March-April Activities

Dear learners,

These are the last assignments you must complete during this period. Make sure that once you have finished them, you send them to me via e-mail  by April 5th before 11:59pm.  


1. Read the following newspaper article:

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/feb/05/chronic-pain-prescribe-mental-health-support-as-well-as-drugs-say-experts?CM

a. Write down five questions and their answers.
b. Read the information on the features of a newspaper article in the following link:
https://schools.firstnews.co.uk/blog/journalistic-writing/features-of-a-newspaper-report-ks2/
c. Complete the following information based on the newspaper article you just read.

Key features of a newspaper article

From e-learning

Headline – usually only four or five words. It tries to attract the interest of the reader by telling them what the story is about, in a short and interesting way.

·       What is the headline for the article?

·       How many words are there in the headline?

By-line – who wrote the article

·       Who wrote the article?

Introduction – It will set the scene and summarise the main points of the article: who, what, when, where.

·       Can you identify these important points in the article?

·       Who is the article about?

·       What happened?

·       When did it happened?

·       Where did it happened?

Body – provides more detail about the event, in particular it answers the questions how and why

·       What else do you know now?

Quotes – sometimes articles will include what a person (like an eye-witness or an expert) has said. These will be in speech marks.

·       Does the article have quotes?

·       What was said?

·       Who said that?

·       How are they related to the event?

Photograph and caption – sometimes articles have a photograph, and a sentence explaining the photograph

·       Does the article have a photograph?

·       What does it show?  Describe what you see.

·       What does the caption say?

d. Choose your own newspaper article from a British, American, Australian or any other English speaking country, and answer the same questions in section c. 

2. Watch the video: "The most important lesson from 83000 brain scans" by Dr. Amen. Please, don't forget to turn on the Close Caption in English.

https://youtu.be/esPRsT-lmw8

Afterwards, answer the following questions.

a. What do SPECT scans tell Dr. Amen about the human brain?

b. What happens to unhealthy brains? Tell the name of the diseases mentioned, and describe the images of the brain.

c. What is the main problem Dr. Amen noticed in the way psychiatrists decide on a patient's treatment and prescribe medication?

d. What is the result of undiagnosed brain injuries in patients?

e. If a patient has a damaged brain, what can be done to help him/her according to Dr. Amen?

Do please check the blog this week for assignments 3-5. Thank you.

3. Read about essays, and answer the questions

What is an essay?

https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/essay-structure

Why is it important to do a close reading if you are writing an essay?

https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/how-do-close-reading

How many types of essay are there? Please, explain each one.

https://literarydevices.net/types-of-essay/

What types of expository essays are there, and what is their purpose? Please explain each one’s main features.

https://literarydevices.net/expository-essay/

What are the main characteristics of argumentative essays? And how do they differ from the expository ones?

https://literarydevices.net/argumentative-essay/

Write down the questions and answers in your notebook. Once they are ready take a picture of your answers and send them to me. Please, make sure that the answers are legible.

Read the two model essays and identify their structure

https://libraryofessays.com/essay/humans-have-a-tremendous-capacity-for-compassion-and-hatred-peace-and-war-harmony-and-conflict-2044022

https://libraryofessays.com/essay/ancient-civilizations-and-their-impact-on-the-modern-world-1892184

It is your turn to find an essay you like from your books, or you may download it from the internet. Identify its structure and do include the reference or source from where you took it.

4. Read about the main features in Narratives 
https://literarydevices.net/narrative/
https://literarydevices.net/short-story/
https://literarydevices.net/novel/

• Can you tell what are the main characteristics of narrative texts? What are they?
• What are the differences between a short-story and a novel?

Please, read Chapters 1-3 from The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain in
https://www.ego4u.com/en/read-on/literature/prince-and-pauper

Please, do the exercise on reading comprehension.
Now, can you tell what kind of narrative is it?  Please, draw a chart stating the characteristics of this type of narrative text, and an illustrate it with information from The Prince and The Pauper, for example:

Setting	City of London, in the second half of the16th Century
Characters
Plot
Climax
Conflict
Resolution

5. Area 1 students, please read Texts 1 & 2 from Unit 3, and do all the activities including the grammar section (Simple Past & Present Perfect), and the writing sections: introductory and conclusion paragraphs.

