Upcoming Trips

I love to travel. The next few months I having exciting trips planned. Next month I will be going to Disney World for the first time in  13 years. I am looking forward to being in warmer weather, and seeing just how much Disney has changed since I have been there last. In August, I will be going to London, England for a wedding. I have never been to the country England before. I am going to face my fear of heights when I go on the London Eye. I'm really looking forward to seeing Big Ben as well. I love weddings, so to be able to go to one in a new country sound thrilling to me! My future travel plans are what keep me moving forward. I cannot wait until to see more of the world soon!

Vocabulary

Travel (v)- to make a journey or go somewhere different than where one lives

London Eye (n)- a ferris wheel or circular ride in London, England (see picture above)

Big Ben (n)- a large clock on a tower in London, England (see picture above)

Thrilling (v)- to feel excitement

Future (n)- a time period that has yet to happen yet

Vocabulary Exercise

1.  It is _____________ to go on adventures.

2.  People _______________ all over the world to see new places.

3.  __________________ is a fun ride to go on.

4.  The ______________ is the opposite of the past.

5.  ________________ is let's many people tell the time in London.

Grammar Point

Future Tense: used when talking about something that has not happened yet.

Example: I am going to work tomorrow.

Grammar Exercise

Interview a friend or a family member about what they are going to do over the summer. Write down their answers and circle all parts that show the future tense.

Check out this future tense game!

http://www.esl-galaxy.com/boardgames/future%20tense.pdf

Italy

Last summer, I went to the amazing country Italy with my mom. We went on a two week tour that took us to the most important places in Italy. First we went to Rome, we saw the Trevi Fountain, and I made a wish by throwing a coin into the water. We went to incredible museums. The best part was going to see the original Colosseum, where many people in Ancient Rome went to the amphitheater for entertainment. Next, we went to Florence, where we saw the famous David sculpture, and we went on a tour of the famous writer, Machiavelli's home. The food was phenomenal! In Italy, there are much smaller portions than in American, and many different courses that come out at restaurants. After that, we went to Venice. It was an amazing view staying over in a hotel on top of the floating city (Venice's nickname). I road a Gondola, and went to a famous glass factory. Then, we went to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower Of Pisa. To end the tour we went to my absolute favorite parts of southern Italy, Sorrento, Capri, and Positano. I went to an authentic Italian farm where the family grew their own lemons and tomatoes and made every dish they ever ate right from their farm. I was able to make my own fresh pizza using their homemade mozzarella cheese. We took a steep right up the Amalfi Coast. The beaches in southern Italy were amazing. This was the trip of a lifetime, and I cannot wait to travel more of the world.

Vocabulary

original (adj)- not a copy, the first one made

amphitheater (n)- a large oval building with no roof, and lots of seat, where entertaining events take place

portions (n)- how big a meal is

courses (n)- sets of dishes that come out at different times with different types of meals

Gondola (n)- a narrow boat typically found in Venice

authentic (adj)- real, from a different country

Vocabulary Exercise

1. The ____________ book was better than the last book.

2. The people went to a concert at the ______________.

3. _____________ food tastes better when you are in a different country.

4.  The meal has four _____________.

5. The ______________ of food on that plate is too much for me to eat.

6.  My favorite thing to ride in Venice was the _____________.

Grammar Point

Past tense: When you are talking about something you did in the past, the verb changes to the past tense.

Example- I went to Italy. I ate food. I had great experiences.

Grammar Exercise

Write a story about your favorite place you have been to using the past tense.

Teaching and Beaching

Last winter, I was privileged to represent American teachers and travel to Costa Rica, teaching English to children in a high needs area. Through living and learning in Costa Rica, my kindergarten students taught me how it must feel to be an English Language Learner (ELL) in America. The patience, visual cues, and gratefulness of these children, instilled a newfound sense of purpose into what I hope to achieve in an American classroom. I read to students in Spanish and English, and taught my students songs in English while they taught me songs in Spanish. I volunteered to paint a mural with other volunteers as well. After school, volunteers got a change to go to the beach and explore the beautiful country. Teaching in Costa Rica prepared me for my student teaching experience in several English as a New Language (ENL) classrooms. These experiences collectively, gave me the aspiration to want to further my education, and become a TESOL teacher.

