Wednesday, March 30, 2011

ALL ESL CLASSES: Improve Your English Vocabulary Skills:

The following are notes that can help you with the 4-Corners Vocabulary assignment.  Also, these notes can help anyone improve their English Vocabulary Skills.

 Building Vocabulary: Prefixes, Roots, and Suffixes
http://www.readingfirst.virginia.edu/elibrary_pdfs/Building_Vocabulary.pdf
ROOT WORDS
A ROOT WORD is a base word/the original word
·         Ex: read  in unreadable
·         Ex: search in searched
·         http://languagearts.pppst.com/rootwords.html
A ROOT WORD can change when you use prefixes and suffixes
PREFIXES
}  PREFIXES are small groups of letters that change the meaning of a ROOT WORD.
}  PREFIXES go in front of the ROOT WORD.
}  http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/prefixes.htm
SUFFIXES
}  SUFFIXES are small groups of letters that change the meaning of a ROOT WORD.
}  SUFFIXES go at the end of the ROOT WORD.
}  http://www.michigan-proficiency-exams.com/suffix-list.html
COMPOUND WORDS
}  COMPOUND WORDS are words that are formed when 2 words are put together to make 1 word.
}  Ex: http://www.teachersmousepad.com/LA/COMPOUND%20WORD%20FUN.htm
COGNATES
}  COGNATES are words that are similar in different languages
}  Many English words are cognates with Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German, Greek, and Latin
}  Some languages don’t have Cognate with English but they might have Cognate with other languages.
}  For example, Chinese does not have cognates with English, but it has cognates with Japanese.
 
}  English-Spanish Cognates: http://www.colorincolorado.org/pdfs/articles/cognates.pdf
}  http://www.esdict.com/English-Spanish-Cognates.html
}  English-French Cognates: http://www.lafrenchconnection.com/about/Category:French_English_Cognates
}  http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/Cognates.topicArticleId-25559,articleId-25474.html
SYNONYMS
}  Synonyms are words that have the same meaning.
}  http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/words/synonyms.htm
}  http://www.scholastic.com/wordgirl/synonym_toast.htm
ANTONYMS
}  Antonyms are words that have opposite meanings.
}  http://www.michigan-proficiency-exams.com/antonym-list.html
ILLUSTRATE
}  To illustrate means to draw a picture.
}  Draw a picture to represent a new vocabulary word.
Posted by Unknown at 11:22 AM 1 comments

4-Corners Vocabulary Online Games:

Root Words:
Prefixes:
Suffixes:
Prefixes and Suffixes Together:
Compound Words:
Posted by Unknown at 11:21 AM 0 comments

Friday, March 25, 2011

ESL 5 Lit: The Giver Final Chapter Competition

Ms. Avila’s ESL 5 Lit. finished reading The Giver by Lois Lowry and discovered a cliff- hanger ending.  A competition was created to see who could write the best ending to the story.  The class was divided boys against girls.  The challenge was to see which group could develop the best ending to the story.
Congratulations to the girls in Ms. Avila’s ESL 5 Lit class!  The competition was fierce, the boys did an amazing job as well.  Here are some of the comments from the judges that lead the girls to victory:
Judge #1: “Even though it was a bit of a cliché, it was well organized and developed.”
Judge #2: “You can tell a lot of work went into developing this chapter.  It is well thought out.”
Judge #3:  “I liked how they brought characters and events from the story to create the ending. I wanted to read more.”

