Things to look forward to

There are a few things that I am excited about recently, so I figured I would share them with everyone.

·         Easter: Easter is my favorite holiday and I cannot wait to spend time with the family and enjoy good food, especially Easter pie. I bet you are wondering why this holiday is my favorite. Besides the religious aspect, when I think of Easter I think of flowers blooming, warm weather on the way, Cadbury Eggs (obviously) and a reminder that the semester is almost over.

·         Summer: I am so eager for summer to get here. Although it looks like we may have a rainy summer, I cannot wait to put my jackets, Uggs, sweatshirts and boots away to take out the summer clothes. I am so excited for dinners on the Nautical Mile, trips to the Hamptons and just lying on the beach.

·         The end of the semester: I must say that I really don’t mind school. I enjoy learning new things and like having something to do; however, I hate the end of the semester. Of course, I save everything for last minute and always end up doing the big projects at the end. The last three weeks of school are always so stressful and I just cannot wait for all the papers and presentations to be over with.

·         Mikey moves home: My brother and I have a very close relationship and I am looking forward to him moving home for summer. Mikey lives in New Rochelle as an undergraduate student at Iona College. Even though he tries to come home for a weekend here and there, it’s just not the same. The house is so quiet without him and our family dinners just are not as interesting.

Vocabulary

1.       Aspect: feature, characteristic; facet

2.       Blooming: blossoming, growing or flowering

3.       Stressful: worrying, hectic, nerve-wracking or tense

4.       Presentations: demonstrations, performance

Exercise

B Z I E N Q N J V I B G B F U

G R S Q R S C I N V A C A E O

Z E S K D K R K P Z L C Z Y K

S T J N O L T G Z B Y D N C D

Z Y H I K C U D Q W G J U C Q

D V D H E E E F B A R T G T G

V P C P K P J V S I S L Q Y N

Y B S G H Q S G N S L A H W I

K A N Z K C X N U H E P B L M

N H W V K Y G X Q B B R G N O

B J U X A E J D Q V H E T J O

S N O I T A T N E S E R P S L

D A I A D L X G C A D R K N B

S B D S A S O A G R M J L W W

L O W D B S P O E P G Q X N J

ASPECT

BLOOMING

PRESENTATIONS

STRESSFUL

After completing the word-search answer the following questions

1.       Why is the narrator excited for Easter?

2.       What will the narrator be doing during the summer?

3.       Does the narrator enjoy going to school? Why or why not?

4.       Where does Mikey go to school?

5.       What are some things you are excited for? Why?

Grammar Point

When to use the semicolon

The semicolon is much easier to use than the comma because it has clear rules. If you learn these  two simple rules, you will rarely go wrong.

To connect two independent clauses

The semicolon is used to connect two independent clauses in one sentence. Independent clauses are a series of words that can stand alone as complete sentences. When you have two complete sentences that you want to connect to one, use a semicolon between them.

Example: This could be a complete sentence; this could be another one.

You cannot use a comma here because it would be considered a comma splice. If a conjunction was added, then a comma could be used.

Example: This could be a complete sentence, and this could be another one.

Super Comma

A semicolon can be used as a super comma. When you have a series of three or more items that normally would be separated by commas except that each individual item has a comma in it, you use a semicolon between them.

Example: We visited Pago Pago, Western Samoa; Curitiba, Brazil; and St. George, Utah.

These are only two ways that the semicolon can be used. There are other minor uses; however, these are the most important. Learning these rules will really be helpful. Practice the use of the semicolon below. Give 2 sentences using the rules you just learned.  

TESOL Conference

This Saturday I attended the TESOL conference at Molloy College and I had a great time. I was introduced to some wonderful and creative teachers that were so inspiring. The college provided the guests with a delicious breakfast before the conference began, which was very nice.

Before arriving, I did not know what to expect. After a short presentation, the guests were handed a schedule of the meetings that were taking place. I thought it was nice to have the option to attend the meetings which I desired. The first presentation I selected was “The First-hand Experiences of a Second Year Teacher” by Claudia Leon. I have previously been introduced to Mrs. Leon through one of the graduate classes at Molloy and I found her to be very informative. I thought her presentation was very helpful, as she gave many tips on what she found useful in her ESL classroom.

The second presentation I joined was, “The Before, During, and After Techniques for NYSESLAT”. I thought the presenter was such a great teacher. She is very creative and always trying to incorporate new ideas and activities in her classroom. I think this is so important to keep the students focused and engaged in the material. When she was sharing her ideas with the guests in the room, it was clear that she wants to see her students succeed. Her love for teaching was very vibrant and I admired that about her. She was not afraid to try new things with technology, which is also an important factor for a teacher.

