“School Education in the USA”

Урок - защита проектов по теме "Образование в США"

Тема:

"School Education in the USA".
План урока:

1. Вступительное слово учителя.

2. Контроль лексического навыка (знаний реалий английского языка) по теме в форме соревнования между тремя командами.

3. Защита проектов.

4. Контрольные вопросы учащихся по темам своих проектов представителям других двух групп.

5. Групповая работа по заданиям карточек.

6. Выполнение теста.

7. Составление коллективного портрета школы будущего (домашние заготовки).

8. Резерв урока. Аудирование "Американские богатеи - какие они?".

9. Контроль понимания.

10. Поведение итогов урока.

Ход урока

I.

- Today we are having the defence of projects lesson. First I want you to revise the new words and notions on the topic "Education in the USA". We'll see how much you've gained. Let's do it in the form of competition. Your task is to give Russian equivalents:

II.

- Well, thanks for well-done job. You all were at your best.

III.

- Now, let's come to the matter. I give the word to our superviser. Galya, you are welcome.

- Thanks. In the fourth term we worked hard on the topic "Education in the USA". We learned new words, we read texts and discussed different problems, we listened to the lectures of our teacher. Some pupils prepared summary tables. We worked in three directions. The first group worked out (elaborated) the project "School Education in the USA", the second group - "Higher Education in the USA", the third group - "School and College Life". I give the word to …, …, … .

Project "School Education in the USA"

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Most Americans really believe in public education. They want their children to go to schools that are free and are open to all. They want their children to make friends with everyone - children of all races, from all kinds of families, with different talents and different interests.There is no great difference between city, suburban, and country schools in the United States. Public schools teach the same subjects in the same grades across the land. Most school buildings look the same and have the same types of rooms inside. Here is always a gym, a large room for basketball and other sports. There is a lunchroom, a school library and an auditorium, a very large room where all the students and teachers can meet. Most schools also have rooms for the school band to practice in. They have rooms for students to type and use computers. There are usually rooms for students to work with paint, wood, metal and other materials. These are all part of most American public schools, no matter where they are.Public schools in the U.S. are paid for by money from everyone. Public schools do not teach religion. At public schools students wear what they want. They often dress in bright colours and tennis shoes. They sometimes invent new and interesting fashions.

TESTS AND MARKS.In the United States students take many tests each year. If students pass these tests, they go on to the next grade where the work is harder. Most American schools give the following marks: A - 91-100 percent, B - 81-90 percent, C - 80 percent, D - 65-70 percent, E - 50-64 percent, F - below 50 percent. In high school it is possible to take some classes without marks. Then the student gets a "P" for "pass" and "F" for "fail". Students get report cards four times a year. One copy is sent to the parents and the school keeps a copy.Seventy-one percent of American students graduate from high school. Some students don't want to continue their education. When they leave school they will look for a job. 40 percent of high school students go on to college.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Only about 17 percent of American children are sent to private schools. Private doesn't mean better. But it does mean expensive. Parents who send their children to private schools must pay to do so. Most private schools accept only children who are already doing well in school and are able to work quietly. Some take only boys or girls. Classes are often less crowded than classes in public schools. This gives children a chance to learn more of what their teachers are trying to teach them. Children at many private schools wear special school uniforms, all exactly the same.

Some parents choose private religious schools for their children. These schools each belong to a church. They give lessons about that religion. They give lessons in all the usual school subjects as well.

Project "Higher Education in the USA"

CHOOSING A COLLEGE

40 percent of high school students go on to college. They are each writing letters to three or four different colleges and sending in forms.

Colleges accept only those students who have done well in high school. They want to meet these students before they decide to accept them. Colleges want to know why students have chosen them, and how they will pay for their college education.

Students chose from about 2,000 colleges in the U.S. There are differences between colleges and the type of study programs they have. Colleges are paid for privately, so students usually pay more to go there. The cost of higher education in the United States is rising every year.

State universities are large. They are paid for by money from the state. Students from that state pay less to study there.

Colleges and universities often have money for students who cannot pay, but it is not enough for everyone. Some have part-time jobs while they are at college.

GOING TO COLLEGE

Going to college usually means leaving home for the first time. Most college students live on campus, which is the place where all the college buildings are. Some students have rooms in buildings called dormitories. Others may live in "fraternity" or "soronity" houses. These are clubs for men or women students. Some people prefer to live off campus. They try to find rooms or apartments near the campus.

