Since we're going to be starting our review of punctuation, I thought I'd look for some not as boring as the grammar book alternatives for you.
Like to shoot aliens with paintballs?
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Two Sides of Room 505
Here is the sample Compare & Contrast essay we read in class. Yes it was written by me, seven years ago!
Upon walking into Room 505 Lambein, one notices two completely different worlds. Personality leaps out of the walls and invites investigation of the details.
The side of the room closer to the window is quiet and organized. Pastels dominate the décor. Neatly made is the bed with its pastel purple and green comforter. Winnie the Pooh snuggles with another teddy bear next to a purple pillow. Two shelves a above the bed are covered with blue and purple contact paper. Atop the shelves sit framed photographs, a potted plant, a white clip-on desk lamp, card received from family and friends, and two white ceramic mugs portraying fluffy kittens. A wreath of roses and ivy tied with white ribbon is suspended from the ceiling next to the shelves. Likewise the desk is neatly organized. Her printer, laptop, small gray stereo, and accessory cup are accompanied by a small pot of violets. Directly above the desk are a dozen petite pictures of dancers in pink tutus. They surround an Anne Geddes poster of adorable angels flitting about on a moss covered tree branch. Tied with white ribbon, a small picture collage hangs over the bed next to more photos of friends. Garfield comics, photos, and a calendar cover the sliding closet doors. A keyboard lies propped up next to the closet and a lavender trash barrel is placed at the foot of the bed. Fringed and purple, a small carpet covers the floor directly next to the bed. Decorating the window are dried roses and babies’ breath. Smiling, shining, sun-lights hang over the window, making the room sunny and inviting.
Chaos and randomness describe the side of the room closer to the door. This bed is also neatly made. A green, yellow, pink and blue plaid pillow somehow matches the green, hot pink, dark purple and rainbow crocheted afghan on the bed. Shoved between the bed and the wall is a black bass guitar case and a short guitar stool. The shelves on the wall are plain and brown. Numerous CDs, hot chocolate mix, a black and red mug, framed photos, books and Star Wars action figures reside on these shelves. Her desk is covered with piles of random papers, book, index cards, CDs, an Arabic newspaper, a black stereo, a laptop and a black desk lamp. Shiny, silver garland encircles the legs of the desk chair. Covering the wall are poster-sized photo collages, ads for movies such as Wayne’s World and Indiana Jones, a cluttered message board, a few Monet prints, poetry, a Haitian oil painting and poetry in a myriad of languages and scripts. Orange streamers hang from the ceiling over the shelves and doors. Multiple pairs of colorful shoes peek out from under the bed next to a bright blue couch. Sunlight comes in and bounces off three small disco balls hanging from the shelves. In between her desk and the other girl’s desk is her squat white fridge which serves as a platform for a giant black Crate bass amplifier.
You may not guess that both girls actually have a lot of in common. They are both studious and like to go to sleep early. Waking up at 6:00am allows both girls to have ample time to get ready, eat breakfast and pray before morning classes. Dancing, music, and theater arts are activities they both equally enjoy. Despite these similarities, the room seems to shout out their differences to anyone who enters. Walking into room 505 Lambien and listening to what the walls have to say will surely help one to see the differences between the two girls who sleep in this room at night.
Answer the following questions about the two rooms.
1. Does the author use the ABAB pattern or the AABB pattern of comparison?
2. Write at least 10 adjectives that describe each side of the room.
3. Summarize the essay in two sentences.
4. What are some things the two girls have in common?
5. Which side of the room is more like yours? Why?
6. Which side do you think was Mrs. Michelle’s and why?
7. Brainstorm five ideas that you could use for your compare and contrast essay.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
8. Choose one and decide whether the ABAB pattern or the AABB pattern is better for the topic. Write a simple outline here.
Upon walking into Room 505 Lambein, one notices two completely different worlds. Personality leaps out of the walls and invites investigation of the details.
The side of the room closer to the window is quiet and organized. Pastels dominate the décor. Neatly made is the bed with its pastel purple and green comforter. Winnie the Pooh snuggles with another teddy bear next to a purple pillow. Two shelves a above the bed are covered with blue and purple contact paper. Atop the shelves sit framed photographs, a potted plant, a white clip-on desk lamp, card received from family and friends, and two white ceramic mugs portraying fluffy kittens. A wreath of roses and ivy tied with white ribbon is suspended from the ceiling next to the shelves. Likewise the desk is neatly organized. Her printer, laptop, small gray stereo, and accessory cup are accompanied by a small pot of violets. Directly above the desk are a dozen petite pictures of dancers in pink tutus. They surround an Anne Geddes poster of adorable angels flitting about on a moss covered tree branch. Tied with white ribbon, a small picture collage hangs over the bed next to more photos of friends. Garfield comics, photos, and a calendar cover the sliding closet doors. A keyboard lies propped up next to the closet and a lavender trash barrel is placed at the foot of the bed. Fringed and purple, a small carpet covers the floor directly next to the bed. Decorating the window are dried roses and babies’ breath. Smiling, shining, sun-lights hang over the window, making the room sunny and inviting.
