Category: American Culture

Major League Baseball Opening Day

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In celebration of Major League Baseball’s Opening Day on Thursday, March 26th, here are some key vocabulary & facts to know ahead of the 2026 season.

Baseball, sometimes called “America’s pastime”, is a team sport played between two teams of nine players each. The goal is to score more runs than the opposing team by hitting a ball and running around four bases to complete a run. A baseball game lasts for a minimum of nine innings – if the game is tied at the end of the ninth inning, the game continues until one team scores a run.

Basic Rules of Baseball

  1. Teams take turns batting and fielding.
  2. The batting team tries to score runs by hitting the ball and running around the bases.
  3. The fielding team tries to get three outs to end the batting team’s turn.
  4. A batter gets up to 3 strikes. Three strikes = out.
  5. Four balls = walk (the batter goes to first base).
  6. A run is scored when a player touches all four bases and returns to home plate.
  7. After 3 outs, the teams switch sides (batting and fielding).
  8. The game is played over 9 innings.
  9. The team with the most runs at the end wins.

 The Field

  • Diamond – The shape of the baseball field (infield), with four bases in a square shape.
  • Base – There are 4 bases: first base, second base, third base, and home plate.
  • Pitcher’s mound – The raised area in the center where the pitcher throws the ball.

Positions

  • Pitcher – The player who throws the ball to the batter.
  • Catcher – Crouches behind home plate to catch pitches.
  • Batter – The player trying to hit the ball.
  • Infielders – First baseman, second baseman, shortstop, and third baseman.
  • Outfielders – Left fielder, center fielder, and right fielder.

Key Vocabulary

catch, hit, pitch, run, swing

More vocabulary

Special Hits:

  • Single – The batter reaches first base.
  • Double – The batter reaches second base.
  • Triple – The batter reaches third base.
  • Home run – The ball is hit out of the field, and the batter (and any runners) score automatically.
  • A grand slam is a home run with the bases loaded (4 runs scored).

Ways to Get Out:

  • Strikeout – Three strikes.
  • Fly out – The ball is caught in the air.
  • Ground out – The ball is hit on the ground and thrown to first base before the batter gets there.
  • Tag out – A runner is touched with the ball while not on a base.
  • Force out – A runner has to move to the next base and is thrown out.

League & Teams

There are 30 Major League Baseball (MLB) teams. They are divided into two leagues: the American League and the National League, with 15 teams in each. 

American League

AL EastAL CentralAL West
Baltimore OriolesChicago White SoxHouston Astros
Boston Red SoxCleveland GuardiansLos Angeles Angels
New York YankeesDetroit TigersOakland Athletics
Tampa Bay RaysKansas City RoyalsSeattle Mariners
Toronto Blue JaysMinnesota TwinsTexas Rangers

National League

NL EastNL CentralNL West
Atlanta BravesChicago CubsArizona Diamondbacks
Miami MarlinsCincinnati RedsColorado Rockies
New York MetsMilwaukee BrewersLos Angeles Dodgers
Philadelphia PhilliesPittsburgh PiratesSan Diego Padres
Washington NationalsSt. Louis CardinalsSan Francisco Giants

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National Meatball Day!

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National Meatball Day

Mon Mar 9th, 2026

VOCABULARY:

succulent — adj., tasty, delicious

culinary — adj, relating to cooking or the kitchen

occurence — n., an event, something that happens

cozy — adj., providing contentment or comfort

various — adj., of an indefinite number greater than one

Juicy round balls of succulent meat, usually served with pasta, mashed potatoes or on their own — perfect for a cozy dinner at home!

Just the word, ‘meatball’ is enough to bring to mind great family meals for most people. These little balls of various meats can be found throughout the world in almost every culture.

Most people may associate them with Italian cuisine, though spaghetti and meatballs is actually an American dish. No matter your background, you can jump in and enjoy National Meatball Day!

How to Celebrate National Meatball Day

National Meatball Day, like other culinary holidays, should be enjoyed with your loved ones gathered around.

