Конспект уроку в 10 класі на тему " З історії США"

The Subject of the Lesson: The New World. From the History of America.

The Aim of the Lesson: -to develop and practice students’ skills and habits of prepared and unprepared speech;

                                          -to develop students’ reading and listening skills using active vocabulary on the topic’

                                          -to develop students’ fluency in using the language;

                                          -to test their ability to work in group;

                                          -to teach students to respect and value the history of other countries.

                                                Procedure

I.1.Introductory. Aim.

T: Dear friends! I’m glad to see you. I hope everything is OK. So let’s start our lesson. Today we are going to continue our journey to the United States of America. We have learnt a lot about this very beautiful country in the North America. But we know little about its history. So our task today is to enrich our knowledge about it. During the lesson we’ll read a text about the past and the present of the USA, listen to the text about the meaningful events in its history and listen to your stories about the first settlers on the territory of the USA. We also work in groups.

2. Presentation

T: Now I want to draw your attention to the first slide where the famous proverb is written: “Those who forget the past, have no future”. I think these words can be the motto of our today’s lesson. I also want you to read the epigraph to our lesson: “Americans ignore history… The national myth is that of creativity and progress… They believe in the future as if it were a religion; they believe that there is nothing they cannot accomplish, that solutions wait somewhere for all problems, like brides.”       F. Fitzgerald.

• How do you understand these words?
•  Do you agree with them?
•  Is the United States an old or a young country?
•  What dates and events are meaningful in its history?

T:  At the end of the lesson you’ll tell me if you change your mind.

 3. Warming up.

T: Now I’ll divide you into 2 groups and during the lesson you’ll work in these groups. At the end of the lesson every group will summarize your work and get marks.

  T: Who are these famous people? Do you know what countries are they from? ----Marco Polo, Vasco da Gama, Christopher Columbus, Fernando Magellan, James Cook, Fabian Bellinsghausen, Khariton Laptev and David Livingston.

T: Match the name of the traveler with the place he visited. May be this map will help you:

-- travelled from Venice to China; crossing the Indian Ocean visited the southern countries of Asia-------------Marco Polo;

-- travelled from Portugal along the African coast to India------Vasco da Gama;

-- started his journey from Spain, crossed the Atlantic Ocean, discovered many islands near the south-eastern coast of America------Christopher Columbus;

-- started in Europe, crossed the Atlantic Ocean, travelled along the southern coast of South America, crossed the Pacific and the Indian  Oceans and travelled along the western coast of Africa and came back to Europe--- Fernando Magellan;

-- discovered Australia and New Zealand in the 18^th century and made a round-world journey---James Cook;

-- travelled to the North Pole----Khariton Laptev;

-- discovered Antarctic----------Fabian Bellinshausen;

-- studied the central and southern parts of Africa-----David Livingston.

II. The main part of the lesson 

4.Reading the text “The Discovery of America”.

T: Look at this picture. Who is this? Of course this is Christopher Columbus. What do you know about him?

T: Let’s read the text how this famous traveler arrived to America. Your task will be to finish the sentences. (the pupils read the text one by one).

                           The Discovery of America

Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492. He was born in Italy. His father and grandfather were cloth makers. Columbus was a seaman and made many sea voyages.  Most people in Columbus’s days thought that the earth was flat and they didn’t believe that beyond the Atlantic Ocean lay India. In 1492 the King and the Queen of Spain gave him money to go to India. He decided to sail west as he was sure that our planet was round. There were 3 caravels: the Santa Maria, The Nina and the Pinta. After sailing 4000 miles he reached some land. The crew saw something like a white cliff and cried out:”Tierra! Tierra!”. Columbus thought that it must be India but it wasn’t. It was America. Columbus named the land they had reached San Salvador (Holy Saviour). People began to speak about the land as “The New World”. European people came to the New World for many reasons. Some hoped to find gold and silver. Priests and missionaries came to bring the Christian religion to the Indians. Among those who came for freedom was a small group of English people called Pilgrims. They wanted to start a new life and to have no religious problems they had in England. They set up a colony and called that part of the country “New England”.

T: And now please finish the sentences:

1. Christopher Columbus discovered…………in……….
2.  He was a seaman and………………
3. In 1492 the King and the Queen of Spain……………….
4. He decided to sail west because…………………….
5. After sailing 4000 miles…………………………
6. Columbus thought that it must be India but………………………
7. European people came to the New World to……………………….
8. A small group of English people called Pilgrims wanted to…………… 

5. Oral Practice. Hometask.

T: On this picture you can see the ship on board of which the first settles came to America. Do you know that before the first Europeans came to North America Native Americans, sometimes called Indians, were living there. Modern America was created by the early European settlers and by many immigrants who followed them.

The first colony in North America was founded in 1607 at Jamestown, Virginia, by the British. In 1620 English Puritans, known as the Pilgrim Fathers arrived to America on the ship Mayflower to escape religious persecution for their opposition to the Church of England. They founded Plymouth Colony in what later became Massachusetts.

