Time to say ‘thanks’ to dads and father figures everywhere! Even though it doesn't get as much attention as Mother’s Day, Father's Day, always celebrated on the third Sunday in June, is fast approaching and here are some unique ideas to celebrate this special day with your students!
💡 Remember to consider the diverse backgrounds and family dynamics of your English learners and create a supportive and inclusive environment. If some of your students don’t have a father present or have a non-traditional father figure, you can encourage them to celebrate another significant male role model in their life, such as an uncle, grandfather or mentor.
Father's Day Craft Ideas
Encourage your young students to create personalised cards, ‘World’s Best Dad’ trophies for their fathers or posters with inspirational quotations related to fatherhood. Construction paper, some empty paper towel rolls, markers, stickers and ribbons can be transformed into great handmade gifts!
Young English learners can also use newspapers, magazines, cards and packaging materials to make a colourful collage that will reflect their fathers’ personalities and interests. Tate Kids, the dedicated website from Tate for kids about art, suggests a fun collage idea here: How to make a collage.
Another fun idea is to help your students to create a ‘Superhero Dad’ poster. The Cartoon Museum (the museum for British cartoons, caricatures and comic strips in London) offers some great ideas and useful step-by-step instructions here: How to draw a cartoon character.
💡 These craft ideas allow your English learners to unleash their creativity and practise their English language skills though messages and descriptive language related to fatherhood.
Father's Day Discussions & Debates
Engage your older students in meaningful discussions or debates about Father's Day topics. For example, they can discuss the importance of celebrating Father's Day and its significance in different cultures, the qualities of a great father or the role of fathers in modern society and how it has evolved over time.
And if you want to motivate your students to work on their reading and writing skills too, ask them to write an essay or review focusing on a fictional father figure (from a book or a film) who has a significant impact on the main character's life and offers important lessons on what it means to be a good dad.
💡 These activities help your English learners to learn how to express their thoughts and ideas coherently and develop their critical thinking and analysis skills. Remember to adapt the speaking and/or writing topics to suit the language proficiency of your students.
