1

Celebrations

Introduction
Festivals are occasions that offer people a chance to celebrate together.
Complete the given web chart by writing the names of the festivals (national
and international), celebrated during the first six months of the year.

January

Ma
rc

Ma

FESTIVALS

ry

ua

br

ne

Fe

Ju

April

A
A.1.

Read the encyclopaedia entry given below about Hina Matsuria festival of
Japan dedicated to girls.

Hina Matsuri

when Hina Matsuri

s forward to the third day of March
look
an
Jap
ka,
Osa
in
o
Say
old
r
cial set of
1. Seven-yea
rly every Japanese girl owns a spe
Nea
s.
girl
to
y
irel
ent
ed
icat
ded
takes placea day
been in her family for
n bought especially for her or has
beautiful dolls, which has either bee
dignity, and are
Japanese values, such as calmness and
nal
itio
trad
nt
rese
rep
s
doll
The
rs.
many yea
can follow.
intended to set an example that girls

My grandparents gave
me this kimono. It has so many
layers, which makes it quite
uncomfortable to wear.

the
3. After the prayers are completed,
e
boats are set afloat in water. Som
to
go
ls
dol
the
peo ple bel ieve that
the country of the gods and carry the
owners ill fortune with them.

CEREMONY OF DOLLS
the shr ine
4. Huge crowds gat her out side
called
to watch the ceremony, which is
out to
Nag ash i-Bi na (ca stin g the dol ls
and
ts,
boa
in
sea). The dolls are placed
are
ts
after prayers have been said, the boa
to the
led in a procession from the shrine
ious
relig
in
ssed
nearby sea. Shintoists dre
y
the
as
Jap ane se rob es cha nt prayers
follow the path down the sea.

AWASHIMA SHRINE
sons
2. The Japanese believe that a per
illness or bad luck can be transferred
d
to a dol l. The y, the ref ore , hol
h
eac
ony
a pur ific ati on cer em
the
yea r dur ing Hin a Ma tsu ri at
Awashima Shrine near Osaka.

Sayos favourite
doll is the beautiful
Empress. The
Empress is dressed
in ceremonial
court robe, which
is made up of 12
layers of silk.

SAYOS DOLL DISPLAY

5. Ten days before the festival,
Sayo and her mother clean
the best room of the house
and ere ct a sev en- tier ed
pla tfo rm. On the hig hes t
step, Sayos mother places
the Em peror and Em pre ss
dolls. Beneath them are the
rest of the palace staff and
on the bottom ste p is the
palace furniture.

The cherry
blossom tree
represents the
season of the
festival.

A polished chest of
drawers.
TASTY SNACKS
Hina Matsuri
6. One of the traditional foods for
wh ich are
is pin k rice cakes, call ed mo chi,
m leaves.
wrapped in cherry (sakura ) blo sso
mochi.
ura
sak
ed
These seasonal treats are call
red
offe
and
Cakes and snacks are also prepared
ors.
first to the dolls and then to the visit

A.2.

Traditional table
with bowls.

A red cotton cloth

covers the steps of
the elaborate display.

Various beliefs are associated with the festival of Hina Matsuri. On the basis
of your reading of the above entry, complete the chart given below.

___________
___________
___________
___________

Beliefs associated
with Hina Matsuri

___________
___________
3

___________
___________
country
of the gods.
The dolls go to the

A.3.

Fill in the blanks with one word/phrase each.

(a)

Traditional food for Hina Matsuri

_______________

(b)

Number of silk layers in the ceremonial robe

of the Empress doll

_______________

(c)

Venue for the purification ceremony

_______________

(d)

The month in which Hina Matsuri takes place

_______________

(e)

The doll-casting ceremony

_______________

(f)

Qualities that the dolls represent

_______________

A.4. Values

Festivals bring us joy and happiness. We all like to celebrate together. But in
our society, there are many underprivileged children, who cannot partake in
festivities. Enlist a few things you can do for such children so that they can
also experience the joy of celebration.

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
An Antonym is a word that means the opposite of another word.
A.5.

Complete the puzzle with the antonyms of the words given below. You can
find the antonyms in the encyclopaedia entryHina Matsuri.
1

Across

1. top
3. modern

4. above

Down
1. ugly
4

2. simple or plain

T
4

A.6.

