Lesson & Activities - Labour Day: The Long Weekend That Signals The End Of Summer
- 2 days ago
- 9 min read
✦ This lesson includes these sections:
☞ PART 1 - Looking Forward To Labour Day
☞ PART 2 - What Is Labour Day?
☞ PART 3 - The Labour Day Long Weekend
☞ PART 4 - The History of Labour Day
☞ PART 5 - Labour Day in Canada & In The United States
☞ PART 6 -Why Don’t People Wear White After Labour Day?
☞ PART 7 - Labour Day Means Back to School
☞ LISTENING - Labour Day
☞ PART 8 - What Do Canadians Do On Labour Day?
☞ ACTIVITY - Labour Day Activities Matching Exercise
☞ POLL - Labour Day Activity That I Like The Most
☞ PART 9 - Concluding Thoughts
☞ QUIZ - Test Your Knowledge
✦ Click on each section from above to see it ↑
✦ Click on each title box from below to get back here ↓
Labour Day:
The Long Weekend That Signals
the End of Summer
Speaking Activity
Conversation Questions
Instructions:
Listen to and read the conversation questions.
Practice your speaking by answering each question out loud.
See some possible answers to the conversation questions by clicking the side arrows next to each question.
Conversation Questions
1. What is Labour Day?
Labour Day is a holiday that celebrates workers and their hard work.
2. When is Labour Day celebrated in Canada?
It is celebrated on the first Monday of September.
3. What do people often do on Labour Day weekend?
People often have barbecues, travel, relax, and spend time with family and friends..
4. Do you usually do anything special on Labour Day?
Yes, I usually have a barbecue with my family.
5. Why do many people think about school during Labour Day weekend?
Many people think about school during Labour Day because school usually starts after Labour Day.
Writing Activity
Pre-Reading Vocabulary
Instructions:
Get a pencil and paper.
Copy the words from below.
Look up the definitions of the words online.
Learn the definitions of each word.
Important Words - Labour Day
labour
autumn
statutory holiday
contribution
worker
community
economy
workplace
event
cottage
origin
strike
union
parade
Labour Day
The Long Weekend That Signals
The End Of Summer
Instructions:
Read the following text.
Listen to the audio files.
Complete the activities within the lesson.
Note: Reading out loud when learning a new language is important because it helps you practice your pronunciation. When you speak the words, you can hear how they sound, and this will improve your speaking skills.
Looking Forward To Labour Day
As summer begins to wind down, Canadians look forward to one final long weekend before fall arrives. Labour Day is a time for family gatherings, barbecues, road trips, and enjoying the last warm days of the season. For many people, it is also a reminder that a new school year is just around the corner. But Labour Day is more than simply a day off. It is a holiday with a fascinating history that celebrates the contributions of workers across Canada.
What Is Labour Day?
Labour Day is a statutory holiday that honours the hard work and achievements of Canadian workers. It recognizes the important role workers have played in building our communities, strengthening our economy, and improving workplaces across the country. Today, many people celebrate Labour Day by spending time with family and friends, attending community events, or simply enjoying a well-deserved day of rest.
The Labour Day Long Weekend
Labour Day is celebrated on the first Monday of September every year. Because Labour Day always falls on a Monday, people enjoy a three-day weekend known as the Labour Day long weekend. The holiday is often considered the unofficial end of summer. As cottages close for the season and families return from their final summer getaways, there is a noticeable shift toward the routines of autumn.
The History of Labour Day
The origins of Labour Day date back to the 1870s, when workers were fighting for better working conditions and shorter working hours. One of the most significant events occurred in Toronto in 1872 when printers went on strike in support of a shorter workday. Public demonstrations supporting these workers eventually helped lead to the legalization of unions in Canada through the Trade Unions Act.
Over the following years, labour organizations held parades, rallies, and celebrations across the country. As these events became more popular, pressure grew for the government to officially recognize the holiday.
In 1894, Labour Day became a national public holiday in Canada. Today, Labour Day serves as a reminder of the progress made in workers' rights and workplace protections, while also celebrating the contributions of Canadian workers past and present.
Labour Day in Canada
&
Labor Day in the United States
Many people are surprised to learn that Labour Day in Canada and Labor Day in the United States are very similar. Both holidays take place on the first Monday of September and are dedicated to recognizing workers and their contributions to society. Canadians spell the holiday "Labour Day" using Canadian English spelling, while Americans spell it "Labor Day."
Although the Labour Day and Labor Day holidays share many traditions, including parades, barbecues, family gatherings, and marking the unofficial end of summer, their histories are slightly different. Canada's Labour Day has strong connections to the labour movement and the 1872 printers' strike in Toronto, while the American holiday developed through the labour movement in the United States. Today, both countries celebrate the holiday in similar ways, making it a special long weekend for workers, families, and communities.
Why Don’t People Wear White After Labour Day?
One of the most well-known traditions connected to Labour Day is the old-fashioned rule that says people should not wear white after the Labour Day holiday. This tradition began in the late 1800s and early 1900s, when white clothing was often associated with summer because it was lighter and cooler to wear during hot weather. Since Labour Day became known as the unofficial end of summer, many people viewed it as the time to put away their white summer wardrobe and switch to darker autumn colours. Some historians also believe the tradition became a social custom among wealthier Canadians and Americans who followed strict seasonal fashion rules.
Today, most people no longer follow this rule, and fashion experts agree that white can be worn year-round. However, the saying remains a fun piece of cultural history that continues to be discussed every September.
Labour Day Means Back to School
For many people, Labour Day represents more than the end of summer. It also signals the start of a new school year. Across most of Canada, students return to school shortly after the Labour Day weekend. For many families, the holiday marks the transition from summer holidays and relaxed schedules to classrooms, homework, and extracurricular activities. The days leading up to Labour Day are often filled with back-to-school shopping, buying school supplies, organizing schedules, and preparing for the excitement of a new academic year.
