St.Valentine’s Day

Roses are red ;

Violets are blue;

Sugar is sweet,

And so are you.

The Aims:

1.To get the idea of holiday

customs and traditions.

2.To learn about the history of

St.Valentine’s Day.

3. To widen knowledge of

students.

Contents:

• Valentine’s Day History (a text).• Sayings about love.• Poems.• Valentine’s day customs.• Questions and tasks for pupils.• Vocabulary.

The legend about St.Valentine

St.Valentine was a Christian priest who lived in 270 AD. (270 AD. means 270 years after Christ was born.) At that time, the Roman government controlled much of the world.

The Roman government needed many soldiers to protect its lands. The Emperor Claudius 2 decided that married men didn’t make good soldiers because they wanted to stay at home with their wives and children. He made a very strange law that said young men were not allowed to marry. He also said that any priest who married a young couple would be put to death.

A priest named Valentine continued to practice faith in spite of persecution. He refused to worship the Roman gods and secretly married many young couples. When Emperor found out, he had Valentine imprisoned. Valentine was beheaded for his disobedience on February 14. Since Valentine had helped lovers, the day he died became a day for people to express love for others.

Love sayings

• All the world loves a lover.• Love is blind.• Love makes the world go round.• Marriage is a lottery.• Marriages are made in heavens.• Mad about love.

Valentine’s CardsLook at these poems and fill in each gap with an

adjective from the box. Remember that the poems must rhyme.

I like a girl called Nicky,She’s confident and……

I like a boy called Dean, because he’s never……

Please be my girlfriend, ClaireI like you because you’re always…..

My

My darling Pete

You are very…

Please be my girlfriend, Lizzi.Don’t say that you are……

Do you like me, Kate?I think you are……

You are much sweeter than honey,And you are also very……

busy cheeky fair funny great mean sweet

Drawing Lots- Romans youths drew the names of girls who would be their partners. This custom spread to Europe. England: Name drawn known as valentine or sweetheart. France: The first young man seen by the girl on the morning of Valentine’s Day became her boyfriend, called valentine for the year. Then followed engagements.

Valentine’s parties: In Victorian times children organized parties. They played games, ate sweets and gave each other valentines. This continues today.

Valentine’s carols: children get candies or money for singing songs. Custom started in the 17th century.

Valentines buns: Special valentine cakes are baked with raisins, seeds and plum feeling.

Valentine’s Gifts: Common gifts are gloves, flowers, jewels, rings.

Work in pairs1. Do people celebrate Valentine’s Day in your country?

2. Who do you give presents to on Valentine’s Day?

3. What kinds of presents would you give?

4. At what age do most people in your country marry?5. If you are not married, what kind of person would you like

to marry?

6. Describe a typical wedding ceremony in your country?

7. Are marriages arranged by parents in your country?

8. Do you think arranged marriages are a good idea? Why or

why not?

9. Do you think it’s better to be single or married? Why?

10.Do you like this holiday?

• Vocabulary• To celebrate - праздновать• A present - подарок• To present - дарить• To marry - выходить замуж, жениться• Marriage - женитьба, замужество• Wedding ceremony - свадебная церемония• To arrange - организовать, устроить• To be single - быть одиноким• A custom - традиция• A priest - священник• A government - правительство• An emperor - император• To worship - поклоняться• A couple - пара• To be imprisoned - быть посаженным в тюрьму• A disobedience - неповиновение• Heavens - небеса