We're Near the Finish Line!

We are almost finished! This is the last week of Winter Term and we only have 4 more days of classes. We will have one more test (tomorrow), I will meet with each of you to talk about what you should do next term (tomorrow), your groups will meet to finish your projects for International Day (Wednesday), and the party will be on Friday.

You have been a wonderful class and I have enjoyed working with you. I really appreciate how well you have worked together. I have bragged to the other teachers about what a great group you are. All you of you have done good work and your hard work is paying off. I hope you feel like this class has helped you and I wish you the best in the future.

Now, your project today is to answer some questions about International Day and your plans for the summer. Joanna is going to show you how to talk to each other. After you have answered the questions, read each other's entries and ask a question or respond to a question. Remember: you must click on the refresh button to read the latest entry or see if someone asked you a question.

International Day
1. Is your group going to demonstrate a dance? Are you going to bring any music?

2. What kind of objects are you going to put on your table?

3. Describe the food your group is going to bring. Don't just say "chicken". Tell us about it.

4. Is anyone going to wear traditional clothes? What do the clothes look like?

Plans for the Summer
1. What are you going to do next week when we don't have class?

2. What are you going to do this summer (study English, work, take care of your children...)?

3. What is your favorite summer activity?

4. What is the best part about being in Chicago during the summer?

Thanks again for being such a great group. If you are going to finish the program this term, I will miss you and I hope you come back and visit us. If you are going to stay, I look forward to working with you again. Feel free to visit this blog anytime. You can use the grammar, listening, and reading links or you can read the next class's entries.

Take care,
Robbin

Neighborhood Watch

I hope you had a good weekend. The weather is finally getting warmer and Chicago is a wonderful city for outdoor activities. This weekend, I took a long walk around my neighborhood and enjoyed the sunshine. I ended up at a Starbucks and I drank some coffee and read a book.

Chicago is a great city, but like in all big cities, we have to be careful. The picture at the top of the page is for a Neighborhood Watch Program. Is there a program like this in your neighborhood? What do you think this program does?

Please click the Chicago Neighborhood Crime link on the right. Use your handout to complete the activity. After you are finished, answer the following questions.

1. Before you saw this information, did you feel safe in your neighborhood?

2. How do you feel now? The same as before or different? Why?

3. What can you do to make your neighborhood safer?

4. What can you do to make your house safer?

I hope this information didn't scare you. I think that Chicago is no more dangerous than any other large city, but it might help to know what is happening near your house. Chicago is a beautiful city, but let's be careful.

Now you can either type your paragraphs, do a reading or listening activity, go to one of the grammar links, or go to Oxford Picture Dictionary.

Have fun!