Prince Harry’s visit to the U.S. Maria Puente, USA Today

ESL Voices Lesson Plan for this post  with Answer Key

There’s no doubt that Americans are fascinated with British Royalty. Especially if the member is His Royal Highness Prince Harry, the third in line to the British throne.

During his visit Prince Harry met with First Lady Michelle Obama, American war Veterans, and children of military families. He also visited New Jersey, and New York. He’s been described by those who meet him as handsome, witty, charming, intelligent, brave, and compassionate.  His visit to the U.S. this past week caused quite a stir…especially among the American females!

His Royal Highness Prince Harry. Photo US Today.

Excerpt:

“Rarely has such squealing been heard in the corridors of the Capitol when the 28-year-old third-in-line to the British throne turned up for a visit Thursday.

Prince Harry (C) is accompanied by US Senator John McCain (R) as he tours an exhibit on landmines in Washington, DC, Photo- Jewel Samad AFP Getty Images

And then more squealing when he appeared at a White House tea party for an unexpected drop-in with a crowd of stunned military moms and grandmoms.  And he topped it off with a glittering, sweltering, intimate gathering of American VIPs at a reception and dinner at the British Embassy. No signs of jet lag but he might feel it early Friday when he pays a somber visit to Arlington National Cemetery.

Prince Harry, Michelle Obama, and Jill Biden. People

Well, surprise! exclaimed first lady Michelle Obama, co-hosted by second lady Jill Biden at the White House party, as tables of women and kids clapped and cheered and Harry blushed and grinned beside her. Harry arrived at Dulles International Airport Thursday afternoon on a commercial flight from London for the first day of a week-long visit to the USA to promote Britain, raise money for charity and cheer on wounded veterans.

The British royal,visits Arlington National Cemetery and Colorado Springs. The Washington Post

He headed first to Capitol Hill to see an exhibit on clearing land mines (a cause dear to heart of his late mother, Princess Diana), accompanied by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz… McCain was impressed. He told reporters later that Harry was charming, funny and genuinely interested in land mine clearance…The BBC’s Peter Hunt tweeted that Princess Diana would be “so proud” he’s taken up the patronage of the land mines charity, the Halo Trust.

HRH Prince Harry pays respect to the fallen soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Photo- Valentine Low , The Times UK.

On Friday, Harry will lay a wreath at Arlington, and visit wounded vets at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center…

Prince Harry meets U.S. Army Col. Gregory Gadson at a dinner at the British Embassy.(Photo- Alex Brandon AFP:Getty Images)

He’ll then fly to Colorado to cheer on veterans at the Warrior Games over the weekend in Colorado Springs.

Prince Harry speaks with wounded soldiers undergoing physical therapy during his visit to the Military Advanced Training Center at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (J. Scott Applewhite : Pool : Getty Images)

Harry and Christie greet first responders in Seaside Heights as they visited the boardwalk which is nearly fully repaired following the storm. Reuters.

New York tour- Prince Harry, right, and Prime Minister David Cameron arrive by New London Bus for an event promoting British business in Manhattan. AP.

Next week he will tour Hurricane Sandy damage in New Jersey with Gov. Chris Christie, promote British tourism and attend a charity fundraiser in New York, and play in a polo match in Greenwich, Conn., to raise money for his African children’s charity.”  Read more…

Prince Harry is a Captain in the Blues & Royals. Photo- Order of Splendor

ESL Voices Lesson Plan for this post

Level: Intermediate -Advanced

Language Skills: Reading, writing, speaking and listening. Vocabulary and grammar activities are included.

Time: Approximately 2 hours.

Materials: Student handouts (from this lesson) access to news article, and video.

Objective: Students will read the article with a focus on improving reading comprehension and learning new vocabulary. At the end of the lesson students will express their personal views on the topic of Price Harry’s U.S. visit, and his role in Britain’s military through discussions, and writing.

I. Pre-Reading Exercises

Analyzing headings and photos

Directions:  Ask students to read the title of the post and of  the article.  Then, have them  examine the photos. Based on these sources,  ask students to create a list of  words and  ideas  that they think might be related to this article.

