Name: Date: Did you hear about what happened at the laundromat last night? Three clothespins held up two shirts! Clues are listed below. Print the word that matches the clue on the blank line by the clue. 1. Built the Mexican pyramids 2. The most important crop in Mexico 3. The Priest who spoke against Spain 4. September 16th 5. Ancient Aztec city, now Mexico City 6. Borders Mexico to the North 7. Illustrates an Aztec legend explaining the founding of Mexico City 8. Mixture of wet clay and straw 9. Mexico's currency 10. The capital of Mexico 11. The colors of Mexico's flag 12. The 5th of May 13. National language of Mexico 14. Borders Mexico to the South United States of America Cinco de Mayo Mexican Peso Father Hidalgo Tenochtitlan Adobe Corn Guatemala and Belize Red, green, white Aztec Spanish Mexico City Coat of Arms Mexican Independence Day ©Beverly Hernandez, licensed to About.com http://homeschooling.about.com Name: Date: Tongue Twister: Shallow ships show some signs of sinking. At the bottom of the page is a list of words. These words are hidden in the puzzle. The words have been placed horizontally, vertically, or diagonally - frontwards or backwards. When you locate a word, draw a circle around it. UUBGV I DREDGREENWHI TEBR ONT ENOCHT I T L ANMCOCQWXG UV I FDYYHV J PXR CPJAFANGR ZUJ TVSKHCYSNSDMLDPQQUE EXDWEPFUNDRODVMSOHRHAO HGZLODTAEOKIWTGGBAXPTF J F JRZSSWCXHTYECWEKTUEV R AWZ XQK T GME X I C AN P E SOM I QTXNQUQDAC INCODEMAYOAQ KHDUNVZDBT LOH I Y LULUT LR MEXICANINDEPENDENCEDAY MRPAWAQHMF F SCPMA I E FQAZ EHSFZGIOUR UCOMVDEGWGNI XIJTXQSWJYYEFFQOHWOGDG IDJ J ELDPFLQUXSAYRXAHBA CACBAUEAAJSBLDPMAWBMEV OLQLZKWCQNNTZPXAEGXZLE CGXTTCY IMKIWNDTY C R KI IR IOAQEWJWKWSSHCHJSRIDZF TIAZCHEDUTTYHWEQBLXCEK YAZFCOATOFARMSXPGSSMAE Adobe Corn Mexican Peso Spanish Aztec Father Hidalgo Mexico City Tenochtitlan Cinco de Mayo Guatemala and Belize Red, green, white United States of America Coat of Arms Mexican Independence Day ©Beverly Hernandez, licensed to About.com http://homeschooling.about.com Reading Comprehension/ Holidays Name: __________________________________ Date: ________________________ CANADA DAY! Every year on July 1st, Canadians right across the country, from British Columbia to Newfoundland, celebrate Canada Day. Canadian embassies in different countries also have Canada Day barbeques and parties. Canada Day is celebrated with fireworks and music, hot dogs and hamburgers, and parties in every town and city in Canada. But what exactly is Canada Day? It all started on June 20th, 1868, when the Governor-General of Canada, Lord Monck, asked all Canadian people to join in the anniversary celebration of the confederation on July 1st. Canada was formed the year before, in 1867, when Upper and Lower Canada joined to form the Dominion of Canada. The first four Canadian provinces were Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. Manitoba and the Northwest Territories joined in 1870 and British Columbia joined in 1871. Prince Edward Island joined in 1873, the Yukon Territory in 1898, and then Alberta and Saskatchewan joined in 1905. Forty-four years later, Newfoundland joined. In 1999, the Northwest Territories were split and another territory, Nunavut, was added. Canada Day celebrates the first union of the original four provinces under the name of Canada. The holiday on July 1st was established in 1879, and was called Dominion Day. But after the first celebration in 1868, there were no more organized celebrations until the 50th anniversary in 1917 and then again in 1927 to mark the Diamond Jubilee. In 1958, the government of Canada started an annual celebration on July 1st. The celebration changed several times from 1958 until the present, but the reason for the celebration was always the same: Canada’s Birthday! One of the most memorable Canada Day celebrations was in 1967, for Canada’s Centennial Celebration. Queen Elizabeth II attended the celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada’s capital. Up until October 27th, 1982, July 1st was still called Dominion Day. On this date the name was changed to Canada Day. Since 1985, there have been Canada Day committees in each province that organize Canada Day celebrations. What are some symbols commonly associated with Canada --what are the things you see during Canada Day celebrations? Let’s start with the Canadian flag. The Canadian flag is made up of three parts: two red borders and a red maple leaf on a white background in the center. The maple leaf first became the national emblem of Canada in August 1860. The colors red and white have long been associated with France and