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1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. The Lighter Side: National Park Symbols

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

   “National Park Symbols” is a matching activity in which students match the symbol of a park activity to its meaning.

6. The Lighter Side: Fair Finds

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

   “Fair Finds” is a word scramble using fair-related vocabulary.

7. The Autobiography of Mark Twain

   Format(s): Text

   The Autobiography of Mark Twain is an adaptation of Twain’s autobiography. Part of the Ladder series, this title has approximately three thousand headwords and is appropriate for upper intermediate to advanced learners.

8. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

9. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

   Format(s): Text

   An adaptation of a Mark Twain classic. Part of the Ladder series, at 1000 headwords, this title is appropriate for low-intermediate to intermediate learners.

10. Chapter 1: The Autobiography of Mark Twain

    In: The Autobiography of Mark Twain Format(s): Text

    Chapter 1 of The Autobiography of Mark Twain, an adaptation of Twain’s autobiography.

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