Expressing Opinions about American and Chinese Pop (Popular) Culture Day 1 Objectives: Materials: Vocabulary: Session 1 Discussion: Part I

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Kristina Sherman
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1 Page 1 Expressing Opinions about American and Chinese Pop (Popular) Culture Day 1 (Two-day advanced lessons requiring thought, input, and discussion from students. This unit includes teacher instruction, student worksheets, vocabulary flash cards, and pictures that can be printed and used.) Objectives: Students will be able to define and distinguish between fact and opinion. Students will learn ways to express opinions, support their own opinions with facts, and disagree with others opinions. Materials: Fact vs. Opinion worksheet; pencils; opinion and fact cards for session 2; cards with opinion statements for small group discussions as well as paper to jot down statements for session 3 Vocabulary: (to be listed on board, on cards, or in workbook) fact prove (proven) evidence opinion valid Session 1 Discussion: Distribute Fact vs. Opinion worksheet, Part I, which lists these ideas. Facts can be proven true or false. They are what are true and real. (Discuss or elicit some examples of facts.) An opinion is someone s belief or way of thinking about something: (Discuss or elicit some examples of opinions.) People, however, should be able to provide reasons and evidence to support their opinions. These make their opinions more valid (or reasonable) than others. At the same time, these reasonable people may all disagree. The following ideas may be helpful in deciding whether a statement is fact or opinion. Guidelines for Facts and Opinions Opinions: Does the author use adjectives that label, such as: pretty, ugly, safe, dangerous, attractive, good, terrible, boring, etc.? Are there words that clue you to statements of opinion, such as: probably, perhaps, usually, often, sometimes, on occasion, I believe, I think, in my opinion, I feel? Facts: Can the fact be observed? Can the person provide sources or proof? Can the fact be experienced? Phrases Expressing Opinions I think I believe I feel I disagree that often usually perhaps sometimes in my opinion on occasion probably It s only my opinion, but... I agree that Activity: After reviewing these words and phrases and using them in statements as examples, have each student share an opinion with the class using at least one of the words or phrases above. Ideas for sharing opinions: Favorite foods, song, book, hobby, etc. Comment on China s best point, worst problem, most beautiful place, worst city to live in, etc. Opinion on what should happen in the Middle East, etc.

2 Session 2 Page 2 Think, Pair, Share Students are now paired. Refer to Fact vs. Opinion (Part II) sheet. Before the activity begins, read each statement to the class orally and have them repeat it. Together in pairs they discuss (in English) each statement and decide together to mark it fact or opinion. Upon completion, call on one partner to read a statement and tell whether it s a fact or opinion. The other partner must tell why they decided it was so. Jazz Chant: Go to Part III of the worksheet and teach the jazz chant That s What I Think. Activity: Prepare 20 index cards with 10 facts and 10 opinions. Write "fact" or "opinion" on the back of each card. Ask a student to come to the front of the class and choose a card from the pile. He will read the card and ask whether it is fact or opinion. He will choose another student to answer. Continue with different students until all cards have been read. Here are possible facts to use on cards. The sun rises in the east. That company makes auto parts. Jumping rope is a form of exercise. Jack works every day. Every Saturday Sherry goes to the market Computers are found in many classrooms around the world. The sun rises and sets every day. Fridays come before Saturdays on the calendar. Farmers grow many different kinds of crops. Cameras are used to take pictures. There are many different kinds of species of insects in the world. Here are possible opinions to use on cards. Teachers should allow students to use calculators during tests. Traffic is terrible in the morning! Exercising outdoors is more fun than exercising indoors. Candy tastes better than spinach. Pizza tastes better than fish. It is harder to divide than multiply numbers. Daisies are the prettiest of all flowers. My dog is cuter than anyone else's. Flies are annoying when they are inside your house. It feels good to sit outside in the sunlight. Session 3 Discussion Time Divide students into groups of 4. Give each group a statement on a card as listed below along with the four requirements for the dialogue to be developed. The group is responsible to come up with a conversation in which all participate. A sample dialogue is given below. Each dialogue has One person who expresses an opinion. 2. One person who agrees with the opinion and tells why (gives proof or evidence). 3. One person who disagrees and tells why (gives proof or evidence). 4. One person who expresses a different opinion on the topic from the first opinion.

