Monday, December 10, 2012

Past Perfect

The past perfect tense is often used in English when we are relating two events which happened in the past. It helps to show which event happened first. This page will explain the rules for forming and using the tense.

Use the following links to help you learn and practice using the PAST PERFECT:


Thursday, September 27, 2012

News Media: Sensational News vs. Serious News

Sensational News Media is the type of news that we should not take seriously.  It is crated for entertainment.  Serious News is the news we need to pay attention too, the news that is important to society. 

Check out the list of news sites bellow.  On a piece of paper answer the following questions: Which sites are sensational news?  Which are serious news?  Can you see the difference? 
 
·         www.cnn.com 

·         www.msnbc.com

·         www.bbc.co.uk

·         www.nytimes.com

·         www.cbsnews.com

·         www.abc.net.au

·         http://www.people.com/people/

·         www.newsweek.com


Sunday, July 15, 2012

Fun Things To Do This Summer!


The last day of school already passed and the most asked question was “What will you do this summer?” A similar question will be asked in September “What did you do this summer?” The top three answers I get from my students are:
  1. Nothing, summer is boring.
  2. Work.
  3. I went back to my country.
Is great if we could all travel to another country, but many of us will not. Don’t worry; there are still many things you can do to have a fun and interesting summer without spending much. NO MORE EXCUSES FOR A BORING SUMMER…The following is a list of ideas to make your own summer adventure without spending much and/or going too far!
  1. GOOGLE FOR ACTIVITIES: Find out what summer activities are going on in your town. Google “What to do in West Orange NJ” for example and you will get a list of activities.
    1. Free or Cheap things to do in West Orange: http://attractions.uptake.com/new_jersey/west_orange/cheap_vacations/807893724.html
  2. FREE INFORMATION @ YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY: Libraries are not just for reading books, librarians are full of information. Also, many libraries have free events such as concerts, art shows, movies, and much more. Just visit your library and ask a librarian for a list of summer activities in your area.
  3. VISIT YOUR LOCAL PARK: Many local parks are full of summer activities from free concerts, art shows, movies under the stars and more or go for a picnic, start a soccer game, read a book under a tree, watch the clouds on a summer day, relax…if you don’t know what parks are near by use Google map, type in your address and look for green space or you can Google for parks near your street.
  4. GO TO A FESTIVAL: Summer time is full of festivals ask a librarian or Google summer festivals in your area. I find that Libraries know more about what is happening locally than Google, so I recommend starting at your Library for a list of local festivals.

If you want to travel and spend a little cash…

  1. TAKE A TRAIN or BUS RIDE:
Use NJ Transit (trains or buses) to visit some great places by going on to www.njtransi.com and searching for your destination:
CLOSE TO HOME:
· Newark Museum - http://www.newarkmuseum.org/
· Liberty State Park in Jersey City - http://www.libertystatepark.org/
· Liberty Science Center in Jersey City - http://www.lsc.org/
New York City:
· The Metropolitan Museum of Art - http://www.metmuseum.org/
· The American Museum of National History - http://www.amnh.org/
· Free Things to do in NYC –
JERSEY SHORE (New Jersey Beaches):
· Sandy Hook – Beach and a great Light House - http://www.nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit/shumasstransit.htm
· Point Pleasant / Beach, Rides, and a great Aquarium - http://www.jenkinsons.com/
· Ocean Groove / Travel Back to the Victorian Era - http://www.oceangrovenj.com/html/photos.html
AMUSEMENT:

6. IF YOU CAN TRAVEL BY CAR
I recommend the following places for a great day trip or weekend:

· Delaware Water Gap and Pocono Mountains / hiking, river attractions, nature and more: http://www.nps.gov/dewa/index.htm
· Storm King / nature and art together (bring a picnic): http://www.stormking.org/
· Round Valley State Park / great lake for swimming and having a picnic: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/round.html
· Dorney Park and Wild Water Kingdom: http://www.dorneypark.com/
· Wildwood NJ / beach, rides, and the board walk: http://www.wildwoodsnj.com/

Many attractions (movies, museums, restaurants, even stores) give student discount, just show your student ID and ask if they give a discount; it does not hurt to ask if it will get you a lower price!!!