T: Your hometask was to find some information about the first settlers. Who is ready to tell us about them? (розповіді учнів)

P1--The first settlers

In November, 1620, a small ship, the Mayflower, left England. There were about one hundred people abroad the ship who were running away from the cruelty of the king. For 7 long weeks the Mayflower was in the waves and storms of the Atlantic Ocean, and at last the people saw land. It was America.

It was already autumn. It was raining, and a cold wind was blowing. 16 men left the Mayflower and went ashore. In the evening they came back to the ship and brought some corn with them. They found the corn on the beach where the Indians had left it. Nobody in Europe had seen corn then, but when the people on board the Mayflower tried it, they liked it very much.

During the next 5 weeks the men from the Mayflower left the ship every day. They were looking for a good place to live. The weather was very cold, more and more men fell ill, but at last they found a good place. There was a good harbour for ships there, some fields and forests near it and even a small river. The people began to build a village there. By January, 1621, there were already two streets in this village, and they called it “New Plymouth”. But in winter the people were cold, they didn’t have enough to eat. Many of them died. When the houses were ready, the life became easier.

One day the people of the village suddenly saw a tall Indian walking along the street. He smiled and said, “Hallo, Yankee!” This Indian could speak English a little. He had learnt it from the sailors of a ship which had come to this part of America a few years before.

6. Listening to the text “American Independence”

a) Pre-listening activity:

 T: As you know it was very difficult to control all the colonies and the War of Revolution broke out. Helen, can you read the short information about the situation at this time. (one pupil reads the short text on slide 9).

P2-- By 1733 English settlers had founded 13 colonies along the Atlantic Coast. Over time the colonists were unhappy about having laws and taxes imposed by Britain and began to want more control over their affairs. The war of Revolution broke out in 1775, and the following year the colonists wrote the Declaration of Independence, which explained their reasons for wanting to separate from Britain. At times it seemed that the colonists would lose the war, but in late 1781 the British surrendered.

b) While-listening activity:

T: Let’s listen to the text about the American Independence. I’ll give you sheets of paper with the sentences. You have to listen to the text for the first time and put “+” next to the true sentences and “-“ next the false ones. Look them through. Is everything clear?

                          American Independence

   By the end of the 18^th century, the whole of the Eastern coast of North America had been colonized, largely by the British. The guiding principle for these colonies was that they should supply the mother country with raw materials and not compete in manufacturing. The British Government increased its pressure on the colonies and put all possible obstacles in the way of their independent industrial development and trade. The British Government granted the East India Company the right of tax-free export of tea to the colonies. It caused indignation among the colonists so, when the first cargoes of this tea arrived in Boston harbour, the American Patriots boarded the three ships on the night of 16 December 1773 and threw the tea into the sea—the famous Boston Tea Party.

     Parliament closed Boston harbour. Representatives from every colony except Georgia met in Philadelphia in September 1774 and replied a trade embargo on Britain. As war became inevitable, the colonists met for a second time in Philadelphia in May 1776 and made George Washington their commander-in-chief. The formal Declaration of Independence was made on 4 July 1776.

    The American War of Independence lasted over 6 years. The French entered the war, providing military and economic help, after the American victory in the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777. The fighting ended when Washington, aided by the French army and navy, surrounded the British forces at Yorktown in October 1781. The peace settlement signed two years later recognized the independence, freedom and sovereignty of the thirteen colonies.

1. At the beginning of the 18^th century the whole of the Eastern coast of North America had been colonized by the British.  (False)

2. The main task was to supply the mother country with raw materials and not compete in manufacturing.     (True)

3. The British Government reduce its pressure on the colonies.  (False)

4. The British Government granted the East India Company the right of tax-free export of tea to the colonies.     (True)

5. The first cargoes of this tea arrived in Boston harbour.    (True)

6. The American Patriots boarded the ships on the night of 16 September 1770 and threw the tea into the sea.    (False)

7. Representatives from every colony met in Philadelphia in September 1774 and replied a trade embargo on Britain.       (False)

8. After the second meeting the colonists made George Washington their commander-in-chief.      (True)

9. The formal Declaration of Independence was made on 4 July 1776. (True)

10. The American War of Independence lasted over seven years.  (False)

11. The Americans won the Battle of Saratoga in October 1778.  (False)

12. The peace settlement was signed in 1783 and recognized the independence, freedom and sovereignty of 13 colonies.     (True)

 

     c) Post-listening activity:

T: Listen to the text once more and put the following events in the correct chronological order:

1. The Boston Tea Party
2. The Battle of Yorktown
3. The Battle of Saratoga
4. The Declaration of Independence
5. The colonists’ first meeting in Philadelphia

7. Reading the text “From the history of America”.

T: Do you know something about the Constitutional Convention which was written in 1787? Now we are going to read about the events of this time. ( the best pupils in the class read the first part of the text).

 Creating a single government for the 13 colonies was not easy, as each was afraid of giving the others too much power. A Constitutional Convention was held, and in 1787 the Founding Fathers, among them Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, wrote the Constitution, which set out how the US would be governed.

