Aim:
1. Listening comprehension. ("Understand different types of clear, authentic speech, in various circumstances")
2. Reading comprehension. ("...read fiction [...] different genres...")
3. Practice writing. ("produce written reports...")
4. Practicing oral skills, delivering arguments. ("in different situations be able to introduce and actively participate in different kinds of oral communication [...] use English flexibly, for a purpose [...] formally and informally" and "provide structured oral information")
Tasks:
1. Listen to presentation on Pratchett & Gaiman + reading diary
2. Start reading Good Omens
3. Discuss what you've read. Work in pairs/groups of 3. Stop every 10 pages or so and recap. Help each other! Look for humor (as the book is supposed to be funny...)
4. Write reading diary
Links regarding The Book of Revelation:
Book of Revelation on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Revelation
Link to the Book of Revelation directly, from the King James Bible:
quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/k/kjv/kjv-idx?ty ... te=5379618
Understanding the Book of Revelation from Frontline: Apocalypse on PBS.com:
pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/apoc ... white.html
9/27/2012
9/24/2012
Monday Sep 24 - Creative writing & difficult reading
Aim:
1. Practice writing. ("produce written reports...")
2. Reading comprehension. ("...read fiction [...] different genres...")
Tasks:
1. Finish writing 'The Haven'
2. Find a friend, exchange texts, read & guess what the text is about. If there's time, find more friends.
3. Email me your final version of 'The Haven'
4. Read the following book reviews (there might be more than one/link, but reading one of them is enough):
A.
http://www.booklore.co.uk/PastReviews/PratchettTerry/GoodOmens/GoodOmensReview.htm
B.
http://www.booklore.co.uk/PastReviews/PratchettTerry/SoulMusic/SoulMusicReview.htm
C.
http://www.booklore.co.uk/PastReviews/PratchettTerry/TheColourOfMagic/TheColourOfMagicReview.htm
D.
http://www.booklore.co.uk/PastReviews/PratchettTerry/MovingPictures/MovingPicturesReview.htm
When you've read them, decide which of the books you'd find the most interesting to read. Tell me (email, in person, smoke signals, whatever....)
1. Practice writing. ("produce written reports...")
2. Reading comprehension. ("...read fiction [...] different genres...")
Tasks:
1. Finish writing 'The Haven'
2. Find a friend, exchange texts, read & guess what the text is about. If there's time, find more friends.
3. Email me your final version of 'The Haven'
4. Read the following book reviews (there might be more than one/link, but reading one of them is enough):
A.
http://www.booklore.co.uk/PastReviews/PratchettTerry/GoodOmens/GoodOmensReview.htm
B.
http://www.booklore.co.uk/PastReviews/PratchettTerry/SoulMusic/SoulMusicReview.htm
C.
http://www.booklore.co.uk/PastReviews/PratchettTerry/TheColourOfMagic/TheColourOfMagicReview.htm
D.
http://www.booklore.co.uk/PastReviews/PratchettTerry/MovingPictures/MovingPicturesReview.htm
When you've read them, decide which of the books you'd find the most interesting to read. Tell me (email, in person, smoke signals, whatever....)
9/18/2012
9/13/2012
Monday Sep 17 - Creative writing 2
Aim:
See Wednesday Sep 11
Task:
I want you all to write a short story entitled 'The Haven' Think back on what was discussed during our previous lesson, and use colorful, advanced language, where you really make an effort to work on your writing skills. I do not want a long story, half a page maximum, but i do want it to be in the best language you've ever used. You'll get the time you need. We'll start today, and finish when we finish.
If you look up the word 'haven', this is what you'll find:
Focus on the second meaning of the word, 'a place of safety or sanctuary; shelter'. In this story, I want you to describe your haven, and I want you to do it in a way isn't obvious, that will have readers guessing what you're talking about. See below for an example. When you're done, you'll read your story to others, and they will try to figure out what you're talking about. Also remember this:
Example:
The Haven
See Wednesday Sep 11
Task:
I want you all to write a short story entitled 'The Haven' Think back on what was discussed during our previous lesson, and use colorful, advanced language, where you really make an effort to work on your writing skills. I do not want a long story, half a page maximum, but i do want it to be in the best language you've ever used. You'll get the time you need. We'll start today, and finish when we finish.
