Monday, December 17, 2007

Christmas in Chicago


Christmas is next week!  Do you like this holiday?  Why or Why not?

My husband Zak and I are going to do a lot of driving over the holiday. This is our first Christmas as a married couple.  We want to spend time with both of our families.

First, we are going to drive to St. Louis, Missouri to see my family.  I'm really looking forward to spending time with my family.  My sister had a baby in August and I'm so excited to meet my new nephew!  We are going to eat dinner at my sister's house on Christmas Eve (the day before Christmas).

After dinner, we are going to drive to Peoria, Illinois to see Zak's family. This is the first year that I am going to spend Christmas day with Zak's family.  We are going to wake up early to open gifts.  After that, we are going to eat breakfast.  At night, we are going to eat dinner with his grandparents and his aunt and uncle.   

What are your plans for Christmas?  Who are you going to see?  Where are you going to go?    What are you going to do?  Be descriptive.  Don't worry about grammar!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

What happened?

What do you think happened in this picture? Why was Ronald McDonald arrested by the police?

Tell me a story about this picture in the PAST TENSE. Be descriptive. Use your imagination.

Don't worry about grammar and spelling, just WRITE, WRITE, WRITE!

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Moving to Chicago

I moved to Chicago from St. Louis, Missouri to go to college. When I moved to Chicago, I had to pack all of my things in boxes. I called all of my friends to say goodbye. I was nervous and excited to move to a new city. I traveled in car to Chicago for five and a half hours with my father and brother. When they drove away, I was very sad. I missed my family and friends.

When I moved to Chicago, I had to leave behind a few things that I could not bring with me. I had to leave behind a car. I used the car every day in St. Louis, but in Chicago I had to use the train and bus. It is too expensive to have a car in Chicago. I had to leave behind my cat. I loved my cat so much, but there was not enough room for him to live with me in Chicago.

What are two things that you had to leave behind in your native country? Please tell me how this made you feel.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

The Perfect Meal

Talking about food in class is making me hungry! What about you?

My perfect meal would be pastel de carne (a bottom layer of ground beef with tomato sauce, pimenton, eggs, onions, and a layer of mashed potatoes on top). My father would make the meal because he makes the best pastel de carne! I would need lots of bread so I can soak up all the delicious juices. I would drink a large glass of water. For dessert, I would have a large bowl of fresh fruit like in the picture you see above.

What is your perfect meal? Be very descriptive and use adjectives! I want to be able to taste your perfect meal!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Thanksgiving


Thanksgiving is on Thursday. This is a very important holiday for Americans. It is a day to gather with family and friends to give thanks and enjoy a very large meal. Some of the popular foods are turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, and pumpkin pie.

Do you celebrate this holiday? Why or why not? What do you do on Thanksgiving? Where do you go? Who do you see? What do you eat?

Is there a holiday like Thanksgiving in your native country?

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

What are they doing?


Tell me as much as you can about this picture. Where are these people? What are they doing? Use adjectives to describe each person.




Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Employment

Today in class we started talking about employment and I would like to hear your opinions about work. Pick two to write about:

1) Do you think it is difficult to find a job in Chicago? Why or why not?

2) If you are married, do you think your husband has a good job or is he
looking for a better job?

3) Do you enjoy learning about employment in class? Why or why not?

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Occupations

This week we're going to start talking about occupations. I am an ESL teacher. I like my job because I meet students from all different parts of the world. Sometimes, my job is difficult because there is a lot of planning and grading involved. My favorite part of my job is helping my students learn English so that they can meet their goals: finding a better job, going back to school, helping their children with their homework, going to a doctor's appointment, calling 911.

Do you have a job? Remember --> Being a parent is a job! What do you like about your job? What don't you like about your job?

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

A Typical Day


Here is a picture from my trip to Ireland. This a picture of the Cliffs of Moher overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. That's a castle at the top of the cliff. Isn't it beautiful? This is not a typical day for me!

Usually, I get up at 7:00 a.m. Sometimes I eat breakfast in the morning before I come to work. I leave the house by 8:00 a.m. to get to work. I teach class from 9:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. After this, I eat lunch between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Then, I plan for the next day's class. I leave work at 5:00 p.m. I take two buses to get home. I arrive at home between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. I am usually hungry when I get home, so I make dinner. After I eat dinner, I clean up the house, look on the internet, and watch a little TV. I go to sleep around 11:00 p.m.

What is your typical day?

Monday, October 15, 2007

Places Around Town


Look at this picture of a neighborhood. Tell me the location of each building.

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Our Homes


I love my home. It is a place where I can completely relax with my family. I like to sit on the sofa and read the newspaper on Sunday mornings. I like to sit in the sun in the backyard in the summer. I like to share a delicious dinner with my husband in my dining room. I like to sit on the front porch with my dog late at night and listen to the sounds of the city in the dark. I am very comfortable and calm when I am in my house.

Please tell me the things you like to do in your house.

Monday, October 1, 2007

Family



Hi! Here is a picture of me and my husband Zak next to Lake Michigan. Sometimes we like to ride our bikes to the lake. In the summer, we like to go to baseball games. When the weather is nice, we like to go to drive-in movie theaters. Our favorite thing to do together is to shop for antiques.

What are 4 things that you like to do with your family?

Monday, September 24, 2007

Countries of the World

Hi! Today you're going to research a country. If I could visit another country, I would love to go to Brazil and learn Portuguese! If you could visit any country in the world, which one would it be? Why?