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?
From L-R: Me, mom, my two siblings (my sister and my brother).
In front of our house in Italy.
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.
