Happy New Year!

What does "auld lang syne" mean?

What are you looking forward to in 2026?  Do you set goals/make resolutions? Write about a small goal.

Merry Christmas!!

I hope you are enjoying December.  


Professional Light Displays (Be prepared for SLOW traffic!)

In the USA, different people celebrate Christmas in really different ways.  Some people celebrate it because it is a really important Christian holiday -- the day to remember when Jesus was born.

Religious Christmas Song Lyric Videos

Virtual Handel's Messiah Sing-a-long

Many people celebrate Christmas by giving money to their church or to charities.  (Some local charities.)  Some people celebrate Christmas by volunteering (working for no pay) to help people.
Volunteer Fairfax -- links volunteers to no-pay jobs (Can be a great way to meet people and practice English!)

Many non-religious and religious-but-not-Christian people in the USA celebrate Christmas as a great time to celebrate love, friendship, and family -- they shop, party, spend time with family, go to parties with friends, send cards, and give presents.

Lyrics Videos:  Christmas Songs (NOT religious)

Do you like to shop?  Where?

Love to shop in person? Example Conversation  Challenging examples of English conversations you may have.

 Sales at Tyson's Corner,  Sales at Fair Oaks,  Sales at Springfield Town Center,
Sales at Potomac Mills


Do you celebrate Christmas?  What do you usually do?  What did you do this year?

Do you want to practice grammar?

The most important thing you can do to improve English is use English -- talk to people, read, listen, and write English.

I like to teach Grammar because if you use it well, it's an excellent short cut.  If you catch the rule with the grammar pattern, you can immediately understand how to say 10,000 things correctly.  Also, advanced classes usually use grammar rules, and understanding basic grammar ideas and how to use grammar with lots of examples to learn a language makes those classes easy rather than incomprehensible.

• Try to remember grammar rules, but don't get mad when they don't work 100%.
• Make tons of your own examples from the rule, and ask a native speaker if they are correct.
• Repeat correct useful phrases a LOT

Can you find any grammar mistakes in this grammar song?

Some people in our class got an excellent grammar education before this class.  Some never had a chance to learn grammar before. Here are links for some of grammar you should master before going to high intermediate.  If you want grammar practice, try these links.

Can you name the parts of speech?

Simple Present

Present Continuous=Present Progressive

Simple Present vs. Present Continuous

future with will

future with going to

Simple Past

Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

Old Fashioned Pronoun Use

Challenge: Adjective Order

Memory work:  80 Common Irregular Verbs 

Irregular Verbs - A variety of little-by-little lists, songs, and games to help you remember  

Non Count Nouns

Common expressions with Make or do

Are you studying for US Citizenship? Today is Bill of Rights Day!

Do you know the rights in the Bill of Rights?  Should any of them change?  Which are most important?

Happy Hannukah

Do you celebrate Hannukah?  What do you do?

חנוכה commemorates the re-dedication of the holy temple in Jerusalem.  In the US, Jewish people get together, light candles, and give gifts for eight days.  In the USA, Hannukah is a big holiday, partly because it gets commercialized in a similar way to Christmas.

Are you Buddhist? Do you celebrate Bodhi Day?

 

Challenge Listening:  The Enlightenment that led to Buddhism

If you celebrate Bodhi Day, describe what you do.

If you are not Buddhist, describe a time you felt peaceful.

Thank you for a delicious potluck party!

A potluck is a party that asks all the guests to bring food to share.  Many people have potlucks in the USA -- especially groups at schools, churches, and neighborhood pools.  Please bring something yummy.  If you really don't have the time or money to bring food, don't worry.  Come anyway.

Please don't bring pork (pig meat) children, or alcoholic drinks.

Fried chicken & donuts are always excellent potluck choices!

The homemade Mantu, Guatemalan enchilada, fruit salad, and Qabili were so amazing and delicious!

Are you going to do during the break?  Are you coming back?  

Do you have recommendations to make the next class better for you?

Let's Go Fly a Kite

 

I usually do this unit after unit 7 because I like to use comparative and superlative adjectives when I make recommendations.  How do you recommend I make this class better next session?

What was your favorite activity when you were a child?

Let's Stay Together

Did you ever get back together with an ex?  Did it work out well?

Are there any little things couples should do to make it easy to stay together no matter what?  What are they?

Is your English better?

 

Is your English better than it was last September?  How can I make this class better?

Our House

This song pronounces vase as olive-sock vase -- that's British English.

In the US, we say gray-day vase.

House Vocabulary Practice with Learning Chocolate (cupboard and cabinet are interchangeable words -.not for top and bottom.)

Language Guide House Vocabulary

Learning Chocolate: Kitchen 1

Kitchen Vocabulary from Language Guide

Kitchen 2

What do you like about your home?  What don't you like?  What do you plan to change?

Going to the dentist

 

There are three mistakes in the next video.  They wrote ger when they meant get, and filing when they meant filling.  The young man says his mum tells him off.  He should say that his mom tells him not to eat sweets.  Telling someone off can mean yelling and cursing at them because they made you very angry.

Learning Chocolate:  practice dental vocabulary

Learning Chocolate: Practice words for dental problems

Learning Chocolate: Practice words for dental procedures

How often do you go to the dentist?  Did you get any procedures recently?

You don't have to

"Would" has many meanings.  In my level, we usually use it with requests.

Would you like some water? 

