Unit Goals

understand moderately complex informative texts

identify main ideas, supporting details, and message

Infer meaning from context

discuss the relationship between remembrance and independence

use academic vocabulary in speaking and writing

Part A - Pre-Reading

Discussion: Why do countries have memorial days? Why is collective remembrance important? Why is independence meaningful? How are sadness and celebration connected in Israeli society?

 

Vocabulary in Context

connected - מחובר             equality - שוויון             marks - מציין             opportunity - הזדמנות              reflect - משכף             sadness - עצב

 

1. Choose the correct word and complete the sentence

reflect         sadness        marks     connected         equality     opportunity

  1. Yom HaAtzmaut the establishment of the State of Israel.
  2. Students have the to learn about the history of independence.
  3. On this day, people   on the past and think about the future.
  4. Yom HaAtzmaut is closely to Yom HaZikaron, which comes before it.
  5. Even during the celebrations, people may still feel some because of the previous day.
  6. Many people believe in and want all citizens to be treated the same.

 

Reading 2:

A Day of Independence

Yom HaAtzmaut is Israel’s Independence Day and marks the day the State of Israel was established. It is a day of celebration across the country.

For many Israelis, Independence Day is an opportunity to reflect on how far the country has come since 1948.  Since its early years Israel has had to fight wars, economic difficulties as well as social challenges.  In spite of these obstacles (מכשולים) Israel has developed into a modern state with international achievements in agriculture, medicine, science and technology.

Yom HaAtzmaut comes right after Yom HaZikaron, which gives the day a special meaning. It shows that independence is connected to remembering people who lost their lives for the country. The joy of celebration does not take away the sadness; instead, it comes from it.

Many people were part of building the country. For this reason, the day is not only a celebration but also a time to think about the past.

This day also invites citizens to think about the future. Independence is not only about the past or about political freedom. It is also about building a society based on democracy, equality, responsibility and hope. For this reason, Yom HaAtzmaut is both a celebration and a challenge.

At school, students learn about the history of Israel and the events that led to independence. They study how the country was established and how it has developed over time. This helps them gain a deeper understanding of why the importance of the day.

1. Why is Yom HaAtzmaut an important day for Israelis?

2. What do students learn about this day at school?

3. How does the connection to Yom HaZikaron give Yom HaAtzmaut a deeper meaning?

4. Why do you think people continue to think about the past during a day of celebration?

5. What can you understand about the importance of independence from this text?

6. What does going from sadness to celebration reflect about the Israeli society?

7. Find Evidence in the Text:

that people celebrate in different ways

that the day is both joyful and meaningful

  {{special meaning}}}

that students learn about the past

 

8. Personal ReflectionWhy do you think it is important to celebrate independence as well as to remember the past?

9. Comparing the DaysFind one difference between the two days.

10. Comparing the Days- Find one similarity between the two days.

.

11. Cause and Effect - Complete the sentence to show a clear cause and effect.

 When the siren is heard across the country, people

12. Cause and Effect - Complete the sentence to show a clear cause and effect.

 When people hear personal stories about those who died, they

13. Cause and Effect - Complete the sentence to show a clear cause and effect.

 Because Yom HaAtzmaut comes after Yom HaZikaron

14. Cause and Effect - Complete the sentence to show a clear cause and effect.

 When people celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut, they

15. Complete the sentences using each of the following connectors once:

although  because  while  however

  1.   Yom HaAtzmaut is a day of celebration, it comes right after a day of sadness.
  2. People celebrate with family and friends   it is an important national holiday.
  3. people feel joy on Yom HaAtzmaut, they may still think about the past.
  4. Yom HaZikaron is a serious day;   Yom HaAtzmaut is a day of celebration.
16.
  1. Writing
Why is it important for a nation to remember its past. Write 120 – 140 words.

You may include examples from the texts.

 

Remember to include:
  • reference to past / independence
  • an idea from the text
  • your opinion

0 words typed

17. Speaking and Presenting Prepare a 1-2 minute presentation on:

How do Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut help us understand the story of Israel?

 

Include: one idea from each text    how the two days are connected   your opinion

 

Check your presentation for:
  • content
  • clarity
  • connection between days
  • opinion
you may use power point to record your presentation and send to your teacher to evaluate