Unit 4 January 13: Downtown

1. Unit 3 quiz - workbook p.87-88
2. Discuss Unit 4 objectives, textbook p.43
3. Practical conversations, textbook p.44 A-C; listen to CD
4. Homework: Practical conversations, workbook p.25 exercises 1-2
5. Optional: esl-lab.com "Hotel Reservations" (easy)

Unit 3 January 3: Broad Rock

Did you watch the fireworks in Richmond on New Year's Eve?

1. Review Unit 2 quiz results
2. Discuss Unit 3 objectives, textbook p.29
3. Practical conversations, textbook p.30 A-C; listen to CD
4. Crossroads Cafe "No Vacancy" video final part (if time permits)
5. Homework: Practical conversations, workbook p.17 exercises 1-2
6. Optional: listen and answer esl-lab.com "Traffic Ticket" (medium difficulty)

Unit 2 December 20: Broad Rock

I hope Santa is good to you next week!

1. Homework review: workbook p.15, exercise 15
2. Quiz: Unit 2 The community, workbook p.85-86
3. Video: Crossroads Cafe "No Vacancy" Cultural Clip and Part Two
4. Happy Holidays! Return Saturday January 3, 2009

Unit 3 December 18: Downtown

1. Enjoy your field trip to LeMaire
2. Please leave comments and reviews on this blog or on your own blog if you have one
3. Have a wonderful holiday break
4. Return Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Unit 3 December 16: Downtown

above: blogger Jason Guard in a Richmond magazine food article

1. Homework review: Authentic practice, workbook p.24, exercise 17
2. Guest speaker: Jason Guard , writer of Carmelized OpiNIONS blog
3. Homework: write one paragraph based on the information in Jason's Guard's presentation

Unit 2 December 15: Broad Rock

1. Homework review: workbook p.14, exercise 14
2. Authentic practice: textbook p.23, exercises F & G
3. Video: Crossroads Cafe "No Vacancy"
4. Homework: workbook p.15, exercise 15
5. Optional: Watch a video story about housing discrimination online!

Unit 2 December 13: Broad Rock class

pictured above: a deadbolt lock for better security

1. Homework review: Authentic practice workbook p.14, exercise 13
2. Authentic practice - Tips for apartment hunters, textbook p.22 Listen to CD and answer exercise E
3. Class discussion: local maps, neighborhoods and apartment rental advertisements
4. Homework: workbook p.14, exercise 14
5. Laptops will be available for students to sign up for free email accounts!

Unit 3 December 11: Downtown class

pictured: the Golden Rule

1. Homework review: Authentic practice, workbook p.24, exercise 16
2. Idiom: "Put the pedal to the metal" to accelerate a vehicle rapidly. example: The bank robber jumped in her car and put the pedal to the metal.
3. Driving by the Golden Rule - textbook p.38, Listen to CD, do exercises A-C
4. Homework: Authentic practice, workbook p.24, exercise 17

Unit 3 December 9: Downtown class

above: a look under the hood of a car

1. Homework review: Authentic practice, workbook p.23, exercises 14-15
2. Idiom: "to blow your top" to become angry, to lose your temper. example: Don't blow your top if someone tailgates you on the highway. Keep cool instead.
3. Do it yourself! textbook p.37, exercises A-C
4. Homework: Authentic practice, workbook p.24, exercise 16
5. Optional: Check out the following Richmond blog with restaurant reviews as you prepare for next week's trip to Le Maire! Carmelized OpiNIONS

Unit 2 December 8: Broad Rock class

1. Alphabet review: spelling with a partner (we will decide what to spell and pronounce together in class)
2. Authentic practice - Tips for apartment hunters, textbook p.22 Listen to CD and answer
3. Homework - Authentic practice workbook p.14, exercise 13
4. Optional homework "Apartments for Rent"

Unit 2 December 6: Adam's Broad Rock Library class

1. This Saturday I will bring laptop computers.
2. We will go online and everyone will get a free email address
3. We will go to blogger.com and register in order to use richmondelcivics.blogspot.com (this blog)
4. You will be able to study and communicate with us when you cannot come to class!

Unit 3 December 4: Clay's downtown class

1. Homework review: Authentic practice, workbook p.22-23 exercises 12-13
2. Idiom: "to go ballistic" to very quickly and unexpectedly become very angry example: The driver went ballistic and yelled at the driver in front of him for going too slow.
3. Listen to Authentic Practice - Aggressive driving and road rage, textbook p.36 D Vocabulary, then try exercise E Discussion
4. Homework: Authentic practice, workbook p.23, exercises 14-15
5. Optional: Read the ESL blog post and comments about "Dangerous Teenage Drivers"

Unit 3 December 2: Clay's downtown class

above: Are you an aggressive driver?

