End of the Term

We are almost finished. I hope you have had fun this term and you feel like you have learned a lot. I have loved teaching you and I hope to see you in January. Have a great break and enjoy the snow. See you at the party!

Please give me a copy of your vacation posters and I'll put them on the wall in the classroom. Now you can use the links on the right to practice our song, grammar, reading, or listening (I can give you headphones for the song and listening practice). Also, I added two more holiday songs if you want to learn them in English. If you want to practice typing or vocabulary with the picture dictionary and you don't remember how to open the programs, ask a teacher to help you.

Jingle Bell Rock

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock.

Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring.

Snowin' and blowin' up bushels of fun.

Now the jingle hop has begun.

We are going to have 2 weeks for winter break. During the two weeks, I'm going to take some time off and relax. I'm going to go to Michigan to visit my family for Christmas. We are going to buy presents for my nieces and we are going to eat some good food. When I return to Chicago, I'm going to see my friends. Maybe we will meet for coffee or go to a movie. I'm also going to celebrate New Year's Eve with my friends, but I'm not going to go to a big party. On January 4th and 5th, I'm going to help the school register new students and I'm going to start teaching the new Level 2 class on January 6th.

Now, write about your plans for the winter break. Please tell us about what you are going to do. You can also tell us about any holidays you are going to celebrate and the people you are going to see. When you are finished, post your writing on the blog and then practice English with the links on the right. If you want to practice typing or vocabulary with the picture dictionary, ask for help.

This is Adele. She lives in France, but her husband is not at home. His name is Philip and he works on a boat. He lives on his boat for many months. She misses him and she is writing him a letter to tell him that she loves him. She is sitting in the chair and she is remembering how handsome he is. She is leaning her face on her hand because she is thinking about what she wants to write. The sun is shining through the window, but she doesn't care. She is only thinking about her husband and dreaming about when he comes home.

Now I want you to write a story with your partner. Choose a picture from the list on the right and create a story together. Open "Word" and type your story and paste your picture into the document. When you are finished, ask for help to decorate your story.

After you print your story, you can practice grammar, reading, or listening with the links on the right. Or use other programs to practice typing or vocabulary.

Finding a Job

Now that you are finished looking at the classifieds for a job, please answer the questions from your handout.

1. What is the job?

2. What is the name of the company?

3. How much does the job pay?

4. Is it full-time or part-time?

5. Do they want you to apply in person, call, or send a resume?

6. Do you like this job? Why or why not?

When you are finished, you can practice job related vocabulary with Oxford Picture Dictionary or you can practice typing. Ask me or Erica for help if you don't remember how to open these programs. Or you can click on the links on the right for other things to practice.

Occupations

This week, we are talking about jobs. I am an ESL teacher. I like my job because I meet students from different parts of the world. Sometimes, my job is difficult because I do a lot of planning and grading. My favorite part of my job is helping students learn English so they can meet their goals: finding a job, going back to school, helping their children with their homework, going to a doctor's appointment, and calling 911. Now, work with a partner and ask your partner these questions and write the answers. Remember to sign your names.

Do you have a job? Remember - being a parent is a job.

What do you do everyday?

What do you like about your job?

What don't you like about your job?

If you don't have a job right now, did you have a job in the past? You can write about it in the past tense. When both of you are finished, click on the links on the right and practice the things we practiced in class today and last week.

Food

My favorite food is pasta. I love pasta with cream sauce with some kind of vegetable like spinach or broccoli. I like to go to the farmers' market downtown to buy fresh food. I eat a lot of vegetables, fruit, rice, and whole wheat pasta, cereal, and bread. I don't eat much junk food (chips, soda, french fries...) and I don't eat meat. But I eat fish and other seafood. I like to eat healthy food because many people in my family have heart problems. I want to be healthy.

Now answer the questions below with your partner. Take turns asking each other and typing the answers. When you are finished, you can practice with the picture dictionary or the links on the right.

1. What is your favorite food? Describe what is in it.

2. What do you usually eat for dinner?

3. Do you eat much junk food? What do you like?

4. Why is it important for kids to eat healthy food?

My Favorite Room

My favorite room is my bedroom because it is comfortable. When I want to relax, I like to sit on my bed and read a book or listen to music. My comforter and sheets are white and I like my big pillows on the bed. I have 2 night tables next to my bed. There are lamps on the night tables and an alarm clock. I have 2 dressers. One is short and the other is tall. My cat likes to sit on the dressers. There is a big mirror over one of the dressers and some pictures on the walls. I have a big rug under the bed. I don't have a TV in my bedroom because I like it to be quiet.

This week, we started to talk about family. Today, we are going to learn how to use a website to help you practice reading and we are going to do 2 readings about families. After you are finished, you can click on the links on the right and go to other websites.

Have fun!

This is my routine. I usually get up at 6:00 and I eat breakfast and drink a cup of coffee. I sometimes eat an egg and toast for breakfast, but I usually eat yogurt and cereal. I don't take a shower in the morning because I take a shower at night. I brush my teeth and I get ready for work. Then I work from 9:00 to 5:00. After I get home, I make dinner and and wash the dishes. I usually read a book or watch TV in the evening. Next, I take a shower and get ready for bed. I go to bed about about 10:00. I don't stay up late because I get up early in the morning. On the weekends, I like to sleep late. I do my laundry, clean my apartment, and go grocery shopping. I sometimes meet my friends for coffee or I go to a movie.

