STATE SYMBOLS
(8 клас за підручником О. Д. Карп'юк)
Вчитель англійської мови Лозуватської ЗШ І-ІІІ ст., П'ятихатського району, Дніпропетровської області
A2+ pre-intermediate
Objectives:
- to develop students' personal skills in learning and understanding;
- to activate speech habits of students;
- to revise and enrich students' vocabulary on the topic
- to practise reading for gist and then foe more detailed information
- to develop students' listening skills
- to write interview questions;
- to practise students' communicative skills in pair and group work;
- to teach students to respect the national symbols of Ukraine and English-speaking countries.
Equipment: multimedia player, laptop, wall newspapers on the topic, national flags, project works, cards, tables, pictures.
PROCEDURE
I. INTRODUCTION
T: Today we are going to talk about the national symbols of Ukraine and English-speaking countries.
By the end of the lesson you should be able:
• to recognize, understand and use the lexical material about national symbols when reading and doing exercises;
• to identify main ideas and details from the text for reading;
• to talk about the national symbols of Ukraine and the English-speaking countries.
II. WARMING-UP
Do you know what are the national symbols?
S1: Yes, of course, they are the flag and the anthem.
T: You are right, different countries have their own national symbols.
III. MAIN PART
1) LISTENING
1) T: What is the name of the Ukrainian Anthem? Do you know in what way you should behave while listening to the Anthem?
It’s one of the translations into English:
Ukraine’s National Anthem
She lives on, our Ukraine, We shall rule, oh youthful brethren,
Her freedom and glory. Our land nothing fearing.
Let us trust that once more fortune Soul and body sacrificing.
May illumine her story. For our cherished freedom,
Like the dew before the sunshine, We shall show we are descendants
Our foes disappearing. of mighty Kozak knights.
T: Ukrainian version was written by Pavlo Chubynskyi in 1863, first published by the Lviv journal "Meta" ("Goal").
It was set to music by the Halycian composer Mykhailo Verbytskyi in the same year.
S2 (Presentation by student Nikitchenko O. “The State Symbols of Ukraine”)
2) Discussion.
T: Answer the questions.
What is the National Anthem of Ukraine?
Who wrote it?
When did Pavlo Chubynskyi write the National Anthem?
In what Lviv journal was the poem by Pavlo Chubynskyi first publish
Who set the National Anthem to music?
Who was Mykhailo Verbytskyi?
3) Watching video “British National Anthem”
T: And now let’s learn the National Anthem ”God Save the Queen"
God save our gracious queen!
Long Live our noble queen!
God save the Queen!
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long reign over us,
God save the Queen!
2). DISCUSSION
T: At home each group have prepared interesting project works. Is there anything that has an impact on the choice of a country's flag?
The national flag of Ukraine
S3: While preparing our project works we got to know some interesting facts about the Ukrainian flag. By the way May 18, 1848 can be considered the birthday of the famous blue- and-yellow Ukrainian flag. The embodiment of the Ukrainian national idea — Zaporozhian Cossacks — used quite a lot of various flags and colours. Yellow-blue, red-black, crimson-olive and especially raspberry colour banners were widely used by Cossacks between the 16—18th centuries.
S4: As far as I know on September 4, 1991 the blue-and-yellow flag was raised above the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. On January 28, 1992 the Parliament approved the blue-and-yellow banner as the state flag of Ukraine.
S5: The Ukrainian flag consists of two horizontal stripes of equal width. The top is blue, the bottom — yellow. Blue and yellow, the colours of the sky, mountains, streams, and golden fields have symbolised Kyivan Rus long before the introduction of Christianity. With the acceptance of Christianity, blue and gold were incorporated into church symbolism.
T: I suggest that you describe the Ukrainian flag choosing the correct statements.
1. The blue-and-yellow flag was firstly displayed in L'viv in 1848.
2. The banners of the Cossacks (17th century)
were blue with gold stars, a gold cross, or with pictures of saints rendered in gold.
The blue-and-yellow flag was approved as the national flag of Ukraine by the Supreme Rada in 1994.
3. At the end of the Soviet empire blue and yellow were
associated with the idea of national revival in Ukraine.
4. The top of the flag is yellow, the bottom — blue.
5. Traditionally, blue is considered the colour of clear
skies, and yellow — the colour of a wheat field.
6. The current national flag of Ukraine was adopted
on January 28, 1992.
7. Leonid Kuchma's decree in 2000 pronounces July
24 as the National Flag Day of Ukraine,
Key: 1,2,4,6,7,8.
(S4: Presentation by Korotchenko S. “The flag of the USA”)
The flag of the USA
T: What do you know about "The Star-Spangled Banner"?
S6: It is one of the nicknames of the American flag. Nicknames for the flag also include the "Stars and Stripes", "Old Glory". For more than 200 years, the American flag has been the symbol of the nation's strength and unity. It's been a source of pride and inspiration for millions of citizens. It was officially adopted on June 14, 1777.
S7: Today the flag consists of thirteen horizontal stripes, seven red alternating with 6 white. The stripes represent the original 13 colonies, the stars represent the 50 states of the Union. The colours of the flag are symbolic as well: red symbolises hardiness and valour; white stands for purity and innocence; and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice. Americans observe Flag Day on June 14.
Teacher’s presentation ( slide 5)
3) LANGUAGE PRACTICE
READING Pre-reading activity
1. Look attentively on each of flags. Understand why did every of symbols come into representation on today's National Flag of the USA? (Be attentive! What do the words on the flags men?)
