Before reading the whole article,focus on the following headline fromNational Geographic:"The heartbreaking, controversial history of Mount Rushmore," Amy McKeever, National Geographic, October 28, 2020.
1. Word work:heartbreakingandcontroversial.
a.Break down the word "heartbreaking." What kind of feeling does it evoke?
b.Focus on "controversial."
- Does it remind you of a French word?
- If something iscontroversial, what do you think happens when people talk about it?
2.In pairs,make two short lists:
a.What do you think might beheartbreakingabout Mount Rushmore?
b.What do you think might becontroversialabout Mount Rushmore?
3. How might this article be different from the FOX Weather article or video studied in "Know More About Mount Rushmore: Tourist Attraction"?
The Heartbreaking History of Mount Rushmore - Pre-Reading Worksheet 2
Native spirits: From guessing to understanding
1.The people.
Focus on the people shown in the sky.
a.Who might they be? Look at their clothing and hairstyles.
b. What are they supposed to evoke or symbolize in relation to the faces carved in stone?
2.The composition of the picture.
a.What might their position in the sky above the monument suggest?
b.Compare the impression or feeling created by the stone carvings on the one hand, and by the faces in the sky on the other hand.
3.React to the picture.
a.In pairs, write 2-3 sentences explaining what message this image might convey.
b. How do you think the picture connects with the title of the article? What part of the image/story might be heartbreaking/controversial?