Stimulating Background Knowledge

KWL Chart

Directions: Have students use the KWL chart to list the information they already know about Prince Harry, British royalty, ( Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, Prince Charles) veterans, Later in the Post- Reading segment of the lesson, students can fill in what they’ve learned about the topic. Have students use this  KWL  chart from Michigan State University  

II. While Reading

Vocabulary

Word Inference

Directions: Students are to infer the meanings of the words in bold taken from the article. They may use a dictionary or thesaurus for assistance. Have the students write sentences using each word.  Students might find this Vocabulary Word Map By Against the Odds  a useful guide.

Sentences

1. Prince Harry, the world’s most eligible royal bachelor, is here.
2. Rarely has such squealing been heard in the corridors of the Capitol.
3. He appeared at a White House tea party for an unexpected drop-in with a crowd of stunned military moms and grandmoms.
4. And he topped it off with an intimate gathering of American VIPs at the British Embassy.
5. Well, surprise! exclaimed first lady Michelle Obama.
6. Harry blushed and grinned beside her.
7. He attended an  intimate gathering of American VIPs at a reception and dinner at the British Embassy.
8. No signs of jet lag but he might feel it early Friday.
9. He headed first to Capitol Hill to see an exhibit on clearing land mines.
10. Sen. John McCain, told reporters later that Harry was charming, funny and genuinely interested in land mine clearance.

Word -Recognition 

Directions: Students are to choose the correct word or phrases from the article.  Have them skim the article to check  their responses.

1. There’s no doubt that Americans are fascinated/fasten with British Royalty.
2. He meet/met with First Lady Michelle Obama,
3. Harry arrived/arrive at Dulles International Airport Thursday afternoon.
4. And then more squealing when he appeared/appearance at a White House tea party.
5. But Thursday was mostly about the festive, and never mind Washington’s typical humanity/humidity.
6. Earlier, he was the one who caused women/woman to feel faint.
7. Prince Harry blushed/bleached and grinned beside her.
8. Prince Harry came to the  USA to provide/promote Britain, raise money for charity and cheer on wounded veterans.
9. Prince Harry want/wanted to be here to personally thank you for your service.
10. He greeted/greet as many as possible before leaving for the reception and dinner.

Reading Comprehension

Unscramble The Events

Directions: Place students in groups and have them place the events in the order that they appear in the article.

1. Next week he will tour Hurricane Sandy damage in New Jersey with Gov. Chris Christie.
2. Every time the crowd outside of the rotunda caught a glimpse of him through the arches, cheers echoed in the space.
3. Harry arrived at Dulles International Airport Thursday afternoon on a commercial flight from London.
4. But Thursday was mostly about the festive, and never mind Washington’s typical humidity.
5. McCain  told reporters later that Harry was charming, funny, and genuinely interested in land mine clearance.
6. He headed first to Capitol Hill to see an exhibit on clearing land mines escorted by senator John McCain.
7. On Friday, Harry will lay a wreath at Arlington, and visit wounded vets at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
8. He visited the U.S. to promote Britain, raise money for charity and cheer on wounded veterans.
9. He’ll then fly to Colorado to cheer on veterans at the Warrior Games over the weekend in Colorado Springs.
10. Harry then joined First lady Michelle Obama, and second lady Jill Biden at a party at the White House party to honor of military mothers.

 Grammar Focus

Using Adjectives  to describe pictures    

Directions: Place students in groups, and have them choose a few pictures from this lesson. Each group will  write a descriptive paragraph  about their pictures using adjectives. As a class review the adjectives from each group, then share the paragraphs with the class.

For a review of Adjectives visit ESL Voices Grammar

 III. Post Reading

Reading Comprehension Check

WH-How Questions

Directions: Have students use the  WH-question format to discuss or to write the main points from the article.

Who or What is the article about?

Where does the action/event take place?

When does the action/event take place?

Why did the action/event occur?

How did the action/event occur?

KWL Chart

Directions: Have students fill in the last column of their KWL chart.

Discussion/Writing 

Directions: Place students in groups and have them answer the following questions. After, have the groups share their thoughts as a class. To reinforce the ideas, students can write an essay on one of the topics.