II. Read a short passage.
The American flag is the end product of a long evolution. Each of its component parts has its own history. The very first American flag was hoisted in the skies over Boston on January 1, 1776, by the American forces there. This first flag consisted of thirteen red and white stripes representing the number of American colonies. It also included the British Cross of St. George and Cross of St. Andrew. It could be considered rather ironic that these symbols of British rule were included on the American flag in that the American colonists were fighting for independence from the British. The origin of the stars on the current is obscure; that is, the stars could possibly have been taken from the flag of Rhode Island, or they could have been taken from the east-of-arms of the Washington family. According to legend, this first flag with stars was sewn by Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia seamstress who was famous for her clever needlework. This version of the flag contained thirteen stars and thirteen stripes, one for each of the thirteen colonies battling for independence. The original idea was to add one star and one stripe for each state that joined the new, young country. However, by 1818, the number of states had grown to twenty, and it did not work well to keep adding stripes to the flag. As a result, Congress made the decision to revert to the original thirteen stripes representing the thirteen original colonies and adding a star each time a new state was admitted. This has been the policy ever since.
Post-reading activities
///. Choose the variant ( A, B, C or D /, which you believe best corresponds to what you have read and mark the corresponding letter on your answer sheet:
1. In line 11, the word "seamstress" is used to describe someone who
a) works at home; b)sews; c) is a part of high society; d ) practices medicine
2. 'The word "work'" in line 16 could best be replaced by
a) get a job; b) function; c) accomplish; d) make an effort
3. The word "keep" in line 16 could best be replaced by
a) continue; b) maintain; c) hold; d) guard
4. The expression "revert to" in line 17
a) return to; b) add to; c) rejoice over; d) forget about
5. The word "product" in line 1 is closest in meaning to
a) goods; b) merchandise; c) banner; d) result
6. Something that is "hoisted" (line 2 ) is
a) created: b) found; c) raised; d) made
7. The word “ironic” in line 6 could most easily be replaced by
a) steellike: b) normal: c) unexpected: d) nationalistic
8. Which of the following is closest in meaning to "obscure'" in line 8?
a) unclear: b) original: c) modern: d) known.
Key: 1a, 2c, 3d, 4a, 5b, 6c, 7b, 8a.
The British flag
T: Let's continue discussing the national flags of English-speaking countries. The next project work is devoted to the British flag.
S8: The UK or British flag is called the Union flag. The Union Jack is the popular name commonly given to the Union flag, the national flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is formed by combining on a blue ground the red cross of St. George (red on white) and the white and red diagonal crosses of St. Andrew and St. Patrick, the traditional patron saints of England, Scotland and Ireland.
(slides 1-4)
The flag of Australia
T: Who will inform us about the flag of Australia?
S9: Our group is ready to tell you about the flag of Australia. It is the only one to fly over the whole continent. In 1901, the Commonwealth of Australia was formed. Until this time, Australia used Britain's flag, the Union Jack. A competition was held to find the design for Australia's own flag. Five designers shared the prize because they came up with similar ideas for the Australian flag.
S10: In the top left hand corner is the Union Jack. This shows that Australia is a part of the British Commonwealth. Beneath the Union Jack is a large white star with seven points. The points represent the six states and the territories. Originally this star had six points. The seventh point, for the territories, was added in 1908. On the right hand side are the stars of the Southern Cross. The Southern Cross was chosen because it can always be seen in the Australian sky at night.
(slide 8)
T: Look through slides 6,7 and find out the necessary information about New Zealand)
The national flag of Canada
T: What can you tell us about the national flag of Canada?
S11: The Canadian red and white maple leaf flag is officially called the national flag of Canada. The Canadian flag shows a stylised red maple leaf with 11 points on a white background, with red borders down each side. The Canadian flag is twice as long as it is wide. The white square containing the red maple leaf is the same width as the flag.
February 15 was declared National Flag of Canada Day in 1996.
(slide 9)
2. BRAINSTORMING
T: It seems that you know everything about flags.. Do the task:
Match the country and description of its National flag.
1. Canada a) The cloudless blue sky and the golden wheat fields lent
their colours to this flag.
2. the USA b) It is one of the oldest flags in the world, which got the
name of Union Jack from James I.
3. New Zealand
c) This flag is called the Stars and Stripes. The stars in the
flag represent the number of states making up the country
today. Red and white stripes represent the original thirteen
states.
4. Australia
d)It consists of three vertical stripes and a maple leaf in the middle of the flag.
5. the UK e) It has the British flag in the top left-hand corner and the
stars of the Southern Cross in white on a blue field.
6. Ukraine f) It has the British flag in the top left-hand corner and the
stars of the Southern Cross in red on a blue field.
Key: 1d; 2c; 3f; 4e; 5b; 6a
IV. HOMEWORK
T: Write interview questions (Sample answers)
1. What is a flag?
(A piece of cloth with a coloured pattern or picture on it that represents a country or organisation.)
2. When is the birthday of the famous blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flag?
(May 18, 1848 can be considered the birthday of the famous blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flag.)
3. What are the nicknames of the American flag?
("The Star-Spangled Banner", "Stars and Strips", "Old Glory".)
4. How many stars are there on the American flag? (50 stars.)
5. When was the American flag adopted? (On June 14, 1777.)
6. What is the popular name commonly given to the British flag?
(The Union Jack.)
V. SUMMARIZING
T: We have spoken about national flags of different countries. If you want to be a patriot of Ukraine, you should know the history of our state and respect national symbols of others countries.
I am quite satisfied with your work. Your projects are well arranged and prove that you are well-informed about English-speaking countries.
Your marks are…
Література:
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4. Газета “English” №14, 2009
5. Журнал «Словознайка» №7-8, 1996
6. The Internet resources.