June 15 & 16: Broad Rock and Downtown

Please e-mail or call us to find out when we will resume classes. See sidebar for contact information.

June 13: Broad Rock

1. Watch the film 34 minute documentary film on immigration to the United States, "El viajecito de un sueno."
2. Meet the film maker, Jen Lawhorne. Discuss the film and the topics raised in it.
3. Homework: Write a paragraph describing your own experience immigrating to the United States.

June 11: Downtown

It has been a great EL Civics year! Thanks for studying and participating.

1. Homework review - questions from Crossroads Café “Fish Out of Water” video Culture Clip
2. Listen and read: Culture tips for newcomers - textbook p.136
3. Extension: Listen to mp3 and read along to Voice of America's tour of New York's Lower East Side Tenement Museum of immigration.

June 9: Downtown

Did you arrive in the United States by plane?

1. Homework review: Read your paragraph describing your own experience immigrating to the United States to the class.
2. Revise and edit paragraphs for grammar and punctuation in pairs.
3. Watch Crossroads Café “Fish Out of Water” video Culture Clip
4. Homework - Answer the following:
   Do you remember the first day you arrived in the USA?
   What were your first impressions, thoughts and feelings?
   Did/do you feel homesick at times?
   Do you feel comfortable in this country?

June 8: Broad Rock

Summer's almost here! Check this blog for updates on a possible summer session.

1. Return to our regular room.
2. Review homework: Preparation for Citizenship Figure It Out crossword puzzle, p.18
3. Grammar: forming the negative in the simple past tense
4. Discuss film vocabulary to prepare for Saturday's guest presentation. For more information click here - "El viajecito de un sueno."

June 6: Broad Rock

1. CASAS Reading post-tests for students who have only pre-tested
2. We will meet in the common area of the library. Our regular room will not be available this Saturday.
3. Review homework: Preparation for Citizenship Figure It Out crossword puzzle, p.18
4. Grammar review

June 4: Downtown

1. Watch the film 34 minute documentary film on immigration to the United States, "El viajecito de un sueno."
2. Meet the film maker, Jen Lawhorne. Discuss the film and the topics raised in it.
3. Homework: Write a paragraph describing your own experience immigrating to the United States.

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