1.  The article states, “ Harry arrived for  a week-long visit to the USA to promote Britain, raise money for charity and cheer on wounded veterans.” Restate this sentence explaining what it means.
2.  Why is Prince Harry very interested in the topic of clearing clearing land mines?
3. Why do you think Americans are so fascinated by British royalty?
4. Can you think of other countries that have royalty?
5.  Would you like to live the life of a royal family member?  Explain why or why not.
6. Choose one member of the British Royal family and write a descriptive essay about that person. Here are some members: Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, Prince Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry.

IV. Listening Activity   

Video: Prince Harry Interview on Military Service, Las Vegas Incident (1/2013)

Introduction: The 28-year-old royal gave a candid interview after wrapping up a four-month military tour.

Pre-listening 

Listening for New Vocabulary or New Terms

Directions: Here is a list of words and phrases from the video. Have students  find the meanings before they listen to the video.  As students listen, they are to  check off the words and phrases as they hear them. front line,  gunner, Taliban,  to take someone “out of the game”  Prince Harry’s “biggest beef”

While Listening

True  /False/NA statements

Directions: Review the statements with students before the watching the video.  As students listen to the video if  a statement is true they mark it T  if the statement is  false they  mark  it F and provide the correct answer. If there is no information available for a statement then students write NA.

1. Prince Harry explains that his knees get cramped in the helicopter.
2. Harry loves being an Apache pilot.
3. In the military he’s just one of the guys and doesn’t get treated any differently.
4. Harry sleeps and eats with the other men.
5. Harry is a pilot and his job is on the front lines.
6. Harry is referred to as the trigger man or the gunner.
7. The function of Harry’s unit is to hunt down the Taliban.
8. During the interview Prince Harry stated, “ There’s people trying to do bad stuff to our guys, then we’ll take them out of the game”
9. A week after Harry arrived his base was attacked on his birthday
10. One of the concerns of the military is whether or not Prince Harry could be kept safe.
11. Harry missed the announcement of his brother’s (Prince William) and Kate’s pregnancy while he was away.
12. Harry’s big beef was with the press.

Questions for Discussion

Directions:Place students in groups and have them discuss the following questions.

1. After listening to this video has your personal idea of_____changed in any way?   If yes, describe in what way. If no, describe your original opinion.
2.  Did you agree with everything the speaker said? Discuss which comments you agreed with and which ones you tended not to agree with. Explain why.
3. With your group members, make up questions that you would like to ask the speakers.

ANSWER KEY: Prince Harry’s US visit.

Tags: Prince Harry of Britain, U.S. visit

UpDate: President Obama’s State of the Union Speech, MSNBC

Update On President’s Address. Here is a list of some of the key issues President Obama discussed in his State of the Union Address last night. Several reporters from the popular news station MSNBC reported on different topics the President spoke on.

Reminder: Have students use this list to answer the comparison question from ESL Voices’ lesson plan from yesterday. Listening Activity section: Questions Following President’s Obama State of the Union Address for 2013.

Excerpts:

Stronger gun Control?

O’Donnell called President Obama’s message “extraordinary,” but was hoping for a more public confrontation with House Speaker John Boehner. “I just wish he had turned to John Boeher and asked him, openly in front of the country, why wouldn’t there be a vote?”  Read More

Deficit reduction...

“President Obama put deficit reduction near the very beginning of his 2013 State of the Union address and again called for a “balanced approach.”  Read More

a minimum wage hike

“Obama proposed a minimum wage hike, but suggested that it should automatically rise with the cost of living. “No one who works full-time should have to live in poverty,” he said.” Read More

Troops stationed in Afghanistan...

Half of the remaining 66,000 troops stationed in Afghanistan will return home by this time next year, President Obama announced, finally ending America’s longest war.” Read More

Better Pre-schools...

“President Obama called for access to better preschools, especially for disadvantaged children, as well as job training and more help paying for college.” Read More

5 things to watch in Obama’s State of the Union, By J. Yellin, CNN

ESL Voices Lesson Plan for this post with Answer Key.

What  points should we listen for in President Obama’s State of the Union Address tonight? CNN provides five of these points in the following excerpt:

President Barack Obama, flanked by Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner delivers his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress. Photo by Saul Loeb-Pool:Getty Images.

