ESL Blogs

Happy Turkey Day

Next Thursday is Thanksgiving in the United States. We celebrate with turkey, potatoes, cranberries, pumpkin pie, and many other wonderful foods on our table. Do you have any traditions like this in your country?

To find out more about Thanksgiving foods and recipes, go to http://www.foodnetwork.com/topics/thanksgiving/index.html

 Also, check out our web page at http://www.alexandriaesl.pbworks.com

Have a safe and happy thanksgiving weekend.

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October Class Schedule

 Monday Class Schedule

Class Notes – ESL Class – Oct 5 , 2009

Douglas County Courthouse Tour

 

Class Notes – ESL Class – Oct 12, 2009

All Star 4: p.  104 - 105

Idioms :  

Grammar : Sentence Fragments 6

 

Class Notes – ESL Class – Oct 19, 2009

U of M Extension Educator Sharon Bisson

Idioms :  

Grammar : Sentence Fragments 7

 

Class Notes – ESL Class – Oct 26, 2009

All Star 4: p.  112 - 113

Idioms :  

Grammar : Sentence Structure p. 20

Wednesday Class

Class Notes – ESL Class – ocT. 7, 2009

 Step Forward 2, P. 40-41     Workbook P. 23            

 

Class Notes – ESL Class – ocT. 14, 2009

Step Forward 2, P. 42-43       Workbook P. 24             

 

Class Notes – ESL Class – oct. 21, 2009

Step Forward 2, P. 44-45      Workbook P. 25-26     

 

Class Notes – ESL Class – oct. 28, 2009

Step Forward 2, P. 46-47      Workbook P. 27 

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Happy Labor Day

I hope everyone is having a happy Labor Day.  We start fall classes tomorrow and here are the class schedules for September.

 MONDAY,  1-3 PM

Class Notes – ESL Class – Sept 7 , 2009

NO CLASS - Labor Day

Class Notes – ESL Class – Sept 14, 2009

All Star 4: p.  100 - 101

Idioms :  be up and running, a bundle, do a bang-up job

Grammar : Sentence Fragments 3

Class Notes – ESL Class – Sept 21, 2009

All Star 4: P.  102 - 103

Idioms : drag one’s feet, feel blue, keep an eye on

Grammar : Sentence Fragments 4

Class Notes – ESL Class – Sept 28, 2009

All Star 4: p.  104 - 105

Idioms :  in stock, in the black, in the red

Grammar : Sentence Fragments 5

WEDNESDAY,  8:30 - 10:00 AM

Class Notes – ESL Class – SEPT. 2, 2009

Step Forward 2, P. 18-19     Workbook P. 10

Class Notes – ESL Class – SEPT. 9, 2009

Step Forward 2, P. 20-21       Workbook P. 11-12

Class Notes – ESL Class – SEPT. 16, 2009

Step Forward 2, P. 22-23       Workbook P. 13

Class Notes – ESL Class – SEPT. 23, 2009

Step Forward 2, P. 24-25      Workbook P. 14

Class Notes – ESL Class – SEPT. 30, 2009

Step Forward 2, P. 26-27      Workbook P. 15

THURSDAY,  5:30 - 8:30 PM

Thurs, Sept 3, 2009  (Catherine)

5:30 – 7:30 pm            Group Work /Ventures Series

6:30 – 8:30 pm          Individual Time/Computer

Thurs, Sept 10, 2009 (Rollie)

5:30 – 7:30 pm            Group Work /Ventures Series

6:30 – 8:30 pm          Individual Time/Computer

Thurs, August 17, 2009 (Catherine)

5:30 – 7:30 pm            Group Work /Ventures Series

6:30 – 8:30 pm          Individual Time/Computer

Thurs, August 24, 2009 (Rollie)

5:30 – 7:30 pm            Group Work /Ventures Series

6:30 – 8:30 pm          Individual Time/Computer

The specific schedule for this class will be set based on attendance and participants who attend.

See you later this week.

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Welcome Back for Fall Classes

I hope everyone had a GREAT Summer.  With Labor Day just around the corner, It is time to begin thinking about Fall.  Your Fall Classes are as follows:

Monday (Advanced ESL)       1:00 - 3:00 pm

Wednesday (Beginning/Intermediate ESL)         

                                          8:30-10:00 am

Thursday Night (Multi Level CLass)      5:30 - 8:30 pm

Also there is a Transition to Post Secondary Class on Tuesday and Thursday Evenings from 5:30 - 9:00 pm at the Alexabdria Technical College.  You MUST Pre Register for this class, so let me know before Sept. 10th. 