The third presentation I selected was, “Learning Difficulties for The Korean Student”. The presenter was a graduate student from University of Pennsylvania, who spoke about her study of Korean students as English language learners. I thought the data that she collected was very interesting. Information that she shared with the guests were that most Korean children come to the United States alone or with their mothers only. The fathers stay at home to make the money to send their children to school in the United States. She also shared that most Korean students come to the United States not wanting to make friends with other Koreans. They look for American friends to acclimate to the culture and learn the language quicker. I also found it interesting when she stated that the “peer pressure” among Korean students is so strong. They have high standards and are constantly competing with each other to learn the language and become Americanized.  

All in all, the TESOL conference was a great experience and I found it very useful. I am now only more eager for my own classroom. What were your thoughts?

               

Vocabulary

1.       Creative: imaginative, inventive, artistic and original

2.       Inspiring: stimulating and moving; motivating

3.       Delicious: enjoyable; pleasant

4.       Desired: wanted or preferred

5.       Informative: helpful, useful and explanatory

6.       Selected: chosen

7.       Previously: earlier, happened before; beforehand

8.       Incorporate: include; integrate, combine

9.       Succeed: to do well, thrive; make it to the top

10.   Eager: willing and enthusiastic; ready

Exercise

Change the following sentences from past tense to future tense.

1.       The presenter was a graduate student from University of Pennsylvania.

2.       The third presenter I selected was, “Learning Difficulties for The Korean Student”.

3.       Before arriving, I did not know what to expect.

4.       The guests were handed a schedule of the meetings that were taking place.

5.       The first presentation I selected was “The First-hand Experiences of a Second Year Teacher” by Claudia Leon.

Change the following sentences from past tense to future tense. (Hint: the verbs are highlighted)  

This Saturday I attended the TESOL conference at Molloy College and I had a great time. I was introduced to some wonderful and creative teachers that were so inspiring. The college provided the guests with a delicious breakfast before the conference began, which was very nice.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Grammar Point

Proper Nouns vs. Common Nouns

Nouns name people, places, and things. Every noun can be classified as common or proper. A common noun names general items.

Go to the kitchen. What do you see? Refrigerator, magnet, stove, window, coffee maker, spatula and a sink. All of these are common nouns.

Leave the house. Where can you go? Mall, school, post office, backyard, beach, pet sore, and a gas station. All of these places are common nouns.

Go to the mall. Who do you see? Teenager, grandmother, police officer, baby, manager, janitor and a shoplifter. All of these people are common nouns.

Common nouns are general names. Thus they are NOT capitalized unless they begin a sentence of are part of a title.

Proper Nouns are SPECIFIC things and require capitalization.

Here are some examples:
Common

• coffee shop
• waiter
• chair
• jeans
• shirt

Proper

• Starbucks
• Simon
• Australia
• Captain Joe

Now, look through the passage and pick out some proper and common nouns. Write the answers below.

Recent Addictions

There are several things that I have become addicted to lately. First, let’s start off with the definition of addiction. Addiction can be taken as something negative; for example, when people have a psychological dependence on something. That is not that type of addiction I am talking about here. These types of addictions are a continued involvement where a person receives enjoyment or pleasure.

1.       Spin classes: I have been spending a lot of my free time at the gym. I always hear people talking so highly about spin classes. “They are a great way to challenge yourself”, “They really make you sweat”, “They are so fun and the trainers really make you work”. I figured I would give it a try. After my first spin class, I can say that my days revolve around spin classes. I have become so dedicated to the gym because the class makes me feel so good. All of those positive things I heard are very true. The people are so energized and enthusiastic that the aura of the room is filled with excitement. Spin classes truly are such a great workout and I highly recommend them to anyone who is looking for motivation to get involved at the gym.

2.       Cadbury Eggs: This time of year is so dangerous for my diet. I absolutely love chocolate and there is no better chocolate than Cadbury Eggs. Luckily, they only are on the shelves during Easter. I have been trying to eat healthy and every day I cannot resist my handful of Cadbury Eggs. The past two weeks I cannot describe how much candy I have eaten. However, I am happy to say that I finished the bag and will not be buying any more candy for the holiday.

3.       Afternoon naps: Ahhhh, the joy of afternoon naps. I cannot seem to break my habit of taking 3 hour afternoon naps. Every morning I wake up and I tell myself “I am not going to nap today”; however, it does not seem to work. I hate the feeling of knowing that I am wasting the day, but when 4 o’clock comes around, there is nothing more satisfying than the couch, a blanket and a reality show re-run. I think this may be an inherited problem. My mother seems to have the same issue, who always blames it on her mother, who also enjoys her afternoon naps. Luckily, I have a job which allows me the luxury of an afternoon nap.