1. Homework review: Authentic practice, workbook p.21 exercises 10-11
2. Idiom: "to cut off" to drive a vehicle unexpectedly into the path of another driver. example: The truck cut off the motorcycle in traffic, resulting in a bad case of road rage.
3. Listen to Authentic Practice - Aggressive driving and road rage, textbook p.36, then try exercises A-C
4. Homework: Authentic practice, workbook p.22-23, exercises 12-13
5. Optional: ESL Radio "Thanksgiving and American food culture" podcast

Unit 3 Speeding tickets

above: a typical speeding ticket looks similar to this

1. Homework review: workbook Practical grammar challenge p.20, exercises 8-9
2. Idiom: "beat a ticket" to successfully challenge charges against you in court, resulting in the dismissal of those charges and fines. example: The driver knew he was not speeding, so he challenged the ticket and beat it in court.
3. Authentic practice - Appropriate responses to a police officer textbook p.35, exercises D-E
4. Homework: Authentic practice, workbook p.21 exercises 10-11
5. Optional: esl-lab.com "Free Email Accounts: Which is Best for You?" Use this listening exercise to help you find the best email provider if you don't already have an email account.

Unit 3 Gerunds and Police

Hello Richmond EL Civics students! Welcome to our class blog. Please submit a comment under this post in response to the following question: Did the driver in the listening exercise on textbook page 34 act appropriately when speaking to the police officer?

1. Homework review: workbook p.19-20, exercises 6-7
2. Idiom: "get nabbed" to be caught or arrested for doing something. example: The police nabbed the thief for stealing cars.
3. Authentic practice - Appropriate behavior with a police officer textbook p.34, A-B Listen to CD
4. Homework: workbook Practical grammar challenge p.20, exercises 8-9
5. Optional: "Hiding from the police" podcast

Unit 3 To Do Lists

above: a to do list on a desk

1. Homework review: Practical grammar - Using gerunds, workbook p.19, exercises 5-6
2. Idiom: lend a hand - give someone assistance/help. example: If you have trouble setting up a blog, ask another student to lend you a hand.
3. Infinitives of purpose - textbook p.33, exercises B & C
4. Homework: workbook p.19-20, exercises 6-7
5. Optional: esl-lab.com "Saturday's chores" (medium difficulty)

Unit 3 Driving and gerunds

above: If you get a ticket, you may have to go before a judge.

1. Homework review: Discuss written summaries of the information presented by Richmond Fire Marshall Michael Powell on Thursday, November 6.
2. Idiom: "Get pulled over" - to be stopped by a police officer while driving. example: If you break the speed limit, you'll probably get pulled over by the cops.
3. Practical grammar - using gerunds, textbook p.32 exercise A
4. Homework: Practical grammar - using gerunds, workbook p.19, exercises 5-6
5. Optional: esl-lab.com "Driver's License" (medium difficulty)

Unit 3 Fires and accidents

above: Richmond firefighter battles a three-alarm fire on Southside in September

1. Homework review: workbook p.18, exercises 3-4
2. Idiom: "Get back on your feet" - recover physically, financially or emotionally from a difficult experience. example: It was difficult for the family to get back on its feet after losing everything in the house fire." (adapted from esl-lab.com)
3. Listen to Practical conversations CD, textbook p.31 Model 2 Describe an accident again, then complete Do it yourself! exercises A & B.
4. Homework: Write a one paragraph summary of the information presented by Richmond Fire Marshall Michael Powell on Thursday, November 6.
5. Optional: esl-lab.com "Emergency Call: Roadside Assistance" (medium difficulty)

Unit 3 Traffic, tickets, and accidents

above: a traffic cop gives a ticket

1. Homework review: vocabulary - workbook p.17, exercises 1-2
2. Listen to Practical conversations CD, textbook p.31 Model 2 Describe an accident
3. For idioms, read vocabulary, textbook p.31 B
4. Homework: workbook p.18, exercises 3-4
5. Optional: esl-lab.com "Traffic Ticket" (medium difficulty)

Introduction to Unit 3 - Technology

above: a "fender bender" type car accident

1. Homework review: workbook p.85-86, Skills for test taking
2. Check to make sure all students have email addresses
3. Discuss Unit 3 objectives, textbook p.29
4. Listen to Practical conversations CD, textbook p.30
5. Homework: vocabulary - workbook p.17, exercises 1-2
6. Optional: esl-lab.com "Car Accident" (difficult)

