Teenagers and smartphones

Let's talk about a current issue: the use of smartphones among teens.

1. Are you addicted to your smartphone? Watch the following video and answer the questions. Then, count all your points and share your result with your classmates.

2. Read the following article about teens and their smartphones.

 

You can find this article HERE (iSL Collective)

3. In groups of four, discuss the following ideas:

• Favourite gadgets among teenagers.
• Reasons why teenagers spend so much time in front of a screen.
• Do you think teenagers need to have a smartphone? Explain your reasons.

February: African American History Month

"African American History Month, also called Black History Month, a monthlong commemoration of African American History and achievement that takes places each February in the United States. It was begun in 1876." -Encyclopaedia Britannica-

You can also read an interesting article about this topic here.

The Poor Voter on Election Day -- Poem

The Poor Voter on Election Day     by John Greenleaf Whittier

The proudest now is but my peer,
The highest not more high; To-day,
of all the weary year,
A king of men am I.
To-day, alike are great and small,
The nameless and the known;
My palace is the people’s hall,
The ballot-box my throne!

Who serves to-day upon the list
Beside the served shall stand;
Alike the brown and wrinkled fist,
The gloved and dainty hand!
The rich is level with the poor,
The weak is strong to-day;
And sleekest broadcloth counts no more
Than homespun frock of gray.

To-day let pomp and vain pretence
My stubborn right abide;
I set a plain man’s common sense
Against the pedant’s pride.
To-day shall simple manhood try
The strength of gold and land;
The wide world has not wealth to buy
The power in my right hand!

While there’s a grief to seek redress,
Or balance to adjust,
Where weighs our living manhood less
Than Mammon’s vilest dust, —
While there’s a right to need my vote,
A wrong to sweep away, Up!
clouted knee and ragged coat!
A man’s a man to-day!

This poem is in the public domain.

USA Election Day

In the USA, every four years the presidential term comes to an end and an election process to elect a new President starts.

     * What do you know about the US Elections?

      

     * After watching the video, answer the following questions (based on the website The English Blog)

1. How often are US presidential elections held?
2. US elections are decided by the popular vote. True? or False?
3. How many States does the US have?
4. How many congressional districts do North Carolina, California and Kansas have each?
5. Which State has more Senators? a. Kansas   b. California    c. Both
6. What happens on January 20th?

     * Now that you know a little bit more about the US Elections, think about the elections in your country: 

                        - How long is a political term in your country?

                        - What are the main political parties in your country?

                        - Is the election process of your country similar to the US election process?
                                

     * Speeches and Election Promises --- Listen to an electoral speech 

   * Some Key Words: politics, politicians,  party (political group), opinion poll, front runner, election campain, landslide (big election victory), floating voter, electors, electoral collage, candidate, ballot, ballot box, presidential term

      * EXTRA SPEAKING --- Some reflections:

                   - Do you think it is important to vote?

                   - What makes a good politician?

                   - If you were elected leader of your country, what law would you change first?

    * US Elections 2016