In this section, on page 70 you will find the structure of a problem solution essay. Think about a problem and write your own essay. Please, write it by hand. Then take a photo and send it to me.

Area 2 students, please do the activities for Units 3 & 4, except the listenings and pronunciation sections. In addition, read the texts included in the Reading Bank on pages 53-61. Please, do the activities for each reading in your notebook. When you finish, take a photo per set of activities and e-mail them to me.

Finally, you will take a test online in the second week of April.

February Activites

https://www.pinterest.pt/pin/480759328947582392/

1. Click on the following link:

https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescents-health-risks-and-solutions

And read the text 'Adolescents: Health Risks and Solutions.' Then write down and answer the following questions according to the webpage:
a. Which key fact do you think is the most interesting one? Why?
b. What health issues may hinder their ability to grow and develop to their whole potential?
c. What injuries are adolescents prone to? 
d. What is a leading cause of illness and dissability during adolescence?
e. Which factors may lead to mental health problems in adolescence?
f. Which are the main leading causes of death among adolescents?
g. What might be a solution to teenage pregnancy according to the text?
h. Why are drinking and drugs particularly harmful among young people?
i. Why are obesity and undernutrition a main concern for the World Health Organization?
j. What is the role of physical activity in the development of the adolescents' potential?
k. Why is the use of tobacco a main concern for the World Health Organization?
l. What is the main objective of the legal documents drawn on the Rights for Children and Adolescents?
m. How does the World Health Organization intend to improve the lives of adolescents?
n. According to the text, what are the main issues adolescents face in your community? 

YOUR ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE KEPT IN A FILE IN YOUR COMPUTER. BE READY TO DISPLAY THEM WHEN REQUESTED.


2. Watch the video 'The Brain-changing benefits of Exercise' (Close- captioned in English, you may watch it as many times as you need to answer the questions).

https://youtu.be/BHY0FxzoKZE
Write down the questions and your answers in your notebook.

1. What can protect your brain from conditions such as Alzheimer disease, depression, or dementia?

2. How does Dr. Suzuki define 'physical activity'?

3. What part of the brain has crucial importance in decision-making, focusing attention, and personality? Please label and color that section of the brain in an illustration.

4. What part of the brain is essential to form and retain memories of facts and events? Please label and color that section of the brain in an illustration.

5. How do neurons communicate with each other?

6. Why does Dr. Suzuky say exercise is 'the most transformative thing you can do for your brain?

7. What are the brain areas susceptible to neurodegenerative diseases?

8. How often and how long do you need to exercise in order to get brain benefits?

November-December Activities

http://www.caymanvillas.com.au/christmas-in-port-douglas/

Dear students,

The following activities are due by the second week in January 2020. Plan your work and enjoy the holidays.


Part 1. 

a. Click on the link and read again the five Chapters of 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens
https://www.ego4u.com/en/read-on/literature/christmas-carol


b. Watch the videos 'A Christmas Carol'  and 'A Diva's Christmas Carol'.

https://youtu.be/5mEH5emAoAc

https://youtu.be/emvp39x-PXs

In your notebook, write your opinion on both movies. Say which one you liked best and explain why. Then make chart in which you  display the similarities and differences between both movies. 

Part 2
A. Remember every week you must do three listenings from BBC Learn English Teens:

https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/listening

Those of you who already have finished the ones above and feel you need more practice, you can do the ones from BBC Learn English:

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/listening

B. Please read Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol, excerpts from Down the Rabbit-Hole - Part 1.
Write down 5 questions and answer them



Part 3. It is time to check sentence structures. 
Please, click on the following link and study the information. Then answer the questions.