 My kindergarten class in Costa Rica

Vocabulary

privileged (adj)- having a rare opportunity to have or do something that is expensive

patience (n)- to tolerate something bad without getting mad

instilled (v)- to give or make an idea or desire in someone's mind

newfound (adj)- discovered recently

mural (n)- a large painting, usually on a wall

explore (v)- to discover something new

Vocabulary Exercise

1. People are _____________ to have a cellphone.

2. You need to ____________ a map before going somewhere new.

3. The parents ______________ values in their children.

4. The girl painted a ___________ for everyone to see.

5.  I have a __________ love for frosting.

6. It is important to remain calm and have ___________ before getting mad.

Grammar Point

Verb: It's what you do. An action, state of being, or occurrence word.

Grammar Exercise 

Chart your verb activity for the week. At the end of the week write a paragraph using all the action verbs you used this past week.

Birthday

A birthday is a day that represents another year you have been alive. In America, people celebrate their birthday on the day they were born. Ages 1 to 10, 13, 16, 18, 21, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 are typically the most celebrated years. February 17, 1994 is the day the day that I was born. 17 is my lucky number because it is the day I was born. Many people like to celebrate their birthday with a fun party, or by doing their favorite activity. Some people have a cake with candles that represent how many years they have been alive. On my birthday this year, I celebrated by going to New York City. A birthday celebration can be very exciting for friends and families.

Vocabulary

represents (v) - to be a symbol or a sign for something

typically (adv) - usually

lucky (adj) - brings good luck, fortunate

activity (n)- a hobby someone can do in their free time

candles (n) - wax sticks that are lit to give off heat and light

Vocabulary Exercise

1. The color red ___________ anger.

2. We lit the ____________ to brighten the room.

3. My favorite ____________ is dance.

4. __________ we like to eat dinner at 6 o'clock.

5. People who win the lottery are _________.

Grammar Point

Adjectives: are describing words.

For example: That is a pretty sweater.

Grammar Activity

Write a paragraph that has descriptive adjectives about your favorite celebration.

Be Mine

Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday. Valentine's Day is on February 14th and my birthday is on February 17th, so the holiday has always been very special for me. Growing up, my mom always gave me a Valentine's Day present and a separate birthday present. In America, Valentine's Day is a day that signifies love. People can show love to their significant others, family members, and friends by giving them chocolate candy or flowers. It is a day where people are reminded to tell each other how important they are, and that they are loved. In many elementary schools children give each other treats to celebrate the sweet holiday. This holiday is a delightful way for people to be reminded how lucky they are to be surrounded by caring people.

Vocabulary

separate (v)- to move apart or divide up into parts

signifies (v)- to mean something

significant (adj)- very important

treats (n)- something sweet or tasty like candy

delightful (adj) - enjoyable or lovely

surrounded (v) - to be all around something

Vocabulary Exercise 

1. It was ____________ to receive a special gift.

2. There are ____________ drawers in the room.

3. The field was ___________ by a track.

4. ________ taste sweet.

5. English is __________ to this class.

6. A heart __________ love.

Grammar Point 

Common nouns: are words used to name general items.

For example: We went to the park.

Grammar Activity

Circle all the common nouns you can find in the paragraph. Write five sentences using your five favorite common nouns.

