HERITAGE OF BELARUS. Quick and Fun Critical-Thinking Activities.

HERITAGE OF BELARUS.

Quick and Fun Critical-Thinking Activities.

ГУО «Средняя школа №1 г.Новополоцка»

Налей Юлия Александровна, учитель английского языка

Mind Squeeze

Take two minutes to look at the words and objects on this page. Then turn the page over and see how many you can recall. Good luck!

Do it again, repeat the activity. Can you improve your performance?

Wordplay

Imagine you live in ancient Belarus and in these times there are only 20 words. You can use these 20 words as much as you want, but you cannot use any other words as all. In the space below, list the 20 words you’d pick:

1._____________________ 11.____________________

2._____________________ 12.____________________

3._____________________ 13.____________________

4._____________________ 14.____________________

5._____________________ 15.____________________

6._____________________ 16.____________________

7._____________________ 17.____________________

8._____________________ 18.____________________

9._____________________ 19.____________________

10.____________________ 20.____________________

Use your words. Now, write a paragraph of at least 5 sentences using only your 20 words.

The Qqqqqqqoooooo

What’s a Qqqqqooooo? It’s a make-believe creature made from letters. Make a letter creature from Belarusian legends of your own.

Here’s what you’ll need: old newspapers or magazines, scissors, pen or pencil, construction paper, glue.

Here’s what to do:

1. Pick any two letters.

2. Cut a pile of these letters from old newspapers or magazines.

3. Put the letters together to make a creature. When you like the way they look, glue the letters down in the frame on this page.

Save Yourself

Below is a map of ancient Belarus, a dangerous land. Unfortunately, you were passing through this land. You only chance of survival is to escape to Finish. You do have a map to lead you there. Draw your path in pencil; mark each stop with an X. Follow these directions.

Directions: Go north-east four miles to the mountains. Head 4 miles due north to the castle, where you’ll make a quick stop for lunch. Then travel 8 miles north-west to the lake, where you’ll take a refreshing dip. Then go 16 miles east the forest for a rest. From the forest, continue east 5 miles to the horse stand, where you’ll hop a horse and head north to Finish. Good luck!!!

Try to find another safe path. Draw your new path in pencil and write new directions.

Scrambled Sentences

Look at the sentence! What is it? Something is wrong with it. Follow the directions 1-10 to unscramble the sentence.

laru wis wa autizul ountry. rw opl hav reated a wuniqu ultur: zolkw zextival, rite, zolklor, raztx, tionalw wostume andw tionalw uixin

1. Change all the z’s to f’s.

2. Add ou to the beginning of the sixth word.

3. Add a c to the beginning of the fifth, ninth, twelfth, seventeenth, nineteenth and twenty-second words.

4. Add a e to the end of the seventh, eighth, eleventh, twelfth, sixteenth and twenty-second words.

5. Change all the x’s to s’s.

6. Cross off the last letter in the sixth, thirteen, eighteenth, twentieth and twenty-first words.

7. Add be to the beginning of the first and fourth words.

8. Add pe to the beginning of the second word.

9. Add na to the beginning of the eighth and twenty-first words.

10. Cross off the first letter in the second, third, eleventh and nineteenth words.

Now how does the sentence read?

Try to scramble your own sentence. Write your directions.

In Groups

Each of these lists has one item that does not belong. Find and cross out that item. Then explain why that item is out of place.

1. Christmas, Easter, Kupallie, St.Poul’s Day

_____________________________________

1. Rites, rituals, celebrations, events

_____________________________________

1. Honey-cakes, herbal teas, pancakes, gingerbread

______________________________________

1. Cambridge, Nesvizh, Mir, Budslav

_____________________________________

1. Christmas tree, excursion tour, Easter egg, mythological heroes

_____________________________________

1. Customs, traditions, soccer, folklore

_____________________________________

1. Wood-Making Workshop, Pottery Workshop, Beekeeper’s House, Souvenir Shop

_____________________________________

1. Zuzya, Father Frost, Santa Clause, Metelitsa

   Summarize. Write a title to name each group.

   
   
   

   
   
   

   
   
   

   
   
   

   
   
   

   
   
   

   
   
   

   
   
   

   
   
   

Big Questions

Answer the following questions. There is no “right” answer.

1. How would life be different if the sun never set?

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

1. How would life be different if people could only get from place to place by walking?______________

__________________________________________________________________________

1. How would life be different if there is magic in the world?________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

1. How would life be different if you could be a mythological hero?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. How would life be different if the sky was green?

__________________________________________________________________________

1. How would life be different if Belarus was situated on the island?_____________________________

_____________________________________

Compare your responses with a classmate to see how your opinions are the same and how they are different.

My Hero

List the five heroes from the Belarusian mythology you admire most.

Hero1.__________________________________

Hero2.__________________________________

Hero3.__________________________________

Hero4.__________________________________

Hero5.__________________________________

Think of a feature that all heroes you admire have in common. Write it below.

___________________________________________________

Now, think of a special quality that all that makes each of the heroes unique. Write them.

Hero1.__________________________________

Hero2.__________________________________

Hero3.__________________________________

Hero4.__________________________________

Hero5.__________________________________

Write a definition of what a hero or a heroine is.

My Legend Review

One of the best ways to find out about good story or a book is from other reader. Now. You have a chance to tell friends about Belarusian legends you have read. First, pick a legend and read it carefully. Then answer the questions below. When you’re done, share your legend review with the class.

Title:______________________________________

Plot summery (Don’t give away the ending!): ____________________________________________________

What I liked about the legend: ______________________________________________________

What I didn’t like:__________________________________

I’d give this legend_____stars

=Blah =Pretty Good

=Ok =Very Good

= Totally Awersome!

Draw a character or a scene from the legend to go with your review.

The Coat of Arms

A family coat of arms is a shield with pictures that represent your family. Imagine that you live in ancient Belarus. Think about what makes your family unique and then design coat of arms below.

A coat of arms usually includes a saying or a motto. Add a motto to your coat of arms.

My Holiday Traditions

My family celebrates:

Ways we decorate: A fun thing we do:

My favourite holiday treat: