America’s Endangered Places

Warm Up

1. What are some famous places in your country?

2. What is a famous place you want to visit?

3. Is your home town bigger or smaller than when you were born?
   

Reading

America’s Endangered Places

In America there are many places that used to be really popular but aren't anymore. These spots were once vibrant and full of excitement, but now they're a bit quiet.

One example is Coney Island in New York. It used to be a big beach area with lots of fun things to do like rides, shows, and eating hot dogs. But now, it's not as busy, and some of the fun things are gone. People still go there sometimes, but it's not as lively as it used to be.

Another place is Route 66. It was a famous road where people loved to go on long drives. Along the way, there were cool places to stop like diners and motels. But now, not many people drive on Route 66, and some of the places are closed. It's more of a memory than a busy road.

Detroit is also a place that was once really important. It was known for making cars and had lots of jobs. But things changed, and now Detroit isn't as busy as it used to be. Some buildings are empty, and it doesn't feel the same.

Lastly, there are ghost towns in the American West. These towns were once booming with people looking for gold. But when the gold ran out everyone left. Now, these towns have no people and only old empty buildings.

In short, these places were once exciting, but now they're quieter. They remind us of how things change over time in America.

Reading Comprehension

1. Name one place mentioned in the reading that used to be popular?

2. What were some of the attractions at Coney Island mentioned in the reading?

3. What was Detroit known for in the past?
   

Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever heard of Coney Island or Route 66 before? What do you know about them?

2. Do you think it's common for places to become less popular over time? Why or why not?

3. Would you like to visit any of the places mentioned in the reading? Why or why not?

4. What do you think caused people to stop going to Coney Island and Route 66?

5. How do you think the people who used to live in the ghost towns feel about them now?

6. Do you think it's sad when places lose their popularity? Why or why not?

7. Are there any places in your country that used to be popular but aren't anymore? Describe them.

8. Do you think places like Detroit can ever become popular again? Why or why not?

9. How do you think people can preserve the history and memories of places that are no longer popular?

10. Would you like to visit a ghost town? Why or why not?