Brain-ring "Who knows about the USA more"

                Позакласний захід 

              з англійської мови

               у 10 класі

                              Тема. Брейн-ринг

Підготувала вчитель

англійської мови                                                                                                                                                                                Смотрицького ліцею

ім. М. Смотрицького

Войцехівська І. Ю.

Brain-ring

Who knows about the USA more

Мета:

• узагальнити вивчений матеріал за темою «Сполучені  штати Америки»;
• здійснити контроль знань з теми розвивати комунікативні навички учнів;
• виховувати почуття поваги до іншої країни, її народу й традицій;
• розвивати навички  і вміння працювати в команді.

PROCEDURE

Warm up.

Teacher: Dear friends. Today we have an unusual lesson Brain-ring ”The best”. Our lesson is devoted to the USA. You have already read and listen many different texts about history, geography, industry, holidays, cities, ways of life, music, literature of the American people. I hope you will have many interesting competitions at the lesson.

Before starting our competition I’d like to introduce the 11^thform students, who will decide the knowledge of which team is better.

The jury of the competitions are:………

Introducing the teams

Teacher:

Two teams will take part in our competitions.

The first team is “Monkeys”. The captain is … . They are at the red table.

The second team is “Cats”. The captain is …. They are at the green table.

Each team gets one point for each correct answer. So we know the topic of our Brain ring. The players are at their tables. Good luck to you. Let’s start. The score is “Nil”, “Nil”.

The first round

The captains contest

The captains should prepare a short report on one of the topic concerning the United States of America. Jury propose each captain to close his / her eyes and choose one topic among others. The competition is called “The best speaker”.

Possible topics and answers:

The Discovery of America.

The Vikings discovered North America in the 10^th century of our era. America remained unknown to Europe till the end of the 15^th century. Christopher Columbus an experienced sailor, asked the King of Spain to fit him out with a fleet of ships, so that he could look for a new route to India. In 1492 he sailed with 3 small ships into the Atlantic Ocean. Columbus was sure that the lands he had discovered were part of India. It was understood that Columbus had discovered a new part of the world. It was called America after Amerigo Vespucci, a traveller who left a description of some places. The countries of America were European colonies for many years. The Spanish conquerors robbed and killed the natives without mercy.

First Settlers

The pilgrims sailed to America from Plymouth, England in September, 1620. They came to America for religious freedom. They were among the first European settlers in America. The name of the ship was the “Mayflower”. They landed at Plymouth Rock (the State of Massachusetts) in December 1620. There were people living in America before the pilgrims arrived: the Native American Indians. They hunted, fished and farmed to survive. Every tribe had its own customs and beliefs. In 1621 the pilgrims had a great harvest. They celebrated it with a Thanksgiving feast: turkey, corn, beans and pumpkins. The 4^th Thursday of November is Thanksgiving Day in the USA.

The Indians

Indians and their culture play a big role in the life of the American people. From Indians further to the South through Spanish came new terms for exotic foods – tomatoes, avocado, barbecue. Half of the states have Indian names as well as cities, countries, rivers, lakes, place names. The Indians became an important subject for American literature. For example, Longfellow’s long poem “The Song of Hiawatha”. The poem is based on Indian tales and stories. The Indians have also contributed to American music, theatre, medicine, psychology, folk arts and craft, cookery, modern clothes and hair styles. There are Indian museums and Indian centres and monuments throughout the USA.

The founding of the American State

Great Britain had 13 American colonies after the pilgrims had come to the American continent. In the War of Independence 1775 American Volunteers won their first battle against the British forces. The 2^nd Continental Congress appointed George Washington as commander-in-chief of the whole colonial army. On July 4^th 1776 the Congress in Philadelphia adopted the Declaration of Independence drafted by Thomas Jefferson who was later the 3^rd President of the USA. The Bill of Liberty called the Americans to know about the birth of a new free state. The 4^th of July is a big national holiday in the USA. The horizontal red and white stripes on the American  flag represent the original 13 states. The stars on the flag  - white on the dark blue field represent the number of states making up the USA today.

Famous American Presidents

In South Dakota there is Mount Rushmore Memorial. You can see 4 granite faces of outstanding presidents of the USA.

The 1^st is George Washington, the Commander-in-Chief of the American Colonial Army in the War of Independence. He was the 1^st President of the USA who found the place for its capital. So, the capital of the USA has his name.

The 2^nd face is Thomas Jefferson’s, the 3^rd president who signed the Declaration of Independence.

The 3^rd face is of Abraham Lincoln, the 16^th president of the USA. His ideas about freedom for the black slaves were popular and in the war of the North and South negroes got freedom.

The 4^th face is of Theodore Roosevelt. The 26^th president of the USA who was one of the progressists. His reforms were against war politics and for nature guarding.

John Kennedy, the 35^th president was popular and very democratic, who was killed by the enemies. New York International Airport and Space Centre in Florida were named after his name.

