We are coming to the end of the first semester.   This week we are finishing the last CASAS test for this semester.  Next week we will have our test on Unit 4.  Also next week we will be practicing our ability to order food in English at a restaurant.

Your agenda for this blog is as follows (Pease do them in the correct order, do not skip ahead.  If you do not finish, that is OK):

      1.  Correct  two  papers 

      2.  Do four grammar quizes

      3.   Email me

      4.  Reading test                                                                         

First, here are the answers to the exercise we just did at the beginning of the class;

QUIZ 5 p. 29

1. Will you study / Are you going to study

2. Will Dr. Brown retire / Is Dr. Brown going to retire

3. Will the cat catch / Is the cat going to catch

4. Will our team win / Is our team going to win

5. Will Mr. and Mrs. Bell find / Are Mr. and Mrs. Bell going to find

QUIZ 6 p. 29

1. The passengers probably will not (won’t) be very happy.

2. The flight attendants may serve extra snacks.

3. Maybe children will get restless.

4. Their parents will probably get restless.

5. They may not travel again soon.

Now here are the answers to the homework you did last Thursday:

Worksheet # 8, All Star 4, Unit 4, Lesson 5

A

1. Some workers aren’t/weren’t paid overtime.
2. A man was interviewed by a female reporter.
3. The labor protest was scheduled weeks ago.
4. The man in the wheelchair was injured in a car accident.
5. A protester was questioned by the police officer.

   B

      1.    Overtime pay and equal pay are represented in the protest.

      2.   The White House and the Washington Monument are pictured.

      3.   One school bus was sent to pick up the children.

There are many websites on the internet  which you can use to study English in class or at home.  A good one is called “a4esl”.   Click on this link, read the sentence and choose the best answer.  Write a, b, or c in your notebook first, then check your answer.

http://a4esl.org/q/h/0101/sv-goingto.html

Try this one with some vocabulary opposites.  Click on ”Start”, look at the  word in the window and then click on the best answer for the opposite word:

http://iteslj.org/v/e/ck-opposites.html

This one is a little more difficult but not too bad.  Here you will need to use one of the words at the top (go, goes, going, went or gone).  Decide which is correct and write it in your notebook.  After you write the correct word in your notebook, then you can click to check your answer.

http://a4esl.org/q/h/fb004-ck.html

Here is another.  Do the same thing.  Write the correct word or words (past or past continuous) in your notebook.  After that, check to see if your answer was correct.

http://a4esl.org/q/h/vm/pastpastcont.html

When you finish that, if you have an email address, send me an email.  I will put my new email address on the board.

After that, please write your first and last name on the right-hand white board.  Put “yes“  beside your name if you sent me an email.  Put “no” if you didn’t.

Hope you all had a great weekend!  As you know, Monday (yesterday) was a holiday, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. 

Here are the answers to last Wednesday and Thursday’s homework handout:

PAST TENSE

1.  Alan didn’t take a test yesterday.

2.  My friends dog didn’t bite me on the leg.

3.  Carl didn’t fly in an airplane last month.

4.  Betty didn’t finish her homework before dinner.

PAST OR FUTURE TENSE?

1.  Did       2.  didn’t        3.  won’t go        4.  took        5.  will (are going to) help

6.  will (it’ll)        7.  didn’t eat        8.  ate        9.  will (‘ll) take        10.  took

For those who didn’t finish, I’ll repeat the link to the EL Civics website about Martin Luther King, Jr.  First read the three pages about him and then answer the questions on the handout that the teacher will give you.   You can also do the crossword puzzle. 

When you finish that, you can check your answers  The answers to the  questions are below  (below the link.)  The answers to the crossword puzzle are on the EL Civics website (click on the link again and then go to the bottom of a page and click on “Crossword Puzzle, Answers”).

Here is the link:

http://www.elcivics.com/king-holiday-lesson.html

Now here are the answers to the handout with questions about Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Questions with Answers

1.    When and where was Martin Luther King born?

He was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia

2.    When is Martin Luther King Day observed?

On the third Monday in January.

3.    Was he a good student?  How old was he when he finished high school?

Yes.  He was 15.