Excerpt:

1. Slap and tickle

Sources say the president will point out bipartisan progress on immigration reform but he’ll take it to the GOP on debt and tax reform. Already, Republicans are bracing to play victim…

2. Wish lists

Expect to forget what the president says. Nothing personal, Mr. President, but State of the Union addresses are notoriously forgotten.

John F. Kennedy was a great orator — quick, what did he say in his State of the Unions? How about Reagan? They’re just not great venues for rhetoric.

Granted, the Monroe Doctrine and the Four Freedoms were both laid out in State of the Unions, but in general they tend to be laundry lists for party policy wishes.

President Obama delivered the 2012 State of the Union address to Congress. CNN

3. What he doesn’t say

An average of 44 million people have watched Obama deliver previous State of the Union addresses. His aides say a huge audience equals a huge opportunity.

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_19682246

So, will he seize the opportunity to answer his critics and respond to his base on issues including: U.S. use of unmanned drones, the legal rationale for targeting Americans, U.S. policy in Syria, Iran’s nuclear program, and security of U.S. diplomatic posts? On the domestic front, will he address poverty in the United States? Will any of these controversial issues make the cut?

Group of people watching State of the Union Address 2012. Photo- Politico

4. Keep count

Count how many times your issue gets mentioned.

While presidential speechwriters insist the amount of time dedicated to an issue in most speeches doesn’t matter as much as the language used to describe it, the State of the Union is an exception. That’s because every word is debated.

Aides say this speech will be heavy on economic themes. But look to see how much time Obama spends on the other issues he outlined in his inaugural address, including gay rights, women’s rights, climate change and education. Mentions matter.

First Lady Michelle Obama at State of the Union Address 2012. Photo- WPPolitics

5. Will she or won’t she?

Serious people don’t care — or so they say. But since first lady Michelle Obama shocked tout de D.C. by showing her guns in the heroes box during the president’s 2009 joint address to Congress, her outfit has become one of the best (sometimes only) surprises of the night.

Watch President Obama’s State of the Union Address Tonight. check for local times.

ESL Voices Lesson Plan for this post

Level: Intermediate -Advanced
Language Skills: Reading, writing, speaking and listening. Vocabulary and grammar activities are included.

Time: Approximately 2 hours.

Materials: Student handouts (from this lesson) access to news article, and video.

Objective: Students will read the article with a focus on improving reading comprehension and learning new vocabulary. At the end of the lesson students will express knowledge of the President’s State of the Union Speech through discussions, and writing.

I. Pre-Reading Tasks

 KWL Chart

The K-W-L chart is used to activate students’ background knowledge of a  topic in order to enhance their comprehension skills. This is one of the most efficient methods to use to elicit information from your students.

The K-W-L stands for: what I Know, what I Want to learn, and what I did Learn. Here’s a great one from Reading Comprehension MSU.

Directions: Have students use the KWL chart to list the information they already know about  the State of the Union Speech.  Later in the Post- Reading segment of the lesson, students can fill in what they’ve learned about the topic.

•  Predictions

 

Pre-reading Organizer 

Directions:  Ask students to examine the title of the post, and of the actual article they are about to read. Then, have them  examine the photos. Based on these sources,  ask students to  fill in the columns of the  pre-reading chart by McGraw Hill Company. will discuss.

 

 

II. While Reading Tasks

•  Vocabulary

Word Inference

Directions: Students are to infer the meanings of the words in bold taken from the article. They may use a dictionary or thesaurus for assistance. Have the students write sentences using each word.

1. Sources say the president will point out bipartisan progress on immigration…
2. Already, Republicans are bracing to play victim.
3. …State of the Union addresses are notoriously forgotten.
4. John F. Kennedy was a great orator –
5. So, will he seize the opportunity to answer his critics a
6. Will any of these controversial issues make the cut?
7. While presidential speechwriters insist the amount of time dedicated to an issue in most speeches doesn’t matter…
8. That’s because every word is debated.
9. Aides say this speech will be heavy on economic themes.
10. But since first lady Michelle Obama shocked tout de D.C. by showing her guns in the heroes box…

Reading Comprehension

True / False

Directions:  The following statements were taken from the article.  If  a statement is true, students write (T) if  a statement is false they  write (F)  and  provide the correct answer from the article.