I hope this inspires you to have your own summer adventure…no more excuses...be prepared because once school starts someone will ask… “What did you do this summer?”

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

ESL 5 Literature Narrative Final Practice:

Moby Dick is a great American novel written by Herman Melville.  It is about the life or sailors on the whaling ship the Pequod.  A whale ship is a large boat used for hunting whales.  The name of the boat is the Pequod and its captain is Captain Ahab.  Two of the mains characters, Ishmael and Queequeg, are first time sailors on this big voyage.  In Chapter 19 the two new sailors are warned about Captain Ahab.
Chapter 19 – The Prophet
Important Characters:
·         Ishmael
·         Queequeg
·         Captain Ahab
·         Pequod – the ship…a big boat
Learn about the characters at:
Read Chapt. 19 and Summarize:

ESL 5 Literature Narrative Final Practice Review

ESL 5 Literature Narrative Final Practice:
Moby Dick is a great American novel written by Herman Melville.  It is about the life or sailors on the whaling ship the Pequod.  A whale ship is a large boat used for hunting whales.  The name of the boat is the Pequod and its captain is Captain Ahab.  Two of the mains characters, Ishmael and Queequeg, are first time sailors on this big voyage.  In Chapter 19 the two new sailors are warned about Captain Ahab.
Chapter 19 – The Prophet
Important Characters:
·         Ishmael
·         Queequeg
·         Captain Ahab
·         Pequod – the ship…a big boat
Learn about the characters at:
Read Chapt. 19 and Summarize:

Thursday, May 31, 2012

ESL 5 Themes & Lit. Final Exams Reviews

FINAL EXAM REVIEWS:
This is your on-line final exam review.  Find your class to start STUDYING!!  THE HARDER YOU WORK THE BIGGER THE REWARD!!!
ESL 5 Themes (HSPA STYLE PERSUASIVE TEST)
·         Reading Practice:
o   English Language Study Zone (click on level 410 or 570): http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/courses/elc/studyzone/
·         Persuasive Essay Writing:
o   On-Line Persuasive Writing Tutorial:
Sample Persuasive Essay:
·         Revise and Edit Practice:
·         Speaking: You will give a speech that will count as part of your final grade
·         Listening Practice:
o   Scroll Down the Page for a list of Listening Activities – http://www.esl-lab.com/

ESL 5 Literature: (HSPA STYLE NARRATIVE TEST)
·         Reading Practice
o   RECOMMENDED READING FOR FINAL EXAM:
o   English Language Study Zone (click on level 410 or 570): http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/courses/elc/studyzone/

·         Expository Essay:            
o   Sample HSPA Style Expository Essay:  http://www.thewritesource.com/studentmodels/ws2k-friendship.htm
·         Literary Terms:
Literary Terms QUIZE:
Literary Terms GAMES:

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Mini Project:
5 Ways to Go Green
To “Go Green” requires taking action, to do something that will help save the environment and save you money.  In this project you will search for 5 actions you can do to “Go Green”
Using PowerPoint and researching the internet, make a presentation of 5 actions you can do each day to “Go Green”.  Your PowerPoint should include:
1.       One slide explaining what it means to “Go Green” and why we should “Go Green”
2.       One slide for each “Go Green” action (a total of 5 slides).  Each slide should include:
a.       A brief explanation in YOUR OWN WORDS of the “Go Green” action
b.      An image that represents the “Go Green” action
c.       Explain how you will do this action and what changes you need to make to accomplish “Going Green” in your everyday life style.
3.       One slide with the links of where you got your information.
Google: How can teens go green?
TOTAL # of SLIDES: 7
You will have time in class to complete your PowerPoint and then present your work.  You will be graded on the information you provide, the design quality of your PowerPoint (how it’s organized, how you organize each slide), and your English Speaking Skills.  
Remember…all it takes to make a change is to choose to change and do something!  LETS GO GREEN!

