English Lesson on Sadie Hawkins Day

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THE LESSON ON SADIE HAWKINS DAY

Try the online quiz, reading, listening, and activities on grammar, spelling and vocabulary for this lesson on Sadie Hawkins Day. Click on the links above or see the activities below this article:


READ

Sadie Hawkins Day is a fun holiday based on a comic strip character. Over the decades, it has developed into a well-known celebration. Sadie Hawkins was created by a man called Al Capp. He wrote a now-classic cartoon called Li'l Abner. He worked on this from 1934 to 1977. Ms Hawkins lived in a small rural community in the fictional town of Dogpatch. She waited and waited and waited for a marriage proposal, but none came. At the age of 35, her father struck upon an idea to marry off his daughter. He decided to name a day after his daughter. There was a special event on this day. Sadie had to chase all the unmarried men in the town. Whoever she caught, she would marry.

The bachelor chase in the cartoon strip is still observed today in many places in the USA. The most common events are special parties at which girls can approach boys and ask them to dance. The parties are sometimes called "WPAs" (Women Pay All) or "Turnabout". Obviously, this is because the girls invite the boys and pay for dinner and dance tickets, etc. These events are declining in popularity. In 1952, there were over 40,000 Sadie Hawkins Day events. Nowadays, with the rise of the modern feminist movement, it has become more of a fun event. It is common today to “go dutch,” which is when a man and woman split the bill at a restaurant.

Sources: http://www.wikipedia.org/ and assorted sites.

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PHRASE MATCH

Match the following phrases from the article.

Paragraph 1

1.

comic strip

a.

proposal

2

a well-known

b.

community

3.

a small rural

c.

an idea

4.

marriage

d.

character

5.

struck upon

e.

unmarried men

6.

chase all the

f.

celebration

Paragraph 2

1.

still observed

a.

approach boys

2

The most common

b.

the bill

3.

girls can

c.

today

4.

declining in

d.

movement

5.

modern feminist

e.

events

6.

split

f.

popularity

LISTENING GAP FILL

Sadie Hawkins Day is ___________________ on a comic strip character. Over the decades, it has developed ___________________ celebration. Sadie Hawkins was created by a man called Al Capp. He wrote ___________________ called Li'l Abner. He worked on this from 1934 to 1977. Ms Hawkins lived in a ___________________ in the fictional town of Dogpatch. She waited and waited and waited for a marriage proposal, but none came. At the age of 35, her father ___________________ marry off his daughter. He decided to name a day after his daughter. There was a special event on this day. Sadie ___________________ unmarried men in the town. Whoever she caught, she would marry.

The bachelor chase in the cartoon strip is ___________________ in many places in the USA. The most common events are special parties at which ___________________ and ask them to dance. The parties are sometimes called "WPAs" (Women Pay All) or "Turnabout". Obviously, this is because the ___________________ boys ___________________ and dance tickets, etc. These events are declining in popularity. In 1952, there were over 40,000 Sadie Hawkins Day events. Nowadays, ___________________ the modern feminist movement, it has become more of a fun event. It is common today to “go dutch,” which is when a man and woman ___________________ a restaurant.

WHILE READING / LISTENING GAP FILL

Put the words into the gaps in the text.

Sadie Hawkins Day is a fun holiday ____________ on a comic strip character. Over the decades, it has developed into a well-known celebration. Sadie Hawkins was ____________ by a man called Al Capp. He wrote a now-classic cartoon called Li'l Abner. He worked on this from 1934 to 1977. Ms Hawkins lived in a small ____________ community in the ____________ town of Dogpatch. She waited and waited and waited for a marriage ____________, but none came. At the age of 35, her father struck upon an ____________ to marry off his daughter. He decided to name a day ____________ his daughter. There was a special event on this day. Sadie had to ____________ all the unmarried men in the town. Whoever she caught, she would marry.

