Classes and Schools

We are studying classrooms and schools this week. In computer class today, we are going to learn how to use a reading program and the articles are about school. First I will give you a demonstration and then you are going to use the program on your own. When you are finished, please return to the blog and answer the questions.

1. Do you like to read in your language?

2. If yes, what do you like to read? Books (romance, history, science), magazines, newspapers...

3. What is your favorite book? If you don't know the name in English, you can write it in your language.

4. Who taught (past tense of teach) you how to read (your mother, your brother, a teacher)? How old were you?

5. What is more difficult for you - reading, writing, listening, or speaking in English? Why do you think so?

Welcome!

Welcome to Level 2 computer class! I'm happy that you are studying with us. In computer class, we are going to practice listening, reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary. Today, I want you to write an introduction. I will teach you how to post your writing in this program. This program is called "a blog". When you are finished, everyone will read the introductions.

Here is my introduction:

My name is Robbin. I am an English teacher and I have been teaching for 11 years. I am from the United States and my hometown is Holt, Michigan. It is a very small town in the middle of the state. Now I live in the Uptown neighborhood in Chicago on Sheridan and Foster. I am not married and I do not have any children. 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 sky and ocean.

Now you get to write. Please write the answers to 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? How many years?

6. Do you have children? What are their names and how old are they?

7. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

8. What is your favorite food?

9. What is your favorite color?

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