美国国家文化复习汇总k-w-l chart.doc

KWLWhat We Know About AmericaWhat We Want to Know About America What We Have Learned About AmericaI know the leader Martin Luther King and his speech ”I Have a Dream.”I know the popular American sport is basketball. Americans values and culturesIndividuality and individual rights are most important to Americans.Americans place a high value on achievement and this leads them to constantly compete against each other.Americans are friendly, outgoing, materialistic and adventurous.The American characterThe belief in individualism is a basic part of American character.American idealism comes largely from the nations Protestant religious heritage. It influenced all Americans so strongly.All school systems in the US have 12 years of elementary, middle school and senior high school.American ideal of individual success based on equality of opportunity and on “working your way to the top.”To get a general knowledge of the American education system.To get acquainted with American school life.American public schools have 4 basic characteristics in common:locally controlled, free from religious influence, coeducational publicly supported by taxes.The War of Independence affected America deeply.The Declaration of Independence was proclaimed.To know the situation before the War of Independence.To learn the process of the War of Independence.To understand the significance of the Declaration of IndependenceWe hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness - The Declaration of IndependenceColumbus landed on the island of San Salvador on October 12, 1492. Because Columbus thought he had reached India, a part of Asia, he referred to the people on the island as Indians.To learn about the history of early exploration of the New WorldTo know the Puritan beliefs and the origin of ThanksgivingTo learn the original 13 colonies The New World is one of the names used for the non-Eurasian/non-African parts of the Earth, specifically the Americas and Australia. To many Europeans, the New World seemed to be a place of innocence, freedom, and eternal youth.Some American values developed from American Westward Expansion experienceBy expanding the nations borders included 3 million square miles ,the US became one of the most powerful nations of the 20th century.1.Motivations of peoples moving westward.2.The trail of tears of the Indians.3.Territory expansion of the US.4.Hardship of the pioneers. (e.g. the Donner Party)5.Gold Rush.6.Values associated with the frontier heritageThe Gold Rush transformed California from a sleepy society into one that was wild, unruly, ethnically-diverse and violent.Self-reliance and the rugged individualism 自力更生、粗犷朴实的个人主义Inventiveness and the can-do spirit独创性和实干精神Equality of opportunity机会均等The Presidential Election will be hold every four years.The U.S. Democratic National Convention in 2012 kicked off in Charlotte, North Carolina, where President Barack Obama accepted nominations as the presidential candidate later.To get to know the general knowledge of the two parties of AmericaTo learn the presidential election of AmericaIts not easy to choose a candidate, for delegates from 50 states may back several candidates. The final choice is made when one candidate has received more than half of the votes.After the presidential candidate is chosen, hes allowed to choose his running mate.After the convention, the whole party will help its candidate run the election all over the country.Requirements to be president:At least 35 years oldBorn in the USLived in the US for the least 14 yearsHow long is he/she president?Up to 2 terms4-year termsTo learn the three branches of the USATo get to know some of the Presidents of the USAPresident: the leader of the nation. His main job is to see that the laws are faithfully executed.Federal Courts: Created and established by Congress.Supreme Court : the highest court in the USTrain: 1.Groomsmen and bridesmaids 2. maid of honor 3.ring bearer and flower girl 4.brides father take her daughterTo get to know love and marriage of American stylesTo learn some customs concerning American wedding.1.going out with someone2.marriage proposal3. engagement4.shower for the bride-to-be5.Wedding day 6. honeymoon7.anniversary I know several American festivals, such as Christmas Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Halloween. To get a general knowledge of the American festivalsTo learn how Americans observe their festivalsThe turkey pardoning began in 1947. Since then, every US president has pardoned a turkey on Thanksgiving.A Christian holy day in March or April when Christians remember the death of Christ & his return to life.Generally, Americans are direct, open-minded, friendly and easy-going, but they also have extreme individualism and clear boundary. To get a general knowledge of the American familyTo get acquainted with some American etiquetteTo learn some useful words and expressions concern