 

 

 

proposal
rural
based
chase
after
idea
created
fictional

The bachelor chase in the cartoon strip is still ____________ today in many places in the USA. The most ____________ events are special parties at which girls can approach boys and ask them to dance. The ____________ are sometimes called "WPAs" (Women Pay All) or "Turnabout". Obviously, this is because the girls ____________ the boys and pay for dinner and dance tickets, etc. These events are ____________ in popularity. In 1952, there were over 40,000 Sadie Hawkins Day events. Nowadays, with the ____________ of the modern feminist movement, it has ____________ more of a fun event. It is common today to “go dutch,” which is when a man and woman ____________ the bill at a restaurant.

 

 

common
 
declining
become
parties
observed
split
invite
rise

CHOOSE THE CORRECT WORD

Delete the wrong word in each of the pairs of italics.

Sadie Hawkins Day is a fun holiday based on a comic strap / strip character. Over the decades, it has developed onto / into a well-known celebration. Sadie Hawkins was created / creation by a man called Al Capp. He wrote a now-classic cartoon called Li'l Abner. He worked on this from 1934 to 1977. Ms Hawkins lived in a small rural community in the book / fictional town of Dogpatch. She waited and waited and waited for a married / marriage proposal, but none came. At the age of 35, her father struck / stuck upon an idea to marry off his daughter. He decided to name a day after / over his daughter. There was a special event on this day. Sadie had to chase all the unmarried men in the town. Whoever she caught, she would marry / marriage.

The bachelor chase in the cartoon strip is yet / still observed today in many places in the USA. The most common events are special parties at where / which girls can approach boys and ask him / them to dance. The parties are sometime / sometimes called "WPAs" (Women Pay All) or "Turnabout". Obviously, this is because the girls invite the boys and pay for / with dinner and dance tickets, etc. These events are declining in popularity / population. In 1952, there were over 40,000 Sadie Hawkins Day events. Nowadays, with the rise / raise of the modern feminist movement, it has become more of a fun event. It is common today to “go dutch,” which is when a man and woman split the bill / pill at a restaurant.

MULTIPLE CHOICE

Sadie Hawkins Day is a fun holiday based (1) ____ a comic strip character. Over the decades, it has developed into a well-(2) ____ celebration. Sadie Hawkins was created by a man called Al Capp. He wrote a now-(3) ____ cartoon called Li'l Abner. He worked on this from 1934 to 1977. Ms Hawkins lived in a small rural community in the (4) ____ town of Dogpatch. She waited and waited and waited for a marriage proposal, but none came. At the age of 35, her father (5) ____ upon an idea to marry off his daughter. He decided to name a day after his daughter. There was a special event on this day. Sadie had to chase all the unmarried men in the town. Whoever she caught, she would (6) ____.

The bachelor chase in the cartoon strip is still (7) ____ today in many places in the USA. The most common events are special parties at (8) ____ girls can approach boys and ask them to dance. The parties are sometimes called "WPAs" (Women Pay All) or "Turnabout". Obviously, this is because the girls (9) ____ the boys and pay for dinner and dance tickets, etc. These events are declining in popularity. In 1952, there were over 40,000 Sadie Hawkins Day events. Nowadays, with the (10) ____ of the modern feminist movement, it has become more of a fun event. It is common today to “go (11) ____,” which is when a man and woman split the (12) ____ at a restaurant.

Put the correct words from this table into the article.

1.

(a)

with

(b)

on

(c)

in

(d)

by

2.

(a)

known

(b)

knew

(c)

knowing

(d)

know

3.

(a)

classically

(b)

class

(c)

classify

(d)

classic

4.

(a)

frictional

(b)

fictional

(c)

factional

(d)

fractional

5.

(a)

struck

(b)

stick

(c)

stack

(d)

trucks

6.

(a)

marriage

(b)

married

(c)

marry

(d)

marry

7.

(a)

observance

(b)

observed

(c)

observer

(d)

observation

8.

