Wednesday, May 6, 2020


Mother’s Day 
ESL Lesson For  Intermediate & Advanced Learners
1.    What are mothers?
2.    What do mothers do for us?
3. What does your mothers do for you?
4. Why do we love them so much?
5. Can you describe your mom?
6. What did your mom teach you?
7. Would you share a story about your mom?
8. What would you tell your mother if she was alive?
9. How will you celebrate Mother’s Day?
10. How do Americans celebrate this day?

11. Do you celebrate Mother’s day in your country?        How do you celebrate it?

Me, my mom and my siblings. I'm the oldest of the 3 of us.
From L-R: Me, mom, my  two siblings (my sister and my brother).
In front of our house in Italy. 
My mom and my siblings.

My Step Mom, Maria Pia with Lupo. Thanks to her we came to America.


Watch theYouTube video: American Holidays - Mother's Day
 (2.5 min)- Learn more about American culture with EnglishClass101.com! Ever wondered what the most important American holidays are, and how they are celebrated? Click on the link to start watching it   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-Y5x6M_E-0

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS (EQs). Read them and discuss in class.

1.  What are mothers? Why do we celebrate them?
              Mothers are special people. They are the pillars, the foundation and support of the family. They are special because they love unconditionally, they love without conditions, or strings attached- they do not ask for anything in return. They always love their children, no matter what they do and/or how they behave. Mothers are women; our own mothers, and of course they can also be our sisters, our daughters, our relatives and our friends. It's because of these reasons why we celebrate and honor them on this very special day.

3. What do mothers do for us?
            Mothers do many things for us, their children; they take care of us, they love us, protect us, guide us, and provide us (give) a healthy safe and loving home. Mothers work hard for their families. They cook and clean and buy things their children need. But most of all, mothers teach us about life, with their good examples; they help us grow by showing us how to be respectful, responsible, helpful and kind to everyone.

4. Why do we love them so much?
               I think that we love our mothers very much because they love us the way we are. They also spend most of their energy working and taking care of their children, and their families. However, we also love our mothers because they know us better than anyone else. This maybe because they carried us in their bodies for nine months- since the beginning- the day God put us into our mother.

 5. Can you describe your mom? Yes! I can!
1a.    My mom was a beautiful tall woman. Her personality was a happy one. She liked to joke around and pull pranks, do funny things to make others laugh. Nevertheless (however, still, but), my mom was also very sensitive (caring, delicate) because when I misbehaved (acted badly and was rude) with her, she would get sad. My mom also was very protective of me. One time my grandfather slapped me on the face so hard, that his palm print remained (stayed) on my cheek for a day. When my mother found out, she went over my grandparents’ house and she must have yelled at my grandfather (her father). That worked because my grandfather never slapped me again from that day on (after that day). My mom was also sad when my father would leave; emigrate for work in other countries. Dad worked in Switzerland, Canada and the USA that I knew him little.

5. What did your mom teach you?
1a.    My mom taught me many good things. She taught me to be honest, kind and respectful of everyone. She taught me not to be envious, or jealous, of other people’s things. She also taught me about God. In fact, every Sunday she would remind me to go to church, and she also went go to church every Sunday, alone or with my father, when he wasn’t away or working. And she reminded me to go to church too with my friends. So, I learned all of these things from her because I saw her do the same things. She didn't just preach, or tell me what to do- she showed me how to do it- because she did it. She was kind, respectful and compassionate to others, especially beggars, poor people who had nothing or very little. 

2b.    My mom influenced (taught) me in good ways because she taught me to be honest, kind and respectful of everyone, and not to be envious (jealous) of other people’s things. She also taught me about God, and every Sunday she’d remind me to go to church. And I learned all of these things from her (also from my dad) because she did them herself. She was kind, respectful and compassionate to others, especially beggars (the poor. She also went go to church every Sunday alone or with my father, when he wasn’t away or working.