Have a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend and I will see you next week. 

Comments

June Schedule

Monday Class

 

Class Notes – ESL Class – June 1, 2009

 Figuring out payroll deductions worksheets

 Idioms : hard headed, Bull-headed, chicken, an eager beaver

Grammar : finish Noun Clause Worksheet

 

 

Class Notes – ESL Class – June 8, 2009

 NO CLASS - SUMMER BREAK

—– watch for updates for this class ——–

Wednesday Class

 

Class Notes – ESL Class – June 3, 2008

Step Forward 2, P. 90                  The 50 States (MidWest and South)

 

Class Notes – ESL Class – June 10, 2008

NO CLASS - SUMMER BREAK

 

 

Class Notes – ESL Class – June 17, 2008

Step Forward 2, P. 91                   The 50 States (SouthWest and Rockies)

 

 

Class Notes – ESL Class – June 24, 2008

Step Forward 2, P. 92                       The 50 States (West)

 

 

Thursday Class

Thurs, June 4, 2009

 

5:30 – 6:30 pm        Individual Time/Blog Response/                

6:30 – 8:30 pm        Writing Activity :     No one ever said growing up was easy. Write about an 

                                                              incident  that was a difficult but natural part of growing up.

   Ventures 3 , p. 72-73

 

Thurs, June 11, 2009

NO CLASS - SUMMER BREAK

 

 

Thurs, June 18, 2009

 

5:30 – 6:30 pm        Individual Time/Blog Response/                

6:30 – 8:30 pm        Writing Activity :    Where and how do you find beauty in your world?

What do you appreciate most about your world?

   Ventures 3 , p. 74-75

 

 

Thurs, June 25, 2009

 

5:30 – 6:30 pm        Individual Time/Blog Response/                

6:30 – 8:30 pm        Writing Activity :    Most of us feel the need for what we call “breathing room”—some space to call our own. What is your favorite “space”? Tell where you like to spend time and why the place is special to you.

   Ventures 3 , p. 76-77

 

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Happy Mothers Day

Today is Mothers Day in the US, a day we remember how special our mothers are to us.  Do you celebrate mothers day in your country?

The summer schedule will be the same as it has been this spring.

Monday             1:00 - 3:00 pm

Wednesday       8:30-10:00 am

Thursday           5:30-8:30 pm

There is also another ESL class that will be available from June 16 through the end of August at Alexandria Technical College, for those who are at the Advanced ESL level or higher.  This class will focus on Academic Skills and Academic English.  It is 7 hours per week for 10 weeks.

Tuesday     9:00 am - 12:30 pm (3.5 hours)

Thursday    9:00 am - 12:30 pm (3.5 hours)

Space is limited, so let me know if you are interested.

See you in class.

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May class schedule

Monday Class 

Class Notes – ESL Class – May 4, 2009

All Star 4: P. 140-141
Idioms : be all ears, beat around the bush, the bottom line
Grammar : Noun Clause Worksheet

Class Notes – ESL Class – May 11, 2009

All Star 4: P. 144-145
Idioms : blow one’s top, Easy does it! , get on one’s nerves
Grammar : Finish noun clauses

Class Notes – ESL Class – May 18, 2009

All Star 4: P. 146-147
Idioms : break someone’s heart, Cool it! , far-fetched
Reading : Memorial Day

Class Notes – ESL Class – May 25, 2009

NO CLASS - MEMORIAL DAY

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Wednesday Class

Class Notes – ESL Class – May 6, 2008
Step Forward 2, P. 34-35 Workbook P. 20 Activity Book p. 41

Class Notes – ESL Class – May 13, 2008
Step Forward 2, P. 36-37 Workbook P. 21 Activity Book p. 42

Class Notes – ESL Class – May 20, 2008
Step Forward 2, P. 38-39 Workbook P. 22 Activity Book p. 43

Class Notes – ESL Class – May 27, 2008
Step Forward 2, P. 88-89 Workbook P. 51 Activity Book p. 88

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Thursday Class 

Thurs, May 7, 2009

5:30 – 6:30 pm Individual Time/Blog Response
6:30 – 8:30 pm Writing Activity : What I admire most about my Mom.
Ventures 3 , p. 128 - 129

Thurs, May 14, 2009

5:30 – 6:30 pm Individual Time/Blog Response
6:30 – 8:30 pm Writing Activity : If you could travel anywhere in the world—or in the
universe for that matter—where would you go?

