Учебная дисциплина "Английский язык". Тема: "National Symbols of the USA" ("Национальные символы США")

Разделы: Иностранные языки

Цели урока:

  1. Обучающая: развивать навыки чтения и монологической речи.
  2. Воспитательная: воспитывать толерантность к иностранной культуре.
  3. Образовательная: знакомить студентов с возможностями обучающих презентаций в изучении иностранного языка.
  4. Развивающая: развивать способности к межкультурному взаимодействию.

Оборудование: мультимедийная аппаратура, запись гимна США, американский флаг, фотографии.

Ход урока

I. The teacher:

What is important to Americans? Of course, this depends on who you talk to. But it seems most Americans share a belief in democracy and freedom as well as pride in the historic places and monuments that symbolize these beliefs. This lesson looks at some of these symbols.

(Приложение 1 – мультимедийная презентация. Приложение 2 – тексты к слайдам мультимедийной презентации). Now listen to the text about American Symbols and be ready to answer the questions:

  • What American Symbols do you know?
  • What document declared the freedom of the original 13 colonies?
  • Where was the Liberty Bell placed in 1976?
  • How is the flag of the USA called?
  • How many stars are there on the flag of the USA?
  • How many stripes are there on the flag of the USA?
  • Why are there 13 stripes on the flag of the USA?
  • What does the eagle have?
  • What does an olive branch mean?
  • What do arrows mean?
  • What is an official song of the USA?
  • Where can we see the Statue of Liberty?
  • Where did the first symbols of two main political parties appear?
  • What is the unofficial symbol of the US government?

II. The teacher:

Patriotism exists in all countries. Like in many other countries, in the United States, citizens show their patriotism by displaying flags, singing the national anthem, and watching Independence Day parades. People sometimes criticize the United States' national anthem, or song, because it's a song about war, and it's difficult to sing. Can you understand the words of the song? Work with a partner and rewrite the song in your own words. Work with one or two lines at a time. Write your understanding of the lines in the blanks on the right. The first four are done for you.

The National Anthem: "Star-Spangled Banner" (by Francis Scott Key)

Oh, say can you see Can you see________________
by the dawn's early light, early this morning,__________
what so proudly we hailed that thing we praised________
by the twilight's last gleaming, when the sun was setting_____
whose broad stripes and bright stars __________________________
through the perilous fight __________________________
o'er' the ramparts' we watched __________________________
were so gallantly1 streaming? __________________________
And the rockets' red glare, __________________________
the bombs bursting in air __________________________
gave proof through the night __________________________
that our flag was still there. __________________________
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave ____________________
O'er the land of the free __________________________
and the home of the brave? ___________________________

III. Try to translate the song. (Приложение 3).

IV. The teacher:

The flag is an important symbol for many Americans. It is a visual symbol of liberty and history. In 1976 the U.S. Congress made a law that said how the flag should be treated. The actual Flag Code is written in legal language (Приложение 4).

Scan the text for the facts, dates, proper names.

Before you read, think about these questions:

  • Do you think a flag is an important national symbol?
  • Does your country have laws about the flag?
  • What does your country's flag look like?

Cultural Cues

military salute A gesture made by placing the hand straight, with the palm down, above the eyebrow.

stand at attention Standing tall and looking straight ahead without talking.

V. Check Your Comprehension

  1. Who should remove their hats during the "Star-Spangled Banner?"
  2. When should the flag be displayed?
  3. When should the flag not be displayed?
  4. What does "stand at attention" mean?
  5. Can you display the flag at night? Explain your answer.
  6. Who should salute the flag?
  7. Where should the flag be displayed?

VI. Understanding from Context

Even though the language of this reading was simplified, some passages might still be difficult to understand. Find the following phrases in the reading. Then, read the words or sentences around that phrase to understand what it means. Write the meanings on the following lines.

