Category: Vocabulary

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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Lunar New Years

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Tuesday, February 17th 2026 –  Year of the Horse – the Fire Horse

Key vocabulary:

  • Marks (verb) – indicates or shows a particular event, change, or point in time.
  • Fresh start (noun) – a new beginning or opportunity to start over without the past affecting it.
  • Emphasizing (verb) – giving special importance or attention to something.
  • Prosperity (noun) – the state of being successful, especially financially or economically.
  • Symbolizes (verb) – represents or stands for something, especially through a symbol.
  • To ward off (verb phrase) – to prevent or protect against something harmful or unwanted.
  • Incorporates(verb) – includes or combines something as part of a whole.
  • Linked to(verb phrase) – connected or related to something.

Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, is a major holiday celebrated in many East and Southeast Asian cultures. It marks a fresh start, emphasizing themes of family, prosperity, and good fortune. Traditions include: a dinner on New Year’s Eve, exchanging red envelopes 🧧 with money to symbolize luck, cleaning and decorating homes with red banners and lanterns, 🏮 and vibrant community festivities like fireworks 🧨 and lion 🦁 dances to ward off evil spirits .

The holiday also incorporates the Chinese zodiac, with each year linked to one of twelve animals, such as the Rabbit, Dragon, or Tiger. 

This year, Lunar New Year begins on Tuesday, February 17th. Celebrations often span up to 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival, which this year falls on Tuesday, March 3rd

Below are the twelve Chinese zodiac animals, including their associated years (1924–2043) and personality traits. What zodiac animal are you?

Rat: 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020.
Traits: Intelligent, resourceful, adaptable, charming, quick-witted, ambitious.

Ox: 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021.
Traits: Reliable, hardworking, patient, strong, disciplined, determined.

Tiger: 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022.
Traits: Brave, competitive, confident, unpredictable, energetic, ambitious.

Rabbit: 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
Traits: Gentle, compassionate, elegant, cautious, responsible, friendly.

Dragon: 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024.
Traits: Charismatic, energetic, ambitious, confident, adventurous, innovative. 

Snake: 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Traits: Wise, intuitive, enigmatic, elegant, private, determined.

Horse: 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026.
Traits: Energetic, free-spirited, sociable, adventurous, optimistic, independent.

Sheep: 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027.
Traits: Creative, kind, empathetic, gentle, sensitive, nurturing.

Monkey: 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028.
Traits: Witty, clever, curious, mischievous, energetic, innovative. 

Rooster: 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029.
Traits: Observant, hardworking, practical, outspoken, confident, punctual.

Dog: 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030.
Traits: Loyal, honest, trustworthy, protective, selfless, reliable. 

Pig: 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031. 
Traits: Generous, good-natured, diligent, sincere, kind, optimistic.

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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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It’s holiday time!

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Winter Holidays Around the World

Winter is a special season. The days are shorter, the nights are longer, and in many places, it is cold and snowy. Around the world, people celebrate different winter holidays with family, friends, food, and traditions. Let’s look at some of the most popular winter holidays.

Christmas

Christmas is celebrated on December 25th in many countries. People decorate a Christmas tree, hang lights, and give gifts. Families often eat a big meal together. In some traditions, children wait for Santa Claus to bring presents. Popular Christmas colors are red, green, and gold.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that usually happens in December. It lasts for eight nights. Families light a special candleholder called a menorah. They eat foods fried in oil, like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts). Children often play with a small toy called a dreidel.

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is celebrated in the United States from December 26th to January 1st. It honors African traditions and culture. Families light candles in a holder called a kinara. Each day represents a different value, such as unity, creativity, or faith. Music, dancing, and storytelling are also part of Kwanzaa.

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day

All around the world, people celebrate the New Year on December 31st and January 1st. Many people stay up until midnight to welcome the new year. Fireworks, parties, and special foods are common. People also make resolutions—promises to themselves about things they want to do in the new year.

Vocabulary to Remember

  • Tradition – something people do again and again over many years
  • Celebrate – to enjoy a holiday or special event
  • Candle – a stick of wax with fire at the top for light
  • Meal – food eaten together at one time
  • Resolution – a plan or promise for the future

✨ Winter holidays bring light, joy, and warmth during the cold season. Even though traditions are different, the message is often the same: spending time with loved ones and sharing happiness.

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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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