The most difficult part of preparing for National Meatball Day is going to be picking which nation’s recipe you will use. Luckily for you, this is a yearly occurrence, so you can pick a new nation to try each year if you like. Or you could be truly adventurous and try more than one at a time!

What is your favorite way to enjoy meatballs? There are so many ways to make them. Have you added them to your pizza or on a sandwich? Do you prefer to follow the traditions of your family or to try and create something new? This is the time to shine – an entire day devoted to meatball goodness!

And even if you’re not a meat-eater, there are plenty of veggie and vegan alternatives available, for example, chickpea koftas and tempeh, quinoa or black bean meatballs.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a chef or a first-time cook. Making a meal with meatballs is easy but makes you look like a star in the kitchen!

Here are a few recipes:

https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017700-meatballs-with-any-meat

https://www.seriouseats.com/meatball-recipes-11702105

https://www.thekitchn.com/swedish-meatballs-recipe-23722980

reference: https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/meatball-day

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President’s Day: Discovering Lincoln and Washington Through Biography

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President’s Day is a national holiday in the United States, celebrated on the third Monday of February. It honors two of the most respected leaders in American history: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Both were born in February and are remembered for their strong leadership and lasting impact on the country.

George Washington was the first president of the United States. He led the American army to victory in the Revolutionary War and helped create the new government. Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president. He led the country during the Civil War and worked to end slavery. His famous speech, the Gettysburg Address, is still studied today.

George Washington 1732-1799
Abraham Lincoln 1809-1865

Reading biographies is a great way to learn about these presidents. For English learners, books like Who Was George Washington? (ISBN-139780448448923) and Who Was Abraham Lincoln? (ISBN-139780606040068) are excellent choices. These books use simple language and include helpful illustrations and timelines. They show how each man grew up, faced challenges, and became a leader.

Biographies help us understand history and the values of honesty, courage, and service. They also improve reading skills and vocabulary. On President’s Day, take time to explore the lives of Washington and Lincoln. Their stories can inspire us to be better citizens and lifelong learners.

📚 Tip: Try reading with a friend or writing a short summary after each chapter. It’s a fun way to practice English and learn about American history!

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Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day: A Message of Hope and Equality

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Every January, people in the United States honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was a leader in the Civil Rights Movement, a time when many Americans fought for equal rights for all people—no matter their skin color.

Vocabulary:

  • Equality – the state of being equal, especially in rights and opportunities
  • Justice – fairness in the way people are treated
  • Peaceful protest – showing disagreement without violence
  • Civil rights – the rights of citizens to freedom and equality

Dr. King believed in peaceful protest. He gave powerful speeches, including the famous “I Have a Dream” speech, where he spoke about a future where children of all races could live and learn together in harmony. His words inspired millions and continue to give hope today.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is more than just a holiday. It’s a day to remember the importance of justice, kindness, and respect. Many people celebrate by volunteering in their communities, helping others, and learning more about history.

📝 Try This:
Write a short paragraph about a dream you have for a better world. Use words like “peace,” “respect,” and “hope.”

Dr. King’s dream was big—but he showed us that change begins with one voice. What will your voice say today?

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Black Friday

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Friday, November 28th

Key Vocabulary:

  1. Traditionally (adverb) – in a way that is based on tradition or long-established customs.
  2. Marks (verb) –  to indicate or show something; to make a visible sign or impression.
  3. DoorBusters (Noun, plural) – Special promotional sales, often with deep discounts, designed to attract large numbers of customers, particularly during big sales events like Black Friday.
  4. Deals (Noun, plural) – Agreements or transactions, especially those involving discounts or special offers in shopping.
  5. Mayhem (Noun) – Chaos, disorder, or violence, often involving confusion and destruction.
  6. To mirror (Verb) – To reflect or resemble something closely.
  7. Brick-and-mortar (Adjective) – Referring to traditional physical businesses (such as stores or offices) as opposed to online or digital businesses.

Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving, which traditionally marks the start of the Christmas shopping season in the United States – it’s also one of the busiest shopping days of the year. 

Around 2003, many stores began opening as early as 5 a.m. with “doorbuster” deals – deep discounts on select items. 

Its these huge discounts that cause the mayhem with people fighting over cheap TV’s and other discounted items.

In the early 2000’s stores extended their hours even earlier, opening on Thanksgiving night –  staying open through Black Friday. These sales were often called “Black Thursday”. However, these sales were somewhat of a failure, and stores slowly began returning to closing on Thanksgiving, opening instead on Black Friday.

As the internet became more popular, many people started shopping online and in 2005, Cyber Monday was born. It was intended to mirror the brick-and-mortar sales stores offered on Black Friday. Black Friday became so popular that in 2015, Amazon even held a Black Friday sale in July! 

Whether you’re looking for a new TV, a computer, or a pair of socks, it’s guaranteed you will be able to find a deal somewhere, either online or in person on Black Friday or Cyber Monday!

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History of Indigenous Peoples’ Day: today, October 13, 2025.

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VOCABULARY

Indigenous – adj., of or relating to the earliest known inhabitants of a place

Disrupt – v., to throw into disorder

Recognize – v., to admit that something exists

Hurtful – adj., causing pain, especially emotional

Glorified – v., to make something seem great

Colonial – adj., relating to people settling in a new place, often belonging to someone else

Oppression – n., cruel or unjust use of authority or power

Trauma – n., a psychological state resulting from severe mental or emotional stress or injury

Erased – v., to wipe out, to make something disappear

Self-sufficient – adj. to be able to take care of oneself

Sustain – v., to keep up, to supply nourishment

Movement – n, series of acts working toward a desired end

History of Indigenous Peoples’ Day: today, October 13, 2025.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day began in 1977 as an idea expressed at a UN conference on discrimination.  In 1990, South Dakota was the first state to recognize the day.

In 1992, protests and demonstrations disrupted planned Columbus Day celebrations in San Francisco and Santa Cruz. People began referring to that day as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, to celebrate the rich culture and the lives of the Native American people. Soon, those cities also recognized the holiday.

For the Native Americans, Columbus Day was always hurtful as it glorified the violent past of 500 years of colonial torture and oppression by European explorers like Columbus. Indigenous Peoples’ Day draws attention to the pain, trauma, and broken promises that were erased by the celebration of Columbus Day. Before his arrival, the indigenous folk were successful self-sufficient communities that sustained life for thousands of years.

Year by year, the movement to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day spreads to more and more states, towns, and cities across the United States of America.*

*https://nationaltoday.com/indigenous-peoples-day/

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LABOR DAY, AMERICAN STYLE.

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It’s Labor Day!

The first Monday in September is Labor Day in the USA.  Unlike many US holidays, it is a celebration without rituals – except for shopping and barbecuing. For most of us, it marks the last weekend of summer holidays and the start of the school year.

Ritual – n., an established form for a ceremony or observance

Founder – n., someone who takes the first steps in building something

Envision – v., to imagine, to picture to oneself

Means – n., things that are useful or help to achieve a desired end

Unify – v., to make different things into one unit

Reduction – n., to make something smaller, to decrease

Recall – v., to remember

Struggle – n, the act of working hard or fighting for something

Maypole — n., a tall pole decorated with flowers and ribbons

The holiday’s founders in the late 19th century envisioned something very different from what the day has become. The founders were looking for two things: a means of unifying union workers and a reduction in work time.

  • If you’re living in the USA, don’t confuse this day with May 1st, (May Day), which is International Workers’ Day.

This day is celebrated in over 160 countries to recall the struggles and achievements of the labor movement. 

In France, people carry and give lilies-of-the-valley. Many countries, such as Italy and Nicaragua, celebrate with dances around a Maypole.

 

In America, Labor Day is less political and more about fun.

See you in class very soon! And:

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