Monday, March 19, 2012

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

Friday, March 9, 2012

Winning Resolution to THE GIVER

Congratulations Mayra and Marc for
writing the winning resolution to The Giver!
___________________
          Downward, Downward, faster and faster, suddenly he was aware with certainty and joy that below, ahead, they were waiting for him, and that they were waiting, too, for the baby. For the first time he heard something that he knew to be music. He heard people singing.
          Behind him, across vast distances of space and time, from the place he had left, he though he heard music too. But perhaps it was an echo. They continued, downward, downward, sliding the sled, he closed his eyes and then for a second a wind flowed in the air and snow got into his hair, all the while he sees a vision where all the people in his community were questioning and running all over. . However, that was something he did not want to see. The people were feeling pain that they never felt before.
               Jonas arrived down the hill, he saw many small dwellings, and the shapes were different from his community. Jonas still heard the music; he kept looking where the sounds were coming from. He heard this music “We wish you a Merry Christmas”, Jonas didn’t have a single idea of what Christmas meant. Suddenly he felt liquid coming out of his nose, but it was red. Blood was coming out of his nose in the cold; he felt he was close to his last minutes of life.
Jonas said “Gabe, I hope you make it here, I did all of this so they don’t kill you in that ignorant community.”
Gabe looked at him with a sad face, like he understood Jonas.
Jonas fell on the floor in front of this nice blue dwelling, and put Gabriel in front of the door.  A lady came and picked up the little innocent baby, but by that time, Jonas was gone like the wind.
_____________
Things were upside down in the community, memories went back to the people. Knowing the truth in this community wasn’t a good idea at all. In addition, the folks were having a revolution; they had huge anger for knowing they were living in an ignorant community like this.
Jonas’ dad went to the Giver’s office with anger; he stated, “can we talk in private?”
The Giver nodded yes with a gloomy face.
“So you knew the truth for a long time right?” Jonas’ father questioned.
The Giver nodded again and stated, “I wanted to tell the truth from a long time ago but it was prohibited for me to talk”, he paused.  “This job was hard for me, but I could not handle it. This is the reason why Rosemary got released, she couldn’t handle it either.”  The giver said.
Since every rule was terminated in the community now, they were no releasing, everyone was able to see colors, and they had the right to make choices.
__________________
12 years later…
Everything went normal in the community, the Giver decided to give a speech. Everyone gathered in the community to assist this speech. The Giver told them that all that has been done, we can only thank one person, but this person is absent at this moment.
The faces of the community looked confused, they began asking, “who is he talking about?” Then the Giver mentioned Jonas, “He was the receiver; he decided to escape to liberate us from the injustice, the ignorance, this blind vision” ,The Giver said.
After the speech, everyone was saying Jonas’ name lower to higher level like they use to do when someone passed away.       
The Giver decided to leave the community and go to elsewhere to seek for Jonas and Gabriel. He remembered that both of them had pale eyes.
When the Giver got to elsewhere, he spent many days searching for Jonas and Gabe, he couldn’t find them.  One Day, he went to the public school of the town; while he was passing by one class he saw one boy with pale eyes as blue as the sky, reading a book called “The Giver” . He called the name Gabe, but no one answered. However, the boy was wearing the jacket that Jonas had when he escaped twelve years ago. The Giver went to him and kissed him in his forehead and then Ms. Avilla the teacher of the class asked the Giver to leave.
     The Giver found Gabe, but never found a trace of Jonas.
                                                By: Marc David and Mayra Guardado



Wednesday, January 25, 2012

HSPA WORDS

The most challenging part for ESL students when taking Math Tests is understanding the vocabulary of the test.  These sites will help you become familiar with Math Words and how to use them.