3c.    Today, thanks to her I am the way I am. I think I am kind, respectful and compassionate because of her lessons- her living example- the way she lived her life. I also know that she had a great love for me because I was her first child. In fact, I was the first grandchild for my grandparents, her parents, so they all loved me, and sometimes spoiled me too! They gave me everything I wanted and/or said!

4f.    But my mom would also spank, hit me in the buttocks, my behind, sometimes, when I upset her. She would hit me with a big wooden spoon, that she used for cooking, but I’d run under the table! Then we both started laughing and she’d forget about being mad, and she’d (would) stop chasing me. However, I used to throw all her big wooden spoons up on the roof on the house next door. In fact, that roof was full with wooden spoons! There must have been 10-20 spoons up there!

6. Would you share a story about your mom? Yes! I would! Remembering Mom’s Charity (kindness)- Ogni fiore e’ segno d’amore / Every flower is a sign of love

1a.    My mom taught me to have compassion for the poor. I always remember that day, when I was about 7-8 years old; she had just bought some fruit from the fruit vendor in our town, and a beggar (a poor person) asked her for money. And although she didn’t have any cash (money), she took a handful of cherries and gave it to him As we walked a way she said to me: “Whenever someone begs (asks) from you, give them something, even if you have no money, give them something that you have.”

2b.     My mom gave me encouragement and inspired me. Another time when I was a little boy of 9 or 10 years old; I didn’t know how to paint landscapes (outdoor views) , so one day, I found a beautiful image (picture or photo) of a tropical island (an island in the tropics) in one of my old geography books. I cut it out, and then pasted (glued) it on a piece of plywood, and then I showed it to her. She was so happy and proud of me - because I could make a simple cut out image look like a painting. So she went outside and showed it to all her neighborhood friends. I have never forgotten this event (occasion). It made me very happy because she was proud of something I had done. That is another reason I love her- she made me feel appreciated, valued and loved.

3c.       My mom was playful sometimes. One time she dressed as a ghost, when I was no more than 10 years old. She put on flour on her face (to look pale-white) and she made big fake teeth (which she made with flour and water), and put them I her mouth. Then she covered herself in a big white bed sheet. When I saw her I was so scared! And with a heavy and scary voice she would say: Kiss me! But I ran away scared!

4d.      My mom taught me not to steal without punishing me! One time a stole a head of garlic from a neighbor across from my house. I was walking home one summer day, and I saw a beautiful braid of garlic hanging from the wall near the door of one our neighbors. I walked by, looked around furtively, made sure no one was looking, and quickly ripped one off the braid and ran home with it! It was so exciting! I had stolen for the first time in my life! Wow I felt so courageous! But when I arrived home I had a big disappointment! Although I proudly showed it to my mother and said:Mom look what I found on the ground!”  She wasn’t convinced, she didn’t believe me, and she said: “Really? Bring it back where you took it from!”  I tried to change her mind, but she wouldn’t budge (change her mind) she insisted, and kept telling me to bring it back, or she’d tell dad! As soon as I heard “I’ll tell dad”, I gave up, and said: “Ok mom. I will bring it back.”  In fact, when my mom didn’t know what to do with me, she’d say: “I’ll tell your father tonight when he comes back from work!” And that was enough to make me listen and do as she said.  So, I took it back, and once again, I looked around, made sure no one was looking at me, and I threw the head of garlic at the neighbors’ sidewalk in front of their door. I never stole another thing from that day on! My mom had taught me a lesson without punishing me!