If you look up the word 'haven', this is what you'll find:
| haven (ˈheɪv ə n) | |
| — n | |
| 1. | a port, harbour, or other sheltered place for shipping |
| 2. | a place of safety or sanctuary; shelter |
Focus on the second meaning of the word, 'a place of safety or sanctuary; shelter'. In this story, I want you to describe your haven, and I want you to do it in a way isn't obvious, that will have readers guessing what you're talking about. See below for an example. When you're done, you'll read your story to others, and they will try to figure out what you're talking about. Also remember this:
- synonyms
- adjectives
- adverbs
- detail
- ...and I'll also add: metaphors
Think
- fantasy/imagination
- poetry
- challenging!
- difficult!
Example:
The Haven
Solitude. Sweet, blissful, tempting, precious solitude.
The silence, but for the natives and the rise and fall of the healing element. The
world, its haunting sounds and alluring smells, its myriad of colours, its innermost
secrets and unspoken promises. They all belong to you, and you to them. A choice
beckons - daring or conservative, intuition or science? An experienced and
enlightened soul will want for both, yet may opt for but one. This time around,
romance wins.
As the
search of the glittering surface begins, surroundings swim out of focus, until
only the target remains. Muscles in reluctant harmony, striving for, but
obviously not reaching, perfection. Presentation… Wait… Wait… Strike! My rush
of blood and adrenaline is matched by my opponent’s rush of speed. Time stops
as seconds pass in a crawl. These are the moments you want to last, riding the
wave of euphoria ‘til the suns die. A moment of clarity, a screaming, ecstatic,
intimate and beautiful dance. You and me. A dance with dragons.
Reality returns
when we meet at last. A respectful touch, and goodbye.
9/12/2012
Wednesday Sep 12 - Creative writing
Aim:
1. Practice writing. ("produce written reports...")
Tasks:
(1. Check the list of tips on oral presentations from last lesson. Anything to add? Consider the importance of stirring/awakening emotions among listeners - the stronger the better. What emotions are there to be stirred/awakened?)
2. Building sentences exercise. Start with noun, go crazy....
3. Exchanging words in sentences you've built exercise. Use www.dictionary.com to look up words, find synonyms etc. I'll demonstrate.
4. Put sentences together to make a longer text.
1. Practice writing. ("produce written reports...")
Tasks:
(1. Check the list of tips on oral presentations from last lesson. Anything to add? Consider the importance of stirring/awakening emotions among listeners - the stronger the better. What emotions are there to be stirred/awakened?)
2. Building sentences exercise. Start with noun, go crazy....
3. Exchanging words in sentences you've built exercise. Use www.dictionary.com to look up words, find synonyms etc. I'll demonstrate.
4. Put sentences together to make a longer text.
9/06/2012
Monday Sep 10 - Oral presentations
Aim:
1. Practicing oral skills, delivering arguments. ("in different situations be able to introduce and actively participate in different kinds of oral communication [...] use English flexibly, for a purpose [...] formally and informally" and "provide structured oral information")
2. Listening comprehension. ("Understand different types of clear, authentic speech, in various circumstances")
3. Practice writing. ("produce written reports...")
Tasks:
1. Finish oral presentations from last lesson (6)
2. Finish writng feedback from last lesson. Email feedback to each other (to save time).
3. Brainstorm - what makes a (good) oral presentation? Take notes in each group. We'll use this to compile a list of tips, ideas and 'rules' for you to use in the future. In other words, you're helping yourselves out here, so make the most of it!