Geography

The USA is bordered by Canada in the North and Mexico in the South. It is washed by the Atlantic Ocean in the East and by the Pacific Ocean in the West. Hawaii, the 50^th State, is situated in the Pacific Ocean. Alaska is separated from Russia by only 50 miles across the Bering Strait. Major highlands are the Appalachian Mountains in the East and Rocky Mountains in the West. The central lowland makes up the basin of the Mississippi River with its tributaries the Missouri and Ohio Rivers. There are also large rivers which flow into the Pacific Ocean – the Colorado and Columbia.

The Northern part of the USA has a region of the 5 Great lakes: Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, connected by natural channels cut by rapids. The greatest of them is the Niagara Falls.

Climate, Industry, Agriculture

Crossed by mountain ranges from north to south country is unprotected from cold winds from the north and from warm winds from the south. On the whole, the USA has a continental climate. The country is rich in coal, oil, iron and other minerals. The US economy is highly developed. Mining, metallurgy, electronics and space engineering, chemicals, textiles, leather and footwear are well developed. As regards agriculture both animal husbandry and arable farming are prominent in the economy of the USA.

Capital

Washington, DC, is the capital city of the United States. It is located on the north bank of the Potomac River. Washington is one of the most beautiful and unusual cities in the United States. It has little industry and only 1 million people. There are no skyscrapers because they would hide the city’s monuments. The famous sights of Washington are the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. The heart of Washington is the Capitol with the Senate Chamber, the Hall of Representatives, the Statuary Hall. The Library of Congress contains millions of books and manuscripts. Cemetery where John F. Kennedy was buried, The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are worth seeing.

Large Cities

New York is the largest city and port in the United States. It is the industrial and cultural centre of the country. It is the financial and business centre, the centre of political life, mass media and worlds biggest bank centre, economical capital with the population of 7 mln people. The Statue of Liberty stands on a small Island at New York’s harbour. It symbolizes the friendship of the USA and France and freedom. The sights of New York are: City Hall, New York public library, Columbia University, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central park and so on.

San Francisco is one of the biggest cities and ports in the West of the USA. Here the famous Golden Gate Bridge is situated.

Los Angeles is a “City of Angels”. Hollywood, the world capital of entertainment is a part of Los Angeles. Sport is an important aspect of Los Angeles life.

Disneyland is situated 27 miles south of Los Angeles was created by Walt Disney. Brilliant cartoon films are made here.

Philadelphia is an important commercial, manufacturing and shipping centre. Here you can see the Liberty Bell because the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed here in 1776.

Chicago is leading industrial and grain centre situated in the southeast shore of Lake Michigan. Chicago and Detroit are great centres of automobile industry. The first American skyscrapers were built in Chicago.

The Political System

The USA is a federal republic. The president is elected for 4 years and is the head of state and government. He names the Cabinet. Congress consists of two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Senate consists of two senators from each state, elected for 6 years. The president of the Senate is the ice-President of the United States. The two main political parties are the Republicans and the Democrats.

Education

About 85% of American students attend public schools. The other 15% attend private schools. After graduating from secondary schools the Americans go on to higher education: technical training schools, colleges and universities.

Holidays

Christmas is very big religious holiday in the USA. It is celebrated on the 25^th of December by every family. There is Christmas tree in every american house. Two things are necessary for the holiday: the exchange of the postcards among friends and relatives and exchange of the gifts for close friends and members of the families. Santa Claus often brings presents for small children and puts them into an old stocking near the kid’s beds. Christmas is a merry holiday with songs and music. The other holidays are: Halloween, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day and some other ones.

American Cars

Maybe it’s because of the car’s wonderful names – Cadillac, Pontiac, Buick, Hummer, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Eagle, Jeep, Lincoln, Mercury,  - the American cars are so big and beautiful. There are 160 mln automobiles on American roads: traffic jams, we never find a place to park. Most modern cities have many big roads. Modern houses are often a long way from schools and stores. Cars are necessary for many people now. The President’s automobile has glass doors and windows strong enough to stop bullets.

American homes

Americans like to live in their own 1- or 2-storey houses, comfortable inside. They have beautiful large livings-rooms, bedrooms, kitchens with all home appliances, work-out rooms and bathrooms.

Music

The American nation was formed of people of different nationalities  who went to America from Europe, Asia and Africa in search of better conditions of life. These people brought songs of their native lands to America. These were English, French, Russian, Irish, Scottish songs. The style in which people created their songs was named “country” or “western”. These songs are about labour, country holidays, beautiful villages, adventures of cowboys.  Listen to a popular cowboy song.

Oh, give me the home

Where the buffaloes roam

Where the deer and the antelope play

Where seldom is heard

A discouraging word

And the skies are not cloudy all day.

Home, home on the range

Where the deer and the antelope play

Where seldom is heard

A discouraging word

And the skies are not cloudy all day.

