November - easy reading

We change the clocks at the end of October so we have more light in the mornings but it gets dark very early, between 4 and 5 o’clock. The weather starts to get colder and the leaves fall off the trees. Some animals, for example bats and hedgehogs, go to sleep for the winter. This is called hibernation.

​November 5th is called Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Night. Some people go to a party where they light a big fire outside, called a bonfire, and have fireworks. They might eat baked potatoes, sausages and toffee apples. Other people have a few fireworks in the garden. About 400 years ago, some people decided to blow up the king and the Houses of Parliament but they were stopped. People lit bonfires to celebrate that the king lived. Nowadays, people don’t think about the history but just enjoy the fireworks!

The First World War ended in November 1918. In the UK, the Sunday closest to November 11th is Remembrance Sunday. We remember all the men and women who died serving their country during the two World Wars and in all wars since then. We are silent for one minute at 11 o’clock. People buy paper poppies and wear them as a sign of respect. The money from the poppies helps soldiers and their families. People also put poppies in cemeteries and at war memorials.

In November, some people start to think about Christmas shopping. The shops are full of Christmas trees, decorations and presents to buy. Some people want to do their shopping early but for some people, November is too early! In America, the fourth Thursday in November is called Black Friday. There are lots of cheap things in the shops on this day. Black Friday has recently started to be popular in Britain too. It can be a good day to find a good price in the shops or online.


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