"Would" in this song is past for "will."

I said I would give a vocabulary quiz on Monday.

Today at 11:30 AM: Laurie: "I will give a quiz on Monday."

After Laurie finishes speaking, you can say "Laurie said she would give a quiz on Monday."

Is this the worst Elvis song?  It's a good example of "don't have to.'  What do you have to do?  What are some things you don't have to do?

NEW SAFETY PROCEDURE -- WALK THROUGH THE BUILDING BEFORE YOU COME TO CLASS

When you get out of your car (or off the bus), don't come to our class in Trailer 4.  Go to the front door -- door #1 of the big Plum Center building. 

Walk through the front door of the big building at Plum Center, walk past room 100 - the ESOL office -- and walk out the back door.  Then come to our class in Trailer 4.

If you can read and understand this, please text the information to your friends in my class.

The Moon

Did you see the moon last night?

Do you have any good memories about the moon?  I worked at at my university's planetarium when I was in college.  I was happy that I could move (the projection of) the stars and the moon.

Doctor Doctor

Dialog -- Making an appointment    Going to the doctor
Vocabulary: symptoms  Vocabulary: Medicine  Vocabulary: Types of Medication

Do you have a good doctor in this area?  Do you usually speak to your doctor in English?

Don't forget to turn back time! (Fall back one hour)

Most people in the United States turn the time backwards one hour before bed on Saturday.

We are returning to Eastern Standard Time (EST)

Practice can, could, & be able to

If you went back in time, what part of history would you want to see?

What people or stories from history do you like?

Far from the Shallow

 NEVER dive in shallow water...

Many students in our class said they don't like Halloween.  If you want to see a Halloween post, click here.

Today, a student asked me why falling was spelled fallin'. 

Many songs do that to show that the pronunciation of the ing sounds more like silver pin "in" 

rather than green tea ing.  You should always write the full word: falling with the g.

(warning: in the next link, men are only wearing small bathing suits)

Video about diving history for anyone that says, "What is dive?" 

Do you like to swim?  How often do you go swimming?  Do you like to watch diving at the Olympics?

Ellii Videos: Conversations -- Going to a doctor

Health Problem Vocabulary

 

Words about ailments

Words about the body and medical equipment

Practice using a few words about symptoms on Learning Chocolate

Intermediate symptoms on Learning Chocolate

Do you work as a caregiver?  Study Vocabulary for Medical Reports and reading practice for CNAs

Election Day is soon!

Most of these videos are very challenging.  You may want to turn on CC-closed captioning and change playback speed to .75 

Long Challenging Video:  Virginia Decides

Quizlet: Political Vocabulary

Quizlet Vocabulary 

Quizlet: Political Terms

If you want to vote by issue or candidate rather than by party, you can get information about who's on the ballot from  Ballotpedia.  If you don't want to enter your home address, put in the address of the closest elementary school, and you can still get your information.  Once you have the names on the ballot, you can google the names and read their websites.  

Can you vote? Is voting in your country similar to voting here?

What issues (ideas that people argue about) are important to you?

Did politics affect your life? How?

Happy Halloween! Trick or Treat Customs

Introducing Halloween for ESL

Unite for Literacy:  Puppies in Costumes!

Rules and Customs for Trick or Treating

                                            

  Video: Tips for fun Jack O Lanterns

Do you enjoy Halloween?  What do you do?

http://www.elcivics.com/halloween.html

Halloween Vocabulary

Halloween Vocabulary Matching Game from www.esolcourses!

Halloween reading and gap-fill

I'm Alive

When do you feel happy?

Picking a costume for Halloween

 

I don't like the way these teens think so many costumes are boring, but it's good conversation practice.

Halloween Vocabulary

Do you celebrate Halloween?  What do you do?  Are you taking your children trick or treating?  What are they going to be?

Giving Directions in a car

 

Practice basic directions with Learning Chocolate Vocabulary

Listening Challenge:  The traffic ticket

Please stick with me!  Don't follow the advertising for Steve...

Where are your favorite places in Northern Virginia?  Are they easy to get to from Plum Center?

CHALLENGE: Cars

Are you learning to drive?  Here are some resources for English and driving!

Car Parts -- Use language guide to practice vocabulary!

Learning Chocolate Basic Vocabulary inside a car

Car Interior vocabulary practice with Learning Chocolate

Taking the Behind-the-Wheel Test

During COVID -- The driver is quite slow.

Many people recommend using turn signals even in the parking lot for the driving test.

documentation=paper.  You should bring your  insurance card.  You shouldn't bring your cell phone.

Be sure  = make certain = be careful to do

turn signal:   = 

Emergency flashers=hazard lights:  

The next video was made in Canada, but it has good advice for Virginia too!!

Quizlet Car Vocabulary (made by another teacher)

Practice Car Vocabulary with Learning Chocolate


Do you know how to drive?  If yes, when did you learn?  If no, how do you get to school?  

You're Beautiful!!

What do you wear when you want to be comfortable?

Do you have an outfit that makes you feel beautiful or handsome?

What does it look like? 

Practice Speaking and Listening Vocabulary for Women's Clothing
Speaking and Listening Vocabulary for Men's Clothing

Practice Vocabulary for Clothes and Accessories

Quiz on Common Vocabulary for Clothes and Accessories

"Flying high" can mean on drugs.  It can also mean be very happy.

