English 092

Thank You

Hi everybody!

I want to thank you all for the wonderful party, the delicious foods you prepared, and all the fun we enjoyed together. It was a fantastic way to end the semester!

Lupita sent me some additional pictures she took with her digital camera. You can see them by clicking on “Class Party” in the blog menu.

Finally, I want you to know that it was a real pleasure getting to know each and everyone of you. I wish you the very best of success in future courses at IVC and in your careers beyond. Please keep in touch!

Best wishes from your teacher,
Bob Palmer

Monday, June 1

Good evening! Can you believe it is already June?

Time really flies!

Here is our schedule:

• In pairs, present your Survive the Titanic task
• Begin final unit of study, Unit 20, Transportation (p. 238)
• Listen and practice vocabulary on p. 238. Do the words describe a plane, train, taxi, bus, or subway?
• Do listening and role play, p. 239. Where can you buy a train ticket these days? Trivia question: In Japan, what is a “Green Car“?
• Focus on grammar: Have to / have got to / must (distribute handout)
• Practice grammar usage with exercises on pp. 240-241, including Time to Talk

Homework:

1. Read and do exercises on pp. 240-243
   
2. Post a comment to the blog or to Voxopop

This week’s topic: “Reflections”

As you know, English 92 is a grammar class with a focus on the grammar we learn in conversation and writing. In our class, we used a textbook called Center Stage 2 as the centerpiece for the course. But if you look back, we used a number of other materials and resources as well. For example: Role plays, flash cards, songs, short DVD clips  from movies or about traveling, BINGO, dictation practice, “Dear Abby,” movie research and presentations, voice discussion (Voxopop), and of course comments to this blog. For you, which types of activities were the most useful or helpful in improving your English, and why? Please think about it carefully and give us your feedback.

Wednesday, May 27

Good evening! Here is our plan for tonight’s class:

Survive the Titanic!

• Give feedback on blog comments (read a few samples)
• Continue practice with comparatives/superlatives, p. 221
• Do the Grammar, Dictation, Speaking, and Listening sections on pp. 222 – 223
• Discuss: “Which of the five cities in Exercise B seems best for you?” Use comparatives in your answers.
• Briefly introduce final unit of study — Transportation and more modal verbs
• In pairs/small groups, do communicative task — Survive the Titanic!
  • Warm up with video clip from the movie
  • Distribute handouts and explain the activity
  • Practice opinion and response phrases (review of previous unit)
  • Brainstorm and communicate ideas in English
  • Negotiate to fulfill task requirements
  • Take turns reporting group results

Homework:

1. Finish Titanic activity
2. Add comment to blog page

Wednesday, May 20

Good evening, and welcome to the show! Here is tonight’s schedule:

Show me the money!!

• Warm up with MSNBC slideshow: What do you think is happening in the picture?
• Return quizzes and “Dear Abby” paragraphs with corrections
• Review rules for making comparative and superlative adjective forms
• Check homework exercises, pp. 216 – 219
• In pairs or groups of 3, do “Time to Talk” on p. 217 and 219
• Have Ss make flash cards for more comparative/superlative practice
• Review content with BINGO
• If time, do listening activity

Homework:

1. Assign remaining material in Unit 18
2. Blog: What are some important things to consider when searching for a place to live?

Monday, May 18

Good evening! (Click on the picture for more presentation photos)

Tonight’s schedule:

• Feedback on presentations and “personal problem” homework
• Dictation exercise
• Quiz on Unit 17, focusing on “should/shouldn’t” forms and vocabulary
• Begin Unit 18, focusing on comparative/superlative adjectives
  • Demo on board
  • Rules for making the various forms (copy and distribute Grammar Worksheets 2 and 4)
  • Cover pp. 214-215 in class
• MP3 listening activity — “Cuts Both Ways”

Homework:

1. Do textbook exercises, pp. 216-219
2. Prepare an index card containing two or more nouns and an adjective (did not assign)

Wednesday, May 13

Good evening! I am looking forward to your group presentations!

Here is our schedule:

• Return quizzes from last week
• Discussion comments — give us your voice on Voxopop! This week’s topic: “Health“
• Group presentations: Dear Abby
• Share your original problem (homework) with another student and get their advice (collect all papers afterward)
• Teacher feedback and grammar clinic
• Dictation exercise focusing on “health”
• DVD activity: Listen, write, and discuss

Homework:

1. Study for quiz on Unit 17
2. Add comment to blog/Voxopop
3. Bring a “Happy Meal” for the teacher

Monday, May 11

“Happy Mother’s Day” to all moms in class!

Schedule:

• Comment on Sarah Palin advice
• Review homework — grammar sheet #49
• Check answers (selectively) to textbook exercises on pp. 206 – 209, solicit trouble areas
• Speaking: Time to Talk, p. 207
• Dictation and more speaking, p. 210
• Group (3Ss) work: Dear Abby
  • Choose one problem
  • Give at least three pieces of advice in paragraph form
  • Each group presents their paragraph
  • Write all 3 members’ names on your paper and give to the teacher

Homework:

1. Create your own “problem” and write a short paragraph about it
2. Bring it to class Wednesday and be prepared to ask the class for advice
3. If you want/need extra homework to practice, ask the teacher

Wednesday, May 6

Good evening! The weather is getting hot these days, isn’t it?

El Centro weather

Here is our lesson plan:

• Review textbook exercises (making questions) on pp. 205-207
• Check and practice “Body Parts” activity (groups of 3-5)
• Introduce information questions and do role play on p. 209 (ref. maladies on p. 202)
• Practice asking for and giving advice: “Dear Abby” (Make copies) (No time)
  
• Do a change of pace (DVD or MP3) viewing/listening activity (Did “The Power of Love”)

Homework:

1. Basic Grammar Worksheets #49 (make copies)
2. Textbook exercises, pp. 208-209
3. Respond to this week’s discussion topic (on Voxopop or this blog)

This week’s online discussion topic (focus on modals):

“Imagine that Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska, is quitting her job and moving to El Centro. Why? Because Imperial Valley College has offered her a teaching position! Sarah has always lived in a cool/cold climate in the northern states, so she is not accustomed to hot weather. What advice do you have for her? What should she do and not do to survive the boiling summer days here in the Imperial Valley? Give her some good suggestions.”

Monday, May 4

Good evening! Here is our schedule:

Stay healthy!

• Acknowledge comments on blog
• Warm up with review of past tense verbs, pp. 200-201. Answer each question with a complete sentence.
• Take  quiz on irregular past tense verbs
• Do a short dictation exercise
• Start Unit 17, “Health” (tie in with swine flu)
  • Introduce vocabulary and drill pronunciation from CD
  • Ss circle any problems they have today
  • Do “Charades” to reinforce vocabulary and usage
  • Work on “should/shouldn’t exercises through p. 205
• Hand out copies of “Body Parts” sheet (start in class, complete for homework)
• Change of pace: Music gap-fill activity

Homework:

1. Finish “Body Parts” sheet
2. Complete textbook exercises through p. 207

Wednesday, April 29

Hi! Here is our plan for this evening:

Do you have goals?

• Check and review future tense homework from textbook, pp. 192-195
• Time to Talk: Short and long-term goals
• Do grammar, dictation, and listening on pp. 196-197
• Time to Talk: Where am I going?
• Past tense review (game format)
• Alternative: What’s wrong activity
• If time, MP3 listening activity

Homework:

Study for quiz on past tense next Monday