5e.         My mom helped me through dreams, even after her passing (death). She has been gone (dead, passed away) since 1973, when she was 35 years old, and I was 13. This was a long time ago- I’m now in my 60s- but there have been many other times in my life that I have felt her presence. There have been several such instances (events) at certain delicate and difficult points in my life. The first time happened a long time ago, when I was in my 20s, and I was having problems with my step-mom (my 2nd mother) and mom come to my rescue and helped me! In this dream, my step-mom was mad at me for some reason. She usually was- we didn’t like each other. I didn’t like being bossed around, humiliated (shamed, embarrassed) and being told that my interest in art was a waste of time. At any rate, in this dream I was going back to my home, and as soon as I opened the door to enter (came in)- this was the house where I was born- she started yelling at me. However (but), my mom you was sitting right next to the entrance, right next to the door. So she looked at me and put her right index (the finger we use for pointing) over her closed lips, and with the other hand she motioned to me as to tell me: "Don’t worry, don’t say anything to her.”  Her presence and her gestures, the movements with her hands, made me feel relaxed and protected. Later, as I reflected on the dream (thought about it), I felt very encouraged by it- I felt cared for, even though my mom was not alive. In that dream I sensed (felt) that she basically told me not to listen to her, and not worry and/or be scared of anyone who yells at me, or anyone who tries to bully or bother me.


6f.       My mom revealed her presence to me in two more recent times .The first one happened the day that my daughter was born. Yes, I will never forget it! The instant Salvi- my first child was born my mom was there! Although she had passed away many years ago! I sensed her caring presence! How can that be? The second time I sensed my mom again was not too long ago, again with my daughter Salvi, who at the time was 25, and we both were visiting a college that she was considering, thinking about, attending to get a Master degree. So, while we were going up several flights of stairs - I was walking behind her – suddenly in an instant I felt my mother’s presence! It was so beautiful, but too short. It was as if she was walking near Salvi! I can’t explain how that could happen- it a feeling- something I felt inside but yet, somehow I saw her!


7g.              “Ogni fiore e’ segno d’amore.” This was one of my mothers’ phrases, which has remained inscribed in my mind and heart forever: In Italian it translates to: Every flower is a sign of love. It basically means: Every act of kindness we do is a sign of our love. Mom, God Bless you for your love, your constant, never ending, presence and protection, and for your lessons that made me grow, learn and mature into the person that I am now.

8. What would you tell your mother if she was alive?
      Today, if my were alive I would tell her that I love her and I miss her. I miss being close to her and listening to her advice. When I was little I rarely expressed my feelings, and didn’t know how to say I love you. Sometimes I think about her, and I remember that I never told my mom that I loved her. I’m sure she knows it, but I regret that I never did. I feel sorry that I never did.

9. How will you celebrate Mother’s Day?
               I will celebrate it at home with my family. My wife will cook a special dinner, I will buy her a cake and/or some pastries (small cakes), a card and some flowers. Sometimes on Mothers’ Day we go out to eat, but this year is out of the question, because of the covid19 pandemic.

10. How do Americans celebrate this day?
          On Mother’s Day Americans usually go out to eat with their moms and/or spouses and family members. They also buy them cards, flowers and chocolates.

11. Do you celebrate Mother’s day in your country? How do you celebrate it?
       Yes, we do celebrate it in Italy. We do the same things that Americans do. However, in Italy families are bigger and this festivity (celebration) usually includes with grandmothers and many aunts.

12. Did you watch the YouTube video American Holidays - Mother's Day? Did you like this video? Why?
Click on the link to start watching it   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-Y5x6M_E-0

A Poem For Mom 
(Originally written in Italian, in1993)

Mamma
Nella vita c'è l'inverno e la primavera,
e tu mamma sei per me la primavera.
Dopo la tempesta il sole.
Dopo il vento la calma.
Dopo le lacrime il sorriso.
Dopo il dolore la gioia.
Nel timore tu sei il mio conforto.
Mamma dopo di te non c'è nessuno.


Mom
In life there is winter and spring,
and you mother are my springtime.
After the storm the sun.
After the wind the calm.
After the tears the smiles.
After the pain the joy.
In fear you are my comfort.
Mother after you there is no one.

(Spanish)
 Madre
En la vida hay e l invierno y la primavera,
y tú madre eres mi primavera.
Después de la tormenta tú eres el sol.
Después el viento tu eres la calma.
Después de las lágrimas tú eres las sonrisas.
Después de el dolor tu eres la alegría.
En el miedo tu eres mi consuelo.
Madre después de ti hay nadie.

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