4.    How did most African-Americans get to the United States?

They were bought or captured to be slaves.

5.    What was the 13^th amendment to the Constitution about?

It abolished slavery (freed the slaves).

6.    When was it passed and who was the president at the time?

1865.  President Abraham Lincoln.

7.    What did Rosa Parks do that caused a bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama?  What is a bus boycott?

Refused to give her seat to a white man and was arrested.

Protest by refusing to use the busses.`1

8.    What did Martin Luther King have to do with the Montgomery bus boycott?

He was  elected to the leader.  He was a Baptist minister.

9.     The civil rights movement organized a march on Washington, DC.    When was that?

August 28, 1963.

10.    That was where Martin Luther King gave his most famous speech.  What did he say?

“I have a dream…(that all men will be equal.)”

11.     What was his wife’s name?

Coretta Scott King.

12.    When did he die?  How did it happen?

April 4, 1968.  He was assassinated by James Earl Ray.

13.    The civil rights act was passed in 1964 and signed by President Johnson.  What did it do?

Outlawed segregation in schools and public places.

Next, here is a link to a great website that will help you with your English.  It has many possibilities for you to practice.   You will need earphones for this exercise (remember, take the earphones with the same number as your book, NOT the number for your lap top.)

http://www.manythings.org/

Look at some of the options here, then scroll down and click on the word “Pronunciation”.

When you have finished that, if you have email, send me an email.  Just say “Hi Teacher” (or anything else you want to say).  I will put my new email address on the board.

Don’t forget, next Monday is a holiday so there will be no  school.  The name of the holiday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  Today we will  find  out more  about this man and his holiday.

Here is our agenda for today:

1.   Beginning exercise

2.  All Star 4, p. 62, (Unit 4, Lesson 3)

3.  Set up the lap tops.  Go to our blog and do the following

         A. Correct today’s beginning exercise and the homework from the

               last class.

          B. Read and learn about Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Now, here are the answers to today’s beginning exercise:

PRACTICE 17, p. 54

1. When I see you Sunday afternoon, I’ll give you my answer. OR

      I’ll give you my answer when I see you Sunday afternoon.

2. Before my friends come over, I’m going to clean up my apartment. OR

      I’m going to clean up my apartment before my friends come over.

3. When the storm is over, I’m going to do some errands. OR

     I’m going to do some errands when the storm is over.

4. If you don’t learn how to use a computer, you will have trouble finding a

      job. OR You will have trouble finding a job if you don’t learn how to use a

      computer.

5. As soon as Joe finishes his report, he’ll meet us at the coffee shop. OR

     Joe will meet us at the coffee shop as soon as he finishes his report.

6. After Sue washes and dries the dishes, she will put them away. OR

     Sue will put the dishes away after she washes and dries them.

7. If they don’t leave at seven, they won’t get to the theater on time. OR

      They won’t get to the theater on time if they don’t leave at seven.

Next, here are the answers for the homework:

PRACTICE 14

1. After I did my homework last night

2. after I do my homework tonight

3. Before Bob left for work this morning

4. Before Bob leaves for work this morning

5. after I get home this evening

6. after I got home last night

7. as soon as the teacher arrives

8. As soon as the teacher arrived

9. When the rain stops

10. when the rain stopped

PRACTICE 15

1. After I finish . . . I’m going to go

2. I’m not going to go . . . until I finish

3. Before Ann watches . . . she will (she’ll) finish

4. Jim is going to read . . . after he gets

5. When I call . . . I’ll ask

6. Mrs. Fox will stay . . . until she finishes

7. As soon as I get . . . I’m going to take

8. While I am . . . I’m going to go

PRACTICE 16

1. If it rains tomorrow,

2. If it’s hot tomorrow,

3. if he has enough time

4. if I don’t get a check tomorrow,

5. if the weather is nice tomorrow

6. If Gina doesn’t study for her test,

7. if I have enough money

8. If I don’t study tonight,

After you finish that, click on the link to EL Civics and read about Martin Luther King Jr. (3 pages):  

http://www.elcivics.com/king-holiday-lesson.html

 Then raise your hand  and the teacher will give you two handouts.   Answer the questions on the first handout and then do the crossword puzzle using the vocabulary words you have learned.

