Monday, December 15, 2008

Happy Tuesday, Class!


Hi Everybody!


Well, we're almost finished. First, I'd like you to go to:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/15/world/middleeast/15prexy.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

This is the article on the "shoe incident"!

Then, feel free to search the web or use other ESL programs in the lab, such as Focus on Grammar.

Enjoy!

Your Teacher

Sunday, December 7, 2008


Happy Monday, Class! Today you have some optional activities:

1) First, you can read an article and answer the online exercises which are interactive questions on Barack Obama, president elect.
Follow this link: http://www.famouspeoplelessons.com/b/barack_obama.html

2) You can do grammar work on our Focus On Grammar Program. Go to the purple section, FOG Book 4. I will put the appropriate chapters on the board.


3) You may also go to: http://bogglesworldesl.com/adultesl5.htm
In class we were discussing personal qualities and characteristics. Take the quiz on Right Brain VS. LEFT BRAIN, INTROVERT VS. EXTROVERT, and HOW DO YOU EXPRESS YOURSELF?

Have fun, and if you have any questions, ask Meg or myself.

- Teacher, Bonnie

Sunday, November 2, 2008

CASAS PREPARATION - TEST MATERIALS


Good morning my sleepy class, I hope you had a great weekend!

Tomorrow, November 4th, is the CASAS post test. Today, we are going to study for it.
Here is the CASAS website that will link you to practice tests. Start with Practice test B and then go to C. On both tests, begin on page 6, the other pages are not useful.



Here's the website: (cut and paste into the address box if necessary)

https://www.casas.org/home/?fuseaction=home.showContent&MapID=1847

Here's a big question: What does the abbreviation, CASAS, stand for?

Additionally, here is another website:
www.mcedservices.com

- go to the Online Activities then to Basic Skills

This should keep you busy. However, if you finish, go to:

http://a4esl.org

Then go to the Vocabulary - Difficult, then to the idioms page or work on homonyms.
It interactive and a lot of fun!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

HELLO PCC-CEC INSTRUCTORS!


Creating a blog is easy! Just visit http://blogger.com/ and follow the directions. I use this blog in the computer lab so that my assignment for the class is posted and they need to interact with the computer and the Internet in order to access their lesson for the day. It's win-win for both the teacher and the students as I don't need to prepare handouts and students can "click" on a link that takes them to website or other informative task.

Here are some points to remember:

1) Remember, the students realize we are not web-masters so keep it simple, and don't stress over creating a blog, just add relevant content.

2) Nearly all the students are familiar with the net, so there isn't much of a learning curve. Therefore, if you have a student that is computer challenged, have a student peer-coach them. This will keep you from having to run all over the lab and get Ss on task quicker.

3) I recommend using an email address for yourself that is dedicated for this blog only. I wouldn't use your PCC email address as that reveals to much personal information. Remember: this blog is live and anyone and everyone has access to it - including spammers, and other malcontents. However, I have had my log linked to my yahoo account for several years and haven't had any malicious email.

4) FYI, there are more sophisticated ways of producing websites, however, this is free, easy, and effective.


Enjoy!

- Bonnie

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

October 8th Computer Lab Assignment - L5

Happy Wednesday, Class! Here's your assignment!

We have been studying about lifestyle and stress relievers. Do you think taking a pill can relieve stress???

Go to the website, read the article, and answer the questions:

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/

Go to the article titled:

Scientists Develop Pill to Replace Exercise

Lesson Directions: Answer these T/F questions by guessing the answers before you read. Then, after you finish, scroll down to the synonym match and answer the vocabulary questions.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Look at the article’s headline and guess whether these sentences are true (T) or false (F):

a. Scientists have developed an exercise pill that could make us all fit.
T / F

b. Laboratory mice were able to run without stopping for a very long time.
T / F

c. Scientists say jogging and other exercise will be a thing of the past.
T / F

d. The pill will increase the efficiency of any exercise we do.
T / F

e. Fitness specialists are very excited about the new discovery.
T / F

f. The pill could make its developers extremely rich.
T / F

g. There could be fewer people staying in hospitals because of the pill.
T / F

h. The pills will be on pharmacy store shelves within the next 3 months.
T / F


...also...

Study adjective order, go to:

http://a4esl.org/q/h/vm/adjorder.html

take the quiz...If you need help, ask me!

Thanks,
Teacher Bonnie

Monday, May 19, 2008

Class Assignments

Hi Class,

Here is your assignment for today:

1) Follow the instructions for your Final Project. Start your research on the internet. See below.

or

2) Write about a favorite story or legend from your country. Follow the directions from the writing handout from class. Example: In the US we have the story and legend of Johnny Appleseed and George Washington and the Cherry Tree. Do you have similar stories in your country?

Follow these links for examples:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Appleseed

http://americanhistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/washingtonscherrytree

FINAL PROJECT INFORMATION:


On or about Tuesday, June 3rd through Tuesday, June 10, our CEC Level 5 class will give their Final Presentation to the class.

Your final project should be of interest and importance to you and this should reflect in your presentation.

You may work with a partner or in a team as long as you commit to do your part of the assignment.

Choose one of the following activities to present to your class:

►Possible Topics and Activities:

1) Tell us about your country.

