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Thanksgiving Day: Origin and Traditions
Thanksgiving Day is a special holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada. In the United States, it is observed on the fourth Thursday of November. In Canada, it takes place earlier, on the second Monday of October. The holiday is about giving thanks for the blessings of life, such as food, family, and friends. It is a time to celebrate gratitude, kindness, and community.

The history of Thanksgiving in the United States begins in 1620. A group of people called the Pilgrims travel from England to America. They leave their country on a ship called the Mayflower. The Pilgrims want to practise their religion freely and start a new life.
After a long and difficult journey, the Pilgrims arrive in a place they name Plymouth, in present-day Massachusetts. However, their first winter in America is very hard. The weather is cold, and they do not have enough food to eat. Many Pilgrims become sick, and nearly half of them die.
In the spring, the Pilgrims meet the Wampanoag people, a Native American tribe. The Wampanoag are kind and generous. They teach the Pilgrims how to grow crops like corn, beans, and squash. They also show them how to catch fish and hunt wild animals.
By the autumn of 1621, the Pilgrims have their first successful harvest. To celebrate this, they organise a big feast to thank God for the food and the help they receive from the Wampanoag. The Pilgrims invite the Wampanoag people to join them, and together they share a meal. This feast becomes known as the first Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving becomes an official holiday in the United States much later. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declares it a national day of thanksgiving. He chooses the last Thursday of November as the date. Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November every year.
The centrepiece of Thanksgiving celebrations is the dinner. The meal is usually large and includes many delicious dishes. The most important dish is roast turkey. It is often stuffed with bread, herbs, and vegetables. Many people also prepare gravy to pour over the turkey and mashed potatoes.
Other popular dishes include cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, green beans, and cornbread. For dessert, pumpkin pie is a favourite. Some families also serve apple pie or pecan pie. Each family may have its own special recipes that they enjoy year after year.
For example, one family might make a sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallows, while another might prepare a cranberry salad with orange zest. Some people even include dishes from their cultural heritage, such as tamales, pasta, or rice dishes.

Thanksgiving is not just about food. It is also about spending time with loved ones and enjoying traditions. One of the most famous traditions is the Thanksgiving Day Parade. The biggest parade happens in New York City and is organised by Macy’s department store. It features giant balloons shaped like popular characters, marching bands, dancers, and floats.
Another popular activity is watching American football. On Thanksgiving, professional football teams play special games. Many families gather around the television to cheer for their favourite teams.
After the big meal, some families go for a walk to enjoy the autumn weather. Others play board games or watch classic Thanksgiving movies. A few examples of these films are A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving or Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.
Many people also use Thanksgiving as an opportunity to give back to the community. They volunteer at soup kitchens, donate food to shelters, or help neighbours in need. Schools often organise food drives to collect canned goods for families who need extra support.
Thanksgiving is a time to focus on gratitude. Families often take a moment before the meal to share what they are thankful for. For example, a child might say they are thankful for their toys or their pet, while an adult might express gratitude for their health or job.
This tradition helps people remember the positive things in their lives. It also encourages kindness and appreciation. Some families keep a “thankfulness jar” where everyone writes something they are grateful for and reads it aloud at dinner.

In Canada, Thanksgiving has a similar meaning but a different history. The first recorded Thanksgiving in Canada happens in 1578. An explorer named Martin Frobisher gives thanks after surviving a dangerous journey.
Canadian Thanksgiving also celebrates the harvest. Since it takes place in October, it is more closely tied to autumn. Families in Canada enjoy similar foods, like turkey and pumpkin pie, but they may also include regional dishes like butter tarts or Nanaimo bars.
Thanksgiving is more than a holiday; it is a time to connect with others and reflect on what matters most. It teaches us to be generous, patient, and kind. Even during challenging times, Thanksgiving reminds us that there is always something to appreciate.
For example, a person who feels sad might find joy in spending time with friends. A family with little money might still find happiness in a warm meal shared together.
Thanksgiving is also about looking forward to the future with hope. Just as the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag worked together to overcome difficulties, the holiday encourages everyone to work together to build stronger communities.
Thanksgiving Day is a celebration of gratitude, history, and togetherness. Whether you enjoy a traditional turkey dinner, watch a parade, or simply spend time with loved ones, the holiday is a chance to pause and appreciate life’s blessings. It reminds us of the importance of kindness, generosity, and thankfulness—not just on one day, but every day of the year.


















