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1. Thanksgiving Day

   In: Celebrate! Holidays in the U.S.A. Format(s): Text

   Thursday is Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. It is a day to gather with family and friends and enjoy a traditional meal. Learn about the history of this holiday and how people celebrate it today.

2. Wordmaster

   Format(s): Website

   Readings and corresponding podcasts on American English usage, produced by Voice of America.

3. American Rhythms

   Format(s): MP3, Text

   The Sing Out Loud American Rhythms CD includes a variety of musical genres from many different artists in the U.S.A. These songs will appeal to teens and young adults. This "hybrid" CD also contains a teacher's guide to using music in the classroom.

4. Plays for Reading

   Format(s): Text

   Plays for Reading uses drama as a vehicle for students to practice reading, listening, and speaking. Students become actors interpreting the written text, and the English classroom becomes a rehearsal hall with the focus placed upon putting on a play.

5. 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.

6. VOA Interactive Learning: Wordbooks

   Format(s): Text, Website

   Interactive wordbooks for business English and general English, and an idiom dictionary. Learn English and American Business English.

7. 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.

8. Alaska! The Last Frontier

   In: English Teaching Forum 2002, Volume 40, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article describes Alaska, the 49th state of the U.S. It presents facts about Alaska’s native people and their life style, history, transportation, and education. It also provides a text about “Iditarod,” which is an annual sled-dog race, held in Alaska since 1973.

9. The Lighter Side

   In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 1 Format(s): Text

   These are two vocabulary activities. “J-Words Crossword Puzzle” invites students to use clues to fill in a crossword with words that start with the letter “J.” "Postcards Word Search" uses vocabulary from the feature article, "A Postcard from America."

10. Merriam-Webster's Pocket Dictionary

    Format(s): Text

    The Merriam-Webster's Pocket Dictionary is a concise yet comprehensive guide packed with information about the words most commonly used in speech and writing.

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