1. Write about a beautiful person in your life.  How did you meet?  What does that person do?  

2. Write about a beautiful person you admire.  Why do you respect that person?

NO SCHOOL MONDAY, October 20 It's Diwali!

 

Did you ever see a Diwali celebration?  What did it look like?

 

What's your favorite holiday?  Do you usually go shopping before that holiday?  What do you buy?

What do you like to wear on your favorite holiday?

What are you wearing?

 

(Jumper has a different meaning in US English)

Basic Vocabulary Review and Listening Practice: Women's Clothing   men's clothing

LOTS of clothing vocabulary practice

What are you wearing now?

What do you like to wear in the winter?

What do you like to wear in the summer?

What do you usually wear to a party?

I seldom do that, but I'm doing it today!

 

What are you doing now?

What do you usually do on _______(this day of the week)?

Did you ever have to change your routine?  What happened?

Lady in Red-- Describe people with adjectives in the correct order (1. Opinion 2. Size 3. Color 4. Pattern 5. noun that you are describing)

When you describe clothing, use the adjective order: opinion, size, color, pattern.

(If there isn't a pattern, the word "plain" goes before the color.)

She's wearing a dramatic, long red sparkly dress.  I'm wearing a comfortable, large, plain blue tee-shirt.

Basic Vocabulary Review and Listening Practice: Women's Clothing   men's clothing

Basic Shopping Conversations (Despite American accents, this video uses a few British terms. Instead of lift, use elevator. Instead of trial room, we say fitting room  Instead of "make a bill," say, "ring this up.")  Most of the phrases are common in the USA too.

Challenge:  Explanations of Adjective Order and Difficult practice using all the categories

(NO SAS-C POMP= number, opinion, size, age, shape, color, pattern, origin, material, purpose)

Intermediate Level Shopping Conversation (Turn on CC if it's too fast...)

What is your favorite color?  What is your favorite season?  What's your favorite outfit?  

Describe what you wore when you looked really good.

What do you look like?

2 Minute English -- Descriptions in (Slow) Conversation

For this class, you only need Opinion--Size--Color--Pattern

It's difficult to find internet resources on adjective order that only have these categories.

It's also easy to find internet resources that are totally wrong about the order.

Advanced Class adjective order is NO SASC POMP -- Number Opinion Size Age Shape Color Pattern Origin Material Purpose  (I think numbers often replace articles and that an article (a-the-an) isn't an adjective)  Practice Adjective Order -- Advanced, but the easiest I found

Describe a good friend, a relative, and/or an outfit that you like to wear

Happy Indigenous Peoples Day ! We HAVE SCHOOL MONDAY! (Children don't.)

Government offices, banks, and libraries usually close today.  Restaurants and stores usually don't.  They are often crowded with people who don't have to work!  Sometimes, they offer good deals.

Sometimes schools close, sometimes they don't.

For 2025, our children don't have school, but we do.

Knowing that Native Americans were here before the English colonists and naming a few North American tribes is on the citizenship exam.  Most common tribes named include: ▪ Cherokee ▪ Navajo ▪ Sioux ▪ Chippewa ▪ Choctaw ▪ Pueblo ▪ Apache ▪ Iroquois ▪ Creek ▪ Blackfeet ▪ Seminole ▪ Cheyenne ▪ Arawak ▪ Shawnee ▪ Mohegan ▪ Huron ▪ Oneida ▪ Lakota ▪ Crow ▪ Teton ▪ Hopi ▪ Inuit

Did you celebrate Columbus Day or Indigenous People's Day?

What did you do?

What did you wear?

We have school on Monday

 Fairfax County children don't have school, but we have school.  I'm going to be here.

Do you have a favorite day of the week?  Do you have a favorite season?  Write about it!

What are you going to do this week?

 

Practice future with going to

What do you want to do this weekend?

What do you have to do this weekend?

What are you going to do this weekend?

Happy Chuseok! (Korean holiday during the Autumnal Equinox)

 

Challenge: Ellii handout that I might use in class

Did you do anything special today?  What did you eat?  Did you ever celebrate a holiday about the moon, about harvest, or about the Equinox?

NO SCHOOL ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2-- It's Yom Kippur!

Fairfax County Schools are off for a religious holiday.  I think this Children's book has a nice explanation for our level, but some of the activities are hard to see.  Is it easy for you to understand?

Do you celebrate Yom Kippur?  If yes, what are you doing today?

If not, do you have any traditions that involve fasting?  How often do you fast?  Do you have any traditions that involve saying, "I'm sorry?"  Do you have any traditions that involve praying?

Great job on the repeat Kahoot!

I was very worried that I might keep you late on a Friday.  I'm sorry I didn't show who won the second Kahoot in class!  Here's a screen shot of the winners! 

Explanation and practice: conjunctions

Practice sorting regular past tense verbs by the sound of ed

Do you like to play Kahoot?   Do want to try this one at home?  Kahoot about and, but, or.  

Here's a link to the other Kahoots we did!   Kahoot for pronouncing ed.

On the night shift

 Shift can mean move a little.  Shift can be a simple dress or a slip.  In our book, shift is a set of hours.  Businesses that are open 24 hours per day -- hospitals, factories, 7 11-- have shift workers.

Shift work is typically morning shift from 7AM-3PM.  Afternoon shift is 3PM-11PM.  Night shift is from 11PM - 7AM.  When I did shift work, night shift workers got extra pay.