   At first people believed that the US was meant to extend its influence over the whole continent. Sometimes the US bought land, as it happened with Louisiana Purchase of 1803, when France sold its territory in North America. But the US fought a war against Mexico to win land in the South-west, and took land by force from Native Americans.

  Pioneers moved west to find new land to farm and lived a hard life. Away from centers of government, there was little law enforcement. This led to the famous image of the Wild West end stories of sheriffs involved in gun battles with violent criminals. During the gold rush, many people moved to California and later to the Klondike in Canada. Some went as prospectors, but many others found that they could make smaller but safer profits selling supplies.

  As new lands were settled and became states, the issue of slavery became important. In the southern states slaves worked on the cotton plantations.

   In the North slavery was illegal. After Abraham Lincoln, a foe of slavery, was elected President in 1860, 11 states left the Union and proclaimed themselves an independent state, the Confederate States of America. The American Civil War, a war between the North and the South, had begun. But in 1865 the North won. The Civil War put an end to slavery. The South again became part of the US and slavery was made illegal everywhere.

 T: Let’s revise the material we have listened by that time and answer the questions:

1. Who was living in North America before the first Europeans came there?

2. Who founded the first colony? Where did it happen?

3. Who came on the Mayflower?

4. Why were the colonies unhappy?

5. What was the aim of the Declaration of Independence?

6. Who were the Founding Fathers and why were they called so?

7. What was the golden rush?

8. What was the reason of the Civil War? When did it happen? Who won?

T: But we only spoke about the past of America. So it’s time to speak about more modern period in the history of the USA. Let’s read the last part of our text.

   Industrial development had helped the North to win the Civil War, and after the war industry continued to grow. Many factory workers were immigrants who came there looking for a better life. Working conditions were often hard and dangerous. In the early 1900s labour unions tried to change the law so that employers paid the decent wage and factories were safer.

   The wealthy now had the opportunity to buy cars. There were a wide choice of makers by David Buick, Henry Ford and Walter Chrysler. The early 1900s was also a time of building. In Chicago and New York skyscrapers were constructed. The Chrysler Corporation built its new headquarters, the now famous Chrysler Building, and soon after, in 1929, just before the beginning of the Great Depression, work began on the Empire State Building, for many years the tallest in the world.

   The next decades were difficult ones for the US. Americans had long believed they should not become involved in foreign wars, though they had entered World War I. As the Depression was ending, the US became involved in World War II. After the war, soldiers returned home to a very different America. Factories were producing many more goods to buy. Women who had worked during the war wanted to keep their jobs. African Americans and Native Americans, who had fought alongside white soldiers, began to demand equal rights. Soon, America was opposing the USSR in the Cold War. America was also becoming involved in Vietnam. In 1963, the assassination of President Kennedy shocked the world.

    In the 1960s there were many social changes. Laws allow African Americans to use restaurants, schools, etc. previously reserved for the white. Clothing also changed: women’s skirts became very short, also both men and women began to wear jeans, once considered appropriate only for heavy work. In the 1980s there was a reaction to these liberal ideas, but the changes of the 1960s and 1970s have had a lasting effect, and now almost everyone accepts the principles of equal rights and opportunity, and considerable personal freedom.

T: Choose the correct option to complete the sentences:

1.  ---------------------had helped the North to win the Civil War.                                            

1. Native Americans
2. Industrial development
3. Immigrants from Europe

2. Many factory workers were immigrants who came to the US---------------

1. looking for a better life.
2. trying to escape from police.
3. looking for an easy life.

3. The wealthy people now had the opportunity------------

1. to travel all over the world.
2. to send their children to universities.
3. to buy cars.

4. --------------------for many years used to be the tallest building in the world.

1. The Chrysler Building
2. The Empire State Building
3. The Capitol

5. In the 1960s there were many -----------------------changes.

1. political
2.  cultural
3. Social

6. People began to wear jeans, once considered appropriate only for-------------

1. heavy work.
2. schools and colleges.
3. ceremonial events.

8.Writing. The meaning dates in the history of the USA.

T: Now your task is to write the meaningful dates in the history of the USA with the events which took place. The dates you see on the blackboard.

Pupils answers:  1607-the first colony was founded;

1620-the Pilgrims arrived to America;

1733-by that time 13 colonies had been found:

1775-the war of Revolution broke out;

1781-the British surrendered;

1787-the Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution;

1803-France sold its territory (Louisiana Purchase) in North America;

1861-1865-the American Civil War between the North and the South;

1929-the Empire State Building has been built;

1963-the President Kennedy was shot.

III. Summarizing. Hometask.

9. T: But time flies so quickly. Our lesson comes to the end. So let’s make a conclusion. Agree or disagree with the words:”Those who forget the past, have no future”. Did you change your mind? Use such expressions:

•  I think…                                     
• To my mind…
• It seems to me…
• I agree with…
• I share your point of you…
• I’m of the same opinion….
• I disagree with…..
• I’m against….

10.T: I’m satisfied with your answers. I’ll put you only excellent marks. Your hometask is to write a composition on the topic “The events in the history of the USA which impressed me most of all”.

Was our lesson interesting? What new facts have you learnt?

Our lesson is over. Good-bye.