Labour Day
Instructions:
Press the play buttons below.
Listen to the audio file.
Use the reading from above to follow along with the audio file.
Labour Day
What Do Canadians Do On Labour Day?
*Before reading about the activities that people can do on Labour Day, look at each picture from above, and talk about what you see.
While Labour Day has important historical roots, modern celebrations are often centred around spending time with family and friends.
Here are a few popular activities Canadians enjoy during the Labour Day long weekend:
Labour Day Activity #1
Having A Barbecue
Explanation: Many people have a barbecue on Labour Day weekend. It is a great way to spend time with family and friends before summer ends. People cook food outside and enjoy eating together.
Example: A family invites friends over for hamburgers, hot dogs, and salads.
Labour Day Activity #2
Going To A Cottage
Explanation: Many Ontarians visit a cottage during the Labour Day weekend. They enjoy the lake, relax outdoors, and spend time away from the city.
Example: A family spends the weekend at their cottage in Muskoka and goes swimming in the lake.
Labour Day Activity #3
Going Camping
Explanation: Camping is a popular Labour Day activity. People enjoy nature and use the long weekend for one last camping trip before autumn.
Example: A family stays at a provincial park and sleeps in a tent for three nights.
Labour Day Activity #4
Taking One Final Road Trip
Explanation: Some people take a short road trip during the long weekend. They visit new places and enjoy exploring Ontario.
Example: A couple drives to Niagara Falls and spends the day sightseeing.
Labour Day Activity #5
Going To The Beach
Explanation: If the weather is warm, many people go to the beach. It is a good chance to enjoy the last days of summer.
Example: A family spends the afternoon swimming and relaxing at Wasaga Beach.
Labour Day Activity #6
Watching Sports
Explanation: Labour Day weekend is an exciting time for sports fans. Many Canadians gather to watch football games or other sporting events with friends and family.
Example: A group of friends watches a Canadian football game while enjoying snacks and cheering for their favourite team.
Labour Day Activity #7
Attending A Labour Day Parade
Explanation: Labour Day parades have been an important part of the holiday for many years. They celebrate workers and the contributions they make to their communities. Some parades include marching bands, community groups, labour unions, and local organizations.
Example: A family attends a Labour Day parade in Toronto and watches marching bands, colourful floats, and community groups walk through the streets.
Labour Day Activity #8
Getting Ready For School
Explanation: Labour Day weekend is often the last weekend before school starts. Families use this time to prepare for the new school year.
Example: Parents buy notebooks, pencils, and backpacks for their children.
Reading & Writing Practice
Labour Day Activities
Matching Exercise
Instructions:
Get a pencil and paper.
Make a list from 1 to 10.
Read the 10 situations.
Use the chart - Labour Day Activities, and decide which Labour Day situation matches which activity.
Practice your writing by writing the name of the activity next to each number on your paper.
Check your answers by clicking on the side arrows next to each situation.
Labour Day Activities
1. Carlos said, “My friends and I went to Wasaga to swim. The weather was sunny, so we spent the afternoon swimming and relaxing by the water.” Which Labour Day activity did Carlos do?
Answer: Going to the Beach
2. Tracy said, “My family and I spent the weekend at a lake in Muskoka. We went swimming every day and sat by the water in the evening. It was a nice break from the city.” Which Labour Day activity did Tracy do?
Answer: Going to a Cottage
3. Aisha said, “My family and I cooked hamburgers and hot dogs outside and ate together in the backyard. Everyone had a great time.” Which Labour Day activity did Aisha do?
Answer: Having a Barbecue
4. Michael said, “On Monday, I went downtown with my family. We watched marching bands and local groups walk through the streets. There was lots of music, and many people came to watch.” Which Labour Day activity did Tracy do?
Answer: Attending A Labour Day Parade
5. Jennifer said, “My sister and I are starting school this week, so my parents took us shopping on the weekend. We bought notebooks, pencils, and lots of colourful markers.” Which Labour Day activity did Jennifer do?
Answer: Getting Ready for School
6. David said, “My friends and I watched a Canadian football game on television. We had snacks and cheered for our favourite team during the game.” Which Labour Day activity did David do?
Answer: Watching Sports
7. Sophia said, “My family and I wanted one more summer adventure, so we drove to Niagara Falls. We spent the day sightseeing and taking photos.” Which Labour Day activity did Sophia do?
Answer: Taking One Final Road Trip
8. Liam said, “My brother and I stayed at a provincial park for three nights. We slept in a tent, cooked over a campfire, and enjoyed hiking in nature.” Which Labour Day activity did Liam do?
Answer: Going Camping
Take Our Poll
Labour Day Activity That I Like The Most
Which Labour Day activity do you like the most?
Having A Barbecue
Going To The Beach
Going To A Cottage
Watching Sports
Concluding Thoughts
Labour Day is one of Canada's most meaningful holidays. It celebrates the contributions of workers, honours the history of the labour movement, and marks the transition from summer to fall. It is a day that brings people together while also reminding us of the importance of the rights and protections that many workers fought hard to achieve. Whether you spend the long weekend at a cottage, at a backyard barbecue, or preparing for the first day of school, Labour Day remains a special part of Canadian life and a beloved end-of-summer tradition.
Test Your Knowledge By Taking Our Quiz
Instructions:
Read the multiple-choice questions below.
Answer each question.
Click the Submit button when you are done.
Click the View Score button to check your results.
Click below for a reading without the accompanying activities:
Written by: Nicole WT
Copyright © Learn English with NETOL. All rights reserved.
Comments