3 Possible Statements Do you agree or disagree? Page 3 The Creator God exists and He is not silent. A woman's place is in the home. Boys and girls should not have equal education. All property should be owned by the state. Murderers should be executed. There is life after death. Beauty is only a matter of taste. Riches are for spending. Punishment never has any good effect. You will be happier if you stay unmarried. You will be happier if you do not have any children. People work better if they are paid more. Chinese food is the best kind of food. Basketball is more interesting to watch than football (soccer). Saturdays are the best day of the week. Sample dialogue (helpers may perform this demonstration to class put this statement on the board) We are all basically selfish. Person 1: I believe we are all basically selfish. Person 2: I agree. Have you ever noticed that people always push so they can be first in line? Have you ever seen someone charge more than he should for an item he is selling? Person 3: I disagree with your opinion. I have seen people being very thoughtful and kind, especially to strangers. It just depends what their parents teach them. Person 4: Yes, I think you re right. In my opinion, people are not basically selfish. Circulate among the groups and allow time for discussion to develop. Have the group record their statements about their topic to share with the class. Have each group come to front and share their opinions. Final Activity: Divide students into groups of four. Students choose one secretary to record. Each group will come up with ten facts and ten opinions.. Teacher will collect and correct and return tomorrow to start off class and review. Assignment: Tell students to be on the lookout for statements of fact and statements of opinions while reading, watching television, talking to friends. This could be a homework assignment made in a workbook or placed on the board each person will share a fact or opinion he/she finds that afternoon or evening.

4 Expressing Opinions about American and Chinese Pop (Popular) Culture Day 2 Page 4 Now the lesson moves from a grammar focus to a fun part pop (popular) culture. We will focus first each time on American pop culture and then draw from the students parallel Chinese answers. Remember, many of these pop culture items are matters of opinion. Objective: Students will compare some American pop culture to Chinese pop culture, expressing their opinions on both. Materials: Pictures for pop culture, DVD with I Love Lucy (the candy factory scene might work best) and CD with Beatles recording of Yesterday and also a recording of Amazing Grace (CD player and DVD players). Vocabulary: pop culture (to be written on board on printed on cards and introduced) Session 1 Review: Distribute and review the 10 opinions/10 facts written by the groups. Choose examples to share with the class to model good examples and not so good examples. Also have students each share an example of a fact or an opinion that they heard since class met yesterday. Discussion: Let s talk about some American pop (short for popular) culture. The things we will discuss are topics for which almost every American has an opinion! First, most people agree that... The most popular singing group in American history The Beatles (show picture) The Beatles were a British rock group of the 1960s and shaped the course of rock and roll. No band has yet equaled The Beatles popularity and influence. Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison. They have had many songs that became number one in popularity. The 1964 song I Want to Hold Your Hand sparked Beatlemania in the United States and the band became an international success. The group disbanded in 1970, claiming they had fulfilled their potential as a band. "Yesterday" is a pop song originally recorded by The Beatles for their 1965 album Help! (show picture). "Yesterday" has the most cover versions of any song ever written, while BMI asserts that it was performed over seven million times in the 20th century alone. The song remains popular today with more than 3000 recorded cover versions (Words for song are on Part IV of the Fact vs. Opinion worksheet. Play the song for the students while they watch the words. Next, they can then sing it with you.) After the song, have a discussion. Have you ever heard of the Beatles? Do you like their songs? Did you like the song Yesterday? Why or why not? What is the most popular singing group or individual artist in recent Chinese history? (You may want to create two categories on the board one for favorite topics in USA and the other for topics in China.) Most popular food eaten in America the hamburger (show picture) Over the years, hamburgers became the most popular American food. One reason for its popularity is the way it is served. People think hamburgers on buns is a convenient way to eat them and that it makes the taste much better. Another reason is the growth of the fast food restaurant, McDonald's (show picture). When the first McDonald's was opened in the USA in 1949, hamburgers were the main item on its menu. McDonald's restaurants soon became part of almost every community in the United States. Today, McDonald's includes other items on the menu, but the hamburger still remains the main item.