1. the Pledge of Allegiance ____________________________________________

  1. the Republic ____________________________________________________
  2. the universal custom ____________________________________________
  3. a patriotic effect _______________________________________________
  4. an all-weather flag _________________________________________________

VII. Vocabulary Word Search

This word search includes words about the flag. First, look up any words you don’t know. Then, find the words in the grid and circle them. Remember that words can be found going in any direction. Cross the words off the list when you find them.

Anthem, freedom, salute, banner, military, star, blue, patriot, stripe, display, red, white, flagpole, rockets.

VIII. Answer the questions:

  1. Why do you think the Congress made laws about the flag?
  2. Do you think most Americans obey the flag laws? Why or why not?
  3. You notice Mother's Day is on the list of holidays for displaying the
    flag, but Father's Day is not. What is your opinion of this?
  4. Should people be allowed to dishonor the flag—not salute it, or even
    burn it? (This is a controversial issue in the United States).

IX. In the text “The Liberty Bell” you will find some information about the Liberty Bell, a symbol of American freedom (Приложение 5).

Before you read, think about the following questions:

  • What symbols do you associate with the United States?
  • What objects are symbols of your home country?

Cultural Cues:

The Pennsylvania Assembly A group of representatives that make laws in the state of Pennsylvania.

William Penn A religious leader and American colonist; he was born in London, England, in 1644. In 1681, King Charles II of England made him the owner of the land north of Maryland. The land was named Pennsylvania for Perm's father. (Sylvania means "woods".) Although he is known as the founder of the Pennsylvania colony, he lived there only briefly (1682-1683, 1699-1701). He returned to England in 1701, where he died in the same year.

First Continental Congress The first national government organization in 1774; the First Continental Congress expressed the country's desire for freedom.

Battle of Lexington and Concord The first major battle of the Revolutionary War; it took place in two Massachusetts towns on April 19, 1775.

Panama-Pacific Exposition A world fair and exhibition.

X. Check Your Comprehension

  1. Who was William Penn?
  2. Why was the Liberty Bell ordered?
  3. What was wrong with the first Liberty Bell?
  4. How was the Bell fixed?
  5. How did the people feel about the second Liberty Bell?
  6. Why did some citizens petition the government about the Bell?
  7. When did the crack appear in the final Liberty Bell?
  8. The Bell has been removed from Pennsylvania twice. What were the reasons?
  9. What did the crack symbolize to some people?
  10. How is the Bell used today?

XI. Understanding Processes

The story “Liberty Bell” explains a historical process. This process has many details. It may help you to understand and remember better if you complete a timeline of the information in the reading. Complete the following timeline to help you understand processes. The first event is done for you. Include all the information from the reading.

Date: Event:
1751 The Liberty Bell was ordered.
   
   
   
   
   

XII.VOCABULARY. New Words

The following words are found in the reading. Review the reading to be sure you know what they mean. Then, fill in the blanks with the correct words or phrases:

belfry, golden anniversary, steeple, decade, recast, cupola, proclaim, brittle, petition pavilion, bicentennial, toll.

  1. A _______________ has ten years.
  2. A dome might also be called a______________________________________.
  3. A garden area where you might see an exposition is a___________________.
  4. A narrow, pointed part of a building is called a___________________________.
  5. A place where you would find a bell is a______________________________.
  6. Another word for "ring" is__________________________________________.
  7. If something breaks easily it is probably ______________________________.
  8. If you __________________________something, you state it to be true.
  9. Something many people might sign in order to express their opinion is a____________________.
  10. The fiftieth birthday of something is called its_______________________________________________.
  11. The second hundredth birthday of something is called its_________________.
  12. To make something out of metal again is to______________________________.

XIII. THINK ABOUT IT

  1. The quotation on the Liberty Bell says, "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." What does this mean? Why is it important to the meaning of the Bell?
  2. Do bells have any special meaning in your culture? If so, explain this meaning to your class.
  3. Have you ever signed a petition? If so, for what cause?

XIV. Project work (homework).

  • Find on the Internet information about American and Russian National Symbols. Compare National Symbols of the USA and Russia.
  • What do you think about these Symbols?
  • What do the Symbols mean for the state and the individual in the USA and in Russia?
  • Present your information.