June 2 Unit 7: Downtown

above: Crossroads Cafe, Jamal is on the left

1. Homework review: In case of an arrest - workbook p.54
2. Crossroads Cafe video: watch the end of "Rush to Judgement" again - answer the following questions:
   Where are the people in the scene?
   How does Mr. Brashov help Jamal?
   Who apologizes and why?
   Who rushed to judgement in this story? Why?
   
3. Trying using direct quotes and indirect speech to report in writing what the characters from "Rush to Judgement" said.
4. Homework: Check an online description of the documentary film we will watch in class on Thursday, entitled "El viajecito de un sueno." We will meet the film maker, Jen Lawhorne, and she will answer questions.

June 1: Broad Rock

Above: Malcolm X - The right to free speech, even when controversial, is supposed to be protected under the First Amendment to the Constitution.

1. Explore US Citizenship Podcast website as a class (since it didn't work out Saturday).
2. Read About It - Preparation for Citizenship p.15-17 Partner Work: Groups report one fact they read to the class.
3. Homework: Preparation for Citizenship Figure It Out crossword puzzle, p.18
4. Alternative plan: CASAS Reading post-tests

May 30: Broad Rock

above: a great website I discovered recently

Schedule change: class from 12-2pm this Saturday

1. Read About It - Preparation for Citizenship p.13
2. Write It Down - Preparation for Citizenship p.14 Partner Work
3. Explore US Citizenship Podcast website as a class

May 28 Unit 7: Downtown

above: the scales of justice

1. Homework review: workbook p.51 Use correct punctuation with quoted speech
2. A mistake about shoplifting: textbook p.90 Listen to CD and follow along
3. Crossroads Cafe video: "Rush to Judgement" Part two - answer the following questions:
4. - How is Jamal treated at the police station?
   - What happens to Henry’s grandparents?
   - Who helps Henry look for his grandparents?
   - How does Mr. Brashov help Jamal?
5. Homework: In case of an arrest - workbook p.54
6. Optional: Check out the EL Civics.com lesson "The Bill of Rights."

May 26 Unit 7: Downtown

Can you quote Jamal, Mr. Brashov or the police from the Crossroads Cafe video?

1. Homework review: workbook p.50 Do you agree or disagree with the rules?
2. Practical grammar: textbook p.88 Reporting a person's words: Direct speech
3. Crossroads Cafe video: "Rush to Judgement" answer the following questions
   -Who are the 2 men Mr. Brashov talks to?
   - Who are the 2 people Henry brings to the café?
   - What happens to Jamal? Why do they think he’s arrested?
   - How do the police treat Jamal? Are they friendly?
4. Homework: workbook p.51 Use correct punctuation with quoted speech

May 25: Broad Rock

NO CLASS in honor of MEMORIAL DAY

Please return Saturday, May 30

May 23: Broad Rock

Do you remember the video about the bill stuck on Capitol Hill?

1. The Constitution: Preparation for Citizenship Lesson 2, p.12 - Talk it over dialogue
2. Activity: esl-lab.com "Phone Message"
3. School House Rock video: "A Noun is a Person, Place or Thing"

May 21 Unit 7: Downtown

Do you think teen smoking should be legal? What is your opinion on smoking in public places?

1. Homework review: workbook p.49 Are these opinions pro or con?
2. Agree and disagree respectfully: textbook p.87 Listen and read exercises
3. Realia: Look at the Op/Ed page of the Richmond Times-Dispatch in hard copy at school or by clicking this link. Report to the class about the pros and cons of an issue you read about.
4. Homework: workbook p.50 Do you agree or disagree with the rules?

Unit 7 May 19: Downtown

above: Nuclear power is a controversial issue in the U.S.

1. Discussion: Students who attended the banquet describe it to the class.
2. Introduction to Unit 7 Relationships: Textbook p.85 objectives
3. Practical conversations: Discuss the pros and cons of a controversial issue, textbook p.86. Listen to CD and read.
4. Homework: Workbook p.49 Are these opinions pro or con?

May 18: Broad Rock

above: Susan B. Anthony fought for an amendment to the Constitution allowing women to vote.

Since we had such a small turnout for class the morning after the banquet, I thought we should wait until Monday to do the lesson. Here it is again:

1. Homework review: Preparation for Citizenship Lesson 1 p. 10 - Figure It Out exercise with partners
2. The Constitution: Preparation for Citizenship Lesson 2 p.11 - Objectives and vocabulary. Write and share sentences using new words.
3. School House Rock video: "Three Ring Government"

May 16: Broad Rock

come to the banquet Friday night and receive your EL Civics certificate

1. Homework review: Preparation for Citizenship Lesson 1 p. 10 - Figure It Out exercise with partners
2. The Constitution: Preparation for Citizenship Lesson 2 p.11 - Objectives and vocabulary. Write and share sentences using new words.
3. School House Rock video: "Three Ring Government"

May 14 Unit 6: Downtown

See you at the banquet Friday night!

1. Homework review: Authentic practice, workbook p.45, exercise 10
2. Idiom: "Pay through the nose" to pay too much for an item or service. Example: If you have too many car accidents, you'll pay through the nose for auto insurance.
3. Unit 6 review: textbook p.84 Capitalization, punctuation and service vocabulary
4. Unit 6 quiz: workbook p.93-94
5. Optional: ezslang.com "Making Money" with an example of "pay through the nose"

Unit 6 May 12: Downtown

Did you see any fallen trees after Saturday night's storm?

1. Storm damage - Look at textbook p.82 and listen to CD, discuss as a class
2. Read textbook p.83, then listen to CD again and answer. Discuss your responses with a partner
3. Homework: Authentic practice, workbook p.45, exercise 10
   

May 11: Broad Rock

As usual, last time I planned too much for one class period. Here's Monday's lesson, including a few things I listed on Saturday's post.

1. Who are considered the founders of your country? Share their names and information about them with the class.
2. Preparation for Citizenship Lesson 1: The Revolutionary War - Write It Down partner work
3. Figure It Out exercise
4. School House Rock videos: "The Preamble" and "Three Ring Government"

May 9: Broad Rock

Above: Paul Revere warned, "The British are coming!"

1. Preparation for Citizenship Lesson 1: The Revolutionary War - Read About It
2. Write It Down pair work
3. Figure It Out exercise
4. School House Rock videos: "Fireworks" and "The Shot Heard 'Round the World"
5. Optional: Check out The Thomas Jefferson Hour (click here).

Unit 6 May 7: Downtown

Happy Mother's Day to all our students who are moms!

1. Homework review: Capital letters lesson from elcivics.com (click here)
2. Practical grammar: workbook p.43-44
3. Idiom: "can't make heads or tails of (something)"- to be unable to understand something. Example: His writing has no punctuation or capitalization. I can't make heads or tails of it!
4. Other capitalization rules: textbook p.75
5. Homework: Click here to take an online capitalization quiz.

Unit 6 May 5: Downtown

April showers bring May flowers

1. Practical Grammar - The sentence: Definition, textbook p.74
2. Other capitalization rules, textbook p.75
3. Homework: Capital letters lesson from elcivics.com (click here)

May 4: Broad Rock

above: Betsy Ross created the flag of American independence

1. Preparation for Citizenship Lesson 1 "Words to Know" p.4: introduction and examples
2. Students write sentences using vocabulary and share on board.
3. School House Rock video: "No More Kings"
4. Homework: Read Preparation for Citizenship pages 4-8.