Lesson 25: Watch Out!

Summary

Anna learns about a new game, "Catch Americana." She walks around the memorials to U.S. Presidents and learns fun facts by playing the game.

Speaking

In this video, you can practice saying the new words and learn how to make recommendations using "should."

Pronunciation

This video teaches about past tense contractions, like "didn't."

Conversation

Anna: Hello from Washington, DC! This city has many monuments and memorials.

Anna: Today I am visiting the ones built in memory of our Presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt.

Anna: I want to learn more about them.

Anna: Hey! Watch out!

Dan: Sorry! I didn't see you.

Anna: You were not looking. You should be more careful.

Dan: I know I should be more careful. But this game is really fun.

Anna: What kind of game?

Dan: You have to find things that aren't really there.

Anna: How can you find things that aren’t really there?

Dan: They're in your phone. See?

Anna: I see. It’s like a scavenger hunt.

Dan: That’s right!

Anna: I don’t have time for games. I want to learn about U.S. presidents.

Dan: Then you should play this game! When you find an American symbol, you win points and a Fun Fact about a U.S. President.

Anna: I have time for this game!

Dan: Here are the symbols that I caught: the Statue of Liberty for 20 points, Uncle Sam for 40 points and the American flag for 60 points.

Anna: What symbol are you looking for now?

Dan: I am looking for the bald eagle. That is 100 points! It should be near the Washington Monument.

Anna: This game is awesome.

Dan: You ought to buy the app right now. It’s called “Catch Americana.”

Anna: Got it. Catch Americana.

Anna: Thanks! Good luck!

Dan: Good luck to you too!

Anna: This is the Jefferson Memorial.

I know that Thomas Jefferson signed the Declaration of Independence! Now, where is that symbol?

Anna: Here it is! My first one. It’s an American flag! I won 60 points!

Anna: An American flag works well for Thomas Jefferson. I see lots of American flags on Independence Day!

Anna: Where is my Jefferson Fun Fact?

Voice: In his lifetime, Thomas Jefferson wrote about 19,000 letters!

Anna: I did not know that. Where is the next symbol?

Writing

In this lesson, Anna learns about a new video game. What games do you like to play? Write to us to tell us about the video games or other games you like. Send us an email or write in the Comments section.
Use the Activity Sheet to play a game that helps you practice talking about games, sports, and leisure activities.

Activity Sheet - Lesson 25

Learning Strategy

Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective.
The learning strategy for this lesson is Make Associations. When we think of connections between things we are making associations.
In this lesson, Anna connects the picture of an American flag in her mind with President Thomas Jefferson. She sees the flag in the game and says,
"I know that Thomas Jefferson signed the Declaration of Independence! Now, where is that symbol?"
"Here it is! My first one. It’s an American flag! I won 60 points! An American flag works well for Thomas Jefferson. I see lots of American flags on Independence Day!"
Anna is making associations between the flags and President Thomas Jefferson. What associations do you make when learning new things in English? Is there something in this lesson that you can associate with the new words? Maybe the association will help you remember them. Write to us in the Comments section or send us an email. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan for more details on teaching this strategy.

Listening Quiz

Check your understanding and practice your listening skills with this quiz.