Tasks: to Explain the Significance of the American Flag

Tasks: to explain the significance of the American flag

to learn some facts and the flag’s history

Preparation: make copies of the worksheet (1 copy per student)

Skills: speaking, reading

Language: symbols and emblems

general grammar and vocabulary

Sources: WIKIPEDIA (en.wikipedia.org) – the FREE encyclopaedia [Tasks & – pictures, & – texts]

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English [definitions in Task ]

Task 1 – lead-in

(speaking)

■ Write Stars and Stripes on the board. Elicit it as a name of the American flag. Ask your Ss to describe the meaning of the nickname. Do not offer any explanation at this stage.

■ Distribute the worksheets. Explain that there are 3 flags which the US used at some point in history. Ask your Ss to put them in the correct order, starting with the first US flag. Do not offer any answers at this stage.

Order / [ 2nd ] / [ 1st ] / [ 3rd ]
Flag / / /
Dates / 1777–1795 / 1776 / 1960–present
Description / The first official flag / Betsy Ross Flag / Modern Flag

Tasks 2 & 3

(speaking, reading)

■ Divide your group into pairs. Ask the pairs to predict the answers to the questions on the worksheet. Ask some pairs to present their ideas. Ask Ss to skim the text and check their predictions. Check the answers as a group. You may want to give Polish equivalent of the words describing the colours of the American flag.

■ Check the correct order of the flags in Task , too.

Key

!

Key / · There are 13 red and white stripes. Each of the stripes honours one of the original colonies which formed the United States of America back in the 18th century.
· There are 50 stars, as each star stands for a state.
· The colours are:
o white – purity, innocence
o red – hardiness and valour
o blue – vigilance, perseverance, justice

Task 4

(reading, vocabulary)

■ Ask Ss to read the text more carefully in order to find five words which match the definitions on the worksheets.

■ Check the answers with your group. Ask comprehension questions and/or explain any other new vocabulary items.

Key

!

Key / (a) commission
(b) Union Jack
(c) perseverance
(d) clutter
(e) current

Task 5

(reading, vocabulary)

■ Ask Ss to complete each fact with one word only.

Key

!

Key / · Independence
· Hawaii
· anthem

Notes & Comments

■ [FOLLOW-UP] Ask Ss (working as a group or in pairs) to write a short description of the flag of the European Union. For some facts and ideas, check the other worksheet (elementary level).