The article states:

1. There four things to watch for as the president lays out his second-term agenda.
2. Republicans are bracing for a fight.
3. State of the Union addresses are notoriously forgotten.
4. John F. Kennedy was a great orator.
5. An average of 40  million people have watched Obama deliver previous State of the Union addresses.
6. Two issues President Obama  might discuss are: U.S. use of unmanned drones, and security of U.S. diplomatic posts.
7. In the State of the Union speech every word is debated.
8. Other issues that might be discussed are animal rights, and  rights for the elderly.
9. Another point to watch is what will the First Lady wear.
10. During  the President’s  2009 speech adored the dress Michelle Obama wore.

•  Grammar Focus

Using Adjectives  to describe pictures    

Directions: Place students in groups, and have them choose a picture from this lesson. Each group will  write a descriptive paragraph using adjectives. As a class review the adjectives from each group, then share the paragraphs with the class. As they view the photos here are some questions to think about:

Who are the people in the photograph?

What do they appear to be doing?

What do you think they are actually thinking about?

III. Post Reading Tasks

• Reading Comprehension Check

WH-How Questions

Directions: Have students use the  WH-question format to discuss or to write the main points from the article.

Who or What is the article about?

Where does the action/event take place?

When does the action/event take place?

Why did the action/event occur?

How did the action/event occur?

 KWL Chart

Directions:  Have students  fill in the last column of the KWL chart they used in the pre-reading segment of this lesson.  They may either discuss what new information they learned or write a paragraph.

• Discussion/Writing Tasks 

Directions: Place students in groups and have them answer the following questions. After, have the groups share their thoughts as a class. To reinforce the ideas, students can write an essay on one of the topics.

1. The article states that there are five things we should watch for during the President’s State of the Union Address. Can you think of any other things?Discuss why they would be important topics.
2. “Expect to forget what the president says. Nothing personal, Mr. President, but State of the Union addresses are notoriously forgotten.” How would you rephrase this statement in your own words?
3. The article states, “…since first lady Michelle Obama shocked tout de D.C. by showing her guns in the heroes box during the president’s 2009 joint address to Congress, her outfit has become one of the best (sometimes only) surprises of the night.” Do you think what the First Lady wears is really that important?  Provide reasons for why or why not. Look at the last photo of her last dress, what do you think about it?

IV. Listening Activity   

Video: President Obama’s 2012 State Of The Union Address

Here’s a video of   President Obama’s 2012 State Of  The Union Address, have students answer the following questions.

Questions for President Obama’s State of the Union Address for 2012:

What were some of the issues President Obama mentioned during his address ?

Do you think he will address these issues again  tonight?

 

Questions Following President’s Obama State of the Union Address for 2013:

Directions: with your same group members, answer the following questions:

What were the major topics President Obama addressed in his speech last night?

Were there any similar issues discussed in his  Address of 2012?

If so, what were they?

Did you think he covered all of the key issues in this address?

If not, what other topics should have been addressed?

With your group make a list of questions you’d like to ask the President.

ANSWER KEY: President obama’s 2013 State of the Union Address

Tags: President Obama's State of the Union Address for 2013

How This Got to Be a Biden Moment By  Mark Leibovich,  The New York Times

ESL Voices Lesson Plan for this post with Answer Key.

During the Inauguration he demonstrated an enthusiasm and joyful  playfulness that could not go unnoticed. Frustrating his secret service people he kissed, hugged, and shook hands with bystanders who shouted his name. What are we to make of this man who may well be our next president?

Vice President Joe Biden on Pennsylvania Avenue after the President’s ceremonial swearing-in.Photo- Carolyn Kaster:Associated Press

Excerpt:

“President Obama had just finished taking the oath and the Marine band played “Hail to the Chief” and the cameras panned to children waving little flags. Inaugurations are momentous things. And then, after the benediction, I opened an e-mail from my friend Matt, who had extracted another unalienable truth from the proceedings:

“Biden is a testament to the transforming power of successful hair plugs.”