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/sentences?q=Sen


1. What are the differences between simple and compound sentences?
Please, write at least three examples of each from the texts we have read in class.

2. What are the differences between compound and complex sentences?
Please, write at least three examples of each from the texts we have read in class.

3. Explain the four types of clauses or sentences.
Please, write at least three examples of each from the texts we have read in class.

4. Read the information provided in this link.

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/clauses

What is a clause?

November Activities

Dear students,

It is time to start learning some reading strategies along with vocabulary building ones. There are plenty of nice activities to do. Please follow the instructions.

Please, remember you have to do three listenings  every week from

https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/listening


and a chapter from Christmas Carol from

https://www.ego4u.com/en/read-on/literature/christmas-carol


Have fun!


1. Vocabulary Building. 
a. Please watch the video and write down the strategies a medic uses when he needs to learn new words. You may have to listen to it, several times. 

http://www.tv411.org/vocabulary/understanding-how-words-work/video-collecting-new-words

b. Do the lesson 'Prefixes Say Plenty.' Don't forget to click on BEGIN LESSON. 

http://www.tv411.org/vocabulary/understanding-how-words-work/prefixes-say-plenty

c. Download, pirnt, and read the handout 'Understanding Hard Words.'



2. Reading 'Science in the news'
Click on the following link. Read and answer the ten (10) questions. Don't forget to check your answers.

http://www.tv411.org/reading/understanding-what-you-read/science-news/activity/1/1

Do the 'Photosynthesis: Math Lesson'

http://www.tv411.org/science/tv411-whats-cooking/photosynthesis-math-lesson

3. Texts  types
Read about the different types of texts. Do a graphic organizer where you can include them along with explanations.

http://explainwell.org/index.php/table-of-contents-synthesize-text/types-of-texts/

Read the information provided in the following PDF and again use a graphic organizer to organize all the information.

https://www.thomastallisschool.com/uploads/2/2/8/7/2287089/guide_to_text_types_final-1.pdf

October 14th-25th Activities

Auroras boreales from national geographic.com.es

Dear students,

You all will be working grammar, listening, and reading comprehension. Enjoy the activities! 

See you next week!


 1. Click on the following link:
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/basic-grammar

There you will find several grammar topics which might help you. Do the exercise first. Then, study the information for the following topics and answer finally take the test.

a. Adjectives and prepositions
b. Adjectives ending in -ed and -ing
c. Articles 1
d. Articles 2
e. Countable and Uncountable Nouns 1
f. Countable and Uncountable Nouns 2
g. Past Continouos and Past Simple 
h. Questions forms
i. Verbs followed by '-ing' or by 'to + infinitive 1'

If you get all your answers correct the first time, you can take a photo or print the screen. In case, you needed several times to get the exercise right, don't worry! You should write down the exercise on a sheet of paper to hand in.




2. Click on the following link
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/b1-intermediate-reading/digital-habits-across-generations

Do the preparation before you read the text 'Digital Habits across Generations.' Then read the text and afterwards do Tasks 1 & 2.
If you get all your answers correct the first time, you can take a photo or print the screen. In case, you needed several times to get the exercise right, don't worry! You should write down the exercise on a sheet of paper to hand in.



3. Listen and read the biographies of Albert Einstein and Johannes Kepler and answer the questions. Read the text at least 3 times.

http://www.5minutebiographies.com/albert-einstein/

In your opinion, what are the five more important events in Einstein's youth? 

Write down a timeline of Einstein's professional experience as a physicist.

What event makes Einstein turn down his German Citizenship?

What other interests did Einstein pursue in his later years?

What do you think the quote 'The difference between stupidy and genius is that genius has its limits' means?

   - Now read Johannes Kepler biography at least three times.

http://www.5minutebiographies.com/johannes-kepler/

Write down a time line for the most important events in his personal life and his career as a scientist.

       Think about Einstein's and Kepler's texts and find the similarities as well as the differences. Organize the information in a chart where you clearly show what they have in common and what the differences are.

