I'm going to go on vacation. I'm going to go to Hawaii in August because I've never been there and I heard it's beautiful. I'm going to go with my boyfriend and we are going to fly. I think we are going to stay for 3 weeks. I hope the weather is going to be sunny and warm because when we are there, we are going to go scuba diving, swimming, and hiking. But of course, we are going to relax. I'm going to bring 2 bathing suits - one for swimming and one for sunbathing. I'm also going to bring my sunglasses. I think we are going to see some beautiful tropical flowers and gorgeous beaches. I'm definately going to take a lot of pictures.

I'm going to give you $10,000 to go on vacation. You can go anywhere you want. You can do anything you want. You can see anything you want. Talk to you partner about these questions.

1. Where are you going to go?

2. Why are you going to go to this place?

3. What is the weather going to be like?

4. When you are you going to go?

5. How are you going to get there (transportation)?

6. How long are you going to stay?

7. Who is going to go with you?

8. What are you going to do there?

9. What are you going to see?

10. What are you going to bring with you?

Now take turns writing your partner's answers. When you are finished, read about other students' vacations and then practice reading, listening, grammar, or typing on your own.

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

Now you are going to type the story you wrote in class. On the right, you will find links to the pictures we used in class. Find the picture you wrote about. Open MicroSoft Word and paste the picture into your document. Then type your story. Please print 2 copies. One for me and one for you.

Now that you are finished looking at the classifieds for a job, please answer the following 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 yo ulike thie job? Why or why not?

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

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 before I moved, my father and my friend helped me pack the truck with my furniture. The next day, my father and my brother drove with me to Chicago early in the morning. It took 2 and a half hours to drive. After we arrived, we moved my furniture into my new apartment. It took me 3 days to organize my apartment, but I was comfortable after I finished.

Now write about when you moved to Chicago. Remember to use past tense. When you are finished, you can practice reading, listening, or grammar with the links on the right. Or you can use the picture dictionary program or practice typing.

Free Food for Kids

First, you should read the story about free food for kids. The link is on the right. After you are finished reading and doing the activities, return to the blog and answer these questions. Click on "comments" to post your answers.


1. Why is it important for kids to eat a healthy breakfast before school?

2. Do you think it is important for adults to eat a healthy breakfast, too? Why or why not?

3. The free food for kids program is from the government. The money comes from taxes. Do you think it is more important to give free food to kids or for the public to save money on taxes? Why?

4. This story about free food for kids is from California. Do you know of a similar program in Illinois? What are they?

When you are finished with your questions, you can practice more reading, listening, or grammar. Or you can go to the typing program or the picture dictionary program.

Robbin

My Favorite Food

My favorite food is pasta. I love pasta with cream sauce and some kind of vegetable like spinach or broccoli. I like to go downtown to buy fresh fruit and vegetables at the farmers' market. I eat a lot of vegetables, fruit, rice, 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 kinds of seafood. I like to eat healthy food because many people in my family have heart problems. For breakfast, I usually eat blueberries, yogurt, and cereal mixed together and I drink my favorite beverage - coffee. I love chocolate, so for my last birthday I had a chocolate cake. And because I don't know how to cook very many things, when I go to a party, I usually bring spinach dip from the grocery store.

Now, write your answers to the questions below. When you are finished, you can practice vocabulary with the picture dictionary or practice typing with the Mavis Beacon program. Or you can click on the links on the right to practice grammar, listening, or reading.

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

2. What do you usually eat for breakfast?

3. What is your favorite thing to drink?

4. What kind of dessert did you have for your last birthday?

5. What kind of food do you usually bring to a party?

6. Do you know how to cook? If yes, what is your specialty?

Have fun!

My Home

My favorite room is my bedroom because it is comfortable. When I want to relax, I 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 my 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. There is a big mirror over one of the dressers and a picture over the bed. I have a big rug under the bed. I don't have a TV in my bedroom because I like it to be quiet.

Now I want you to practice conversation with your partner. Ask your partner about his or her favorite room.

1. What is your favorite room? Why?

2. Describe your favorite room. Is it big or small? Is it comfortable? What colors are in the room?

3. What furniture is in the room? Where are the pieces located?

4. What do you do in your favorite room?

5. What do you want to change or buy for your room?

When you are finished, click on the links on the right.