When I hear "night shift," I think of this song.  This song was popular right after Martin Gaye died.  I think that night shift might mean heaven in this song.

Did you ever work the night shift?  What did you do?

Where do you want to go?

 

Practice future with will

Where will you go this weekend?  

Where are the most beautiful places in the world?  Where do you want to travel to?   

When is a good time (season) to go to the places you like?  (I like Florida because I visited it in the winter.  My husband doesn't like Florida because he lived there during a very hot August.)

Happy New Year/Rosh Hashanah

 Do you celebrate Rosh Hashanah?  More than 30,000 people in Fairfax county will pray, reflect, and plan for a better year today.  

What do you usually do for New Years?  What can make this year better than last year?

Fall 2025 list of Kahoots

 Kahoot: Household Problems 

 Kahoot Verb tenses

Kahoot - future with be going to

Kahoot about kitchen vocabulary

Kahoot about health problems.

Prepositions of Time

have-has Kahoot.

Frequency adverb Kahoot

Identify present continuous vs. simple present

adjective order with a Kahoot.

Future with be going to

Sort by sound: Pronouncing ed

Conjunctions: and, but, or or

ID past or present.

Simple Past: Contrast positive and negative.

Present Continuous Verb Practice 

ID base verbs and practice actions at school

Farmer's Markets

Many students miss fresh food.  Some food in the USA is better for shipping with no damage than for tasting fresh and delicious.  We have many Farmer's Markets in this area.  You can see the big list here or under "community."

Listening (end of class on Wednesday & the beginning of class on Friday)

 

Can you type?  Can you program a computer?  Can you draw?  Can you make jewelry?  What are your best skills?  What are your most unusual skills?

We use "can" to talk about skills

We often use  can _______(base form verb -- swim, drive, cook, run, be calm....) when we talk about skills.  People use can at work and to get a new job often.

My husband loves the movie, "Aliens"  I think it is scary and disgusting.  I like this scene and this scene shows people using can ______(base form verb)

I feel like a fifth wheel means I feel I am not necessary.
Be my guest is an old way to say yes to a request.

Practice Vocabulary with some job skills

Ripley surprises her colleagues.  Do you have skills that surprise people?  One of my students can catch fish with his hands,  and another student can make a heart with cream in her coffee.

You can do this hard thing

 

Practice can, could, & be able to

What are your favorite skills?  What hard things can you do?

Welcome!

Welcome to English Class!  

I post songs and questions.

Please write answers to the questions in the comments or on paper to turn in.

Please listen to songs. When I post a song you like, repeat listening to it until you can sing it.

Sometimes the songs are fast and challenging, and sometimes they are slow.

I also put many links to any website that looks helpful for our level.

On a phone, you need to go to the bottom of the page, and press "view web version" 

to see and use the links.  I usually update the class vocabulary after class.

If you love a helpful website, please tell me about it.

Welcome to English class!  What is your name?  When did you come to the USA?  What are your goals for this class?  How can I make this class excellent for you?

No Food in Class

 I'm very sad about this new rule.  I think eating together at breaktime and talking about it is one of the best ways to practice English.  We can only have covered drinks.  We can eat outside.

I like fajitas, chili, and kung pao chicken more than cheeseburgers and hot dogs.  

What are your favorite things to eat?  What food is good for health?  What food is good for picnics?  What food is good for holidays?  What food is not good for you?  Why?

Winter 2026 Homework

Winter 2026 Homework -- Use English, read, and study vocabulary!   Look for today's date below for the written homework and main ideas to keep up with the class.  

  Winter 2026 Vocabulary 1      

2 Winter 2026 Vocabulary 2  

Study 3 Winter 2026 Vocabulary 3

Kahoots So Far!  (Links only work for two weeks )

I hope you can finish the written homework quickly. I want it to help you remember vocabulary and grammar patterns.  Research shows that taking a break and then reviewing is really good for memory. Testing yourself is good studying. Using English in real life is your best homework.

SB=blue book          WB=white book

For Thursday, February 26:  Do WB p. 49.  Study 3 Winter 2026 Vocabulary 3. Study health problems: ailments (We didn't do many of these in class yet.)  Study irregular verbs with a past=past participle that rhymes with red dress.  (pepper)  and 80 irregular verbs.

2-25 Today was reading day.  We did the reading in the student book for Unit 4.  We divided into groups.  Green group did extra work towards reading appointment cards and medicine labels.  Citizenship talked about remembering which document is which.  Blue group read news about health and practiced a conversation about doing triage in an emergency room.  Some students turned in  this worksheet on Health Vocabulary: front back.

For Wednesday, February 25, do this worksheet on Health Vocabulary: front back.  Study reading vocabulary: Quizlet Group: Green Vocabulary OR Citizenship Quizlet Vocabulary  OR  Quizlet Link:  Blue (1) Group.  Study 3 Winter 2026 Vocabulary 3

2-24 We talked about our weekends and wrote about a classmate's weekend in chronological order using ordinal numbers.  did p. 51 in the student book.  We reviewed and practiced should ______(base verb)  We played a Kahoot - Health problems and practiced our new 3 Winter 2026 Vocabulary 3.

We didn't have school on Monday.