Blogging and Unit 2 Review

pictured above: studying during a power outage (no blogging)

1. Review Tuesday's blogging experience
2. Idiom: ""have a knack for something" = have a special or nature ability (from esl-lab.com) example - Leonardo has a knack for computers and blogging.
3. Textbook: p.27-28, exercises C-F (composition)
4. Homework: workbook p.85-86, Skills for test taking
5. Optional: work on your building your blog

Learning to Blog

1. Homework review: workbook p.16, exercises 17-18
   
2. Learn to blog with special guest Adam Nathanson
   
3. Optional homework: Go to http://www.rvablogs.com/ to see Richmond blogs

Unit 2 Review

above: a trailer park (a type of housing)

1. Homework review: workbook p.15, exercise 16
2. Idiom: "call it a day" = stop working on something after a long period of hard work
3. "After two hours studying English on Tuesday, it was time to call it a day."
4. Textbook: View Unit 2 Review p.26, create stories and conversations in pairs
5. Homework: workbook p.16, exercises 17-18
6. Optional: 'Types of Housing'

Unit 2 More home repairs

photo above: a home electrical problem

1. Homework review: workbook p.15, exercise 15
2. Student comments on HUD website, if anyone looked at it
3. Idiom: "teed off" = upset, angry (from esl-lab.com)
   "She was really teed off because the landlord wouldn't fix her toilet."
4. Textbook Listening comprehension p.27, exercise B
5. Homework: p.15, exercise 16
6. Optional: Listen to "Home Improvements: Fixing Your Place Up"

Unit 2 Housing rights

1. Homework review: Workbook p.16, exercises 17-18
2. Idiom: "until/when hell freezes over"
3. Textbook: Authentic practice p.23; exercise F self-test
4. Textbook: exercise G pair work with another student
5. Homework: if possible visit the following government website; http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/promotingfh/atyourservice.cfm
6. Related homework: workbook p.15, exercise 15
7. Optional: read about Richmond organization Housing Opportunities Made Equal

Unit 2 Advice for Apartment Hunters

above: beware of ants, mice and roaches

1. Homework review: Workbook p.15, exercises 15-16


2. Idiom: "live out of a suitcase"


3. Texbook Authentic practice p.22 Listen to CD, then answer questions


4. Homework: Workbook p.16, exercises 17-18


5. Optional: "Apartment: Renting a Place of Your Own"

Unit 2 Housing policies

pictured above - a slumlord and his tenants

1. Homework Review: Workbook Authentic practice p.13 exercises 11-14


2. American slang: "slumlord"


3. Textbook: Authentic practice Challenge - Listen to p.20 Exercise B as dictation. Write what you hear


4. Homework:Workbook p.15, exercises 15-16


5. Optional: esl-lab.com "Housing Complaints" difficult

Unit 2 Renting a house or apartment

1. Homework Review: Workbook Challenge p.12, exercises 9-10


2. Idioms "high end" "roomie" "dirt cheap"


3. Texbook Authentic practice p.20 Listen to CD and read along, then answer questions


4. Homework: Workbook Authentic practice p.13 exercises 11-14


5. Optional: esl-lab.com "Great Apartment Living" (medium difficulty)

Unit 2 Present Perfect Verb Tense

pictured above: a fixer upper home

1. Homework Review: Workbook Practical Grammar p.11, exercises 6-8


2. Idioms "a fixer-upper" "needs TLC"


3. Textbook Practical Grammar p.18 A & B


4. Homework: Workbook Challenge p.12, exercises 9-10


5. Optional: Online Present Perfect Verbs Quiz (click here)

Unit 2 Apartment Problems

1. Homework Review: Workbook p.9-10, exercises 1-5


2. Idioms "a dump" and "a dive"


3. Textbook Model 2, Discuss an outage with another tenant p.17: Listen to CD then work in pairs


4. Homework: Workbook Practical Grammar p.11, exercises 6-8


5. Optional: esl-lab.com "Renting Apartments" 20 Minute Vocabulary Lesson (medium difficulty)

Introduction to Unit 2

1. Homework Review: Workbook p.8, exercises 15-16.


2. Discuss Unit 2 objectives: Textbook p.15


3. Practical Conversation listen to CD and answer: Textbook p.16


4. Idiom: "on the fritz"


5. Homework: Workbook p.9-10, exercises 1-5


6. Optional: esl-lab.com: "Home Repairs" (difficult)

Finishing Up Unit 1 - Your Life

pictured above: Ralph Edwards, the host of U.S. television program "This Is Your Life"

1. Idiom "can't make heads or tails of (something)" for more idioms click here Could you make heads or tails of what the guest speaker, Paz Ochs, was saying on Thursday?


