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July 27th • Pranks & Morning Routines

National Sleepy Head Day

A traditional Finnish custom where the last person in the house to wake up is considered the sleepy head. In the old days, they were dunked in a lake or the ocean! Today, it’s a fun community festival in towns like Naantali, where a celebrity sleepy head is thrown into the harbour. Today, we debate the value of early rising, the psychology of pranks, and the importance of sleep.

A symbol of rest and morning wake-up calls

Speaking Discussion

  • Are you a morning person or a night owl? What are the biggest advantages and disadvantages of each lifestyle?
  • How would you react if your family or friends threw you into a cold lake because you woke up late?
  • Why does society value early risers so much more than people who work better at night? Is this fair?
  • Does your country have any traditions or festivals that involve playing pranks on people?
  • How important is a consistent sleep routine for your productivity and mental health?
  • If you were the celebrity sleepy head, would you enjoy the attention or find it deeply embarrassing?

Activity 1: The Great Debate

Motion: "Practical jokes and pranks are a healthy way to bond with friends and family, and people who get offended are simply too sensitive."

Split into two teams. Team A argues that humour and shared laughter (even at someone's expense) create social glue; Team B argues that pranks often border on bullying and can damage trust and safety.

Activity 2: Rapid Fire Sleep

Complete the sentence and justify it in 20 seconds.

  • "The best thing about sleeping in on a Sunday is..."
  • "Waking up early makes me feel..."
  • "A prank is only funny when..."