Easter Traditions
0
Bunnies and Baskets
All around the world Easter is celebrated
as a religious holiday. But in many countries,
the Easter Bunny is just as popular.
The tradition of the Easter Bunny dates
back thousands of years when people
worshipped spirits and gods in nature. In
fact, the word Easter comes from an
ancient god of spring named Eostre. Most
cultures celebrated the warm weather,
budding crops, and baby animals that came
with spring. Rabbits quickly became a
symbol for spring because of the high
number of baby bunnies born as soon as the
weather breaks.
In 1680, a story was written about a
bunny who laid eggs and hid them in a fresh
spring garden. Children began making nests
so that the bunny would have a safe place
for his eggs. Over time, the nests turned
into baskets and the eggs were replaced
with candies and toys. It is believed that
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx German
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx immigrants
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx brought these
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx stories and
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx traditions with
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxthem as they
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxcrossed the
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxAtlantic Ocean on
their way to America.
The Eggs
Spring is considered a time of new life.
As the weather grows warmer, animals
begin to have their babies, people finally
leave their homes to enjoy warm weather,
and plants begin to grow. The egg is a
symbol of a new life. Children decorate
hard-boiled eggs as a way to celebrate
Easter.
In 1885 in Russia, a man named Peter
Carl Faberge began making eggs from gold
and precious jewels. Faberge created these
eggs for the king to give to his wife. Today,
these eggs can be worth over 1.8 million
dollars.
8.
Beans, Chocolate Bunnies,
and Marshmallow Peeps
Easter has become famous for baskets filled
with sweet treats. In fact, over 120 million pounds
of candy is sold each Easter season.
The first chocolate bunny was created in
Germany in the 1800’s. This sweet snack is the
most popular Easter treat. 90 million chocolate
bunnies are born in the United States each year
and 76% of Americans admit to munching on the
bunny’s ears first.
Marshmallow Peeps are the most popular non-
chocolate Easter treat. In 1910, a man named Sam
Born traveled from Russia to the United States.
Born began experimenting with candy and opened a
candy shop. By 1953, Peeps were created! 700
million Peeps are born in a Pennsylvania factory
each year.
Jellybeans are another famous Easter snack.
This chewy candy has been around since before the
Civil War. Jellybeans didn’t become an Easter
holiday candy until the 1930’s, when candy
storeowners started advertising them as mini
Easter eggs. Today, the candy is a popular treat.
Over 16 billion jellybeans are made each year. The
Jelly Belly Company creates 133 different flavors
of jellybeans.
Easter Around the World
Many Americans celebrate Easter with egg
hunts, candy filled baskets, and family dinners. Each
year, the President hosts the Easter Egg Roll on
the White House lawn. This tradition first began in
1878 when Rutherford B. Hayes was President.
An Easter Parade is held in New York City each
year. Some historians believe that this tradition
started in the mid-1800’s, when wealthy people
would parade up and down the streets to show off
their new spring outfits after church.
In Switzerland, children wait for a cuckoo bird
to deliver their Easter treats. Across Germany,
children wait for a fox, chick, stork, or even a
rooster to fill their basket. Those living in Haux,
France will enjoy a giant omelet on Easter Monday.
The omelet will use over 4,500
eggs and will feed 1,000 people.
Many countries in Europe burn
bonfires over Easter weekend.
The warmth from the fire is
believed to chase winter away.
1. This article was most likely written by…
a. a scientist b. a historian
c. a doctor d. a politician

2. Which word could replace breaks in this sentence?

The high number of baby bunnies are born as soon as the weather breaks.
a. falls b. stops
c. changes d. cools

3. Which of these statements is an example of personification? Choose all correct answers.

a. 90 million chocolate bunnies are born in the United States each year.
b. 76% of Americans admit to munching on the bunny’s ears first.
c. The warmth from the fire is believed to chase winter away.
d. Children decorate hard-boiled eggs as a way to celebrate Easter.

4. How does the author show that candy is an important part of Easter celebrations?
a. The Jelly Belly Company creates 133 different flavors of jellybeans.
b. Today, these eggs can be worth over 1.8 million dollars.
c. By 1953, Peeps were created!
d. In fact, over 120 million pounds of candy is sold each Easter season.

5. How does the author show that Easter has been celebrated for thousands of years?
a. In 1885 in Russia, a man named Peter Carl Faberge began making eggs from gold and
precious jewels.
b. In fact, the word Easter comes from an ancient god of spring named Eostre.
c. 90 million chocolate bunnies are born in the United States each year.
d. Over time, the nests turned into baskets and the eggs were replaced with candies and
toys.
6. What is the main idea of the heading Bunnies and Baskets?
a. The Easter holiday is connected with celebrations of spring.
b. The Easter bunny used to leave eggs in flower gardens.
c. German immigrants brought Easter traditions with them to America.
d. Rabbits are an ancient symbol for spring.