Well yes, he is, though the hair plugs are not a new Biden phenomenon. What’s telling here is that at a spectacle so potent and on a stage so crowded, the eye would be so naturally drawn to the goofball understudy. In that sense, Matt represents a cultural wave.

“Transforming” is the key word. In a few short months, the motor-tongued, muscle-car-loving heartbeat-away hell raiser has been transformed from gaffe-prone amusement to someone whose star shines as brightly as his teeth… 

In his spare time, Mr. Biden also helped avert the fiscal cliff, is spearheading the White House plan to reduce gun violence and might even run for president in 2016. We might sit at the dawn of the second Obama term, with Hillary in waiting, Republicans in therapy and Congressional approvals in sub-cockroach and colonoscopy territory. But for whatever reason, the perfect flower of this peculiar moment grows from the earthy core of Joseph Robinette Biden Jr.

Vice presidential hugs and kisses after the oath of office for Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who administered it. NYT.

Presidential Inauguration…Faith in America’s Future’ By Ed O’keefe,The Washington Post

ESL Voices Lesson Plan for this post  with Answer Key.

Photo Update for 2013:

President Obama took the oath of office from Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. at the official swearing-in ceremony in the Blue Room of the White House on Sunday. Photo-Doug Mills, NYT

The Presidential  Swearing-in ceremony took place in Washington DC, on Sunday, January 20, 2013 (the original date Monday, January 21, was changed). Barack Obama was sworn in for his second term as President of The United States by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. His theme for the 2009 Presidential  inauguration  was, “A New Birth of Freedom”  which is a phrase taken from the Gettysburg Address, written by Abraham Lincoln. The theme for the 2013 inauguration Ceremony  is “Faith in America’s Future” .

Excerpt:

Note that this article was written November 2012, which is when the  preparations for the January 2013  Inauguration began. Hence, the  references to “next year”.

“Just as President Obama’s reelection campaign adopted a forward-looking focus, his second inauguration will also ask the nation to look ahead.

The President and First Lady wave to the adoring crowds. Photo:Newsfeed.

Congressional organizers of the presidential inauguration announced Thursday that the theme of next year’s festivities will be “Faith in America’s Future,” a focus similar to the “Forward” theme that Obama used during the closing months of his campaign… During the 57th Presidential Inauguration,

President Barack Obama blows a kiss as he and first lady Michelle Obama walk on Pennsylvania Avenue, Jan. 21, 2013. Photo: abc News.

Americans from across the country will gather beneath the Capitol Dome to celebrate our history, take measure of how far we have come, and look towards our future with hope and determination (Sen. Charles E. Schumer -D-N.Y.)…

The inauguration will be held on Monday, Jan. 21, the seventh time that it is held on a Monday, because Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, is a Sunday. When James Monroe’s 1821 inauguration fell on a Sunday, he moved it to the next day, according to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies  (JCCIC).

The JCCIC is a joint panel of House and Senate lawmakers assigned for hosting the inauguration, luncheon and review of military troops… Inaugurals for Zachary Taylor, Rutherford B. Hayes, Woodrow Wilson, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan also occurred on Mondays. Hayes, Wilson, Eisenhower and Reagan held private inaugurals on the Sunday in order to ensure an unquestioned continuity of power… (The) Inauguration also coincides with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the second time that the two federal holidays have fallen on the same day. The first time was in in 1997 for Bill Clinton’s second inauguration.

President Obama and First Lady Michelle 2013 Inauguration Ball. Photo: The nation

Construction of the inaugural platform on the West Front of the Capitol began in September and is expected to be completed by early January, according to JCCIC staffers.”

President Obama and First Lady Michelle 2013 Inauguration Ball. Photo- Suntimes

First Lady Michelle wore designer Wu...Again! Photo- SunHerald

Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill, 2013 Inauguration Ball. Photo:Harpersbazar

'Not Going To See This Again': Obama's Poignant Pause To Look Back At Crowd. Photo: NPR

What The President saw…Photo-Nationalpost news.

ESL Voices Lesson Plan for this post

Level: Intermediate -Advanced

Language Skills: Reading, writing, speaking and listening. Vocabulary and grammar activities are included.