Now, talk about these questions with your partner.

1. What time do you get up during the week?

2. What activities do you do before class?

3. What do you eat for breakfast?

4. What activities do you after class?

5. What do you do in the evening?

6. What time do you go to bed?

7. What do you do on the weekends (Saturday and Sunday)?

Next, you can write about your daily activities. When you are finished, read your classmates' writing. Then click on the links on the right and practice some of the things we've been studying this week.

Have fun!

Hello everyone,

Welcome to Level 2. I am happy that you are studying with us and I hope you are enjoying the wonderful fall colors we have all over Chicago now.

This is a website where you can practice writing, reading, listening and grammar. This week, I want you to write an introduction. After you are finished writing your introduction, read your classmate's introductions. Here is my introduction.

My name is Robbin. I am an English teacher and I have been teaching for 10 years. I am from the United States. My hometown is Holt, Michigan and it is small. Now I live in Chicago in the Uptown neighborhood. I am not married and I don't have kids. I have a cat and her name is Sophie. My favorite flavor of ice cream is chocolate and my favorite food is pasta. My favorite color is blue because it looks like the ocean and the sky.

Now you get to write. Please answer these questions:

1. What is your name?

2. Where are you from?

3. Where do you live now?

4. If you have a job, what do you do?

5. Are you married?

6. Do you have kids?

7. What are their names and how old are they?

8. What is your favorite food?

9. What is your favorite color?

10. What do you want to learn in English class?

Have fun!

Robbin

Telling a Story

This is Adele. She lives in France, but her husband is not at home. His name is Philip and he works on a boat. He lives on his boat for many months. She misses him and she is writing him a letter to tell him that she loves him. She is sitting in the chair and she is remembering how handsome he is. She is leaning her face on her hand because she is thinking about what she wants to write. The sun is shining through the window, but she doesn't care. She is only thinking about her husband and dreaming about when he comes home.

Now I want you to write a story with your partner. Choose a picture from the list on the right and then create a story together. When you are finished writing, ask for help to decorate your story.

After you print your story, you can practice grammar, reading, or listening with the links on the right. Have fun!

When I moved to Chicago

I moved to Chicago in 2006. I left Michigan in the summer. The weather was hot and humid. I said goodbye to my friends and family the day before I moved. I was very sad to say goodbye, but I was excited to move to a new city. The day I moved, my father, my brother, and my friend helped me pack the truck with my furniture. We packed early in the morning and then drove to Chicago. It took 4 hours to drive. We arrived in the afternoon and moved my furniture into my apartment. After we were finished, I bought lunch for everyone. Then they went back to Michigan. I organized my apartment for 3 days. After I was finished, I was comfortable.

Now, write about when you moved to Chicago. When you are finished, click on the links on the write to practice grammar, reading, or listening. 10 minutes before class is finished, we will return to this and read what everyone wrote.

Food

My favorite food is pasta. I love pasta with a cream sauce and some kind of vegetable like spinach or broccoli. I like to go to the farmer's market downtown to buy fresh food. I eat a lot of vegetables, fruit, rice, whole wheat pasta, cereal, and whole wheat bread. I don't eat much junk food (chips, soda, french fries...) and I don't eat most meat, but I do eat fish. I like to eat healthy food because many people in my family have heart problems. I want my heart to be healthy.

Now, answer the questions below and then read what your classmates write. When you are finished, click on the reading on the right and do the activities.

1. What is your favorite food? Describe what is in it.

2. What do you usually eat for dinner?

3. Do you eat much junk food? What do you like?

4. Why is it important for kids to eat healthy food?

See you tomorrow and have fun.

Family

We are going to start talking about families tomorrow. Kirsten and Katie are going to show you how to use the reading website and you are going to read about families.

Please bring 4 or 5 pictures of your family to class tomorrow.

Thanks!
Robbin

This is my daily routine. I usually get up at 6:00 and I eat breakfast and drink a cup of coffee. I sometimes eat an egg and toast for breakfast, but I usually eat yogurt and cereal. I don't take a shower in the morning because I take a shower at night. I brush my teeth and I get ready for work. Then I work from 9:00 to 5:00. After I get home, I make dinner and and wash the dishes. I usually read a book or watch TV in the evening. Next, I take a shower and get ready for bed. I go to bed about about 10:00. I don't stay up late because I get up early in the morning. On the weekends, I like to sleep late. I do my laundry, clean my apartment, and go grocery shopping. I sometimes meet my friends for coffee or I go to a movie.

Now, work with a partner and talk to each other about these questions.

1. What time do you get up during the week?

2. What activities do you do before class?

3. What do you eat for breakfast?

4. What activities do you after class?

5. What do you do in the evening?

6. What time do you go to bed?

7. What do you do on the weekends (Saturday and Sunday)?

Next, you can write about your daily activities. When you are finished, read your classmates' writing. Then click on the links on the right and practice some of the things we've been studying this week.

