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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!

Football: Action on the Gridiron

In: English Teaching Forum 2010, Volume 48, Number 4 Format(s): Text

This issue features an in-depth article on the history, mechanics, gameplay, culture, and appeal of American football as well as a piece on America's yearly big event (the Super Bowl). There are powerful, dynamic sports photographs and descriptive, numbers-based explanations of how to play. The historical context reveals that football is not purely an American creation. A discussion of current-day football describes it as an event instead of just a game. A vocabulary section is also included so that students can learn how to 'talk football.'

Lesson Plan: Greetings from Sunny New Mexico

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

The New Mexico lesson plan for this issue is a self-contained 1 1/4 to 2 hour lesson with a complete pre- during- post framework for interacting with the main text - a letter from a friend living in New Mexico. The focus here is on the vocabulary and grammar of description (e.g., words for scenery and weather, relative "that" clauses). Extension activities are provided for multi-session lessons (e.g., written response, class survey).

Lesson Plan - Virginia: Jamestown and Its People (Volume 47, Issue 3)

In: English Teaching Forum 2009, Volume 47, Number 3 Format(s): Text

The lesson plan “Virginia: Jamestown and Its People” consists of two parts using Jamestown, a historical site in Virginia, and several of its famous figures as the source for classroom activities. Part I activities are about the site including a brief history of Jamestown and its artifacts as a basis for writing and speaking activities, while the second part focuses on some famous figures who lived there as a basis for listening and writing activities.

Fun with Weather

In: English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 2 Format(s): Text

This three-part weather-themed lesson for young learners connects weather, clothing, and feelings vocabulary. The target structures covered are: asking about the weather; comparing weather; using the modal auxiliary, should; and the question word, when. The lessons utilize all four skills and include such activities as going outside, singing, journaling, dressing a toy puppy, role play, and letter writing. Flashcards, riddles, a song, reading material, a listening script, and a sample letter are included.

Amazing Animals

In: English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 2 Format(s): Text

“Animals” is a three-part lesson plan for young learners with a zoo animal theme. The first lesson is full of activities to describe animals, with Simon Says, guessing games, and learning stations. The second lesson is about desert animals, but other types of animals could be chosen depending on student interest. This lesson teaches prepositions of place. The final lesson, using the Language Experience Approach, leads up to a trip to the zoo (real or virtual). The class constructs a story of their experience and reads it together. Animal flashcards are included.

U.S. National Parks: Protecting Nature and Providing Enjoyment

In: English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 4 Format(s): Text

This feature article on national parks is appropriate for use with higher intermediate or advanced learners. It offers vivid photos and describes the history of national parks, their creation, management, and expansion. The author discusses features of parks from different regions of the country: Acadia National Park (Maine), Denali National Park and Preserve (Alaska), Everglades National Park (Florida), Glacier National Park (Montana), and Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona). Information about the national parks conservation association and the national park foundation is also included.

State and County Fairs: Family Fun Across the USA

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

This feature article is on state and county fairs, “eagerly awaited celebrations of the nation’s agricultural bounty, love of competition, and community spirit.” The article discusses the history of fairs, where innovations in farm equipment and household appliances are displayed, and people engage in competition, fun, rides, and viewing curiosities. Some characteristics of fairs that are described are animals, education, competition, entertainment, and community involvement. Segments on 4-H and fair food follow the article.

Lesson Plan: Going Green

In: English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 4 Format(s): Text

The lesson plan, “Going Green,” allows students to develop research and problem-solving skills on the theme of environmental conservation. The lesson includes a glossary of environmental terms. It uses a learner-centered approach as learners work in groups to determine their topic, the vocabulary they want to learn, how to collect information, how to report it (qualitatively or quantitatively), and what action to take based on the results. Students report their findings and action plan in a poster presentation. Creative writing, a debate, or a "green fair" are optional extensions.

In the Loop

Format(s): Text, Image / Poster / Maps

This book is a wonderful reference guide to American English idioms for your classroom. The book includes idioms and their meanings, a list of idioms by theme, some ready-to-use classroom activities, and a comprehensive index.