays. Gone are the pumpkins, goblins, and ghosts. In their place,
shoppers find candy canes, bright lights, wrapping paper, tinsel and giant stockings.
Stores are getting ready for Christmas!
With all of the ornaments, nativity sets, and trees on display, many people forget
that Christmas isn’t the only holiday celebrated in December. In fact, there are many
holidays celebrated in December and while these holidays are all very different, all of the
holidays remind us to be hopeful and thankful everyday.
On December 12th and 16th, Christians celebrate the miracles of the Virgin of
Guadelupe and St. Lucia. The Virgin of Guadelupe is very important to Mexican people,
while St. Lucia is remembered for remaining faith even under great torture.
Finally, on December 31st, people all across the United States, and across the
world, celebrate the end of one year and the start of a new one. On New Year’s Eve,
people make resolutions for a better life and celebrate with family and friends.
As you can see, December is a month filled with fun and celebration! And most
importantly, December is a month where it is important to spend time with the people you
love.
So Many Holidays, So Little Time
Pre-Reading Activity
Ask the learner:
- which holidays they like to celebrate
- who they celebrate with
- what traditions they like
Look at a calendar and mark when some of the holidays take place.
Introduce vocabulary.
For beginning students, this could be a set of words with one vowel or one or two
vowel sounds such as:
A Short A/ Long A List: holiday, decoration, display, candy
cane (or individually, as candy and canes), wrapping paper
(or individually), are, ornament, nativity, thankful,
everyday, celebrate, family, miracle, remain, faith, great,
candle, state, make
Read each word with the student. Pronounce the word carefully,
stressing the sound of the “a”. Look at the syllable types and
decide together if the sound is a short a, a long a, or an “ar.”
Divide the words into categories and help the student identify
which letters make the sounds: a + silent e, ar, ea, ai, etc. Read
through the list again, emphasizing the targeted sound, and ask the
student to repeat the word. Concentrate only on pronouncing the
/a/ sound correctly.
Begin by asking your learner to read with you. You both begin reading the
piece out loud. To help the learner, run your finger under the words.
Pause only when you are reading a targeted vocabulary word and listen for
correction pronunciation.
After you have read the piece together, ask your learner to read part of the
piece independently. Check that the targeted vocabulary is pronounced
correctly, and allow time for the learner to decode words.
To read for fluency and comprehension, return to the piece. Read to the
learner and stop to discuss ideas from the pre-reading exercises.
Reread the vocabulary list with the learner. Ask the learner to pronounce
words again, targeting words where difficulties still exist.
Ask the learner to continue to practice the vocabulary for the next
meeting, and begin the next meeting with a review.
So Many Holidays, So Little Time
Vocabulary List
ă, ā and ä