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Two Writing Activities for Extensive Reading

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

These activities promote writing fluency and self-monitoring as well as skills such as getting started with writing and skimming. Students demonstrate understanding of their extensive reading. Timed repeated thinking and writing is similar to free-writing. It includes brief cycles of writing and reflecting. In each cycle, students start their writing over. A similar activity involves cycles of skimming, writing, and thinking. For variation, students can start from where their last writing left off or choose the most important point as a starting place for the next writing turn.

For Life's Sake

In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 4 Format(s): Text

In “For Life’s Sake,” author Linda Hogan provides the reader with a view of the cultural influences that have made her into the poet, essayist, and storyteller she is today. She describes how her ancestors and the beliefs she inherited as a Native American have inspired her choice of topics and shaped her writing into its unique style. Her love of trees is woven through the article. Hogan’s essay gives students a chance to understand and appreciate the life of a writer from another America. It includes her poem, “Affinity,” on the topic of horses, as well as a glossary of terms.

Design for Drama: Short Plays from American Literature

Format(s): Text

Design for Drama features a number of plays that are adapted from well-known American short stories and poems. Download the PDF or E-book.

Newspapers in America

In: English Teaching Forum 2006, Volume 44, Number 4 Format(s): Text

This is an introduction to American newspapers. It starts with a history of newspapers and the tradition of American journalism that challenges authority. The article offers a description and discussion of major American newspapers and the different sections of a typical newspaper. There is also a section introducing some famous American journalists.

Bowling: Entertainment for All Ages

In: English Teaching Forum 2011, Volume 49, Number 4 Format(s): Text

This feature article on bowling is written for learners. Bowling has changed in recent years and is growing in popularity once again. The article includes the history of bowling and recent trends, such as cosmic bowling, virtual bowling, efforts to make bowling appeal to kids and more. At the end of the article, readers will find bowling vocabulary, a list of related websites, and a section on “Bowling Basics.”

Classroom Activities

In: English Teaching Forum 2011, Volume 49, Number 4 Format(s): Text

This section presents three stand-alone learning activities related to the theme of bowling. A game for upper beginners is useful for sentence formation and vocabulary review on any topic. Intermediate learners can practice with imperatives by giving and following instructions on how to bowl. The final activity asks intermediate learners to engage in focused listening or reading. Extension possibilities are included for each of the three activities.

Localvore

In: American Rhythms Format(s): MP3, Text

In the folk song Localvore, Zach Ladin sings about supporting local foods, businesses, and communities. Download the MP3 or listen online.

Simple Down

In: American Rhythms Format(s): MP3

In Simple Down, California-based artist Lael Neale uses guitars and the banjo to sing about living a simpler life.

Not Afraid