A college diploma is called a degree. There are three degrees that students can take. The first foue years of college gives an undergraduate degree. Students in undergraduate degree study lots of subjects. They do not choose their most important subject until the end of undergraduate school. They earn credits for the classes they complete. They must have a certain number of credits in their most important subject and some credits in other subjects, too. Then they get a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree.

With a BA degree, college students can go on to graduate school. After two or three years, they can get a Master of Arts (MA) degree. They take only subjects that lead to the MA. These are subjects that will be important for their later work. Graduate school can prepare students to become teachers or lawyers, for example. With a Master of Science degree (MSc), they can become scientists. They can prepare for work in business with Master of Business Administration degree (MBA). Students can go on in graduate school to get a Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD). That is the highest degree university students can get. Most university teachers must have a PhD.

In the U.S. many students stay on at college to get a master's degree because a bachelor's degree is often not enough to get the job they want. It can take a long time and a lot of money. It takes at least ten years to become a doctor, seven years to become a lawyer, and five or six years to become a teacher. Many students are in their mid or late twenties when they finally start work.

Project "School and College Life". American children spend the most part of the day at school. From 9 till half past 3 they have lessons. And after lessons they attend different clubs. They are interested in outdoor activities; they go in for many kinds of sport. Each school and college in the USA has its own team. Many of them are members of different youth organizations. They like to organize and to take part in different performances.

Each school serves a neighbourhood, and neighbourhoods are different. In some the parents take an active part in what their children are doing at school. They give their time, their ideas, and they may give gifts to their schools. There is PTA (Parent-Teacher Association) which works for the improvement of a school. It is an organization of teachers and parents. That's what makes a good school in America.

Schools try to interest students in their neighbourhood too. Trips to the firehouse, police headquarters, newspaper offices and other places are very popular with young children. Some schools have newspapers written by students for their neighbours. Older students mat clean up the neighbourhood together. They may earn money by washing cars, and use the money to help sick or elderly people in the neighbourhood. These are ways students learn about the American way of life.

American school has many traditions. We want to tell you about some of them.

Pledge of Allegiance. Every classroom has an American flag in it. From elementary to high school, students start each day by standing up and saluting the flag. They put their hands over their hearts and say the "Pledge of Allegiance". This is a promise to the country. It was written by people who came to America over 200 years ago. Saluting the flag helps people think about the United States and its freedom.

Homecoming. At any high schools and universities there is a big football game once a year and a parade afterwards. This is called "Homecoming". Students who graduated from the school like to return for "Homecoming" to see their old friends and teachers again. In the parade cheerleaders and football players walk together. The school band plays loud music for their fans and team. The parade is full of the school colours.

Awards. In American schools there are ceremonies for students who have done good work in school or who are excellent at sports. At these special ceremonies all the students and teachers come together. They watch the school director give prizes to the students. Sometimes the prize is money for later university study.

Graduation. When students graduate from high school, each of them gets a prize. The prize they get is the high-school diploma written on nice paper with the name of the student and the school. Afterwards the graduating class has a big party or "prom". Everyone wears fine clothes and a band plays dance music. It is a party to remember. Students, teachers, and parents have worked hard for each diploma. Graduation is the greatest ceremony of all in American schools.

IV.

- Now, we'll see how much you understood. I want you to ask questions to the students from other groups on the themes of your projects.

№ 1.

1. How are public and private schools financed?

2. How many children are sent to private schools in America?

3. What do American students wear in private schools (in public schools)?

4. How often do students get report cards?

5. How many years do they attend school?

6. When do they have vacations?

7. How many days a week do they go to school?

№ 2.

1. What are the oldest Colleges in the country?

2. Do students pay to study at colleges and universities?

3. Where o mot college students live?

4. What is a college diploma called?

5. How many degrees can American students take?

6. What students do colleges accept?

№ 3.

1. How do students salute the flag?

2. What is "Homecoming"?

3. What are students of American school awarded for?

4. What is "prom"?

5. How do schools try to interest students in their neighbourhood?

V. - Now, you'll work in pairs. You'll do the tasks of the cards. I'll give you two minutes and then we'll check up yours tasks.