Word List w/ visuals:
Word List for all areas of Math:
MATH GAMES:
TEST VOCABULARY WORDS:  This is a list of words found in all types of tests including the HSPA.  Learn these words so that you can understand the test!

    • HSPA Vocabulary Activity:
§   PowerPoint:
§   Word List:

Thursday, January 19, 2012

HSPA STYLE ESL 5 Literature and Themes Mid-Term Review

Mid-Terms are a great way to see how much you have learned since the start of the school year.  This year I prepared mid-term exams that are similar to the HSPA...use this review to prepare for the mid-term but also you can use it to prepare for the HSPA!!!
ESL 5 Literature 2011-12 Mid-Term Review
Narrative Reading Skills:
1.       Know how to find the information for each part of the plot in a narrative reading.
2.       Understand and interpret dialogue.
3.       Understand and interpret  Literary Terms and Figurative Language
a.       Simile, Metaphor, Central Theme, etc.
b.      Idioms, Synonyms, Verbs, Adverbs, etc.
4.       Understand and find the definitions of new vocabulary words from the narrative.
5.        Know how to write open-ended paragraphs using specific examples from the narrative.
6.       Use Reading Testing Strategies: find key words in the questions, look for clues in titles and pictures, ask the W? as you read and search for the answers, find and mark key words and phrases in the reading
To Prepare…
Scroll down to: Best of the Best HSPA Sites
Go to:   HSPA Reading Practice:
·         English Language Study Zone (click on level 410 or 570): http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/courses/elc/studyzone/





ESL 5 Themes 2011-12 Mid-Term Review

Persuasive Reading Skills:
1.       Use Reading Testing Strategies: find key words in the questions, look for clues in titles and pictures, ask the W? as you read and search for the answers, find and mark key words and phrases in the reading
2.    Know and identify the topic and if the author is pro or con
3.    Know and identify Persuasive Techniques as you read

Persuasive Essay Writing:

1.    Use the 3-in-5 brainstorming strategy
2.    Determine the topic and decide to write either pro or con
3.    Use 3 or more Persuasive Techniques in your writing
4.    Be organized writing 1 introduction paragraph, 3 body paragraphs, and 1 conclusion paragraph
5.    Write using specific examples and details using your background knowledge
6.    Go back and check your work for errors

To Prepare…
Scroll down to: Best of the Best HSPA Sites
For PERSUASIVE READING go to:
HSPA Reading Practice 
For PERSUASIVE WRITING go to:
Persuasive Essay Writing:
·         On-Line Persuasive Writing Tutorial:
·         Sample Persuasive Essay:

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

How Fast Can You Read?

Speed reading is a skill.  Just like learning to be a good soccer player or a good dancer, to be a good speed reader you need to practice reading.  The following sites will help you discover how fast you can read.  The more you use these sites the faster you will read!!!

Speed Reading / Timed Reading Tests

Timed Vocabulary Tests

Friday, January 6, 2012

Best of the Best HSPA Sites

We are one week away from the HSPA!!  After two months of students working on the HSPA sites in this blog, I have put together a list of all the best sites to help you with the Language Arts HSPA Test based on your comments!
So…click and get ready to do HSPA PREP!!
·         For Everything Language Arts HSPA: http://www.state.nj.us/education/njpep/assessment/hspa/hspa_la/index.htm

·         Persuasive Essay Writing:
o   On-Line Persuasive Writing Tutorial:
Sample Persuasive Essay:

·         Expository Essay:            
o   Sample HSPA Style Expository Essay:  http://www.thewritesource.com/studentmodels/ws2k-friendship.htm

·         Narrative Essay:

·         HSPA Reading Practice:
o   English Language Study Zone (click on level 410 or 570): http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/courses/elc/studyzone/

·         Vocabulary:
o   Learn Advanced Vocabulary and Help Feed the Hungry: http://www.freerice.com/

·         Figurative Language: