Hi Everyone!  Ever wonder why we say some of the things we do?  Well, join me as I explore a book called "Why Do We Say It?  The Stories Behind the Words, Expressions, and Cliches We Use" to uncover the origins of words and phrases commonly used in English!

If you want more of this and other special content, join my Patreon with a monthly pledge of $1, $3, $5, $10, or $30!  https://www.patreon.com/learnamericanwithrita

Want to know more about our new VP, the first female US executive AND first person of color to hold the VP office!  Take a listen!  I sure learned a lot and what I learned made me love her even more than I did before!  Whether you like her or not, here is some information that I found interesting!  Thanks for listening!

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Email me with stories and questions at [email protected]

Always confused on how to use they're, their, or there?  Listen up!  I'll teach you the tricks I use when I have my moments of doubt!

Take a quick listen to the history and importance of this living document in the U.S.!

Recommendations:

1. Beginner

1. Music - "You're a Grand Old Flag" - "Yankee Doodle Dandy"

1. Books - What is the Constitution? by Patricia Brennan Demuth

1. Books - The U.S. Constitution for Everyone by Mort Gerberg and Jerome B. Agel

1. The Federalist Papers (usually listed under Hamilton)

Quick lesson on English grammar and when to use our three versions of "to"...or is it "two?"  Too?  So confusing!  Here I make it fast and clear for you!

Beginner — Raffi (Musician); Dr. Seuss (Author)

Songs to look up:

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Itsy-Bitsy Spider

Ring Around the Rosie

Baa Baa Black Sheet

Old McDonald Had a Farm

Mary Had a Little Lamb

Yankee Doodle

She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain

Home on the Range

Intermediate: Spongebob Squarepants (TV); I Survived (Book Series)

Follow me on Instagram @iceteaandbooks.  Email me at [email protected]

Visit my site: learnamericanwithrita.com or 

Advanced: Breaking Bad (TV); Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain by Oliver Sacks (Book)

This is an old episode I'd recorded for a podcast that I'm no longer doing.  Thought this was appropriate for here.

Image from the National World War I Museum of the US in Kansas City.

For images of the poppy fields during WWI, please visit:

https://www.google.com/search?q=flanders+field+wwi&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjyq-ui3fjsAhUmeDABHY41A8sQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=flanders+field+&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQARgCMgQIIxAnMgoIABCxAxCDARBDMgQIABBDMgoIABCxAxCDARBDMgIIADIECAAQQzICCAAyAggAMgIIADICCABQte4DWLXuA2DCjARoAHAAeACAAc4BiAHOAZIBAzItMZgBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1nwAEB&sclient=img&ei=UOyqX_LDDKbwwbkPjuuM2Aw&bih=722&biw=1536

It's Halloween!  Hecate is our mascot as our little black cat!  This episode, I have my husband, Tony on, helping me to discuss Halloween, the history and our experiences! 

Recommendations: 

• Beginner:  

• Books:

• The Spooky Old Tree -- Berenstain Bears

• It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

• Books:

• In a Dark Room -- Alvin Schwartz

• Hocus Pocus

• Books:

• Bunnicula -- James and Deborah Howe

• Goosebumps I and II

• Books:

• Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark -- Alvin Schwartz

• Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

• Books:

• Frankenstein -- Mary Shelley

• Halloween series

Find me at:

[email protected]

@iceteaandbooks (Instagram)

Why choose Learn American with Rita?  Who am I?  What's the purpose of the podcast? 

Contact me at:  [email protected]

Follow me on Instagram at:  iceteadandbooks 

Link to Recommendations:  learnamericanwithrita.com or cube-tangerine-b7p7.squarespace.com