Chaos and randomness describe the side of the room closer to the door. This bed is also neatly made. A green, yellow, pink and blue plaid pillow somehow matches the green, hot pink, dark purple and rainbow crocheted afghan on the bed. Shoved between the bed and the wall is a black bass guitar case and a short guitar stool. The shelves on the wall are plain and brown. Numerous CDs, hot chocolate mix, a black and red mug, framed photos, books and Star Wars action figures reside on these shelves. Her desk is covered with piles of random papers, book, index cards, CDs, an Arabic newspaper, a black stereo, a laptop and a black desk lamp. Shiny, silver garland encircles the legs of the desk chair. Covering the wall are poster-sized photo collages, ads for movies such as Wayne’s World and Indiana Jones, a cluttered message board, a few Monet prints, poetry, a Haitian oil painting and poetry in a myriad of languages and scripts. Orange streamers hang from the ceiling over the shelves and doors. Multiple pairs of colorful shoes peek out from under the bed next to a bright blue couch. Sunlight comes in and bounces off three small disco balls hanging from the shelves. In between her desk and the other girl’s desk is her squat white fridge which serves as a platform for a giant black Crate bass amplifier.
You may not guess that both girls actually have a lot of in common. They are both studious and like to go to sleep early. Waking up at 6:00am allows both girls to have ample time to get ready, eat breakfast and pray before morning classes. Dancing, music, and theater arts are activities they both equally enjoy. Despite these similarities, the room seems to shout out their differences to anyone who enters. Walking into room 505 Lambien and listening to what the walls have to say will surely help one to see the differences between the two girls who sleep in this room at night.
Answer the following questions about the two rooms.
1. Does the author use the ABAB pattern or the AABB pattern of comparison?
2. Write at least 10 adjectives that describe each side of the room.
3. Summarize the essay in two sentences.
4. What are some things the two girls have in common?
5. Which side of the room is more like yours? Why?
6. Which side do you think was Mrs. Michelle’s and why?
7. Brainstorm five ideas that you could use for your compare and contrast essay.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
8. Choose one and decide whether the ABAB pattern or the AABB pattern is better for the topic. Write a simple outline here.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Evaluation of Demo Speech Outline
This is the rubric which will be used to evaluate the demonstration speech outline
Demonstration Speech Outline
Student Name: _________________
General Purpose (1) ____
Specific Purpose (1) ____
Central Idea (1) ____
Catchy and Clear Introduction (4) ____
Adequate details in Body (10) ____
Clear Conclusion (3) ____
Total (20) ____
Demonstration Speech Outline
Student Name: _________________
General Purpose (1) ____
Specific Purpose (1) ____
Central Idea (1) ____
Catchy and Clear Introduction (4) ____
Adequate details in Body (10) ____
Clear Conclusion (3) ____
Total (20) ____
Speech Topic Ideas
Still stuck trying to think of a topic for your demo speech? Try these links for ideas
50+ Ideas for Speeches
25+ Demonstration Ideas
Best Speech Topics
Anyone want to show how to unclog a toilet? Yes, I have seen a demonstration of this by someone dressed as the superhero "Plunger Man." It can be done!
50+ Ideas for Speeches
25+ Demonstration Ideas
Best Speech Topics
Anyone want to show how to unclog a toilet? Yes, I have seen a demonstration of this by someone dressed as the superhero "Plunger Man." It can be done!
Demonstration Speech Outline
Find the sample demonstration speech outline here
Make sure that you
Make sure that you
- Do not memorize your speech
- Write your outline in points, not paragraphs
- Include the general and specific purposes and central idea
- Make a clear introduction and conclusion in 2-5 sentences each
- Split up the body of your speech into 3-4 sections
- Dress appropriately for your topic
- DO NOT PLAGIARIZE YOUR SPEECH OUTLINE
Demonstration Speech
Don't forget Grade 8:
- Rough Draft of Speech Outline due tomorrow (saturday Feb 23rd)
- Final Speech Outline due Monday Feb 25th along with Speech Presentation
- You must use at least one prop for your demonstration
- Time limit is five minutes
- Practice at home so you can avoid fidgeting, fillers, talking too fast, etc
Tao Review Questions
1. Where is Tao located?
2. Why do people have high expectations of restaurants in that city?
3. Why do you think “people watching” is like a sport there?
4. What theme did the author and her husband go for during dinner?
5. Pick out at least ten description words that the author uses while describing her food.
6. Does she make you want to eat there? Why or why not?
Find the Tao Review on Restaurant Review World
2. Why do people have high expectations of restaurants in that city?
3. Why do you think “people watching” is like a sport there?
4. What theme did the author and her husband go for during dinner?
5. Pick out at least ten description words that the author uses while describing her food.
6. Does she make you want to eat there? Why or why not?
Find the Tao Review on Restaurant Review World
Postrio Questions
Questions to go with the Postrio Review
1. Who is Wolfgang Puck?
2. Is the author’s family familiar with fine food?
3. What was the problem with the menu?
4. Why didn’t the family want ox-tail with their steaks?
5. Would you want to eat there? Why or why not?
6. Can you think of any restaurants that are overpriced or overrated, in your opinion? Write their names and why you think so.