Have fun!

Classrooms

Welcome to computer class! This week, we are studying classrooms and "There is..." and "There are..."





I hope you liked using the picture dictionary. Now, Katie and Kirsten are going to show you how to use the links on the right. Today we have links that will help you practice the grammar we did in class.



After you finish practicing grammar, choose a picture that you like and then write a description of it. For example: "It is a big room. There are 15 desks and 2 windows."


Katie and Kirsten will teach you how to copy and paste the picture you choose. They will also teach you how to open the program to write your description.

Welcome!

Hello everyone,

Welcome to Level 2. I am happy that you are studying with us and I hope you are enjoying the wonderful spring flowers we have all over Chicago now.

This is a website where you can practice writing, reading, listening and grammar. Joanna will teach you how to use it. This week, I want you to write an introduction. After you are finished writing your introduction, read your classmate's introductions. Here is my introduction.

My name is Robbin. I am an English teacher and I have been teaching for 10 years. I am from the United States. My hometown is Holt, Michigan and it is small. Now I live in Chicago in the Uptown neighborhood. I am not married and I don't have kids. I have a cat and her name is Sophie. My favorite flavor of ice cream is chocolate and my favorite food is pasta. My favorite color is blue because it looks like the ocean and the sky.

Now you get to write. Please answer these questions:

1. What is your name?

2. Where are you from?

3. Where do you live now?

4. If you have a job, what do you do?

5. Are you married?

6. Do you have kids?

7. What are their names and how old are they?

8. What is your favorite food?

9. What is your favorite color?

10. What do you want to learn in English class?

Have fun!
Robbin

Chicago Activities

Now that the weather is getting nicer, it's time to think about summer activities. I love to go to parks, festivals, and parades and Chicago has something going on every weekend. So, I'd like you to find 3 events to go to. Click on the first link on the right and you will go to the City of Chicago's Special Events website. Use the handout to find some events and then answer the questions on the other side of the paper. After you are finished, come back to the blog and write the answers to the questions so that your classmates can read about the events you want to go to. Also, be sure to read everyone's comments (click on the refresh button to see the new comments).

Have fun!
Robbin

1. What events did you find?

2. Why are they interesting to you?

3. What other information do you want to find out about for having fun in Chicago?

Visit a Museum

With your partner, plan a trip to a museum. Use your imagination and pretend that both of you are going to go with your families. Choose one of the museums listed below. After you click on the link, find the information for the questions on your worksheet. You might need to click on other pages on the website like "Plan Your Visit", "Planning Your Visit", "Info", "Visit the Museum", or "Museum Visit". You also might need to click on other pages for directions, transportation, and activities/programs. Ask Kirsten for help if you can't find something.

Art Institute of Chicago http://www.artic.edu/aic/

Chicago Children's Museum http://www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org/

Chicago History Museum http://www.chicagohistory.org/

Adler Planetarium http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/

Field Museum of Natural History http://www.fieldmuseum.org/

Museum of Science and Industry http://www.msichicago.org/

Shedd Aquarium http://www.sheddaquarium.org/

Notebaert Nature Museum http://www.chias.org/

National Museum of Mexican Art http://www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org/


After you are finished, come back to the blog and answer these questions.

1. What is the name of the museum?

2. What hours and days is the museum open?

3. When are the free days?

4. What is the cost of general admission ($)?

5. What are you going to see at this museum?

6. What is the address?

7. What is the phone number?

8. How are you going to get there? What transportation are you going to use?

Now post your answers to the blog and read your classmates' information about other museums. If you see a museum that is interesting, ask Kirsten to help you print the information.

Stories

This is Adele. She lives in France, but her husband is not at home. His name is Philip and he works on a boat. He lives on his boat for many months. She misses him and she is writing him a letter to tell him that she loves him. She is sitting in the chair and she is remembering how handsome he is. She is leaning her face on her hand because she is thinking about what she wants to write. The sun is shining through the window, but she doesn't care. She is only thinking about her husband and dreaming about when he comes home.

Now I want you to write a story with your partner. Choose a picture from the list on the right, but do not choose the same picture as another group. Then create a story together and ask Joanna to help you decorate your story.

After you print your story, you can practice grammar, reading, or listening with the links on the right.
Have fun!

This is my routine. I usually get up at 6:00 and I eat breakfast and drink a cup of coffee. I sometimes eat an egg and toast for breakfast, but I usually eat yogurt and cereal. I don't take a shower in the morning because I take a shower at night. I brush my teeth and I get ready for work. Then I work from 9:00 to 5:00. After I get home, I make dinner and and wash the dishes. I usually read a book or watch TV in the evening. Next, I take a show and get ready for bed. I go to bed about about 10:00. I don't stay up late because I get up early in the morning. On the weekends, I like to sleep late. I do my laundry, clean my apartment, and go grocery shopping. I sometimes meet my friends for coffee or I go to a movie.

Now, you can write about your routines. Please use word like "usually, sometime, in the morning, in the evening..." When you are finished, read your classmates' writing. Then click on the links on the right and practice some of the things we've been studying this week.
Have fun!