1. Practicing oral skills, delivering arguments. ("in different situations be able to introduce and actively participate in different kinds of oral communication [...] use English flexibly, for a purpose [...] formally and informally" and "provide structured oral information")
2. Listening comprehension. ("Understand different types of clear, authentic speech, in various circumstances")
3. Practice writing. ("produce written reports...")
Tasks:
1. Finish oral presentations from last lesson (6)
2. Finish writng feedback from last lesson. Email feedback to each other (to save time).
3. Brainstorm - what makes a (good) oral presentation? Take notes in each group. We'll use this to compile a list of tips, ideas and 'rules' for you to use in the future. In other words, you're helping yourselves out here, so make the most of it!
9/05/2012
Wednesday Sep 05 - Discussions & oral presentations
Aim:
1. Practicing oral skills, delivering arguments. ("in different situations be able to introduce and actively participate in different kinds of oral communication [...] use English flexibly, for a purpose [...] formally and informally" and "provide structured oral information")
2. Listening comprehension. ("Understand different types of clear, authentic speech, in various circumstances")
3. Practice writing. ("produce written reports...")
Tasks:
1. Discuss (in small groups/pairs) the difference between spontaneous reading and rehearsed reading, based on your own experiences.
2. Find a picture (any picture) and prepare an oral presentation based on that picture. Maximum length is 3 minutes. Present to the group.
3. Give feedback on other students' oral presentations. This is to be done in writing. Use a formal tone. Focus on POSITIVES ONLY! Save all your written feedback in one document and email it to me. Make sure to note which feedback belongs to which student. In the end, each student will get a document with lots of feedback on his/her presentation.
1. Practicing oral skills, delivering arguments. ("in different situations be able to introduce and actively participate in different kinds of oral communication [...] use English flexibly, for a purpose [...] formally and informally" and "provide structured oral information")
2. Listening comprehension. ("Understand different types of clear, authentic speech, in various circumstances")
3. Practice writing. ("produce written reports...")
Tasks:
1. Discuss (in small groups/pairs) the difference between spontaneous reading and rehearsed reading, based on your own experiences.
2. Find a picture (any picture) and prepare an oral presentation based on that picture. Maximum length is 3 minutes. Present to the group.
3. Give feedback on other students' oral presentations. This is to be done in writing. Use a formal tone. Focus on POSITIVES ONLY! Save all your written feedback in one document and email it to me. Make sure to note which feedback belongs to which student. In the end, each student will get a document with lots of feedback on his/her presentation.
9/03/2012
Monday Sep 3 - Listening comprehension & reading out load
Aim:
1. Listening comprehension. ("Understand different types of clear, authentic speech, in various circumstances")
2. Reading comprehension. ("...read fiction [...] different genres...")
3. Pronunciation, flow, intonation. ("in different situations be able to introduce and actively participate in different kinds of oral communication [...] use English flexibly, for a purpose [...] formally and informally")
Tasks:
1. Listen to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbnFJVgBcw0. Then write a short (no more than half a page) summary of what you've heard. You can of course listen to it many times, and ASK FOR HELP whenever you want. Publish the text in your blog, or send it to me in an email.
2. Work in pairs and take turns reading this text out loud to each other. Consider your pair a 'problem solving unit' when it comes to both pronunciation and understanding. Last but not least, decide how this text grades on the green/yellow/red scale.
1. Listening comprehension. ("Understand different types of clear, authentic speech, in various circumstances")
2. Reading comprehension. ("...read fiction [...] different genres...")
3. Pronunciation, flow, intonation. ("in different situations be able to introduce and actively participate in different kinds of oral communication [...] use English flexibly, for a purpose [...] formally and informally")
Tasks:
1. Listen to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbnFJVgBcw0. Then write a short (no more than half a page) summary of what you've heard. You can of course listen to it many times, and ASK FOR HELP whenever you want. Publish the text in your blog, or send it to me in an email.
2. Work in pairs and take turns reading this text out loud to each other. Consider your pair a 'problem solving unit' when it comes to both pronunciation and understanding. Last but not least, decide how this text grades on the green/yellow/red scale.
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