For example: 

   
      Similarities                                        

Both Kepler and Einstein were scientists.

      Differences
 Einstein was a physicist, and Kepler was a mathematician and an astronomer.

      Now that you know about Einstein and Kepler's lives, who do you like best?
Write down an explanation.

4. As some of you have expressed anxiety about Physics, I found a webpage which might help you. Please, feel free to ask if you have doubts related to English. Many of the topics are in your Physics Syllabus.

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-Tutorial/Newton-s-Laws

In the same page you can find a section called Physics Interactives which can also be helpful.

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-Interactives





5. Don't forget to do your three listening activities from the British Council Site

https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/listening





6. Please, read and do the exercises for Christmas Carol, Chapters 1 & 2.

https://www.ego4u.com/en/read-on/literature/christmas-carol


Those of you who can read the original version, click on the link to do so.
Have fun!

Welcome Class 2019-2020!

Body of Water Surrounded by Trees by Bailey Zindel

https://unsplash.com/@baileyzindel?utm

Dear Sixth Graders,

This blog may help you improve your English if you do the activities. There is no shortcut to success, so you must work hard.

Your EFL Teacher

• Leo Network http://learnenglish.de/grammarpage.html
• BBC Learning http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/intermediate
• British Council http://www.learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/listening

March-April Activities

Dear Students,

This is our last set of activities. Please take the necessary time to fulfill the activities. Remember everything has to be handed in by the due date.


Part 1
1. You will be studying conditionals. Please, click on the following link:
http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/grammar/intermediate-grammar/conditionals

a. Watch the video, the transcript is below in case you need it.
b. Download the exercises and the grammar snack from the section 'Worksheets & Downloads,' if possible. There are three grammar activities: matching, multiple choice, and gap fill. You can do them online and once you have the correct answers, please write them down.


2. Information on the Third Conditional can be found in the following link:
http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/grammar/intermediate-grammar/third-conditional

- Watch the video. Once again the transcript is below the video. There are three grammar exercises that you can do online: 'Matching, word2word, and Gap fill,' and afterwards write them down or download them from the section: 'Worksheets & Downloads' to answer them.


3. Passive Voice activities can be found in the following link:
http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/grammar/intermediate-grammar/passive-forms

- Watch the video. Once again the transcript is below the video. There are three grammar exercises that you can do online and then write them down: ''True or False, Ordering, and Gap fill'  or download the activity sheets from 'Worksheets & Downloads' to answer them afterwards.


4. Relative Clauses is another useful topic. Please click on the following link:
http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/grammar/intermediate-grammar/relative-clauses

- Watch the video. Once again the transcript is below the video. There are three grammar exercises that you can do online and then write them down: ''True or False,  Gap fill, and Multiple Choice,'  or download the activity sheets from 'Worksheets & Downloads' to answer them afterwards.

Dear Students,

This month you will be doing a project, which can be an infogram or a leaflet. Moreover, there also will be a wonderful movie to watch and a text to read. And last but not least, your absolute favorite grammar and vocabulary sections. So the fun has just arrived!

Before you get started, the rules have changed regarding written or printed sections. THEY ALL WILL BE HANDED IN.

So enjoy the activities and learn as much as you can!


Part 1

1. Click on the link 'BBC Learning English.'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/

Immediately afterwards, click on the section '6 Minute English: Improving your Memory.' Read the information provided on the page, and do not forget the question you must answer. It is also a good idea to check the vocabulary provided. In the box on the right click on the icons for the PDF and the podcast. You might want to listen to the interview first and then download the PDF document in case you need to see the transcript. You need to write down the title of the activity, the question (According to the BBC Food website, which type of food support good memory function?) and your answer.

2. Click on the following link:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/intermediate/unit-6/session-2/activity-3

This time you will learn about  modal verbs, particularly the ones used to express deduction and speculation. There is a content box, you might want to paste or write down. Listen to the podcast. You may download the transcript. Don't forget to answer the question: What do you say when you are making a guess about a present or past situation?


Part 2
3. Click on the following link:
http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/grammar/intermediate-grammar

Make sure you watch the video, read the information and do all the exercises 'to check your grammar' on the following topics:
a. Can, could and would for invitations, offers, requests, and permission.
b. Modals of deduction
c. Future forms
d. Passive forms

Part 3
Do you think zoos are a good thing? Write down your ideas.
Now click on the following link:
http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/reading/upper-intermediate-b2-reading/are-zoos-good-thing

• Read the instructions
• Do the preparation activity. Download the worksheets and print them.
• Do the True and False activity + the Fill in the Gap one.

Delivery date: 632A & 633B February 27th. 

603A, 611B, 612A & 626A, March 1st.

December Activities

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

By Jeff Weese - Flickr: Nativity, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17685604

Dear students,

These are the last activities you must carry out in December. I advise you to get them done them from December 12th to 20th. Otherwise, you will have a lot of homework after New Year's Eve!

It's up to you!

Best Wishes for HAPPY HOLIDAYS!



Part II

a. Click on the link and read the five Chapters of 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens and answer the questions on the text. Don't forget to write both the questions and answers in your notebook.

https://www.ego4u.com/en/read-on/literature/christmas-carol


b. Watch the videos 'A Christmas Carol'  and 'A Diva's Christmas Carol'.

https://youtu.be/5mEH5emAoAc

https://youtu.be/emvp39x-PXs

In your notebook write your opinion on both movies. Say which one you liked best and explain why. Then draw a chart in which you  display the similarities and differences between both movies. 

November & December Activities

A

https://www.saga.co.uk/magazine/travel/cruises/scandinavia/the-northern-lights-aurora-borealis-frequently-asked-questions


Dear students,

Keep up the good work, so here are some activities just for you. Just remember that if the grammar activities are easy enough, you don't have to write them down. A photo of the screen will do. On the other hand if you experience some difficulties - in other words, you have done several times the same exercise, the smart thing to do is to write it down in your notebook. 
   
     All the reading and Ted Talk activities must be done in the notebook. You may look up in the dictionary unfamiliar or unknown words, but only if they are monolingual (some links are provided below) and most videos are closed-captioned, so you can listen and read the subtitles in English.

   The due dates are December 5th, groups 632A, 633B, 611B, & December 7th, groups 626A, 612A, 603A.

Please, have a good time!


Part 1

A. Click on the link below and study the information provided on the following parts of speech: nouns, adjectives, adverbs, verbs, prepositions, pronouns and determiners. Do not forget to read the information, look at the examples, and do the test. 

LEO Network
https://www.learnenglish.de/grammarpage.html


B. Click again on the same link. This time check the explanations provided for open and closed questions; simple present, simple past, and simple present as future, & present continuous, past continuous and present continuous as future. If there is an exercise or a test or both, do them please. Do not forget to write them down or take pictures of the screens if they were too easy for you.

LEO Network

https://www.learnenglish.de/grammarpage.html


C. Click on the BBC Learning link and do the three activities in Session 1. Do you need a hyphen? and the three activities in Session 2. Present tenses included in Unit 1. Pop-ups

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/intermediate



C. Read  The Canterville Ghost, Chapters V, VI & VII. Then do the grammar exercises.

https://www.ego4u.com/en/read-on/literature/canterville-ghost

Second Set of Activities

https://www.coopersiegelcommunitylibrary.org/event/steam-lab-sharpsburg-fall/2018-09-12/

Dear Students,

It is time to check grammar. In other words, we will review parts of speech (verbs, nouns, adjectives, adverbs, conjunctions, prepositions, and so on), along with more tenses. We will also have some strategies to learn verbs, more reading and listening activities.

Have fun and enjoy them. It doesn't matter if you have to do them online several times. When you get them all right, it will be worth it!