№ 1 "Pick out sentences to describe public schools".

1. Schools are paid for by money from everyone.

2. Schools are paid for by money from parents who send their children to these schools.

3. Schools accept only children who are already doing well in school and are able to work quietly.

4. Classes are less crowded.

5. Religion is not taught there.

6. They give religion lessons and usual school subjects as well.

7. Children wear special school uniforms.

8. Students wear what they want.

Keys: 1, 5, 8.

№ 2 "Pick out sentences to describe private schools". (См. карточку № 1)

Keys: 2, 3, 4, 6, 7.

№ 3 "What is right? - What is wrong?"

1. Higher education is fee-paying.

2. College education is free.

3. If you want to get a degree, you have to study for at least four years.

4. Colleges accept any student.

5. Colleges accept only those students who have done well in high school.

6. 40 per cent of high school students go on to college.

7. 50 per cent of high school students go on to college.

8. Colleges and universities often have money for students who cannot pay.

9. A lot of students graduate at the top of their class.

10. A few American students graduate at the top of their class.

11. Top students get money for college.

12. Top students get nothing.

13. The highest degree that university students can get is a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph D).

14. The highest degree is a Master of Science (M Sc).

Keys: right - 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13 wrong - 2, 4, 7, 9, 12, 14

VI. Test. American School Quiz.

1. When do American children go to school?

2. What are the school years in American schools called?

3. How long do American children go to elementary school?

4. How long do American children go to high school?

5. Who is the first teacher high school student see in the morning?

6. What are compulsory subjects called in America?

7. How are subjects chosen by students according to their ability and inclinations called?

8. Who helps high school students to choose subjects and also with other problems?

9. What is one of big social events that take place in high school?

10. Who leads everyone in shouts and cheers when their team is playing?

11. How do students from elementary to high school start each day?

12. What do they say while saluting the flag?

13. What is the US's flag called?

14. What are the ceremonies for students who have done good work in school or who are excellent at sports?

15. What is the prize each student gets when he (she) graduates from school?

16. What kind of schools are there in the USA?

17. Do American students of all schools wear school uniform?

18. What is the marking system used at American schools?

19. What colleges are the oldest in the country?

20. Do students pay to study at colleges and universities?

21. How many universities are there in the USA?

22. What degrees can students take?

Keys: 1. Six; 2. Grades; 3. Six; 4. Six; 5. Homeroom teacher; 6. Core courses; 7. Electives;

8. Guidance counselor; 9. "prom"; 10. Cheerleaders; 11. By standing up and saluting the flag; 12. "Pledge of Allegiance"; 13. "Stars and Stripes" and "Star-Spangled Banner"; 14. Awards;

15. A high school diploma; 16. Public and private; 17. Students of private schools; 18. A=91-100 percent; B=81-90 percent; C=71-80 percent; D=65-70 percent; E=50-64 percent; F=below 50 percent; 19. Princeton, Harvard or Yale (so called "Ivy League" Schools); 20. Yes, they do;

21. 2,600; 22. A Bachelor of Arts (BA), a Master of Arts (MA), a Master of Science (MSc), a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

VIII. - Are you tired? Have a rest and enjoy the story.

"American millioners - what are they like?"

1. "Simple guys" - простые ребята.

2. "An average" American millioner - "средний"…

3. To keep ordinary mode of life - вести скромный образ жизни.

4. Skill to economize cent - умение экономить центы.

5. In comparison with - в сравнение с…

In comparison with European rich men American once are "simple guys" as a rule. They have no special education. They come from ordinary families. "An average" American millioner is about 57. He is married and has three children.

The most of them have gone to public schools and earned their money working honestly for 55 hours a week.

80 per cent of the American millioners continue to keep very ordinary mode of life. They prefer jeans and T-shirts to elegant suits and ties. They drive cars themselves. Their wives are proud of their skills to economize cent.

Almost half of the present millioners were very bad students at school.

IX. - How much did you understand?

1. What can you say about "an average" American millioner?

2. What kind of school have most of them gone?

3. How have they earned their money?

4. What mode of life do they keep?

5. What do they prefer to wear?

6. What are their wives proud of?

7. What kinds of students were almost half of the present American millioners?

X. Thanks a lot to everybody. I see you've got deep knowledge of the subject. I hope you've enjoyed the projects of your classmates.