2) Tell us about your career choice.

3) Tell us about your favorite hero, musician, singer, actor, writer, friend, or….?

4) Tell us about your favorite hobby.

5) Show us your talent: dance, sing, jump, cook, talk, perform, or….?

►Possible Presentation Materials:


You should have pictures, music, maps, PowerPoint, or some kind of realia (something to show) to enhance your presentation.

►Time: 5 to 10 Minutes: If you need more than 5 to 10 minutes just ask.

GOOD LUCK!

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Places to Visit in Los Angeles







In the Los Angeles area are so many wonderful places to visit. A friend of mine gave me a list of 3 places you might enjoy. Follow the links for more information and answer the questions below.

First, you may want to visit the Watts Towers, an amazing, funky, artistic masterpiece.

Watts Towers were built by the Italian immigrant, Sam Rodia, from the 1920s to the 1950s. It's a fascinating part of L.A. history which has survived several earthquakes, as well as the notorious Watts riots of 1965. You will be amazed by the detail of the structures, as well as the fact that Rodia built the whole thing out of "junk" by himself. Sam Rodia said in his Italian accent, “Why I build it? I can’t tell you. Why a man make the pants? Why a man make the shoes?”

Follow the link for more information:
www.ibuildthetower.com/html/film.html

Questions: Would you like to visit the Watts Towers? Why or why not? Do you like modern art? Why or why not?

by car: 405 south, 105 east, exit Wilmington (30min)


...Another place to visit is:


Many people don't realize that UCLA has a very nice Japanese garden. It's in the neighborhood of Bel Air. You have to make a reservation because they only have a few parking spots. The garden is fenced in on a hillside and is designed like a Kyoto-style garden with Koi ponds. It's FREE and is open 10:00am - 3:00pm on Fridays.

Here's the website for more information:

http://www.japanesegarden.ucla.edu/html/reservations.html

Question: Have you ever been to a Japanese garden? Where? When?

...A historic place is:

Los Angeles has a great old train station, Union Station, which is also fun just to wander around and pretend like you're in a classic movie. From Union Station, you can take a lovely ride down the coast to San Diego or up the coast to Santa Barbara. Keep going north and there are beautiful views of ocean waves splashing on rocks. You can go all the way to San Francisco - actually you can go anywhere in America.

Question: Have you ever taken Amtrak? Where did you go? Was it the same experience as taking a train in your country? Explain.

Amtrak:http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/HomePageUnion Station:http://www.westworld.com/~elson/larail/laus.html

Monday, April 7, 2008

Computer Class Assignment 4/8/08


Good Morning My Sleepy Class!

Here is your assignment for today:

1) Edit and type your paragraph from the writing exercise yesterday on a day-trip or outing you took with your family. Use the correct structure: topic, details and conclusion.

2) When you finish you can visit these websites and do the exercises:

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/ - for current news and exercises...

also, http://a4esl.org - go to the podcasts for current news and entertainment...

If you need help, ask me!

Smile!

- Your Loving Teacher:)

Monday, February 25, 2008

Monday, February 18, 2008

WRITING CLASS PCC-CEC L5

PCC CEC L5 WRITING CLASS

From: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/general/gl_outlin.html and
your teacher

Developing an Outline

An outline is:
· A logical, general description
· A schematic summary
· An organizational pattern
· A visual and conceptual design of your writing

An outline reflects logical thinking and clear classification.

Purpose

General:
· Aids in the process of writing

Specific:
· Helps you organize your ideas
· Presents your material in a logical form
· Shows the relationships among ideas in your writing
· Constructs an ordered overview of your writing
· Defines boundaries and groups

Process

Before you begin:
· Determine the purpose of your paper.
· Determine the audience you are writing for.
· Develop the thesis of your paper.

Then:
· Brainstorm: List all the ideas that you want to include in your paper.
· Organize: Group related ideas together.
· Order: Arrange material in subsections from general to specific or from abstract to concrete.
· Label: Create main and sub headings.

Theory


· An outline has a balanced structure.
Form

An outline can use Roman numerals/letters or decimal form. (Roman Numeral is the most common.)
Roman Numeral
I.
A.
B.
1.
2.
a.
b.
Decimal
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.2.1
1.2.2
1.2.2.1
1.2.2.2

PCC-CEC L5 VALENTINE'S DAY PARTY




We had another great party! You are all fabulous people!

Sunday, January 27, 2008

MLK "I HAVE A DREAM" Speech


Hi Class,

Here is a link to Martin Luther King, Jr. 's "I Have a Dream" speech made at the civil rights protest, March on Washington, August 1963. This is one of the greatest speeches ever made.

It's on youtube, but it is the best audio/visual quality that I have found of the speech.

copy and paste into your browser:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEMXaTktUfA

:) your teacher



Friday, January 11, 2008

Christmas Party Pictures PCC-CEC L5


Fun, Fun, Fun!


We all had a great time at the Christmas party! Great food, great fun, friends forever!

Quizlet Link & Study Guide

Hi L4 Class, Here is a link to join Quizlet when we use this website in class and work on our vocabulary. Click here:  Quizlet Vocabular...