The Beach

My favorite place in the world is the beach.  Since I was a baby the calm sound of the ocean waves has relaxed me. All over the world there are beaches. When I am given the opportunity to visit these places I am ecstatic. I have visited beaches in New York, Florida, the Bahamas, Italy, Costa Rica, and Israel. I am lucky enough to live in the town Wantagh where Jones Beach is about a seven minute car ride away. My favorite time of day is when the sun starts to set. It does not matter the weather, I love to see the sunset at the beach even in the winter.  The sight of watching the sun slip away near the ocean is breathtaking. The sky changes colors every time the sun sets. I love when the sky looks pink because of the sun and clouds near the ocean. Working near Long Beach on Long Island is the best because I occasionally get to end my day with a peaceful sunset. I often dream about visiting new beaches around the world. Everyone should take time out of their busy week to visit a spectacular beach!

Sunset at Jones Beach, New York (November 2016)

Sunset at Playa Manuel Antonia, Costa Rica (January (2016)

Vocabulary

Relaxed (v) – to feel rested

Ecstatic (adj) – to feel very happy

Breathtaking (adj) - very beautiful, or exciting to look at

Occasionally (adv) - to do something from time to time,  or sometimes

Peaceful (adj) - soothing and quiet, no violence

Spectacular (adj) - catches your eye, very pretty

Vocabulary Exercise 

1.       I felt______________ during the vacation.

2.       The fireworks were a __________________ presentation.

3.       The boy was ____________ to see made the basketball team.

4.       The girl rides her bike ______________ after school.

5.       The flowers were _______________ to look at.

6.       It is very _______________ when no one is taking.

Grammar Point

Proper noun: a name of a person, place, or thing that start with a capitol letter. For example, Rachel, New York, and the Yankees, are all proper nouns.

Grammar Activity

Make a list of how many proper nouns you can find in my paragraph, then list 7 of your own proper nouns.

Dancing from Three to Free

Hi my name is Rachel. I love to dance. When I was three years old I took my first dance class, and fell in love with the movement. I began taking Ballet and Tap dancing classes. At my first dance recital I was dancing in the wrong direction compared to the rest of my peers, but I was smiling. I have come a long way in twenty years of dancing. In high school, I became a captain for a dance competition called Sportsnite. My Gold team won all four years that I was on the team. In college, I was fortunate enough to continue my dancing career on the Cortland Dance Company. My favorite styles of dance are Jazz and Hip Hop. On the Cortland Dance Company, I challenged myself and took new styles of dance such as, Lyrical, Modern, and Broadway dancing. Dance is a way to express myself when words fail me. On the Cortland Dance Company, I was one of the few girls who always smiled without being told. This is because dance gives me a feeling of happiness, and I love to get into an upbeat or energetic song. Sadly, in April 2016 I had my final performance on the Cortland Dance Company during my senior solo performance. I love to perform on stage. The feeling of Adrenaline I get before showing my hard work for everyone to see is very exciting. The support of my friends and family cheering my name made all my long hours of practicing all worth it. Looking back, starting to dance at three years old makes me happy to be free in the adult world, and still be able to express myself through dance.

From Three

To Free

Vocabulary

recital- (noun) a show where people do something in front of a    large group of people

peers- (noun) students or people the same age as you

captain- (noun) a leader of a team

competition- (noun) a contest where people try to win against other people

fortunate- (adjective) lucky

challenged- (verb) to push yourself to do something you would not normally do

express- (verb) to show using movement

Adrenaline- (noun) something released in the brain when you are nervous or stressed that causes your heart to beat faster and you to breathe heavier

Vocabulary Exercise

1. I go to school with my _____________.
2. The football __________ got the team excited for the game.
3. The music class plays in a ____________ at the end of the year in front of families and friends.
4. The boy likes to _____________ himself by drawing happy faces to show he is in a good mood.
5. The teacher________ her students by giving them difficult math homework to see how they would do if they tried it.
6. The children had a ____________ to see who could run the fastest.
7. Before a big test the students got a rush of ___________ because they were nervous.
8. The class was _________ to have a class pet.

Grammar Point

 Noun: a word that is a person, place, or thing

Grammar Exercise

Make a list of all the nouns you can find in my paragraph. Write three sentences with three or more of your favorite nouns from my paragraph.