For Monday, February 23: Do WB p. 44-45.  Study 3 Winter 2026 Vocabulary 3.  Read!

if you have time (and didn't already give it to me), write a description of someone you like (NOT ME) and/or 7 sentences using at least one word from 2 Winter 2026 Vocabulary 2 .  If you have time, please finish a reading packet and study today's reading vocabulary: Quizlet Group: Green Vocabulary OR Citizenship Quizlet Vocabulary  OR  Quizlet Link:  Blue (1) Group.

2-20 Today we reviewed health vocabulary and studied how to use the modal, "should."  Should goes with base verbs.  We did a Kahoot to practice "should."

For Friday, February 20:  Do WB p. 42 and think about what you want to do this weekend.   Study 3 Winter 2026 Vocabulary 3

If you have time (and didn't already give it to me), write a description of someone you like (NOT ME) and/or 7 sentences using at least one word from 2 Winter 2026 Vocabulary 2 .  If you have time, please finish a reading packet and study today's reading vocabulary: Quizlet Group: Green Vocabulary OR Citizenship Quizlet Vocabulary  OR  Quizlet Link:  Blue (1) Group.

2-19 Today, we did SB 44-45 and talked about health issues and vocabulary.  We did partner dictations with the picture. We played Quizlet Live in teams with  2 Winter 2026 Vocabulary 2   We have a new Quizlet flashcard set --  3 Winter 2026 Vocabulary 3.  We did a teacher dictation and reviewed past vs. present.

For Thursday, February 19: If you didn't already, turn in a written description of someone you like (NOT ME) and/or 7 sentences using at least one word from 2 Winter 2026 Vocabulary 2 .  If you have time, please finish a reading packet and study today's reading vocabulary: Quizlet Group: Green Vocabulary OR Citizenship Quizlet Vocabulary  OR  Quizlet Link:  Blue (1) Group.

2-17 Today was reading & Citizenship group day.  We practiced pronouncing C again.  We read about a runner with a prosthetic leg that ran across the country to raise money for the American Cancer Society.  We read about a married couple that were separated by Stalin's government 3 days after their wedding, but reunited in their 80s. We read about a couple that got carjacked.  We learned about the 13 Colonies Bill of Rights and Constitution. 

For Wednesday, February 18.  Look at your book. Which unit do you want to do next?  Come and vote tomorrow!!  Study your reading words:  Quizlet Group: Green Vocabulary OR Citizenship Quizlet Vocabulary  OR  Quizlet Link:  Blue (1) Group.

If you have time, study collocations on p. 43 (Make or do),  new vocabulary and old  vocabulary words.  If you don't know them, study irregular verbs with a past that sounds like olive sock  and/or 80 irregular verbs.

2-17 Today, we talked about noun modifiers. When a noun comes before and describes another noun it's always singular even when it seems crazy to be singular.  Use a hyphen - and NO S for 3-day weekend, four-door car,  eight-year old child, 18-floor building.  If the same idea is NOT before a noun, don't use a hyphen and put on the s.  Our weekend was three days.  My car has four doors.  That building has eighteen floors.

We played games to practice correctly using past and present verbs with correct time phrases. (I held hands with my husband last Saturday.  We often hold hands) The games also practiced make vs. do.

We talked a tiny bit about Tet, Mardi Gras, and fasting.  (Many Muslims and Christians will fast tomorrow.  Please don't bring delicious food.)

For Tuesday, February 17:  Write about a person.  What does the person look like? (Describe appearance)  What is the person like? (describe personality)  What does the person like? (Describe preferences and favorite activities)

Study collocations on p. 43 (Make or do),  new vocabulary and old  vocabulary words.  If you don't know them, study irregular verbs with a past that sounds like olive sock  and/or 80 irregular verbs.

2-13 Today, we read some poems -- a bad day, a bad meal, & personal questions.  We practiced spelling regular past tense with ed.  Student Presentation: Kabir talked about spelling with ed.  Vowel Y, just add ed.  Consonant Y - NO Y -ied.  I reviewed the 1-1-1 version of the CVC - CVCC spelling rule.  One syllable words with 1 vowel usually use the short sound -- a (black cat) e (red dress) i (silver pin) o (olive sock) and u ( a cup of mustard).  Tram explained how to use the class website.  

Amparo brought a huge delicious birthday cake, and I wrote the names of the students who had/will have birthdays this term.  Students sang "happy birthday" to Nghia, Frozan, Nagat, Ampero, Hyck Jin, Orlanis, Pamela, & Tania (The students with birthdays in or near this Winter school term).  We did a long Kahoot about Unit 3  We filled in blanks for a Valentine's song.

For Friday, February 13- Pick 7 words from our new vocabulary.  What's the strong syllable?  What's the color vowel?  Write 7 sentences using the word.  Touch the color to hear the vowel sound.  

Study collocations on p. 43 (Make or do),  new vocabulary and old  vocabulary words.  If you don't know them, study irregular verbs with a past that sounds like olive sock  and/or 80 irregular verbs.

Today, we went over WB p. 34 & 35.  We used present tense with "usually" and past tense with last night and yesterday.  We talked about stressed syllables using SB p. 31.  We did color vowel "yoga." (stop at 1:44) We had presentations about the grammar and spelling we did when moms couldn't come because our children's schools started late.  Faroklagh talked about using make or do.  Hyck Jin talked about present tense and present continuous tense.  Hanan talked about past tense.  Oanh talked about CVC words. When a word ends in one vowel and one consonant (CVC) we often double the final consonant before ed or ing.  (Stop--stopped/stopping. )Never double w, x. or y.  Only double the last consonant if the last syllable is stressed. (occurred)   Don't double the final letter on unstressed syllables.  (Traveled, catered) Video: spelling with the suffix ED. Between the presentations, we did worksheets.

