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1. Poems About Places

   In: Poems About Places Format(s): Text

   Learn about places – cities, provinces, villages, countries – that are special to the students who wrote poems about them. Read or download the poems!

2. Into the Garden

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

   This song is an example of folk and Americana music, which has a broad range of musical influences - from folk, country and blues to rock & roll and bluegrass.

3. The Wit of Porportuk

   In: To Build a Fire and Other Stories Format(s): Text

   In this story from To Build a Fire and Other Stories, an old and ill chief has a large debt and cannot find the means to pay it. The lender, Porportuk, offers to have the debt waived if the chief gives away his daughter.

4. The Law of Life

   In: To Build a Fire and Other Stories Format(s): Text

   In this story from To Build a Fire and Other Stories, an old and blind Alaskan Native man listens to the sounds of his tribe preparing to migrate to find food and thinks about the law of life: all things must die.

5. New Mexico: The Land of Enchantment

   In: English Teaching Forum 2009, Volume 47, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This article introduces students to the history, cultural diversity, art, landscape, and symbolism of America's 47th state, New Mexico. It offers a special section on the art and life of Georgia O'Keeffe and small sections are included on the pueblo peoples, the state's Spanish heritage, the transition from Mexican to U.S. Territorial rule, farming and keeping animals, and New Mexico's abundant natural resources.

6. Let’s Play Ball: Using Cultural Themes to Teach English

   In: American English Webinars Format(s): Text, Video

   This webinar will demonstrate how teachers can use one theme in American culture and society, Baseball, to give learners a toolkit for deciphering and using messages that contain a deep cultural context, no matter their source.

7. The Time is Now

   In: American Rhythms Format(s): MP3

   Travis Haddix’s song 'The Time is Now' is another soul-searching examples of blues music. Download this song or listen online.

8. The Making of a City

   In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 2 Format(s): Text

   This article about urban planning is appropriate for advanced learners. The content discusses city planners, planned cities (e.g. Chicago), zoning laws, and high-rise residential districts. There are many images, a glossary, and a list of related websites. There are two short sections. One is about Columbia, Maryland, the subject of another article in this issue (“Maps and Legends”). Columbia was a completely planned, experimental community. The second section is about rebuilding Cabrini Green, a Chicago neighborhood well known for its poverty and crime.

9. 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.

10. 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.

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