When we think about festivals and celebrations, many words come into
our head. A list of few words is given below. Use a dictionary to find their
meanings and write them in the space provided.
(a) festivity ________________________________________________
(b) carnival ________________________________________________
(c) gaiety ________________________________________________
(d) frolic

________________________________________________

(e) ritual ________________________________________________

A.7.

Summarising a text means providing appropriate words for long sentences. A

useful summary technique is to replace a group of words with one word.

Match each phrase with a word from the box given below. Write the word in
front of the phrase.
further

pile

several

most

therefore

(a)

to put one on top of another _______________

(b)

as a result _______________

(c)

what is more _______________

(d)

not too difficult _______________

(e)

the majority _______________

(f)

in order to _______________

(g)

a number of _______________
5

easy

to

Listen to the audio CD titled Listen & Comprehend (Class-VI). After listening, answer
the questions asked in the audio CD verbally. Listen to the tape script once again and
attempt the given question. The tape script is also given on page no. 27.

A.8.

Listen to the tape script on Kodomono-hi carefully and tick (3) the correct
option(s).
1.

Kodomono-hi is a festival celebrated by the

(a) Japanese girls.

(c) Japanese people.

2.

Kodomono-hi is celebrated on the

(a) sixth day of May.

(c) fifth day of March.

3.

Kodomono-hi is celebrated to demonstrate such qualities as

(a) strength

(c) patience

4.

The Japanese boys bathe with iris leaves to

(a) make themselves beautiful.

(b) protect themselves from illness.

(b) Japanese boys.

(b) fifth day of May.

(b) determination

(c) make themselves strong.

5.

Kazu finds wearing kimono somewhat uncomfortable

because

(a) it is a traditional dress.

(b) it is too long.

(c) it is tight around the chest.

6.

A carp is a

(a) fish.

(b) bird.

(c) kite.

7.

The carp kites inspire the young Japanese boys to

(a) overcome obstacles.

(c) fly more carp kites.

A.9.

Celebrating Family History

At a family gathering, such as a holiday

celebration, a birthday party or a family
visit, telling stories about the family
history can be fun.

Celebrate the family history week in your

classroom. Each student tracks their
family history and weaves it in the form
of a tale.

(b) be successful.

How to Start

Fix a special time with the elders of

the family to interview them. Have a
recorder to record the interview. Make
a written list of the questions that you
might want to ask in order to create a
story about your family.

Questions about people, places, life events, objects, important transitions,

work, or travel can be story starters.

Sample questions to help you frame the Interview

1.

Places to remember

Describe the house in which you lived when you were a child.

Describe the place that you were fond of visiting when you were a
child.

2.

People to remember

How many brothers and sisters do/did you have?

Does/Did anyone in your family have an unusual character?

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3.

Life Events

(a) SchoolingWhen did you go to school first?

What was your experience on the first day?

(b) Party timeAny party that you remember?

4. Miscellaneous

(a) PhotographsWhere was the picture taken? Who took the picture?
What was the occasion?

(b) Family recipesWho invented them? Are they being passed from
generation to generation?

For the Teacher

Work out how long each student will speak.
Aim at two or three minutes for each student.
Select a time keeper to keep track of the activity.

The Story Telling

Decide about the presentation of the story. How

would you want to present it? For instance, you may
want to dress up like your grandfather.

Greet your teachers and friends as you come to the

stage.

Try to make the opening statement catchy. Keep the

language simple and sentences short.

Look at the audience while speaking.

Remember not to speak very fast or very slowly.

Thank your audience when you finish.

Practise the story telling session at home.

8

Once upon a time..

B
B.1.

Read the poem in chorus.

Birthday!!
Feliz Cumpleanos, thats how they say it in Spain,
Frohlicher Geburtstag, in German it means the same,
Gratulerer med magen, Norwegians say it too,
But anyway you say it, it means Happy Bday to you!
They say in Samoa, Manuia lou aso fanau.
Tanjobi Omedeto, the Japanese say and bow,
Sangilulchiukhahamnida, Koreans say it too,
But anyway you say it, it means Happy Bday to you!

