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1. The Blues: Grammar and Glossary

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This is the last of a four-part series on the American musical style called “Blues.” The music grew out of the musical traditions of African slaves in the United States between 1619 and 1863, blended with the musical styles of Europe. It is closely related to Jazz. Blues and Jazz are the only two completely unique musical styles created in the United States. This section, as the title suggests, explains the words used in discussing the Blues and music in general, for example the use of “Blues” to mean more than just a color.

2. The Lighter Side

   In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 3 Format(s): Text

   The theme of this issue's "The Lighter Side" is the old west. It includes the song “Home on the Range,” history related to the tune, and a word find puzzle. This activity is appropriate for intermediate to advanced learners. Answers are included.

3. Elements of the Blues

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This is the third in a four-part series of essays on the American musical style called “Blues.” The music grew out of the musical traditions of African slaves in the United States between 1619 and 1863, blended with the musical styles of Europe. It is closely related to Jazz. Blues and Jazz are the only two completely unique musical styles created in the United States. This article covers the verse structure, the instruments, and other musical elements of the Blues.

4. The Cotton Club

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 2 Format(s): Text, Image / Poster / Maps

   This one-page piece details The Cotton Club, one of the most glamorous dance and music clubs in New York City in the 1920s and 1930s. The Cotton Club was located in Harlem, which in the 1920s was an African-American residential and cultural business center in New York. The club had 30 to 50 chorus girls who danced and sang and were only hired if they were beautiful and very tall. Although the singers and dancers were almost all black, the audience was almost all white, which was a sign of the racial American society at the time.

5. Lesson Plan: A Day at the Fair

   In: English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This issue’s lesson plan, “A Day at the Fair” follows the feature article on state and county fairs. After reading a summary of the article, learners are asked to list things they might experience with their senses at a fair. The terms may be used in a role play. Group members select roles and make decisions about how to spend a day at the fair according to the preferences on their cards. The lesson concludes with a reflection on decisions made during the role play.

6. VOA: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

   In: VOA American Stories Format(s): MP3, Video, Website

   In the U.S., October is famous for Halloween. One way to celebrate this holiday is by reading or listening to a famous spooky American classic via Voice of America. There’s even a lesson plan for teachers!

7. The Red Hot Blues

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This is the first in a four-part series of essays on the American musical style called “Blues.” This music grew out of the musical traditions of African slaves in the United States between 1619 and 1863, blended with the musical styles of Europe. It is closely related to Jazz. Blues and Jazz are the only two completely unique musical styles created in the United States. This article covers the history of the Blues, its influence on other musical styles, and the current state of this uniquely American music.

8. The Blues Singers

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This is the second in a four-part series about the Blues, a unique form of music born out of the African slave culture in the United States. When slaves were freed, their musical traditions blended with European musical styles into Jazz and the Blues. This article features stories about leading Blues musicians throughout the history of the music, including B. B. King, Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, and Bessie Smith.

9. About the U.S.A.

   Format(s): Text

   About the U.S.A. is an American Studies reader that examines the customs, government, and history of the United States of America.

10. VOA Podcast: Words and Their Stories: Dog Talk

    In: VOA Podcasts: Shows in Special English Format(s): MP3, Text

    From Voice of America Podcasts in Special English. Americans use many expressions with the word dog. Learn about their love for the animal and how they use the word. Download the MP3 or listen online.

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