The really American music is jazz. Jazz was born in New Orlean more than a century ago. It was played by small brass bands, consisting of marches and dance tunes. Between 1910 and 1920 jazz moved northwards to Chicago and New York up and down the Mississippi River. Louis Armstrong an outstanding concert player became the first jazz singer.

The second round

Which team will give more correct answers?

Quiz.

15 questions for one team and 15 questions for another one. The time to give an answer is 10 seconds after each question.

Questions for “Monkeys”

1. What do Americans like eating at sport games? (Hot dogs)

2. What countries does the USA border on? (The USA borders on Canada in the north and on Mexico in the south. It is also has a sea  border with Russia)

3. Who was the first person to walk on the Moon? (Neil Armstrong)

4. What is the highest peak in the USA? (The highest peak is Mount  McKinley which is located in Alaska)

5. What is the popular name for the flag of the USA? (The popular  name for the flag of the USA is the “Stars and Stripes”)

6. What are the main political parties in the USA? (There are two  main political parties in the USA: the Republican and the Democratic)

7. Which is the biggest state in the USA? (The biggest state is Alaska)

8. Where is Washington situated? (It is situated in the District of  Columbia)

9. Who can be the US President? (The US President can be any  natural-born citizen over 34)

10. Which President of the USA freed the slaves? (Abraham Lincoln)

11. Where is Beverly Hills situated? (It is situated in Los Angeles, California)

12. When do the Americans celebrate the Independence Day? (They  celebrate the Independence Day the Fourth of July)

13. What is the surname of the woman who as many Americans believe sewed the first American flag? (Ross)

14. What was the name of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to New England in 1620? (Mayflower)

15. What is the national motto of the USA? (“In God We Trust”. It  was adopted in 1956. You can see these words on all American  paper bills)

Questions for “Cats”

1. What sports are favourite in America? (Baseball, basketball, American Football, Soccer, Tennis)

2. What are the largest cities in the USA? (The largest cities are: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, San Francisco, and others)

3. Which is the smallest state in the USA? (Rhode Island is the         smallest state)

4. What important government buildings are situated in Washington? (The White House, the Capitol and the Supreme Court are situated in Washington)

5. Where is the Pentagon situated? (It is situated in Arlington, Virginia, near Washington)

6. As you remember, America was discovered in the 15^th century.  Whose name did the country get? (Vespucci)

7. Who was the civil rights leader who fought through non-violent  action? (Martin Luther King)

8. What is the population of the United States? (The population of the United States is about 250 mln)

9. When did Alaska and Hawaii join to the USA? (They both joined  to the USA in 1959)

10. When was the Constitution of the USA finally ratified? (It was finally ratified in1791)

11. What mountains in the USA do you know? (The highest  mountains are: the Rocky Mountains, the Cordillera and the Sierra Nevada)

12. At what age do students start elementary school? (At 6 years of  age children begin the first year of elementary school)

13. What are the largest rivers in the USA? (America’s largest rivers  are: the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Rio Grande and the  Columbia)

14. When and where was basketball invented? (It was invented by a teacher at a sports school in Springfield, USA in 1891)

15. According to the Constitution of the USA, the powers of the  government are divided into three main branches. What are they? (The powers of the government are divided into three main  branches: the executive, the legislative, the judicial)

The third round

Tell the name of an outstanding American

Task for “Monkeys”

1. … … … Washington (George)

2. … … … Lincoln (Abraham)

3. … … … Bush (George Walker)

4. … … … Dylan (Bob)

5. … … … Mitchell (Margaret)

6. … … … Jordan (Michael)

Task for “Cats”

1. … … …  Clinton (William (Bill))

2. … … …  Edison (Thomas Alva)

3. … … …  Roosevelt (Theodore)

4. … … …  Presley (Elvis)

5. … … …  Jackson (Michael)

6. … … …  King (Martin Luther)

The fourth round

Find the surnames of 6 American Presidents

The fifth round

Make up a word

Every team has an envelope with the same anagrams. Your task is to decode the anagrams. The team who will be the first and do it correctly wins the competition.

NCONIOSTTUIT  - CONSTITUTION

TGNOEVMENR   - GOVERNMENT

YPTAR - PARTY

LCAPAIT - CAPITAL

CAMAEIR - AMERICA

TETAS - STATE

GAFL - FLAG

The sixth round

The teams have prepared a questions for each other on the topic “The United States of America”. This kind of competition is called “The bridges of Questions”. Each team will get a point for the correct answer.

The seventh round

Well done. While our jury is counting the results, we come to another item of the competition. It is called “The Wisest Team”. Your task is to give British variant of the American English.

Task for “Monkeys”

Keys: all right, autumn, bill, cinema, flat, grocer’s, holiday, ill, lift, pen friend.

Task for “Cats”

Keys: petrol, post, public toilet, shop, sweet, spectacles, underground, banknote, biscuit, block of flats.

Teacher: Our competition is going to the end. The results of the competition are:

Jury:       “Monkeys” has got … points and “Cats” has got … points.

                 The winner is the team … .

Teacher:  Thank you for your excellent work.