Guy Fawkes Day, also called Bonfire Night, is celebrated on November 5, commemorating the failure of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

The Gunpowder Plot conspirators, led by Robert Catesby, were zealous Roman Catholics enraged at King James I for refusing to grant greater religious tolerance to Catholics. They planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament (Palace of Westminster) during the state opening of Parliament, intending to kill the king and members of Parliament in order to clear the way to reestablishing Catholic rule in England. The plan failed when the conspirators were betrayed. One of them, Guy Fawkes, was taken into custody the evening before the attack, in the cellar where the explosives to be used were stashed. The other conspirators were all either killed resisting capture or—like Fawkes—tried, convicted, and executed. In the aftermath, Parliament declared November 5 a national day of thanksgiving, and the first celebration of it took place in 1606.[Source]

FREE! Festivals – Readings w/ Full Lesson Plans for ESL or High School Classes from The Laughing Linguist on Teachers Pay Teachers

★Your students will love their new reading material. Truly engaging topics rather than the snooze-fest that textbooks often provide them with. Colourful, high-quality readings with interesting topics that are bound to catch the interest of your students.

☛ Guy Fawkes Night/ Bonfire Night,
☛ Pamplona’s Running of the Bulls
☛ Burning Man Festival

FREE – Guy Fawkes Night (Bonfire Night) – British Festival Reading Lesson from The Laughing Linguist on Teachers Pay Teachers

FREE Reading lesson with Full lesson plan. Work with your students to learn about the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot and it’s annual celebration. It contains pre-reading activities, a reading, synonym match, comprehension check & discussion starters.

The Gunpowder Plot: On November 5th, 1602, Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators were arrested trying to plant explosives under the Houses of Parliament and blow up King James I and the House of Lords. The foiling of this plot is celebrated to this day and involves the dressing up of a doll, named a “Guy”, who is put on top of a bonfire and burnt. The celebration also involves heavy use of fireworks, leading it to be often called Fireworks Night. It’s a really interesting festival and makes an interesting change from the usual diet of Thanksgiving and Halloween lessons that students get fed every fall!

Guy Fawkes / Bonfire Night song | History | La La La Learn from on Teachers Pay Teachers

The story of Guy Fawkes and how Bonfire Night came to be; told through the medium of music.

Remember, remember, the fifth of November

Bonfire night mini pack from Worms Eye View on Teachers Pay Teachers

This is a mini pack all about Bonfire night. Including a fireworks safety page, colouring pictures and the story of Guy Fawkes.

Bonfire Night Guided reading comprehension texts – Guy Fawkes from Teacher’s Time Turner on Teachers Pay Teachers

Take a look at these Bonfire Night comprehension texts. If you are looking for something to use for you class in the run up to Guy Fawkes night then these are ideal.

Please note – as this is a resource about the British holiday of Bonfire Night / Guy Fawkes, it uses British English spelling. This may be a good talking point for your class if you do not usually use these spellings.

ESL Reading activity and game (British Culture) Bonfire Night on Nov 5th from PIA on Teachers Pay Teachers

Here is a loop game and reading activity about Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes night for ESL learners. I hope this will be useful for both of you and your students.

Bonfire Night Writing Task Cards from Holly Rachel on Teachers Pay Teachers

This Bonfire Night freebie is the perfect starting point for writing activities based on Guy Fawkes Night, the 5th November.

Included are 16 task cards, four per page. Simply print, laminate for durability and cut out and they will be ready to inspire your students! Writing tasks include poetry, instructions, persuasion, recount and much more!