7. What does exorbitant mean?
8. Would the author have tried the shrimp sausage if her husband hadn’t ordered it?
9. What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?
1. Who is Wolfgang Puck?
2. Is the author’s family familiar with fine food?
3. What was the problem with the menu?
4. Why didn’t the family want ox-tail with their steaks?
5. Would you want to eat there? Why or why not?
6. Can you think of any restaurants that are overpriced or overrated, in your opinion? Write their names and why you think so.
7. What does exorbitant mean?
8. Would the author have tried the shrimp sausage if her husband hadn’t ordered it?
9. What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Enoteca San Marco RC Questions
Reading Comprehension questions for Enoteca San Marco restaurant review
1. Who enjoyed the meal more, the author or her husband?
2. What were some of the disappointments of the meal?
3. Would you like to eat a meal consisting of several small plates of food? Why or why not?
4. Why did they order the pasta?
5. How was the pasta?
6. Does the author want to go to Mario’s other restaurants? Why or why not?
7. Would you want to eat at Enoteca San Marco? Why or why not?
8. List five of your favorite appetizers.
1. Who enjoyed the meal more, the author or her husband?
2. What were some of the disappointments of the meal?
3. Would you like to eat a meal consisting of several small plates of food? Why or why not?
4. Why did they order the pasta?
5. How was the pasta?
6. Does the author want to go to Mario’s other restaurants? Why or why not?
7. Would you want to eat at Enoteca San Marco? Why or why not?
8. List five of your favorite appetizers.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Describing Food - Adjectives
Describing food is a great way to practice using adjectives. In class we reviewed what adjectives are and did a few grammar exercises. Then we went over a long list of food description words from
http://www.world-food-and-wine.com/describing-food.html
I made this word list into a four page packet.
http://www.world-food-and-wine.com/describing-food.html
I made this word list into a four page packet.
After discussing the meaning and pronunciation of the words, each student wrote 10 sentences using words that he or she had just learned from the packet. Next, each student chose 5 words and wrote a short paragraph describing the "worst meal ever." Then they did the same with 5 other words and wrote about the "best meal ever." Students shared their paragraphs in class.
How to Write a Restaurant Review
Restaurant Review Writing 101
At the end of the restaurant review unit, each student should write his/her own restaurant review. It should be a restaurant that you've actually gone to. You may have loved it, hated it, or seen it has somewhere in between.
In class we went over the factors that make a good restaurant review. Students looked at the list from Epinions.com and labeled those features in the three reviews we'd read: Postrio, Enoteca San Marco and Tao.
Then each student decided on a restaurant to review and made an outine based on the 9 factors discussed. Check out the link above to get the list of factors.
At the end of the restaurant review unit, each student should write his/her own restaurant review. It should be a restaurant that you've actually gone to. You may have loved it, hated it, or seen it has somewhere in between.
In class we went over the factors that make a good restaurant review. Students looked at the list from Epinions.com and labeled those features in the three reviews we'd read: Postrio, Enoteca San Marco and Tao.
Then each student decided on a restaurant to review and made an outine based on the 9 factors discussed. Check out the link above to get the list of factors.
Writing a Restaurant Review
We've been working on writing restaurant reviews in Grade 8. Some well written restaurant reviews can be found at
Restaurant Review World
Over three class periods we read the reviews on three restaurants in Las Vegas.
Restaurant Review World
Over three class periods we read the reviews on three restaurants in Las Vegas.
- Enoteca San Marco
- Tao
- Postrio
If you've missed any of the reading comprehension question sets for these articles you wil find the worksheets posted online. Students read the articles and answered the questions indivually. Then we discussed the questions as a whole class.
Welcome to the Blog
This blog is for both the students at Scarsdale International School and for fellow English educators. Students will be able to find class materials, assignments, helpful links, and a place to have their own work published. English teachers will be able to find lesson plans and samples of student work. I currently teach Grade 8 English, Grade 6-8 Elementary ESL, and Grade 7 Speaking Skills. My academic background is in Linguistics and Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (Amherst, MA, USA). I am also TEFL certified and have conducted various workshops and classes in the following areas:
- Teacher Training
- Creative Writing
- MA TESOL at Lahore College
- ESL - Advanced Pronunciation (UMass)
- Phonology & Phonetics
- Syntax & Semantics
- Listening & Speaking
- English Improvement for Teachers
Hope you enjoy the blog!
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