Next, here is a link to a great website that will help you with your English.  It has many possibilities for you to practice.   You will need earphones for this exercise (remember, take the earphones with the same number as your book, NOT the number for your lap top.)

http://www.manythings.org/

Look at some of the options here, then scroll down and click on the word “Pronunciation”.

When you have finished that, if you have email, send me an email.  Just say “Hi Teacher” (or anything you want to say).  I will put my new email address on the board.

Then we will put the computers away.

Hi everybody!  Welcome.

This is our class blog.  You can use this in class, at home or even in your own country!

First let’s correct the exercise you did at the beginning of class today.

PRACTICE 11, p. 49

1.  ‘ll answer it        2.  “ll hold         3.  ‘ll take           4.  ‘ll move        

5.  ‘ll turn . . . off        6.  ‘ll leave          7.  ‘ll get          8.  ‘ll read

PRACTICE 12, p. 49

1.  ‘m going to         2.  ‘ll          3.  ‘m going to         4.  ‘ll        

5.  ‘m going to         6.  ‘ll          7.  ‘m going to  . . . ’ll

Next, let’s correct the homework from the last class:

Lesson 1, pp. 62-63:

A.

1.  T       2.  F       3.  F      4.  T       5.  T       6.  T       7.  F       8.  F

B.

2.  The White House is directly north of the Washington Monument.

3.  To get from the White House to the Capitol building, you can go east on Pennsylvania Avenue.

7.  To get from the Washington Monument to the White House, you don’t have go cross Independence Avenue.

8.  To get from the National Air and Space Museum to the National Museum  of American History, you can go west on Jefferson Drive and then north on 14th street.

C.

1.  What are the colors of the U.S. flag?  ANSWER:  d;  red, white, and blue

2.  How many stars are n the U.S. flag?  ANSWER:  e; 50

3.  What color are the stars on the U.S. flag?  ANSWER:  h;  white

4.  What do the stars on the flag represent?  ANSWER:  a; the 50 states

5.  How many stripes are on the flat?  ANSWER: b; thirteen

6.  What do the stripes on the flag represent?  ANSWER:  f;  the original 13 colonies

7.  What is the United States Capitol?  ANSWER:  g;  the place where Congress meets

8.  What is the capital of the United States?  ANSWER:  c;  Washington, D.C.

Now, if you are new to computers, you need to learn how to use a mouse.  (If you already know about computers you can be one of my “assistant teachers” and help the newcomers).   Here is a link (you need to learn this word) to a website that will help you learn how to use a mouse:

http://www.pbclibrary.org/mousing/mousercise.htm

When you finish that, you can read newspapers from your own country and sometimes even your own city – in your own language.   Here is the link for that:

http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/

Now, read one article in your language.  Then plan a two or three sentences in English to tell us what it said.  This is a speaking, not a writing exercise, although it is OK to write your sentences first if you want to.   Be ready if I call on you.

If you have email, send me an email at my new email address.  I will write it on the board for you.  You can just say”hi” or “hi Teacher”.

Then we will put away the computers and do a dictation if there’s time.

OK, here are the answers to Monday night’s homework;

PRACTICE 1, p. 321

1.  of        2.  to        3.  to        4.  with        5.  for        6.  to        7.  about

8.  of        9.   from        10.  to        11.  with         12.  for       13.  for

Now let’s take a few minutes to plan for the party next Wednesday.   I’ll let the class decide how you want to handle it.  

Next, go to USALearns and log in (sign in) as a student in our class.  Use your own email address and your password. 

http://usalearns.org/class/index.cfm

Then click on this link and go to News For You.  Read the story about the Japanese nuclear meltdown.  Then do the exercises.

http://www.newsforyouonline.com/index.asp

After that you can read any of the stories that interest you.  Or you can work with other programs we have learned to use this semester but please work only in English.

First, let’s correct the homework for Tuesday:

PRACTICE 4, p. 279

1.  did Marcos leave?…….when Marcos left?