These are only some of my recent addictions. What are yours?

Vocabulary

1.       Addicted: continued involvement where a person received enjoyment or pleasure.

2.       Psychological dependence: dependence on a psychoactive drug

3.       Psychological: mental

4.       Dependence: a need for something; requirement

5.       Dedicated: devoted, committed

6.       Aura: atmosphere; feeling

7.       Motivation: enthusiasm, drive

8.       Dangerous: risky

9.       Luxury: a treat, indulgence

Exercise

Use the vocabulary above to complete the sentences.

1.       Having an addiction causes a person to have __________________________ towards drugs.

2.       I think I am ________ to chocolate because I cannot stop eating it.

3.       There was so much tension in the room between the girls that it created a bad __________.

4.       I have so much ______________ for the gym because of the spin classes. They are so exciting that I look forward to getting out of bed in the morning.

5.       Not only is chocolate _____________ to my diet, but I also cannot stop eating ice cream. Ever since Ralph’s opened, I have been craving ice cream.

6.       When a person becomes addicted to drugs, it is more of a _______________ addiction opposed to an emotional one.

7.       It is important that students are _____________ to their school work in order to pass the class.

8.       Not only is Easter a ____________ time for me, but so is Christmas because I love to eat candy canes. They are not healthy for you either.

9.       Some people have the __________ of a gym in their home. That is so convenient not having to leave your home to workout.

Grammar Point

Much vs. Many

Much is used when talking about things that are singular (uncountable nouns).  Uncountable nouns do not take an article and do not have a plural form. (Sugar, cheese, wine, money)

I drank so much coffee today.

Many is used when talking about things that are plural (countable nouns). Countable nouns in the singular take the article a or an and can be plural. (Dog/s, apple/s, car/s etc.)

I drank so many cups of coffee today. Do you notice the difference?

In the reading above I used a sentence with the word ‘much’. Pick out the sentence and tell me why I used the word ‘much’ and not ‘many’. After, practice here by creating 5 sentences using much vs. many. If you are having difficulty, look at this website for more practice.

http://www.learn-english-online.org/Lesson36/Lesson36.htm

My Modeling Debut

Yesterday I had my first modeling debut and I must say I had a great time. I have never modeled before and when I got offered the opportunity, I took it with open arms. One of my old friends started her own makeup business. To promote her makeup designing and airbrushing services she held a bathing suit shoot. When she asked me, I immediately responded by saying “YES”. I am very interested in makeup and enjoy learning new techniques.

When the morning of the shoot came I was so nervous. The one thought that came to my mind was “What was I thinking? There is no way I am standing on a beach in a bathing suit and getting photographed!”  Despite the nervousness of being seen in a bathing suit, I had an exciting morning. Being able to have my makeup done was a great experience. After all, the last time I got to do that was the morning of my high school prom 5 years ago. I also had a wonderful time meeting the other models. I wasn’t the only one who nervous for the shoot. After sharing ideas of fun poses and comparing ourselves to Victoria’s Secret models, it was time to shine.

With all the positive energy that the girls were giving each other it made the modeling experience a wonderful one. It has always been a dream of mine to do something like that. I think the society that our generation has grown up in, young girls are always being influenced by the media, fashion and beauty. To get a taste of that lifestyle for one day was thrilling and I am happy that I got to experience it.

               

Vocabulary

1.       Debut: coming out, presentation or introduction

2.       Promote: to help or sponsor

3.       Techniques: methods or practices, skills

4.       Photographed: photo’d, take pictures of

5.       Poses: postures, positions; stances

6.       Comparing: Relating, sharing, matching; paralleling

7.       Generation: Age group

8.       Thrilling: Exciting, delightful and stimulating

Exercise

After reading the excerpt, answer the following questions to the best of your ability.

1.       By reading the short story, would you think that the narrator models on a regular basis? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2.       Who was the narrator modeling for? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3.       Why was the narrator nervous? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4.       All in all, was the experience a positive or negative one? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5.       How can you relate to this experience? Is there any experience similar to this that you would like to be involved in? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Grammar Point

Contractions

A contraction is a shortening of a word, syllable, or word group by omission of internal letters. In a contraction, an apostrophe takes place of the missing letter. Some contractions are: I'm (I am), can't (cannot), how's (how is), and Ma'am (Madam).

By looking at the following website, you can view several charts of the common contractions used in the English language. After becoming familiar with the website, complete the following exercise. http://www.enchantedlearning.com/grammar/contractions/

Pick out the contraction in the excerpt above. Why was it used? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Write the contraction to the following words

1.       I have

2.       Was not

3.       What will

4.       Has not

5.       How is

6.       We had

7.       It will

8.       Will not

9.       They will

10.   When is