Birthday games became

popular because people
believed that they marked the
end and a new beginning. (The
end of the past year and the
beginning of the new year.)

About a hundred years

ago, Mildred Hill and
Patty Hill of America
wrote the song, Happy
birthday to you.

The custom of making

Birthday cards started
in England about a
hundred years ago!

B.2.

(a) Work with your partner and list all the games that you play at birthday
parties.
Popular Games at Birthday Parties

______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

(b) Create a birthday card with your personal message for your best friend.

Write your message here.

_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

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B.3.

Read the following excerpt, reconstructed with the help of Chapter 1 of the
book, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling.

The Best Birthday

It was one oclock in the morning. Harrys stomach gave a funny jolt. He
had been thirteen years old, without realising it, for a whole hour.
An unusual thing about Harry was how little he looked forward to his
birthdays. You see, Harry lived with the DursleysUncle Vernon, Aunt
Petunia and their son, Dudley. The Dursley family were Harrys only
living relatives and they were not fond of Harry at all. The Dursleys were
non-magical people, also called Muggles, in the wizard world. They did
not believe in magic.
Harry studied in the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He
was a wizard, just like his parentsJames and Lily. They had died,
when he was just one year old, in a car accident.
Harry stood at the window, looking out for his pet owl, Hedwig. Suddenly,
he spotted three owls coming in his direction. They were carrying one
packet each, which was tied to their feet. Harry recognised the first owl,
Errol. It had brought him a packet from his best friend, Ron. Fingers

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trembling slightly, Harry opened his first birthday card and started
reading:
Dear Harry,
Happy Bday! I am in Egypt right now. My brother, Bill,

has shown us all the pyramids. I am sending you a Pocket

Sneakoscope. If someone tells you a lie, it is supposed to light

up. Enjoy your gift!
Ron

Harry picked up the packet Hedwig had brought. It was from Hermione,
the brightest girl in Harrys class.
Dear Harry,
Happy Bday. Presently, I am

on a holiday in France. Guess

whom I met there?

Hedwig!

She probably wanted to make

sure that I got you something

for your birthday. I am sending

you a Broomstick Servicing Kit.

Enjoy your day!
Hermione

Wow Hermione! Harry whispered. He felt

very excited because he was a member
of his school Quidditch team, the most
popular sport in the magical world. It was
much like football but it was played on
broomsticks.
Harry now reached for the last parcel, brought to him by a big
golden owl. As he tore open the cover, a book fell out. It was titled,
The Monster Book of Monsters.
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Dear Harry
A very Happy Birthday. I think you will find this book useful for
the next year. Wont say no more. Tell you when I see you. All the
best!
Hagrid

Harry happily looked at all the gifts around him. As he settled into his
bed, he realised that he had celebrated his birthday for the first time
in his life. He never felt happier before.

B.4.

Complete the web chart given below with appropriate information.

Harry Potters
friends/well wishers

B.5.

Unjumble the words given in Column II and match them with the clues in
Column I. One has been done for you.
Column I

Column II

Harry Potter

gsmelug

Brightest girl in Harrys class

enoimreh

The only living relatives of Harry

lrero

The other name for non-magical people

ydelurss

Name of Rons pet owl

wizard
13

dwriaz

B.6.

Fill in appropriate information from the text.

Gifts received by Harry

Gift 1 : _______________________
Gift 2 : _______________________
Gift 3 : _______________________
Sent by

Sent from
Gift 1 : ______________________
Gift 2 : ______________________

Gift 1 : _____________________
Gift 2 : _____________________
Gift 3 : _____________________

B.7.

Life Skills

We can strengthen our friendships by not taking our friends for granted.
Small gestures to show gratitude to our friends like a word of thanks, help
us to make our friendships stronger.

Imagine you are Harry Potter. When you get up in the morning, you decide
to send Thank you notes to your friends. Complete the notes that Hedwig
can deliver to Harrys friends who sent him gifts.
Dear Ron

Hello! Thanks a lot for the lovely present. It is the first _____________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Love

Harry
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Dear Hermione
Wow! What a present! I could never have
thought _____________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
Thanks
Harry

Dearest Hagrid
How are you? Thank you for the present
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
See you soon.
Harry
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