The Giver: Chapter 24
By: F. Anin, S. Hoyte, M. Jean, C. Olibrice, D. Polynice
While Jonas and Gabriel were going down the sled, they fell off the sled, and became unconscious. There was snow everywhere and there was a big wind that was blowing. The wind made it even colder, as if it was cutting your face. Jonas and Gabriel lay on the snow unconsciously. Suddenly, there was a big noise; it was one of the search planes.  The people in the plane found Jonas and Gabriel and brought them back to the community .When they arrived in the community, they healed them, and they took care of them. When Jonas became conscious, he found himself in a place where people can see color, hear music and specially where there is love .Furthermore, he realized that he recognized almost every person in the community but, they were different.  Just to be sure, Jonas and Gabriel went to see the Giver. When they got there, Jonas saw that the Giver was suffering. But, as soon as the Giver put his pales eyes on Jonas and Gabe, he was exuberated to see them. Jonas was so happy to see him that he gave him a hug that seemed to go on forever. Then after a long talk explaining his journey, Jonas asked the Giver about the community.
Jonas: Giver, what happened to the community? How come everything changed? , the color and the people?, asked Jonas.
Giver: Wow! Wow!  Slow down, take it easy. Sit down and I’m going to explain everything. First, take a deep breath. The Giver went on. Jonas, after you escaped from the community all the memories that I gave you went back to the people in the community. So, they were all in chaos. I wanted to help them because they were lost, crying for help. But I couldn’t take the memories back. It was too painful Jonas. However, I don’t know how, but they got use to it with time. Everyone was forced to be really strong and courageous. I wished I had escaped with you because when I saw the community suffering, it broke my heart and I couldn’t do anything to help them.
Jonas: See I told you to come with me and I was positive that I could find the elsewhere because, I heard an echo but, I was not strong enough to keep my balance on the sled. In that moment I wished you were with me so that you could give me some memory of strength, so that we could make it through with the help of the memories. But I think that was my destiny to create my own memories of strength and come back and live with the people that I love.
Giver: By the way Jonas, what happened to you? How could you have escaped without telling me? I was really worried about you.
Jonas: I know that Giver, I was not supposed to escape without telling you. But, when I heard my father say that he was going to release Gabriel in the next morning, I was really shocked. It was like my dad breaking my heart into pieces. So, I didn’t have a choice but to escape with Gabe because I knew that even if I told my father the truth about release he will never believe me or understand.  He didn’t have the memories like we did so, that was the only way to save Gabe.  I didn’t want him to die.
Giver: I understand why you did that, you love him don’t you? The Giver said in a low voice.
Jonas: Yes, I surely love him, and sometimes I wonder if I love Gabe more than Lyli because I had a powerful feeling about Gabriel. It’s like …it’s like…. I cannot find the right word Giver. The Giver laughs.
Giver: I know how it feels, trust me.  Jonas, I want to tell you something about Gabe. I mean about your family.
Jonas: What is it Giver? Is something bad going to happened to Gabe? Oh no! Jonas grabbed Gabe and held him really tight.
Giver: Nothing is going to happen to Gabriel. I want to tell you that Gabe and Rosemarie are your brother and sister.
Jonas: Whaaaaat? Jonas responded.
Giver: Yes, it is the truth.
Jonas: What about my real mom, does she know too?
Giver: No, she doesn’t know that yet.
Jonas: Where is she now? Can I talk to her, what’s her name? Do I know her? Is she your wife?
Giver: Stop asking a lot of questions, listen to me now. I know her and she is my wife.  Jonas…the Giver paused nervously…I am your real birth father.
Jonas: Stunned, yet assured Jonas looked into the Giver’s familiar pale eyes and said… Why, why didn’t you tell me sooner?
Giver: I was not allowed to talk to my family about my work because I was the Giver. So, I did not tell anyone, without the memories no one would understand.  I suffered with my silence.
Jonas: Where does she live and what is her name?
Giver: Her name is Marie, I know where she lives. We can go to her house right now so that you can talk to your mother.
They went to her house and the Giver told Marie everything.  At first, she was shocked but then when she saw Gabriel she was happy. Marie loved Gabriel the moment she saw him.
Marie: Look how tiny he is, he’s so adorable, I love you Gabe. Marie said in her sweet voice.
Giver: I am so sorry that I did not tell you everything before. Are you mad at me, Marie?
Marie: Yes, I mean No. The past is the past. What is important now is that we all here together.
Jonas: Wait, so you are not mad?
Marie: Of course not, why would I be mad? Jonas, you have always been a part of me, you, Gabe, and Rosemarie are the answers to the loneliness I felt.  I now have a purpose, to love.  Jonas I love you. Welcome home Jonas my child… Marie said with a big smile in her face.
Jonas: Thank you, mom.
Jonas was really happy that his mom told him she loves him. The families were laughing,   hugging and smiling.
      A few days later after Jonas was living a happy life with his family, the Giver died. Asher and Fiona, Jonas’ best friends were there for him to support and help him wipe his tears. But Jonas will never forget the Giver; he would keep him in his heart and memories forever. Now, people in the community can feel love for others.  Jonas was finally free to expresses his feelings for Fiona. The two were truly in love, they were like love birds singing songs of happiness.   Many years passed and Jonas and Fiona got married.  All of his family came to his wedding including Asher, Gabe, and Marie. It was the biggest wedding in the community and Fiona and Jonas lived a happy life full of color, music, love, and memories.





Posted by Unknown at 5:17 AM 1 comments

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

We All Need: ACADEMIC LANGUAGE / VOCABULARY

In preparation for the state ESL ACCESS test, all of Ms. Avila's classes are learning about ACADEMIC LANGUAGE.  Academic Language is the language used in school.  It is the vocabulary you need to understand in your English, Math, Science, History, Health, Gym, Technology, and Electives (Art, Cooking, Design, etc.) classes.   The following are links that will help you learn and improve the use of academic language.