For Thursday, February 12-- If you have a presentation, prepare and practice it for tomorrow. Student List and Presentation Topics. If you don't have a presentation, do or study p. 34 and 36.  Do you understand?  Do you have any questions? 

Study collocations on p. 43,  new vocabulary and old  vocabulary words.   

2-11 Today, we went over SB 42 & WB p. 40.  Some students prepared for the presentations tomorrow. We talked about cars and cell phones.  Our Citizenship Group studied the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln, and George Washington's story of the Cherry Tree.  We don't have school Monday. President's Day on Monday Celebrates Lincoln and Washington.  The reading group played a game to practice listening, pronouncing, and seeing different spellings for the Olive Sock AW sound.  The Blue (1) Reading Group read about a Cell phone ban in Australia while the Green & Blue 2 Reading groups read about a man that fell in love at first sight, but his feelings were not returned. (He got "friendzoned.")  Then the whole reading group read about the origin of Valentine's Day.

 For Wednesday, February 11 -- Do WB p. 40 & SB p. 42. Study collocations on p. 43,  new vocabulary and old  vocabulary words.   

I challenged the students who came last week to teach everybody what I taught.  I hope that if you teach, you can remember.  Student List and Presentation Topics.

Study reading vocabulary:  Quizlet Group: Green Vocabulary OR Citizenship Quizlet Vocabulary  OR  Quizlet Link:  Blue (1) Group.

Study 80 irregular verbs  if you don't know them.

2-10-26 Today, we practiced common collocations with make, do, play, & go.  We did a partner dictation, Present Continuous (be ____ing for NOW) practice with housecleaning, and page 43 in the student book.  I spent time on the differences between make and do, because in many languages, it's "one word, not 2."  (Quote from fluency MC)  Collocations aren't always logical.  Students often need to relax, repeat, and memorize them.

For Tuesday, February 10 --  Do WB p. 37. Study new vocabulary and old  vocabulary words.   Study 80 irregular verbs  if you don't know them.

2-9 Today, we talked about using chronological order.  When we write in school, it's often good to put things in order by time.  We always use chronological order when we talk about daily routines (present tense) and we usually use chronological order when we describe a good or bad day.  We practiced using irregular verbs (SB p. in past tense.  We continued to practice contrasting simple past tense with simple present tense verbs.

For Monday, February 9:  Do WB p. 34 & 35.  Study new vocabulary and old  vocabulary words.   Study Irregular Verbs on p. 34 if you don't know them.

2-6-26 Today we practiced using past tense with last & yesterday while using present tense with usually. We did a Kahoot to identify present or past. Safaa brought a delicious homemade snack for break.  We did a poll about the Superbowl.  

We practiced the spelling rules for adding ed.  We usually just add ed: washed, waited, worked.  If the base form ends in e, just add d (hope--hoped. skate-skated) NO EED.  If the base form ends with a stressed (strong) sound AND one vowel and one consonant -- CVC -- double the last letter.  hop -- hopped, plan-- planned, prefer -- preferred.  If the base form is 2 or more syllables and the last sound is NOT strong, don't double: visited, opened.  Also, never double x or y -- taxed, played.  If the base form ends in consonant y change the y to i  -- worry-worried, study--studied, hurry--hurried.

Use any instead of some with negative verbs.  I want some dinner.  I don't want any candy.  She has something to tell you.  He doesn't have anything to say. 

For Friday, February 6: Do p. 38 in the Student (blue) Book. Study Verbs from Unit 3 p. 34 in Ventures,  Study new vocabulary and old  vocabulary words.  Make sure that WB p. 33 is finished.  Do you know these 80 irregular verbs?

2-5-26 Today, we reviewed simple present and frequency adverbs with conversation questions and a "find someone who."  We went over the rules for simple past with a slide show.  We reviewed vocabulary and did a short vocabulary quiz. We played a Kahoot that contrasted positive and negative past verbs.

For Thursday, February 5: Study Verbs from Unit 3 p. 34 in Ventures,  Study new vocabulary and old  vocabulary words.  Make sure that WB p. 33 is finished.  Do you know these 80 irregular verbs?

2-4 Today, we had a citizenship group and a reading group until break.  After break, the reading group practiced past tense questions and talked, while the citizenship group read a story. We wrote about Monday contrasting our everyday routine with last Monday.  When we use for gardening or making a hole, we use the verb "dig." When we use a shovel to clear snow, we use "shovel" as a verb.

 For Wednesday, February 4 Do p. 32 & 33 in the Workbook.  Study new vocabulary and old  vocabulary words.

2-3-26  Today, we used past tense to talk about our week off.  We reviewed how to do past tense.  Add ed to regular verbs or memorize irregular verbs for past forms.  We only use past forms for positive statements,. Use base forms with did and didn't.  We did p. 33,34, & 35 in the student book.

On Snow Days, use English to listen, speak, read, & write.  Sing some of the songs on the class website while pointing to the words, and/or write answers to the questions.  We have online reading classes on Ellii.com -- Go to this post and scroll down to pick a class.  If you choose to do this activity, don't spend money, just sign up.

