I think it's important as an ALT to share about my home country with the students. I feel like I don't do that enough, and especially lately I've been pretty homesick, so I thought it would be a nice opportunity to use this grammar point to talk about America and discuss the differences of our cultures.
There is:
1) A powerpoint presentation (two versions - (it, for, to) for 3年 or (it, to) for 2年)
2) A handout (two versions)
3) New vocabulary - the adjectives
Note:
For 3rd grade, the presentation also includes the other grammar points from that unit of New Horizons. (Noun) lets/helps (person) (verb). I want you to (verb).
For 2nd grade, it has a couple slides with - (Person) has (noun) to (verb). from that same unit.
-The powerpoint has some general cultural differences that I, and my American friends and family have noticed. I just included some things that I thought might surprise the students, and a few ideas my JTE gave me as well!
-If it doesn't seem accurate or relevant to you, you're welcome to change anything or comment a suggestion, of course! It could be based on where I'm from in America too. I did put "for most/many Americans" on a few slides because it's not always true for everyone. Like "It's important for many Americans to say I love you to their families." I included it because I remember I was surprised to hear that it's generally not so important or common in Japan in comparison to the US.
-And of course, if you're not from America, you can use your own home country! I just thought I'd share the idea.
-Throughout the presentation, I ask students what they think or if it's different or the same with Japan to engage them a little more.
The handout: There are 12 questions. The students can try to remember from the powerpoint and circle "yes" or "no." You can go through the correct answers with them afterwards. The backside is for them to write a few sentences about Japan using "it...for...to..." and the other grammar points from 3年 Unit 3 of New Horizons.
Activity: Another option instead of the handout is to cut up the vocab words, put students into groups or pairs and give them a random adjective. Then they can brainstorm a good sentence about Japan together and introduce it to you. At the end, each group can present their fact about Japan.
-The large vocab words are in case you want to print them, cut them out, and put magnets on them so you can put them up on the blackboard while going through the presentation. It can be helpful for the students to see the meanings.
I wouldn't say it's expected to say the pledge. After elementary school, no one stood and almost no one paid any real attention to the pledge. Plus, the Supreme Court ruled you can ignore saying it if you want to.
@Gaijingaiden Ah, really! It must have changed since I went to school. I remember I was sitting once and my teacher got upset at me T^T
I wonder what I should change it to? Maybe "It is typical..." or "It is common..."
@both - I feel like it was pretty accepted that most students wouldn't say it at my schools, but there was still the odd teacher who really enforced it. It could even be interesting to talk about how the actual participation varies but the pledge still always happens! :0
@kirig19 is right. You might have the occasional teacher who is a real sticker for standing during the pledge, but enforcing that is technically a violation of a student's rights. Google tells me it's been legal to ignore the pledge for students since 1943.
Thank you this is perfect for my 8th graders NH3 key sentences. I will clarify 'unnecessary' to separate the trash = for the environment, it's necessary, but people still don't. I couldn't believe that when I moved from New England (where you have to) to the south.
@Delia Of course, no problem! Glad it's useful!
Yeah, I think it is necessary for the environment definitely. Probably the better wording would be "It's not mandatory" but I that's a difficult word to use haha
Yeah, I agree that it isn't common to be forced to say the Pledge. Also, I've never seen a school that starts summer vacation in May. June was always the traditional start.
Hey! Nice powerpoint, love the HSM references! Where I went to school it was expected to say the pledge, too. I don't think expected necessarily = by force. Most people said it but those who didn't want to didn't. Also the school year definitely ended in May for me across all 11 schools I went to growing up!
Thanks for this PP! I was just in the US for the first time in 4 years and completely forgot about all of the random conversations between strangers. I guess I missed that facet of life in the US!