(a)

which

(b)

where

(c)

when

(d)

how

9.

(a)

invitation

(b)

inviting

(c)

invited

(d)

invite

10.

(a)

raise

(b)

arise

(c)

rising

(d)

rise

11.

(a)

French

(b)

Belgian

(c)

dutch

(d)

Spanish

12.

(a)

till

(b)

pill

(c)

bill

(d)

dill

SPELLING

Spell the jumbled words (from the text) correctly.

Paragraph 1

1.

ccoim strip character

2.

Over the seeaddc

3.

ualrr community

4.

a marriage osplraop

5.

ktrcsu upon an idea

6.

escah all the unmarried men

Paragraph 2

7.

still ersevbod today

8.

common senvet

9.

ask them to andec

10.

declining in ulroayptip

11.

the modern feminist omntemve

12.

pitsl the bill

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

upon an idea to marry off his daughter. He decided to name a day after his

1  )

Sadie Hawkins Day is a fun holiday based on a comic strip character. Over the decades, it has developed into a well-

(    )

the girls invite the boys and pay for dinner and dance tickets, etc. These events are declining in

(    )

daughter. There was a special event on this day. Sadie had to chase all the unmarried

(    )

men in the town. Whoever she caught, she would marry.

(    )

dance. The parties are sometimes called "WPAs" (Women Pay All) or "Turnabout". Obviously, this is because

(    )

popularity. In 1952, there were over 40,000 Sadie Hawkins Day events. Nowadays, with the rise

(    )

USA. The most common events are special parties at which girls can approach boys and ask them to

(    )

called Li'l Abner. He worked on this from 1934 to 1977. Ms Hawkins lived in a small rural community in the fictional

(    )

town of Dogpatch. She waited and waited and waited for a marriage proposal, but none came. At the age of 35, her father struck

(    )

of the modern feminist movement, it has become more of a fun event. It is common

(    )

The bachelor chase in the cartoon strip is still observed today in many places in the

(    )

today to “go dutch,” which is when a man and woman split the bill at a restaurant.

(    )

known celebration. Sadie Hawkins was created by a man called Al Capp. He wrote a now-classic cartoon

SCRAMBLED SENTENCES

With a partner, put the words back into the correct order.

1.

on     strip     A     based     comic     holiday     a     character     fun.    

2.

-     well     a     into     Developed     celebration     known.    

3.

this     from     He     1934     worked     to     on     1977.    

4.

daughter     his     off     marry     to     idea     An.    

5.

unmarried     to     men     chase     all     Sadie     the     had.    

6.

cartoon     the     in     chase     bachelor     The     strip.    

7.

approach     ask     dance     can     and     to     Girls     boys     them.    

8.

boys     and     Girls     pay     invite     for     the     dinner.    

9.

rise     The     movement     feminist     modern     the     of.    

10.

split    the    bill    at    a    restaurant    A    man    and    woman.   

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

THE SADIE HAWKINS DAY SURVEY

Write five questions about Sadie Hawkins Day in the table. Do this in pairs/groups. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

Without your partner, interview other students. Write down their answers.

 

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

 

 

 

 

Q.2.

 

 

 

 

Q.3.

 

 

 

 

Q.4.

 

 

 

 

Q.5.

 

 

 

 

Return to your original partner(s) and share and talk about what you found out.  Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

WRITING

Write about Sadie Hawkins Day for 10 minutes. Show your partner your paper. Correct each other’s work.

______________________________________________________________________________

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______________________________________________________________________________

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______________________________________________________________________________

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HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find more information about Sadie Hawkins Day. Talk about what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Write a magazine article about Sadie Hawkins Day. Write about what happens around the world. Include two imaginary interviews with people who did something on this day.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

4. POSTER: Make your own poster about Sadie Hawkins Day. Write about what will happen on this day around the world.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

ANSWERS

Check your answers in "THE READING / TAPESCRIPT" section at the top of this page.


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