Ms. Crom

1. Click on the BBC Learning link
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/lower-intermediate

a. Do all three (3) activities for Session 1. Welcome
b. Do the four (4) activities for Session 2. Question forms
c. Do the two (2) activities for Session 3. Be a Journalist
d. Do the four (4) activities for Session 4. 'Dear Sir' or 'Hey folks'?
All these activities must be written down in your notebook.



2. Click on the link English Grammar Online
https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/adjectives-adverbs

a. Read the explanations for adjectives and adverbs: comparison of adjectives, form and comparison of adverbs, and adjective or adverb. Once you undertand the information, do the following exercises in your notebook when you get them right:

• Exercises on English Adjectives: Comparison exercise on the text 'Los Angeles' and Positive form and comparison exercise on the text 'London'.
• Exercises on English Adverbs: Exercise on the form of adverbs, exercise on comparison of adverbs, exercise on position of adverbs (Make sure you do all the exercises for adverbs of manner, time, place, and frequency), and exercise on adverbs (mix).

b. Read the information for nouns, articles, plural and possessive case. Do the four exercises included.

https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/nouns

c. Read about prepositions and then do the exercises. They seem to be many, but they are not. Each exercise contains few items.

https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/prepositions

• Five (5) exercises on prepositions of place
• Two (2) exercises on prepostions of time, and also one for the prepositions since and for.
• Do the exercises for prepositions: Buses, A Picture, A Photograph, The Wampanoag, George Washington, Henry Ford, MacDonald's, and Uluru.

3. Listen and read the biographies of Albert Einstein and Johannes Kepler and answer the questions. Read the text at least 3 times.

http://www.5minutebiographies.com/albert-einstein/

• In your opinion, what are the five more important events in Einstein's youth? 
• Write down a timeline of Einstein's professional experience as a physicist.
• What event makes Einstein turn down his German Citizenship?
• What other interests did Einstein pursue in his later years?
• What do you think the quote 'The difference between stupidy and genius is that genius has its limits' means?

   - Now read Johannes Kepler biography at least three times.

http://www.5minutebiographies.com/johannes-kepler/

• Write down a time line for the most important events in his personal life and his career as a scientist.

       Think about Einstein's and Kepler's texts and find the similarities as well as the differences. Organize the information in a chart where you clearly show what they have in common and what the differences are.

For example: 

     
      Similarities                                        

Both Kepler and Einstein were scientists.  

      Differences
 Einstein was a physicist, and Kepler was a mathematician and an astronomer.

      Now that you know about Einstein and Kepler's lives, who do you like best?
Write down an explanation.

4. Reading Time. Click on the link below and continue reading Chapters 3 & 4 from The Canterville Ghost. Please, do not forget to do the exercises in each Chapter and write them down in your notebook.

https://www.ego4u.com/en/read-on/literature/canterville-ghost

*** Those of you who can read the original version, you may download the original version from the right side bar menu.


5.  Watch the video 'The Danger of a Single Story?
https://youtu.be/D9Ihs241zeg

Please, do watch the video with subtitles in English. You may watch it as many times as necessary to answer the following questions:

• What influenced Miss Chimamanda's early writing?
• What happens when children only read text from foreign countries about different cultures?
• What difference made in Ms. Chimamanda's view of literature the discovery of African writers?
• What is the main issue Ms. Chimamanda pose about creating a single story of something?
• Can you explain the role of power in creating a single story?
• If you focus only on one story, what is the outcome?
• What is the power of stories according to Ms. Chimamanda?
• What conclusion can you reach from Ms. Chimamanda's talk?
• Do you agree with her? Please, explain why or why not you agree with her?

Below you can find a list of monolingual dictionaries you can use in case you need to look up vocabulary.

- Merriam-Webster Dictionary
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dictionary

- Oxford Dictionaries
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/english

- Word Reference Monolingual dicitionaries
http://www.wordreference.com/definition/monolingual

- Cambridge Dictionary
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/


These assignments are due by October 16th & 17th (603A, 632A, 633B, 626A, 611B, & 612A)