7. Which of the following details belongs in the heading Bunnies and Baskets?
a. Ancient Greeks believed that Eostre brought the warmth and the light of spring.
b. Easter is a different day each year.
c. Early Easter baskets were made to look like birds’ nests.
d. The White House chefs dye over 11,000 eggs each year for the Easter Egg Roll.

8. Why is the word Easter capitalized in this article?

a. It is the name of an ancient Greek god. b. It is the name of a place.
c. It is the name of a season. d. It is the name of a holiday.

9. What is the relationship between these sentences?

All around the world Easter is celebrated as a religious holiday.
But in many countries, the Easter Bunny is just as popular.

a. The first sentence gives the main idea. The second sentence gives a detail.
b. The sentences show a sequence of events.
c. The sentences show steps in a process.
d. The sentences compare and contrast two ideas.

10. What can the reader learn from this sentence?

Faberge created these eggs for the king to give to his wife.
a. Faberge’s favorite holiday was Easter.
b. The king’s favorite holiday was Easter.
c. Faberge was very skillful at creating the eggs.
d. Faberge became rich after working for the king.
1. This article was most likely written by…
a. a scientist b. a historian
c. a doctor d. a politician

2. Which word could replace breaks in this sentence?

The high number of baby bunnies are born as soon as the weather breaks.
a. falls b. stops
c. changes d. cools

3. Which of these statements is an example of personification? Choose all correct answers.

a. 90 million chocolate bunnies are born in the United States each year.
b. 76% of Americans admit to munching on the bunny’s ears first. Easter is the second
biggest candy holiday
c. The warmth from the fire is believed to chase winter away. after Halloween.

d. Children decorate hard-boiled eggs as a way to celebrate Easter.

4. How does the author show that candy is an important part of Easter celebrations?
a. The Jelly Belly Company creates 133 different flavors of jellybeans. Choice B talks about
Faberge eggs.
b. Today, these eggs can be worth over 1.8 million dollars. Choices A and C
c. By 1953, Peeps were created! discuss candy, but
not in relation to the
d. In fact, over 120 million pounds of candy is sold each Easter season. Easter holiday.

5. How does the author show that Easter has been celebrated for thousands of years?
a. In 1885 in Russia, a man named Peter Carl Faberge began making eggs from gold and
precious jewels.
b. In fact, the word Easter comes from an ancient god of spring named Eostre.
c. 90 million chocolate bunnies are born in the United States each year.
d. Over time, the nests turned into baskets and the eggs were replaced with candies and
toys.
 Christian missionaries merged
Pagan practices with Christian
6. What is the main idea of the heading Bunnies and Baskets? beliefs. Pagans already
celebrated spring and
a. The Easter holiday is connected with celebrations of spring. Christians tied these traditions
b. The Easter bunny used to leave eggs in flower gardens. with the Easter holiday.

c. German immigrants brought Easter traditions with them to America.

d. Rabbits are an ancient symbol for spring.

7. Which of the following details belongs in the heading Bunnies and Baskets?
a. Ancient Greeks believed that Eostre brought the warmth and the light of spring.
b. Easter is a different day each year.
c. Early Easter baskets were made to look like birds’ nests.
d. The White House chefs dye over 11,000 eggs each year for the Easter Egg Roll.

Question 6 and
7 go together.
8. Why is the word Easter capitalized in this article? Question 6
asks the main
a. It is the name of an ancient Greek god. b. It is the name of a place.
idea and
c. It is the name of a season. d. It is the name of a holiday. question 7
asks for a
supporting
detail.
9. What is the relationship between these sentences?
All around the world Easter is celebrated as a religious holiday.
But in many countries, the Easter Bunny is just as popular.

a. The first sentence gives the main idea. The second sentence gives a detail.
b. The sentences show a sequence of events.
c. The sentences show steps in a process. Faberge eggs
were made for
d. The sentences compare and contrast two ideas. Tsar Alexander III
starting in 1885

10. What can the reader learn from this sentence?

Faberge created these eggs for the king to give to his wife.
a. Faberge’s favorite holiday was Easter. Eggs, meat, and dairy
products were
b. The king’s favorite holiday was Easter. traditional given up
for Lent, making
c. Faberge was very skillful at creating the eggs. eggs at Easter a
d. Faberge became rich after working for the king. special treat.
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