For Monday, January 26:  Do p. 30 in the workbook.  Study vocabulary words.  If you have time, write answers to the questions with the songs on the class website.  We're going to have a new Quizlet set for vocabulary soon.

1-23 Today, we practiced adverb placement (Maybe goes first.  Probably:  Will probably, but probably won't.  Most likely: Will most likely, but most likely won't.)  We started Unit 3 and described the picture on p. 32.  We played a Kahoot and a sentence game.

For Friday, January 23:  Study Unit 2.  Write 5 sentences using at least 5 vocabulary words that I wrote on the little white board this term.  If the Kahoot was difficult, do it again.

1-22 We finished Unit 2 by going over old homework (WB 24,25,26,27).  We described two pictures. I introduced Ventures Arcade -- quick games to practice the grammar and vocabulary in our book.  We did Book 2, unit 2. We also played a long Kahoot about Unit 2.

For Thursday, January 22:  Study Unit 2.  Make sure you completed Unit 2 in the workbook.  Study vocabulary.

1-21 Today, we had three groups, and two volunteers to work with me. 

• Citizenship talked about the flag and the colonies and the Citizenship Questions about the flag. Citizenship Quizlet Vocabulary  Online Citizenship on Ellii.com 
• Green group talked about the phonics rules and the Flu.  When the letter C is before a e, i, or y, it sounds like S in SIT.  (ice, city, spicy)  When the letter G is before e, i, or y, it usually sounds soft like the J in jam or the G in George.  We identified the main idea in the Flu article.  Quizlet Group: Green Vocabulary  Invite:  Green Group on Ellii.com // Phonics Awareness Class
• Blue (1) group met MaryAnn, my volunteer.  They read about some people with goals and about George Washington.  Please tell me subjects that you are interested in.  MaryAnn, my volunteer, likes discussion questions.  Quizlet Link:  Blue (1) Group   ellii.com/students 82449N

I pay for a subscription to Ellii.com to get materials for reading.  My subscription allows me to have unlimited students in independent online classes.  You are welcome to sign up.  You don't have to pay because I already did.  

For Wednesday, January 21, Do WB p. 28 and the worksheet about tenses.  You don't have to do all the exercises on the QR codes.  Study Unit 2.  We'll probably have a quiz on Thursday.

1-20  We played with verb tenses.  (What's a verb? an action word.  What's a verb tense?  The form -- spelling or extra words -- that show the time of action. )Today, I introduced past tense.   For regular verbs, add ed to make a past form. Irregular verbs are memorized.  Past form is only for positive statements.  We use base form with Did for questions and with didn't for negative statements.  Sometimes the ed sounds like /t/. (Worked, cooked watched.) We talked about our activities last weekend.  Examples:  She went to an Iranian school.  He went to church.  She didn't go to church.  They stayed home and relaxed.  She had guests.  She visited her friend.  

Then we practiced using future with going to then matching questions and answers with three tenses for future:  Future with going to, future with will, and present continuous We did p. 29 in both the student book and the workbook.  We identified and matched tenses for questions and answers. 

For Tuesday, January 20, do the worksheets: An International actor &  We're hungry so we're going to eat.  Read in English.  Study Unit 2. Make sure you finished  WB p. 18-27. Study vocabulary.  If you don't already know ordinal numbers and prepositions of time, practice them.

Since there's no school for Martin Luther King Jr. day on Monday, we read about Martin Luther King Jr.'s life today.  He was well educated. He worked at a church. He was an excellent speaker.  He believed in civil rights -- that laws should be good and apply to everybody equally. He worked for non-violent change.  Some people that didn't like his ideas were very violent, and one of those people killed him.  His leadership helped pass new laws in the USA: including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which banned segregation and employment discrimination, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which protected Black voter registration, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968 which banned the practice of not allowing people to buy houses in some neighborhoods ("redlining").

We had a spelling quiz for days of the week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.  We practiced future with be going to.  We did a Kahoot for future.  The Kahoot used might.  Might means maybe will.  We did a song.  Shall is a very old English word that means "will."  When boys are named after their dad (have the same name as their father), the father is Sr. (senior) and the son is Jr. (junior.)

NO SCHOOL MONDAY

For Friday, January 16, 2026:  Do Workbook p. 26-27.  Study spelling for the days of the week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. (Practice recognizing)  Study vocabulary.  If you don't already know ordinal numbers and prepositions of time, practice them.

1-15-26 We read a chant that used future with going to ____(base verb).  We reviewed beginning level ordinal numbers with dates and steps. (Video on pronouncing ordinal numbers.) We reviewed prepositions of time with a Kahoot .

For Thursday, January 15, 2026: Do Workbook (white book) p. 24 & 25.  Study vocabulary. Study spelling: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.  Study vocabulary. Study spelling: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. 

For spelling: Do the word search and say the letters out loud starting with the first letter.  Copy the word until you can write it without looking.  Write two sentences using the word.;  (examples:)I usually work on Monday.  It's hard to wake up on Monday morning.  She never works on Sunday. He doesn't go jogging on Sunday.

