Welcome to Summer Quarter!

Conversation Class begins on Tuesday, July 12 at 9am. Please read the Class Schedule and Welcome Letter. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Conversation Class Schedule

 

Dates:                    July 12 – September 1, 2022

Days:                     Tuesdays and Thursdays

Time:                     9:00am to 10:15am

Free Talk Time:     8:45am to 9:00am

 

Teachers:    Cynthia Putnam (Tuesdays) and Jutta Maas (Thursdays)

Volunteers: Abenezer, Anne, Carol, Christine, Ian, Linda, Parvin, Steve and Valerie

Use this link to join the class. Or, click on the Zoom box to the right on this page.

Join Zoom Class - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87461402750

 

Welcome Letter

Read the letter. Look at the pictures. Answer the questions.

Dear Conversation Class students,

We hope everyone had a relaxing summer break. Taking a break is good for our health. It renews our energy for studying and learning English. Did you do something fun or relaxing on the break? Think about something to share with us about your summer break. 

On the break, there were two important American holidays. One was Juneteeth on June 19 and the other was American Independence Day on July 4. Americans observe the two holidays in different ways. We will talk about the holidays in our first week of class. Do you have a question about Juneteeth? About Independence Day? Please think about one question you would like to ask your teachers and classmates about the holidays.

To get started, read about Independence Day below. Answer the questions.

Picture #1.

American Independence Day celebrates the adoption of the U.S. Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The declaration says that the United States is a free and independent country. It is no longer ruled by Great Britain. There are 3 main ideas in the Declaration of Independence.

 

·         All men are equal.

·         All men have rights.

·         Among these rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

 

Independence Day is also called the 4^th of July. It is a national holiday in the U.S. On this day, Americans greet each other by saying “Happy 4^th.”

Picture #2.

People celebrate in many ways. The most popular is an outdoor picnic or a cookout with friends, and to watch a fireworks show. Many businesses fly the U.S. flag, and some people hang the U.S. flag on their house, or car, or in a window of their apartment. Some cities have an Independence Day parade, baseball games, musical concerts, and outdoor picnics. Can you name some popular outdoor picnic food? Hot dogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob, watermelon and apple pice.

In Seattle, there are no legal fireworks. Buying and using fireworks are prohibited. People who buy or use fireworks in Seattle can be punished by up to one year in jail and/or a $5,000 fine. Why do you think fireworks are prohibited?

This is the end of our welcome letter. We look forward to hearing about what you did on the Summer break.

Sincerely,

Jutta and Cynthia

Questions:

1.     Name the 2 holidays that happened on summer break. What are the dates?

2.    Do people say “Happy 4^th” or “Happy Freedom” on Independence Day?

3.    What does American Independence Day celebrate?

4.    Name one main idea of the Declaration of Independence.

5.    How do Americans celebrate July 4^th? How did you celebrate it? What do you see in pictures #1 and #2?

6.    What is the date of Independence Day in your home country? How do people celebrate?