5 Page 5 Discussion: What do you think are other popular American foods (pizza, hot dogs, etc.)? What are some popular foods in China right now? (Continue with list on board.) Most popular pet in America Dog Americans are in love with these animals. Dogs are the most popular pet in homes across the country. The dog is an ideal pet for a family that has many hands to help and attention to give to the pet. Show the picture of the golden retriever and explain that it is one of the most popular dogs in the USA. Discussion: What are other popular American pets? Popular pets in China? Most popular dessert of all time in America Banana Split (show picture) In 1904, a young man took a ripe banana, cut it lengthwise, laid it out on a special dish, covered it with ice cream, marshmallow, cherries, pineapple slices and crushed nuts, then topped the whole thing with sweet syrups that ran down the sides to cover the banana at the base. One hundred years later, the Banana Split stands unchallenged as America's greatest dessert, according to a food historian. He points out that the dessert is not only a fixture on the menus of our ice cream stores, but its formula has been appropriated by the chefs of our fancy restaurants. After an entire century, the Banana Split shows no sign of old age. Discussion: Would you like to eat a banana split? What are other popular desserts in both countries? (It would be neat to have a large banana split for the class to try. Bananas are no problem and you could probably get ice cream. You may have to bring toppings and small spoons.) Most popular sport played in America- Baseball (show picture) Baseball is most popular in East Asia and the USA as well as parts of South America. The United States is the birthplace of baseball, where it has long been regarded as more than just a "major sport"; for many decades, it has been popularly referred to as the "national pastime" and Major League Baseball has been given a unique monopoly status by the United States Congress. Although the three most popular professional team sports in the United States are ball games baseball, basketball and American football baseball's historical popularity was so great that even today the word "ballgame" in the United States almost always refers to a game of baseball (except in the South, where the word is also used in association with football), and "ballpark" invariably refers to a baseball field. Discussion: Do you like baseball? Have you ever seen baseball played by professionals? (You could play a quick game if time allows.) What is the most popular sport in China? Hymn sung most often in America Amazing Grace (use pictures to illustrate parts of story) *(Teacher will need to decide how much the class can understand, how much time is needed, and how much of John Newton s background can be covered. This is a place where the gospel can be shared.) Vocabulary (to be written on board on printed on cards and introduced) amazing slave trade grace God s undeserved kindness or mercy storm preacher folk songs wretch (see PART V on student sheet) Background: This religious song is the winner by far. This is probably the most popular hymn in the English language a television report was even made about it. Perhaps it is because its words so well describe the author: John Newton was a slave trader before coming to Christ. It was sung at the funeral of American president Ronald Reagan and has been sung by many famous singers in the USA In 1996 the Music Educators National Conference collected a list of songs that they believe all Americans should be able to sing in order to preserve an important part of the national culture. One of those songs was "Amazing Grace." No other hymn in the world has been recorded more often than "Amazing Grace."

6 Page 6 Sometime between 1760 and 1770, this hymn was written by an English minister by the name of John Newton. It was part of a hymn in which he expressed feelings about God's forgiveness of his sinful past. During the first 30 years of his life, Newton was certainly a miserable, unhappy, and mean person--in other words, "a wretch." As a child he was rebellious and constantly in trouble. As a young man he used bad language, drank excessively, and went through periods of violent, angry behavior. When Newton was in his early twenties, he became involved in the slave trade: living in Africa, hunting down slaves and selling slaves. Later he was the captain of a slave ship which made three voyages from Great Britain to Africa (where he loaded a cargo of slaves) and finally to America to sell them. Once, while on the ship on which he was serving, traveling in the Atlantic Ocean to England, was caught in a terrible storm off the coast of Newfoundland. As they fought the winds and rain, Newton asked God for help ("Lord, have mercy upon us!"), something he had not done since childhood. Miraculously, the storm ended; and the ship managed to reach Ireland safely. There, as Newton later wrote: "... I began to know that there is a God who hears every prayer." Despite this experience, Newton continued to work at buying and selling slaves. Newton left the slave trade in 1754 because of illness and because he disliked being separated from his wife and daughter in England. He began working and then later he made the decision to become a preacher. After a period of study, at the age of 39, he was ordained officially as a preacher. He and another man worked together to write "Amazing Grace." Later in life Newton became ashamed of his activities in buying and selling slaves. He became convinced that slavery is wrong. He spent a lot of time arguing for putting an end to it in England, convincing a lot of important people in London that he was right. Newton died at the age of 82, twelve years before slavery was outlawed in his country. After its arrival in America around 1800, the hymn became popular and was sung a lot in churches all over America. When "folk songs" became popular in America in the late 1960s and early 1970s, "Amazing Grace" was among them. Many singers recorded it with their recordings becoming "top sellers." Millions of people heard it for the first time, liked it, learned it, and sang it. Its words are simple and honest, and we can "identify" with them. (See PART V on student sheet. Students can sing with you or the recording.)