Academic Language Help
ACCESS Practice Tests
Posted by Unknown at 11:49 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

ESL 2 Essay Contest Winner: Jessica Juliana Bedoya Hernandez

After months of hard work and learning how to write paragraphs and essays, Ms. Avila’s ESL 2 classes had a competition to see which student could write a good autobiography.  For most of the students this was the first time they wrote a full autobiographical essay in English.  It was a hard decision, many great autobiographies were written, but Jessica’s organization of ideas, use of transitions, explanations, and figurative language won her the title of the best autobiography from all the ESL 2 classes.  Congratulations Jessica for your hard work!!
___________________________________________________________
My life in the United States

By: Jessica Juliana Bedoya Hernandez
Coming to America was like opening a door to a new paradise; I had to accept the challenge of living in America. Also, when I stared school at WOHS, I was feeling very anxious and exited at the same time because many people were helping me and that made me feel like I am at home. Additionally, living in America was like trying to discover a new world, with new people that I had never seen before in my life, like Chinese people. Furthermore, this new paradise, offers me new opportunities to have a better life in America.
When I came to America I stared school at WOHS. My first day in the school I had to take some tests and then I had to follow Maria, I became her shadow. Also, I remember having to take the bus by myself for the first time.  I remember that I needed help because I was lost and a new friend, Gabriela, she helped me to find my  bus, when I was in the bus I felt more relaxed because I met Anna and she told me that she lives next to my new home.  By the end of the day I made several friends.  Moreover, I had to accept a lot of challenges like I have to adapt to all my new classes and learn how to find them. In Colombia we don’t have the same schedule like an American school.  Back home, we stayed in the same classroom all day, the teachers moved from classroom to classroom, not the students and school closed at 1:30 P.M., not 2:30 like WOHS.  All of this was new and I accepted to learn about my new life.
Living in America is like being born again, because I stared a new life. Furthermore, my first day in the USA I felt very, very sad.  I will not forget how sad was my family, specially my grandmother who I had lived with since I was born.  I remember she told me while crying that she had a big pain in her heart because her little girl left Colombia to move to America for a better life and that I should follow and reach all my dreams of becoming a professional pilot. When I remember those words and I remember my grandmother, it makes me cry, because my grandmother is a very important person in my life. I also found a lot differences in this culture, like the food, because the food of my country Colombia is more natural. Additionally, living with my aunt was another big change, because she is a controlling person, I understand that she wants the best for my life but sometimes she needs to understand that I have a different style of life and different customs.
                One of the best things about coming to America was that here I can have more opportunities. For example, I can have a good future to have a better life so I can treat my mom like a queen. Moreover, the environment in America is a very challenging environment because here I live in a city and the life is very fast just like a lion running to catch a bite to eat. To conclude, In America I have a lot of new life experiences.  I am learning a new language and adapting to the American culture has been very hard, because before I had more time with my mom and now she has to work all the time and now is very sad for me that I don’t have too much time with her, now I look like a crazy prisoner in my home talking alone and going up and down the stairs missing my mom; even though she is with me in America, because of our new life, I don’t get to be with her as much.
To conclude, coming to America was always my wish, but now I understand that to have a better life you have sacrifice a-lot, like spending time with my mom, and leaving my grandmother alone in Colombia; that destroyed my heart.  However, all of these changes are for a better life for me and my family. Moreover, coming to this country is teaching me that you have to appreciate all that you have, especially your family because you don’t know what can happened tomorrow like what happened to me, one day I was in Colombia with my family and the next day I was in the United Stated starting to live a new life and new experiences.   

Posted by Unknown at 9:32 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

ESL 2: How to Read a Book Test Review

This week we learned the benefits of reading a book, how to choose the right book to enjoy reading, and information to help us read a book.  The following are from our class notes to prepare you for a test on what we have learned.
Things a Book can do for you:
•          Make you forget your problems
•          Provide a free vacation
•          Give a sense of satisfaction when you finish
•          Help you use your imagination
•          Gives you new ideas
•          Learn new vocabulary
•          Gives you new experiences
•          Connect you to the characters
•          Make you think and feel for characters
•          Teaches you about other ways of life, other types of people, other types of choices
•          Give hope  for solving problems
•          Inspire
•          Make you  DREAM
7 Steps to Read a Book:
STEP 1: Read “blurbs” inside and outside covers of any book
STEP 2: Glance through the table of contents
STEP 3: Write a list of all the characters
STEP 4: Read and take notes of important or repeated points.
STEP 5: Pay attention to what the narrator says and presents about the characters
STEP 6: Pay attention to dialogue
STEP 7: Make notes on what characters actually do in comparison to what they say.

Reading a Book Vocabulary List:
  • 1st Person Point of View: You know who is narrator the story / If you talk about yourself you are 1st person
  • 3rd Person Point of View: You don’t know who the narrator is/ use of « he, she, they »
  • Plot: The parts of the story (introduction, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution)
  • Theme: What the book means
  • Subject: General topic or topics
  • Author’s Judgment: What the author thinks of the character
  • Narrator’s Judgment: What the narrator tells us about the characters
  • Judgment by others: What other characters say and think about a specific character
  • Thoughts or Mental Actions: What the characters think
  • Physical Actions: What the characters do
  • Dialogue: What the characters say
  • Physical Description: What the character looks like
  • Characterization: To describe a character





 
Posted by Unknown at 9:39 AM 0 comments
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