2.  did he say?……..what he said

3.  is the post office?…….where the post office is?

4.  is it?……….what time is it?

5.  did David arrive?………when David arrived.

6.  is Anna from?……what country Anna is from.

7.  was Kathy……..why Kathy was

8.  lives……..who lives

9.  did Eric invite……….who(m) Eric invited

10.  borrowed……who borrowed

11.  are the restrooms located?……where the restrooms are located?

Here is the homework from yesterday:

PRACTICE 12, p. 285

2.  if chicken is                      3.  if the new teaching position includes

4.  if there will be a movie            5.  if Greg has to come

6.  if penguins ever get                 7.  if you can drive

8.  if Nasser has already left

PRACTICE 13, p. 285

1.  if (whether) Karen is      2.  where Karen went?

3.  how Pat is feeling            4.  if (whether) Pat is feeling

5.  if (whether) the bus stops     6.  where the bus stops.

Today we will review some of the information we have studied this semester, especially during the second session in preparation for the promotional test next Tuesday.  The teacher will show you some practice questions on the SmartBoard.

Now go to News For You and read the story about indoor farms.  Then do the exercises. 

http://www.newsforyouonline.com/stories.asp?ID=670

If you have time and feel really smart, try the crossword puzzle.  Click on it to make it larger, then click on the first letter to see the clue and to start typing.  You will need to read all of the stories to find the words.  Some of the words are a little difficult.

Here are the answers to the homework for Tuesday:

Quiz 7, p. 159

1.  is        2.  like          3.  work        4.  sells

5.  are       6.  spends       7.  writes       8.  calculate

And here are the answers to the homework for last night:

1. we listened  to  at Sara’s apartment    2.  I accidentally broke O

3.  we were waiting  for         4.  I always enjoy talking  to  about politics

5.  I had just written O         6.  I’ve been interested  in  for a long time

7.  I talked to  at  the reception      8.  I want to visit  O  next year

9.  I was looking  at      10.  I wanted  O     

11.  we were listening  to  at Jim’s yesterday      12.  I’m not familiar  with

13.  I was carrying  O      14.  I can always rely  on  for support and help

15.  our fourteen-year-old is responsible  for      16.  I was reading  O

17.  I bought  O       18.  O  which I enjoy studying the most

19.  I waved  at           20.  for  whom Alex was waiting

Now please go to our newspaper News For You and read the story about the Arctic resources.   Then do the exercises.

http://www.newsforyouonline.com/index.asp

After that you may read any story that interests you.  When you finish, do the exercises.

This is the homework for Tuesday night:

PR ACTICE 7, p. 243

1.  That man that I saw was wearing a black hat.

2.  (no change)

3.  The fruit that I bought today . . .

4.   . . . a person that I will never forget.

5.  (no change)

6.  The girl that sits in front of Richard has long black hair that she wears . . .

7.  (no change)

8.  (no change)

PRACTICE 8, p. 244

1.  who/that        2.  who(m)/that/0       3.  who(m)/that/0

4.  who/that        5.  who/that         6.  who(m)/that/0

Here is last night’s homework:

PR ACTICE 9, p. 245

1.  C         2.  A         3.  C        4.  C        5.  B         6. A       7.  C        8.  C

PRACTICE 10, p.  245

1.  who/that designs buildings

2.  who/that doesn’t eat meat.

3.  which/that forms when water boils

4.  which/that has a hard shell and can live in water or on land.

5.  who/that leaves society and lives completely alone

6.  which/that grows in hot climates and produces large bunches of yellow fruit.

As you know, next Monday is a holiday called Memorial Day.  Many countries have a memorial day.  Today we will learn more about Memorial Day in this country.  Click on this link and read the three pages about this.  Then do the interactive crossword puzzle. 

http://www.elcivics.com/memorial_day_lesson_1.html

When you finish the crossword puzzle and correct it (click on Check  to see your mistakes and then Solve  to see the correct answer)  write your first and last name on the righthand white board and then ask the teacher for the four handouts.

