Презентация к уроку по английскому языку для 10 класса по теме "April Fool's Day"

Irina Averkieva

Happy Fool’s Day!

April Fool’s Day

is a fun day when people play tricks and practical jokes on each other.

“ The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year”.

Mark Twain

The History of the holiday

• The history of April Fool’s Day is not totally clear.
• At first the new year was celebrated for 8 days beginning on March 25. The celebration ended on April 1.

The History of the holiday

• With the reform of the calendar in 1582 New Year’s Day was moved to January 1.
• However the news travelled on foot those days and many people didn’t receive the news for several years. They continued to celebrate the new year on April 1.

The History of the holiday

• These backward people were labeled as “fools”. They were sometimes the subject to ridicule.
• Thus April Fool’s Day developed into an international fun fest.

Each country celebrates it differently

In France , April Fool’s is called “April Fish”.

The French fool their friends by taping a paper fish to their friends’ backs.

When someone discovers this trick they yell “April Fish”.

In France

In France

In Great Britain

• In England , tricks can be played only in the morning. If a trick is played on you, you are “a noodle”.

In Great Britain

For centuries, one of the most popular jokes of April Fool’s Day has been to send someone out on the “fool’s errand”. However, everyone recognizes the trick before it’s done.

In Great Britain

• In Scotland , April Fool’s Day is celebrated for two days.

In Scotland

The second day is devoted to pranks involving the posterior region of the body.

It is called Taily Day. The origin of the “kick me” sign can be traced to this observance.

In Portugal

April Fool’s Day is celebrated on Sunday and Monday before Lent.

The traditional trick there is to throw flour at your friends.

In the USA

People play small tricks on friends and strangers. One common trick is pointing down at a friend’s shoe and saying: “Your shoelace is untied.”

In the USA

Whatever the prank, the trickster usually ends it by yelling to his victim, “April Fool”.

In Japan

• This holiday is not widely celebrated. It is called “Doll’s Day”. Though young people like the holiday very much.

In India

It’s a funny holiday. People throw powder and can play even more serious tricks.

In Russia

People enjoy celebrating it. They play tricks and jokes, send someone out on a “fool’s errand”.

In Russia

Why is laughter useful?

• It improves your mood.
• It makes your skin younger.
• It strengthens your immunity.
• It treats your heart.
• It reduces your pain.

Complete the sentences:

• The history of April Fool’s Day is …
• At first New Year was celebrated on … for … days.
• The celebration ended on …
• With the reform of the calendar in … New Year’s Day was moved to …
• However the news travelled on … those days and many people didn’t receive …
• They were labeled as …

Answer the questions:

• How do the French fool their friends?
• When can tricks be played in England?
• Who is a noodle?
• How many days does the holiday last in Scotland?
• What is a traditional trick in Portugal?
• What prank is played in the USA?
• How is the holiday celebrated in India? Japan?
• What can you say about April Fool’s Day in Russia?
• Whose celebration is the merriest? Why?

Task for groups

Think up a joke news story or find some true but bizarre story. Tell it to your classmates. They have to guess which story is true and which is made up.