Ventures 3 , p. 130-131

Thurs, May 21, 2009

5:30 – 6:30 pm Individual Time/Blog Response
6:30 – 8:30 pm Writing Activity :On your birthday, do you get presents and a cake with
candles on it? On Thanksgiving, do you sit down to a big meal featuring
a turkey, cranberry sauce, and other delicious foods? Write about a
favorite tradition of your family.

Ventures 3 , p. 132 - 133

Thurs, May 28, 2009

5:30 – 6:30 pm Individual Time/Blog Response/
6:30 – 8:30 pm Writing Activity : If you are like most people, you probably have had
experiences in which you have been treated in a way you consider unfair.
Write about a time when you feel you were treated unfairly.

Ventures 3 , p. 70-71

Comments

End of School Year

Our school year ends April 30.  I would like each of you to complete the survey at http://www.quia.com/sv/282820.html .  This will help to improve our classes for the next school year.

I just want to say thank you to all of you for making this year a great year and I look forward to a fantastic 2009-2010 year.

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Happy Easter

I hope all of you had a pleasant Easter weekend.  Here are the lesson plans for the rest of this month.

Monday Class
Class Notes – ESL Class – April 13, 2009
No Class – Easter Break

Class Notes – ESL Class – April 20, 2009
All Star 4: P. 136-137
Online ESL Survey  http://www.quia.com/pages/rfinke12/alexandria 
Idioms : Be Fed Up With, Don’t count your chickens before they hatch,
Rain cats and Dogs
Grammar : Noun Clauses

Class Notes – ESL Class – April 27, 2009
All Star 4: P. 138-139
Idioms : Shoot the breeze, a tightwad, Until you’re blue in the face
Sentence Structure Handout : P. 19

Wednesday Class

Class Notes – ESL Class – April 15, 2008
Step Forward 2, P. 28-29      Workbook P. 16    Activity Book p. 37
————————————————————————————————————————–
Class Notes – ESL Class – April 22, 2008
Online ESL Survey http://www.quia.com/pages/rfinke12/alexandria
Step Forward 2, P. 30-31     Workbook P. 17    Activity Book p. 38

———————————————————————————————————————–

Class Notes – ESL Class – April 27, 2008
Step Forward 2, P. 32-33     Workbook P. 19-19   Activity Book p. 39

Thursday Class

Thurs, April 16, 2009
5:30 – 6:30 pm        Individual Time/Blog Response
6:30 – 8:30 pm        Writing Activity : My favorite TV Show
Ventures 3 , p. 122-124

Thurs, April 23, 2009

5:30 – 6:30 pm       Individual Time/Blog Response
Online ESL Survey  http://www.quia.com/pages/rfinke12/alexandria
6:30 – 8:30 pm      Writing Activity : My Garden .
Ventures 3 , p. 125 - 127

Thurs, April 30, 2009

5:30 – 6:30 pm           Individual Time/Blog Response/

6:30 – 8:30 pm         Writing Activity : This year in school I learned…
Ventures 3 , p. 128 - 130

Remember, the ESL Recognition event will be on May 18th from 6 - 8 pm at the First Congregational Church.

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It’s almost April

Wednesday is April Fools Day. Said to be originated with the adoption of the new Gregorian calendar in place of the old Julian calendar in 1582, April Fool’s Day or All Fool’s Day, was once used to be celebrated as the New Year’s Day. It evolved into its present form through several centuries and influenced by several cultures and has limited itself to be the fun and hilarity associated with Spring. Practical jokes and pranks are the order of the day. Sober and upright media organizations such as BBC have also participated in fooling and tricking people in its own way.

We bring you the gift ideas for April Fools’ Day, the history, traditions and customs of this fun celebration, April Fools’ Day special recipes, the arts and crafts for the day and some really interesting and hilarious sections for you. You will really enjoy the quotes on April Fools’ Day, fools and foolishness and may even have the real fun by playing pranks suggested by us. Our pranks are easy-to-do and not too dangerous, keeping in with the spirit of April Fools’ Day. But before you start exploring the contests, read about the ‘one-million-dollar contest’ we are offering you. The button is on the right hand side or may be the left hand side. APRIL FOOL!  http://www.thefoolsday.com/

Do you celebrate this day?  do you celebrate this day in your country?

I also have signed up for a website called QUIA.  I can create activities, quizzes, and surveys.  Please go to this site to see what has been assigned.  http://www.quia.com/pages/rfinke12/alexandria 

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