Unit 3 January 31: Broad Rock

above: a cop car races to catch a speeder

1. Homework review: Practical grammar, workbook p.19, exercise 6
2. Authentic practice, textbook p.35 D-E
3. PBS Learn English (I will bring headphones so you can listen to the audio)
4. Homework: Authentic practice, workbook p.21, exercises 10-11
5. Optional: Talking with the Police handout

Unit 4 January 29: Downtown

above: the typical American family used to go on vacation in a station wagon

1. Discussion: Are you checking this class blog for assignments when you miss class? Do you know you can post a question about an assignment as a comment on the class blog? Adam will answer the question online!
2. Practical grammar, textbook p.46 uses of the words some and any
3. Homework: Practical grammar, workbook p.27 exercises 6-7 choose some or any
4. Optional: esl-lab.com 20 minute vocabulary mini-lesson "Hotel Reservations"

Unit 4 January 27: Downtown

above: luggage

1. Homework review: Practical conversations, workbook p.25, exercises 3-5
2. Idiom: "red carpet treatment/treated like royalty" special attention and services given to guests. example: The resort gave the us the red carpet treatment even though we did not book the most expensive room.
3. Practical conversations, textbook p.45 all exercises, listen along with CD and discuss
4. Optional: esl-lab.com "Hotel Reservations" (medium difficulty)

Unit 3 January 26: Broad Rock

be careful driving in the snow this week

1. Homework review: Driving and infinitives of purpose, textbook p.33 exercises B-C
2. View The Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles' points system online together
3. Homework: Practical grammar, workbook p.19, exercise 6
4. Optional: Because many people in Richmond are becoming sick with the flu lately, I suggest esl-lab.com "Medical Advice: What's the Matter"

Unit 3 January 24: Broad Rock

above: police pull over a motorist during a routine traffic stop

1. Authentic practice, textbook p.34 exercises A-B, listen along with CD
2. Online with PBS Learn English. I will bring the laptops to class.
3. Homework: Infinitives of purpose, textbook p.33 exercises B-C
4. Optional: esl-lab.com "Traffic Ticket" (medium difficulty)

Unit 4 January 22: Downtown

1. Homework review from January 13: Practical conversations, workbook p.25 exercises 1-2
2. Idiom - "a flea bag motel" a run-down, dirty motel. example: Be careful if you stay at a cheap flea bag motel on Jefferson Davis Highway in Richmond!
3. Practical conversations, textbook p.44 exercises A-C, listen to CD
4. Homework: Practical conversations, workbook p.25, exercises 3-5
5. Optional: esl-lab.com "Hotel Check-In" (difficult)

Unit 4 January 20: Downtown

1. Watch Inauguration on television or computers in class if possible
2. Print out and complete Barack Obama timeline worksheet in class or for homework: http://www.elcivics.com/timeline-barack-obama.pdf
3. View correct answers by clicking here: http://www.elcivics.com/timeline-barack-key.pdf
4. Discuss importance of this particular inauguration

No Class Monday January 19: Broad Rock

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

Broad Rock Library class will return on Saturday, January 24 at 10:30am.

Click here to view and hear King's last speech

Unit 3 January 17: Broad Rock

This Saturday I will bring the laptops for students to use in class. Together we will go to the Project Connect website and register to use the lessons there. It should be fun!

Unit 4 January 15: Downtown

above: a baby's footprint

Clay informed me that the downtown English Literacy Civics class will attend a baby shower on Thursday. Have a great time! Below are some links to ESL resources about baby showers.

1. ESL Podcast "Having a Baby" (you can listen and read the script)
2. ESL Forum "Baby Shower Party" (ESL students talk about this custom in the U.S)
3. ESL student blog essay on baby showers (a brief report written by an ESL student)

Unit 3 January 12: Broad Rock

On Saturday we talked about gerunds (verbs ending in -ing like driving). We did not work on the assignment listed for that day, so I posted it here again for Monday.

1. Homework review: Practical conversations, workbook p.18 exercises 3-4
2. Practical conversations, textbook p.31 A-C; listen to CD
3. Do it yourself! textbook p.31 A
4. Homework: online gerund/infinitive quiz click here

Unit 3 January 10: Broad Rock class begins at 12:30pm today only

above: a car that has been rear-ended

1. Homework review: Practical conversations, workbook p.18 exercises 3-4
2. Practical conversations, textbook p.31 A-C; listen to CD
3. Do it yourself! textbook p.31 A
4. Homework: esl-lab.com "Used Cars: A Great Deal" (difficult)

Unit 3 January 5: Broad Rock

pictured above: rush hour traffic

1. Homework review: Practical conversations, workbook p.17 exercises 1-2
2. Idiom: to high tail it - to leave quickly, especially in order to escape or avoid being caught. Example - The drunk driver high tailed it from the scene of the accident before the police arrived.
3. Practical conversations, textbook p.30 A-C; listen to CD
4. Homework: Practical conversations, workbook p.18 exercises 3-4
5. Optional: listen and answer esl-lab.com "Car Accident" (very difficult)