Please do the handouts in this order:  1.)  the Memorial Day reading exercise  2.) Vocabulary Match (when you finish this one, click on Answer Key to correct it),   3. ) the one with the True/False questions, and last is the Cursive Writing exercise (this you can do at home).

Next, go to News For You and read the story about Japan.  Then do the exercises.

http://www.newsforyouonline.com/stories.asp?ID=653

First let’s quickly check the answers to last night’s homework :

PRACTICE 1, p. 240

2.  who was wearing a gray suit     1. A woman asked    2.  She was wearing

3.  who aided the rebels      1.  The woman put      2.  She aided

4.  who was wearing a blue coat        1.  I saw        2.  He was wearing

5.  who broke the vase          1.  The girl apologized        2.  She broke

Next we are going to work with a new program.  This is the project I told you about and it is he reason we all needed email addresses.  It’s called USA Learns and is a great learning tool on the internet.  To begin with, I will need to explain and demonstrate it to you on the SmartBoard.   This will be our main activity for today.

In case there is a problem, here is our alternative or “back-up” for today;  go to this website, NEWS FOR YOU, and read about the tornedo outbreak.  Then do the exercises.

http://www.newsforyouonline.com/stories.asp?ID=648

Now Google:  Newspapers Online and find onlinenewspapers.com.,  Click on the one that says “Thousands of newspapers online,” then find your  country and read a newspaper from your city or hometown. 

After that you may use the time to work with any program we have learned about using in class.  Be sure to work only in English.

Are you happy?  Yes, I am.  Me too.  So am I.  I am too.  (Sound familiar?!!)

Do you like this weather?  Yes, I do.  So do I.  I do too.  Me too.

Here are the homework answers for last night:

PRACTICE 14, p. 161

1.  Mr. Tanaka was late for work because because  [he]  [missed] the bus.

2.   I closed the door because the [room]  [was] cold.

3.  Because  [I]  [lost]  my umbrella, I got wet on the way home.

4.  Joe didn’t bring his book to class because  [he]  [couldn't find]  it.

5.  The teacher couldn’t hear the question because the  [class]   [was]  so noisy.

6.  Because the  [ice cream]  [was beginning]  to melt, I put it back n the freezer.

PRACTICE 15, p. 161

1.  I opened the window because the room was hot.  We felt more comfortable then.

2.  Because the coffee was cold, Jack didn’t finish it.  He left it on the table and walked away.

3.  Because the weather was bad, we cancelled our trip into the city.  We stayed home andd watched TV.

4.  Debbie is a cheerleader.  She woke up in the morning with a sore throat because  she had cheered loudly at the basketball game.

5.  Francisco is an intelligent and ambitious young man.  Because he hopes to get a good job late in life, he is working hard to bet a good education now.

Here are an exercise using Because for you to practice. On this one, you will need to write your answer (the correct letter) in your notebook.  Afterwards check to see if you got the correct answer. Now click on the link:

http://a4esl.org/q/h/lb/sobe.html

Here is another link to practice the same thing.  Choose the best number in the big box and type it in the little box.  Then check your answers:

http://www.esl-lounge.com/student/grammar/2g44-so-because.php

If you didn’t have time on Tuesday to do these, here are some exercises to help you understand and practice with neither, either, so, and too.

http://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/esl-too-either-neither1.html

http://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-75669.php

http://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-58137.php

Now click on this link and read the story about the tornadoes in the U. S. and then do the exercises:

http://www.newsforyouonline.com/stories.asp?ID=648

When you finish that, write your first and last name on the right hand white board.

Now you have two choices.  You can read other interesting stories in News For You or you can do the practice using the Nike website.

There are other interesting stories in this issue of News For You.  You may read them if you like or you can do the following:

Here is a test to see how well you can read and follow instructions!  Also it is fun to do.

Google Nike Shoes.  Next choose Nike Store. Shoes, Clothing & Gear  (3rd one down?).  Then scroll down and click on JUST REDUCED.  After that scroll down to Mens Just Reduced Styles and click on Nike Air Max Trainer 1+   Now click on  Customize with Nike ID  and you can play with the colors and design your own shoe!!!