England. Canada was settled by both England and France, and so red and white were chosen for the colors of the Canadian flag. The maple leaf flag officially became Canada’s flag on February 15th, 1965. Another symbol of Canada is the beaver. The beaver played an important part in the early history of Canada. Both French and English fur traders trapped many beavers, and it was partially because of the trappers that other parts of western Canada began to be settled. If you are near a Canada Day celebration this year, look out for other symbols. But even more importantly than that, have some hot dogs, watch the fireworks and join in Canada’s birthday party! ©2005abcteach.com Reading Comprehension/ Holidays Name: __________________________________ Date: ________________________ Answer the following questions about CANADA DAY. 1. When is Canada Day? ________________________________________________________________ 2. What does Canada Day celebrate? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 3. When was the “Dominion of Canada” formed? What were the first four provinces? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 4. At the turn of the century (1900) how many provinces and territories were there? ________________________________________________________________ 5. When was Nunavut formed? ________________________________________________________________ 6. When was Dominion Day established? ________________________________________________________________ 7. What is the difference between Dominion Day and Canada Day? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 8. How many Dominion Day celebrations occurred between 1868 and 1957, and what was special about each one? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 9. When did Queen Elizabeth II attend the celebrations? ________________________________________________________________ 10. Describe the Canadian flag. ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 11. When did the maple leaf flag officially become the flag of Canada? ________________________________________________________________ 12. What animal is a symbol of Canada? ________________________________________________________________ ©2005abcteach.com Reading Comprehension/ Holidays Name: __________________________________ Date: ________________________ Answers to CANADA DAY 1. Canada Day is on July 1st every year. 2. Canada Day celebrates Canada’s birthday. 3. The Dominion of Canada was formed in 1867. The first four provinces were Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. 4. At the turn of the century there were 9 provinces and territories (7 provinces and 2 territories). 5. Nunavut was formed in 1999. 6. Dominion Day was established in 1879. 7. Dominion Day and Canada Day are the same thing. They both celebrate Canada’s birthday on July 1st. The name of Dominion Day was changed to Canada Day on October 27th, 1982. 8. There were three Dominion Day celebrations between 1868 and 1957. The very first celebration was on July 1st, 1868. The next celebration was for the 50th anniversary in 1917, and the third celebration was in 1927 to mark the Diamond Jubilee. 9. Queen Elizabeth II attended the celebrations in 1967 for Canada’s centennial celebration. 10. The Canadian flag has three parts: two red edges and a red maple leaf on a white background in the center. 11. The maple leaf flag officially became the flag of Canada on February 15th, 1965. 12. The beaver is a symbol of Canada. ©2005abcteach.com Name: Date: Complete the activity. 1. Home of the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere - Mount Aconcagua A. Peru B. Venezuela C. Paraguay D. Argentina 2. Home of Angel Falls, the tallest waterfall in the world A. Venezuela B. Paraguay C. Colombia D. Chile 3. Georgetown is the capital city and primary port of this country A. Colombia B. French Guiana C. Guyana D. Falkland Islands 4. Achieved independence from Spain in 1821 under the leadership of Simon Bolivar A. Chile B. Suriname C. Colombia D. Paraguay 5. A group of over 100 islands in the southern Atlantic off the coast of Argentina A. Guyana B. Paraguay C. Peru D. Falkland Islands 6. Achieved independence from Spain in 1811 A. Argentina B. Colombia C. Venezuela D. Paraguay 7. A colony of France since 1817 A. French Guiana B. Guyana C. Argentina D. Suriname 8. The world's longest country, north to south A. Chile B. Colombia C. Paraguay D. Suriname 9. South America's third largest country; was the heart of the Inca empire from the 12th to 16th centuries A. Venezuela B. Guyana C. Suriname D. Peru 10. 80% of this country is covered