Time: Approximately 2 hours.

Materials: Student handouts (from this lesson) access to news article, and video.

Objective: Students will read the article with a focus on improving reading comprehension and learning new vocabulary. At the end of the lesson students will express what they have learned about the Presidential Inauguration in the U.S. through discussions, and writing.

I. Pre-Reading Tasks

• Predictions

Directions:  Ask students to read the title of the post and the article.  Then, have them  examine the photos. Based on these sources,  ask students to create a list of  words and  ideas  that they think might be related to this article.  Have students use this great pre-reading organizer by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. to assist them in finding the main ideas from the reading.

II. While Reading Tasks

• Word Inference

Directions: Students are to infer the meanings of the words in bold taken from the article. They may use a dictionary or thesaurus for assistance, as well as this colorful Word organizer from Enchanted Learning.

 

1. Just as President Obama’s reelection campaign adopted a forward-looking focus…
2. …his second inauguration will also ask the nation to look ahead.
3. Congressional organizers…announced…the theme …will be “Faith in America’s Future…
4. …the dome would become a symbol of unity and democracy to the entire world…
5. Americans from across the country will gather…and look towards our future with hope and determination.
6. The JCCIC is a joint panel of House and Senate lawmakers assigned for hosting the inauguration…
7. Next year’s inauguration also coincides with Martin Luther King Jr. Day…
8. Construction of the inaugural platform on the West Front of the Capitol began in September …
9. Lawmakers earmarked $1.237 million for construction of the platform…
10. Beyond hosting the event…the inaugural balls, parties, concerts and parade are the responsibility of the Presidential Inaugural Committee, which began its work in earnest just this week.

Reading Comprehension

• Sentence Match

Directions: Students  are to complete the sentences from the article by selecting the correct words or phrases.

1. President Obama’s Inauguration theme for 2013 is___

a. Faith in America’s Future.

b. Forward.

c. We Shall Overcome.

2. President Obama’s theme for his 2012 campaign was___

a. We Shall Overcome.

b. Forward.

c. Faith in America’s Future.

3. The committee  responsible for the presidential inauguration is___

a. the Senate.

b. the House.

c.  the JCCIC.

4. During the ___Presidential Inauguration, Americans from across the country will gather beneath the Capitol Dome.

a. 46th

b. 55th

c. 57th

5. The comment, Our nation has faced countless challenges throughout its history, and each time we have come together as Americans and moved forward with renewed strength.”  was made by___

a. President Obama.

b. Chair Sen. Charles E. Schumer.

c. Vice President Joe Biden.

6. The inauguration will be held on___

a. Monday, Jan. 21, 2013.

b. Monday, Jan. 20, 2013.

c. Monday, Jan. 20, 2012.

7. When James Monroe’s 1821 inauguration fell on a Sunday, he___

a. moved it to the next week.

b. moved it to the next day.

c.  moved it a day back.

8. Next year’s inauguration also coincides with___

a. Democrats Day.

b. Presidents’ Day.

c.  Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

9. Construction of the inaugural platform on the West Front of the Capitol began in  ___of 2012.

a. September

b. November

c. December

10. The start of the inaugural parade, the inaugural balls, parties, concerts and parade are the responsibility of___

a. Michelle Obama.

b. Hillary Clinton.

c. the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

•   Grammar Focus

Using Adjectives  to describe pictures    

Directions: Have students choose a picture from this lesson and write a descriptive paragraph using adjectives. Then have them share their stories.

For a review of Adjectives visit ESL Voices Grammar

III. Post Reading Tasks

Tags: President Barack Obama, Presidential Inauguration

 My Vision for America, By Barack Obama, Special to CNN

ESL Voices Lesson Plan for this post with Answer Key.

President Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Biden and Jill Biden wave at his election-night rally Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. USA Today

Congratulations to President Barack Obama on his second-term victory!

Now that he’s won, he has  the opportunity to finish the great work that he began four years ago, making life better for Americans. He wrote the following article  three days prior to the presidential election. In it, he describes  his “visions” for what has made this country strong, and what we need to do to continue to make America strong.

Tags: American Presidential Elections, Obama wins election, U.S.