2. Unit 1 Your Life Review: Workbook p.83-84


3. Homework: Workbook p.8, exercises 15-16.


4. Optional: esl-lab.com "Apartments for Rent"

Hispanic Liaison Office Visits Both Classes!

On Thursday, September 18 Paz Ochs from the City of Richmond's Hispanic Liaison Office will speak to the downtown English Literacy Civics class at 12pm. On Monday, September 29, Tanya Gonzalez from the Hispanic Liaison Office will come to Broad Rock Library to talk to our Southside students.

Please note: No class this Saturday at Broad Rock Library. Class will resume on Monday, September 22.

For Clay Hall's downtown class on Thursday, September 18:

1. Review student findings from Internet searches about the Hispanic Liaison Office.


2. Meet Paz Ochs and listen to her presentation


3. Brief question and answer period


4. Homework: Write a short (2-5 sentences) summary of the presentation and information provided

Unit 1 - Get Ready for Our First Guest Speaker!

This post is for Clay Hall's class at the Adult Career Development Center downtown. The homework assignments and online exercises can also be completed by students from Adam Nathanson's Broad Rock Library class who have purchased Ready to Go books.

1. Review Homework: Workbook pages 6-7, exercises 12-14


2. Listen to CD and do Group Listening Comprehension textbook p.13 exercise B
   
3. Homework: Visit the website for the City of Richmond's Hispanic Liaison Office in preparation for Thursday's guest speaker. (click here)
   
4. Optional online listening exercise from esl-lab.com: "Back to School Supplies"

Check Out the Citizenship website!

Students from our Broad Rock Library class requested more information about citizenship this week. The United States Customs and Immigration Service website offers lots of information about the requirements for U.S. citizenship (click here).

If you would like to take a Naturalization Practice Test online, click here.

We will study and compare the old and new citizenship questions throughout the year. For more information about the exam and Citizenship Requirements, click here.

Unit 1 - Declining Sales Offers

1. Review homework: Workbook pages 3-4, Practical Grammar 5-9


2. Brainstorm more ways to decline sales offers. In the U.S you can tell telemarketers to "Please take us off your list."


3. Write down the name of one charity solicitation and one sales solicitation that you have actually received.


4. Students write the names of solicitors who have called them on the board.


5. Homework: Workbook pages 6-7, exercises 12-14


6. Optional online listening exercise from esl-lab.com: "Where are you from?"


7. Optional research: Visit website for the National Do Not Call Registry and report back to the class on your findings

Week Two - Let's Get to Work!

Each month a special guest from the community will visit our class to help us learn about our city. In September, representatives of the City of Richmond's Office of the Hispanic Liaison will talk to us about their services. Check this blog for details on the specific days.

1. Review homework: Workbook Unit 1, pages 1-2, Practical Conversations 1-3
   
2. Textbook Unit 1: using Ready to Go CD, listen to Models 1 & 2 on pages 2-3, while reading
   
3. Textbook Unit 1: Models 1 & 2 C, pages 2-3 work in pairs or as a class reading the role play


4. New homework: Workbook pages 3-4, Practical Grammar 5-9


5. Optional online listening exercises: http://www.esl-lab.com/ "Tell Me About Yourself" or "Telemarketing" (very difficult)

Week One - Welcome!

above: a telemarketer

Welcome to Clay Hall's downtown and Adam Nathanson's southside English Literacy Civics class! Check this blog weekly for class assignments. The first week's work is listed below:

1. Preview textbook, discuss, and bookmark important pages as class activity


2. Textbook Unit 1 Warm up, page 1


3. Review Unit 1 objectives, page 1


4. Homework: Workbook Unit 1, pages 1-2, Practical Conversations 1-3


5. Optional: http://www.esl-lab.com/ "Nice to Meet You" online listening exercise

Syllabus

September: Your Life – Ready to Go Unit 1

October: The Community – Ready to Go Unit 2

November: Technology – Ready to Go Unit 3

December: The Consumer World – Ready to Go Unit 4

January: Time – Ready to Go Unit 5

February: Supplies & Services – Ready to Go Unit 6

March: Relationships – Ready to Go Unit 7

April: Health & Safety – Ready to Go Unit 8

May: Money – Ready to Go Unit 9

June: Your Career – Ready to Go Unit 10