A new school year has just ended!!!
I hope you are all having a fantastic summer! It’s the perfect time to relax, have fun, and try new things. Whether you’re spending your days at the beach, at the park, or even at home, I’m sure you’re making lots of happy memories.
Summer is great for so many reasons. The days are longer, the sun is shining, and there’s no school! But remember, learning doesn’t have to stop just because school is out. You can learn new things every day, even in the summer. Try reading a new book, drawing a picture, or even learning to cook a simple meal. You’d be surprised at how much fun learning can be when you’re doing something you enjoy.
I hope you’re spending lots of time outside. It’s so important to get fresh air and sunshine. You can play games, ride your bike, or even have a picnic with your family. Just don’t forget to wear sunscreen and drink lots of water!
If you’re feeling creative, summer is a great time to start a new hobby. Maybe you can start a journal and write about your adventures, or you can try painting, making crafts, or even gardening. There are so many things you can do!
Remember to also stay connected with your friends. Maybe you can have a video call, write letters to each other, or plan a playdate. Friends are a big part of what makes summer so special.
I can’t wait to hear all about your summer adventures when school starts again. Have a wonderful time, be safe, and most importantly, have fun! See you soon!
Best wishes.



How to Use "Have
to" in English
"Have to" is used to express obligation or necessity — something you must do.
It's similar to "must", but it's more common in spoken English and is used in different tenses.
Affirmative form
I/You/We/They
+ have to + base verb
He/She/It +
has to + base verb
Examples:
I have to do
my homework.
She has to
go to school at 8 o'clock.
We have to
wear uniforms.
Negative
Form
Subject + don’t/doesn’t + have to + base verb
Examples:
You don’t have to bring food.
He doesn’t
have to work today.
Interrogative form
Use do/does at the beginning:
Do you have
to get up early?
Does he have
to do homework every day?





The
Christian season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday.
The
date of Ash Wednesday varies each year according to the date of Easter. It is
always six-and-a-half weeks before Easter. The earliest possible date of Ash
Wednesday is 4 February and the latest possible date is 10 March.
What
is Ash Wednesday?
Ash
Wednesday is a Christian festival. It marks the beginning of six and a half weeks
of repentance, fasting and abstinence in preparation for the most important
Christian festival of Easter.
Why
is it called Ash Wednesday?
Ashes
are something that are left when something is burned.
For
Christians, ashes are a symbol of being sorry for things they have done wrong and
want to get rid of forever. It is also a reminder to them that we all come from
ashes, and to ashes we all will return.
Why
are ashes marked on the forehead?
For Christians, the marking on the forehead with ash marks the commitment to Jesus Christ and God. They wanted to show God that they were sorry for the wrong things they had done in the past year.
Using
a mark on the forehead as a sign of commitment is also used in many Middle
Eastern cultures where a round, coloured circle is marked on the forehead.
What
happens on Ash Wednesday today?
Many
Christians will attend a religious service where the ashes are blessed by the church
leader, and placed on their forehead.
Christians
believe this marks the physical and spiritual beginning of a personal Lent
season in which 40 days of repentance will begin leading up to the celebration of
Easter Sunday.
The
actual moment when the forehead is marked initiates the beginning of lent for
each individual person.
What
are the ashes made from?
In
churches the priest first burns the palm that have been kept from last year's Palm
Sunday and then mixes the ashes of these crosses with holy water (which has
been blessed) to make a greyish paste. When people go to church on Ash Wednesday,
the priest dips his thumb in the paste and uses it to make the sign of the
cross on each person's forehead.
Why
are last years Palm Crosses recycled?
Palm
Sunday celebrates Jesus's triumphant entry into Jerusalem, so when the crosses
used in the last years Palm Sunday service are converted to ashes, worshippers
are reminded that defeat and crucifixion swiftly followed triumph.
What
do the ashes symbolise?
Using
ashes to mark the cross on the believer's forehead symbolises that through
Christ's death and resurrection, all Christians can be free from sin.






1. What is the name of the speaker’s elder brother?
2. How old is Philip?
3. How tall is Philip?
4. What are Philip’s eyes like?
5. Has Philip got a beard?
6. What does Philip usually wear?
7. Has Philip got a girlfriend?
8. What is her name?
9. How tall is Lucy?
10. What is Lucy’s hair like?
11. What kind of clothes does Lucy like wearing?
12. What is Philip’s hair like?
13. Has Philip got glasses?
14. What are Lucy’s eyes like?
15. Does Lucy wear glasses?
16. How old is Lucy?


