Lesson Plan: Visiting America

Lesson Level:      Senior                  Duration:  40

Lesson Title:     Tourism in America

NOTE: This lesson has been modified to make use of a book produced solely for use in Yangshuo Middle School.At other schools the alternate version of task one can be used.

Grammar and Vocabulary

Describing places.

Planning a visit.

Sharing information.

Lesson Objectives

Students will be able to share and compare information about different tourist attractions.

Materials Required

Cards describing attractions in Florida, California, Alaska and Washington State. Additional description for teacher describing attractions in Texas.

The version modified for use in Yanghshuo Middle School also requires students to have access to the Travelling Around Yangshuo textbook.

Preparation

Print one set of cards per four students.

Procedure

1

Write title on board. “Planning a Vacation”

Check understanding.

Yangshuo Middle School Version

Tell students to take out their books.

Put students into groups of four.

Give students two minutes to list as many tourist attractions in Yangshuo as they can (from the books OR others)

While they do that divide the board into two columns headed, natural, man-made.

Ask each group in turn for one thing from their list. Ask which column it goes in and add it to the board.

Ask a selection of students which column they prefer and why.

Alternate Version

Put students into groups of four.

Write instructions on board

Write as many things in the USA as you can that tourists like to see

You have two minutes.

While they do that divide the board into two columns headed, natural, man-made.

Ask each group in turn for one thing from their list. Ask which column it goes in and add it to the board.

If there are no things in either column, suggest a few and add them.

Ask a selection of students which column they prefer and why.

2

Write this on the board.

State: Texas

Things to see:

The Alamo (San Antonio) – see the museum where a famous battle was fought.

World Aquarium (Dallas) -  see sea creatures from around the world

Space centre (Houston) – learn all about manned space flight

Things to do:

Shop, eat and relax at Galvaston Island

Take in a Dallas Cowboys home game.

Have a fun day at at Six Flags Amusement Park.

Ask class some questions.

Write the question forms on the board.

Where can I see…?

What can I see at…?

What would you like to do?

Where would you like to go?

3

Add these instructions.

Each group has four cards. Each card is about a state. Give ONE card to each person. Tell your group about your card.

As a group, decide which state you would like to visit and why?

You have five minutes.

Monitor and assist the activity.

Elicit feedback from each group.

4

Extension activity.

Choose one or more of these questions to write on the board.

Tell groups to discuss the questions.

Monitor and assist.

Elicit feedback

Which famous American (dead or alive) you would like to meet.

            Which is your favourite American movie.

            What things do you like about America?

            What things don’t you like about America.

Notes

1. State cards

State:  Florida Things to see:  Disney World (Orlando)– One of the most famous theme parks in the world. Everglades National Park – see crocodiles and many other animals Salvador Dali Museum (St Petersburg) – one of the largest collections of Dali’s art in the world. Things to do:   Visit Miami beach. Dayton 500 Motor Race Visit the Kenny Space Centre

State:  California Things to see:  Disneyland (Los Angeles) – The first and most famous of the Disney theme parks Golden Gates Bridge (San Francisco) – the most famous bridge in America Alcatraz (San Francisco) – once a famous prison, now a museum Things to do:   National parks – visit some of the finest national parks in America. Deep sea fishing at Santa Catalina Watch Sea birds in Channel Islands National Park

State:  Alaska Things to see:  The Northern Lights – one of nature’s most spectacular sights. Denali National Park – more than 24,000 km2  of wilderness. Museum of the North  (Fairbanks) Things to do:   Whale watching – go out to see the ocean’s mightiest animals. Sea-kayaking – take a one-man boat out onto the icy waters. Fly over the Alaskan mountain range in a small aeroplane.

State:  Washington State Things to see:  Seattle Art Museum – a must see for all art lovers Space Needle (Seattle) – see amazing views from  Seattle’s most famous tower Museum of Flight (Seattle) – a collection of aeroplanes from the history of flight. Things to do:   Visit the Mount Ranier National Park Go shopping in the famous Pike Place Market Watch a baseball game at Safeco Field