7 Fact vs. Opinion Student Name Page 7 PART I Facts can be proven true or false. They are what are true and real. An opinion is someone s belief or way of thinking about something: People, however, should be able to provide reasons and evidence to support their opinions. These make their opinions more valid (or reasonable) than others. At the same time, these reasonable people may all disagree. Guidelines for Facts and Opinions Opinions: Does the author use words that interpret or label, such as: pretty, ugly, safe, dangerous, attractive, good, terrible, and boring, etc.? Are there words that clue you to statements of opinion, such as: probably, perhaps, usually, often, sometimes, on occasion, I believe, I think, in my opinion, I feel? Facts: Can the fact be observed? Can the person provide sources or proof? Can the fact be experienced? Phrases Expressing Opinions I think I believe I feel I disagree that often usually perhaps sometimes in my opinion on occasion probably It s only my opinion, but... I agree that PART II After discussion, write fact or opinion beside each statement: 1. I think dogs are stupid pets. 2. Jack s dad is a pilot. 3. I feel that the school s decision is unfair. 4. I believe that all children should attend college. 5. Most teenagers like to talk on the phone. 6. Out of all sports, football (soccer) is played most often around the world. 7. Science is my favorite subject. 8. Not many people eat pizza. 9. Panda bears are found in China. 10. I disagree that piano is easier to learn than guitar. 11. My English teacher in this class is from the USA. 12. Aristotle said, What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies. PART III Jazz Chant That s What I Think He s crazy-- You re beautiful-- (repeat) He won t care. You re the best. She s happy-- I m better-- And... that s what I think! She is fair. Than the rest!

8 Page 8 Fact vs. Opinion on Pop Culture (Day 2) PART IV Yesterday by John Lennon and Paul McCartney of the Beatle Yesterday, All my troubles seemed so far away, Now it looks as though they're here to stay, Oh, I believe in yesterday. Student Name Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be, There's a shadow hanging over me, Oh, yesterday came suddenly. Why she Had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say. I said, Something wrong, now I long for yesterday. Yesterday, Love was such an easy game to play, Now I need a place to hide away, Oh, I believe in yesterday. Why she Had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say. I said, Something wrong, now I long for yesterday. Yesterday, Love was such an easy game to play, Now I need a place to hide away, Oh, I believe in yesterday. PART V Amazing Grace by John Newton Vocabulary: amazing slave trade storm wretch preacher grace God s undeserved kindness or mercy folk songs Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I m found; was blind, but now I see. Twas grace that taught my heart to feel and grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed. When we ve been dead ten thousand years bright shining as the sun, We ve no less days to sing God s praise than when we first begun. In 1996 the Music Educators National Conference collected a list of songs that they believe all Americans should be able to sing in order to preserve an important part of the national culture. One of those songs was "Amazing Grace." No other hymn in the world has been recorded more often than "Amazing Grace."

9 Page 9 fact prove (proven) evidence opinion

10 Page 10 valid pop culture amazing slave trade

11 Page 11 grace God s undeserved kindness or mercy storm

12 Page 12 preacher wretch folk songs

A SCANDALOUS GRACE: Lessons from the book of Jonah (2) Grace that will not let us go part two (Jonah 2)

A SCANDALOUS GRACE: Lessons from the book of Jonah (2) Grace that will not let us go part two (Jonah 2) On March 21, 1748, a ship on its way home to England in the North Atlantic was caught up in a violent