October Planning Themes and Topics

There is a lot to talk about in the month of October!  It's World Habitat Day on the 2nd and World Egg Day on the 9th. But, the big topics this month will be Thanksgiving celebrated here in Canada and the U.K. on Monday, Oct 9th  as well as Halloween on Oct 31st. Be sure to check out October ESL Planning Themes and Topics here and follow ESL Made Easy for updated posts on recommended links to free ESL activities!

September Topic: Autumn Equinox

It's that time of the year again when the hours of daylight become shorter if you live in the Northern Hemisphere. For those of you who enjoy cooler days and nights, the changing colour of leaves, and wearing warm fuzzy sweaters, you don't have long to wait. 

This year, the Autumn Equinox is on September 22nd, or depending on where you live, September 23rd. Many of us recognize this time to welcome the change of seasons with traditional celebrations, symbols and festivities. And with that, comes plenty of vocabulary words and activities you can do with your ESL students.

 

Warm-up Questions:

1. Does your country recognize the autumn or spring equinox at this time of the year?
2. What is your favourite season and why? Has your preference changed over the years?
3. Do you think people are affected emotionally, mentally, or physically by the change of seasons?
4. What are some things in people's lives that change with the change of seasons?

 

RECOMMENDED LINKS FOR YOUR ESL STUDENTS:

Earth Sky: Everything you need to know about the September Equinox 

StickyBall: "Fall" phrasal verbs - definitions and worksheet 

ESL Printables: Autumn worksheets:  *lesson sharing site

Bogglesworld ESL: Autumn words bingo cards
Bogglesworld ESL: Autumn worksheets and activities

EL Civics: Autumn powerpoint with picture vocabulary and sentences
English For Students: Fall and autumn vocabulary 
ESOL Courses: Online quizzes, lessons and games about autumn 
Live Science: 5 odd facts about autumn 
Teach-Nology: Reading comprehension worksheet about the autumn season 
Worksheet Library: Acrostic poem - FALL 
Anglomaniacy: Autumn worksheets 
DLTK-Holidays: Autumn puzzles 
English Worksheets Land: Autumn worksheet - practice possessives 
English for Everyone: Autumn worksheet
Educator Worksheets: Reading and comprehension worksheet on the autumn season  
ESL Pod: Listening lesson - things associated with autumn 
ESL Tower: Worksheets on the four seasons 
ISL Collective: Autumn worksheet  *Donation site

Can Teach: Fall poems

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September Topic: A Day to Remember

The anniversary of September 11th (also known as Patriot Day in the United States) can be another sensitive topic to address with a multicultural class of adult ESL students. However, because of its significance, it's also a topic we can't easily ignore. Below are some warm-up questions I've used in previous years. If you have any ideas or activities that have been particularly effective for you, please feel free to share them. It's always helpful to hear what has worked well for others!

WARM-UP QUESTIONS BY ESL MADE EASY:

1. Do you remember where you were and what you were doing the moment your heard about the events of September 11, 2001?
2. Do you think the events of September 11th have changed American culture?
3. What are some possible ways people around the world could help to commemorate this important day?
4. Do you think children should be taught about September 11th (including what happened and why)?

RECOMMENDED LINKS FOR ESL STUDENTS ON THE TOPIC OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2001:

Teacher Vision: Activity and exercise lessons on September 11
ESL Library: A lesson plan - Famous 9/11 Heroes
History: All About the History of 9/11
Breaking News English: Reading with follow-up activities on Ground Zero
YouTube: A picture (question) lesson about Ground Zero
Twin Towers-New York: History of the Twin Towers
Ducksters: Facts about Patriot Day

September Topic: Labour Day

LABOUR DAY is on September 4th. This day, which is celebrated in Canada and the United States, is similar to International Labour Day which falls on May 1st in many countries. Labour Day marks the end of the summer holidays for most students and is also a day to celebrate the achievements of workers (originating from the Labour Movements that campaigned for better working conditions and wages).

Get your students to expand on this lively topic by talking about different types of jobs around the world, some of the skills needed as well as the positives and negatives associated with each one. 

Recommended links for your ESL students:

El Civics: A picture vocabulary lesson on Labour Day 
YouTube: Short video lesson on Labour Day 
ESL PDF: A worksheet on Labour Day 
Nc.Net: a reading comprehension worksheet on Labour Day 
EL Civics: Labour Day vocabulary worksheet 
Time for Kids: The history of Labour Day 
YouTube: The History of Labour Day 
The Holiday Zone: Labour Day worksheets 
ESL Flow: Job and career lesson plans and activities 
Bogglesworld ESL: Job and career worksheets 
ESL Made Easy: Recommended ESL sites on jobs and occupations