1-14 Today, we talked about the difference between at the moment  (NOW) and in a moment (VERY SOON). We wrote sentences.  We started with routines with "every".  Example:  I read a book every evening.  She works every afternoon.  Then we used future with will.  I will read a book tonight.  She will work tomorrow afternoon.  We practiced want to ____(BASE verb) vs. wants to ______(Base verb).  We pronounced the difference between vacation and vocation.  We practiced the names of some vocational courses on SB p. 25.  We reviewed adverb placement:  Maybe goes first!  Maybe, I'll exercise in a moment.  Maybe, I won't get there on time.  Maybe, I'll take a nap.  Probably goes AFTER will.  I'll probably work for another hour.  I probably won't go to Florida this afternoon.  Most likely is just like probably.  He will most likely be on time.  She'll most likely be late.  They probably won't get enough sleep.

I mentioned non-action verbs because someone wanted to say, I'm seeing her.  I told her to say, I'm looking at her or I see her.  I'm seeing her means I'm dating her.  Some verbs are never or rarely used in a continuous (progressive) verb test.  The five senses: see, hear, feel, smell, and taste all have times when they are in present tense even when the time is NOW -- especially if you include a description or opinion. (Peek-a-boo, I see you.  I hear you. The soup tastes salty. This desk feels smooth.  That shirt feels soft.) The most common non-action verbs are have, want, need, and like.  I didn't talk about have which can be non-action or normal depending on its meaning.  When have means own, it's non-action.  When have means eat or enjoy, it's normal.  (I have a pen right now.  She's having a snack right now.  We are having a good time at the moment.)

  For Wednesday, January 14:  Do WB p. 22-23.  Study vocabulary.

Today, we practiced future with will especially saying "it'll ____(base verb)  We use it'll for weather forecasts and estimates.  We did a Kahoot about will/won't, and reviewed vocabulary.

For Tuesday, January 13:  Do this worksheet: Yes & No.  If you don't understand how, underline the verb then use the same verb in the other column.  On the left, the verb should be positive in present. (plays/plays) On the right, the verb should be negative in present. (doesn't play/don't play)  

What's simple present?  It's a verb tense -- a typical pattern/spelling of action words that shows time -- simple present is usually the base verb or (he/she/it) verb+s or es.  We use it for schedules (I work at 9:00 on Sunday.  He works on Friday.), routines (I wake up at 5:15 AM), facts (The buses are yellow) & frequency. (She always does her homework.  She sometimes eats rice.  She never eats pork.)

We often use simple present form verbs with frequency adverbs: always, usually, sometimes, rarely, seldom, never.  We often use future verbs with the adverbs "maybe," "probably" and "most likely."  Use "most likely" just like "probably."  

Word order advice:  Put MAYBE first.  Examples: Maybe, I'll cook dinner, or maybe, I'll eat out.  Maybe, you'll do all your homework.  Maybe, she won't understand.  Maybe, it'll rain this week.  Maybe, we'll have time to play more games.

Put PROBABLY before won't, but after will. Examples: We probably won't have time to read all the stories I want.  She probably won't come before her doctor's appointment.  He probably won't get a new job tomorrow.  We probably won't allow pets in the classroom.  I'll probably come to class tomorrow.  We'll probably play a game.  He'll probably win the first Quizlet game, but she'll probably win the Kahoot.

Use MOST LIKELY just like PROBABLY.  Examples:  We'll most likely improve our English a lot.  They most likely won't pass the Reading Test.  (They need 20 points to move up to the next level, and 5 points will most likely take more than 50 hours of reading.)

1-12-2026  Today, we reviewed and practiced simple present tense verbs using Kahoot.  Kahoot: Do or Does,  Kahoot: present simple.  We talked about verb tenses.  

I talked about when to add s or es for plural nouns or 3rd person singular simple present verbs.  Most of the time, just add s.  If the last letter is O or the last letters sound like S (ss, sh ,ch, x), use es.  Go -- goes, kiss-kisses, wish-wishes, tax-taxes)

In English, description words are always singular, even when it's really crazy for them to be singular.

For Monday, January 12:  Do p. 22 in the blue student book.  Think about your schedule.  If future with will is difficult for you, watch the videos and do these exercises: Simple Future with Will.  

1-9-26  We did a Kahoot to practice will and won't.  We use three different verb tenses  to talk about the future in this class.  You can use present continuous (be ___ing) for now or for a future you feel sure about.  (I'm typing right now.  After I finish, I'm driving home.)  Make sure the time is clear and the action is sure if you use present continuous for the future.  We usually use present continuous for NOW.  (I'm working now.  He's driving now.  They're practicing at home.)(Future: I'm driving home after class. He's working tomorrow.  I'm going shopping next Saturday. She's making deliveries tomorrow morning.  She's going to Egypt next Summer.  They're getting new jobs after they finish this class.)

Use be going to _____base verb for a future that you already planned.  Casually, people write be gonna ____(base verb) because that's how be going to ____(base verb) sounds when we speak it in the USA.  Do NOT say gonna to--the na in gonna is the to.  Do not skip the 1st verb "to be" (am, are, is) in a formal situation even though many native speakers seem to not use it.  It's a signal that you are well-educated. (Example: I'm probably going to explain future verbs again.  You're going to practice English.  He's going to come early.  She's going to be late.  We're going to work hard.  They're going to learn a LOT.  

Will _______(base verb) is good for any future sentence.  We always use it when we first volunteer or talk about possibilities.  Maybe I'll finish this book  Maybe you'll get bored.  Maybe he'll go to DC.  Maybe, she'll go the party.  Maybe we'll enjoy food.  Maybe they'll be on time.

What's a verb tense? (verb tense is the grammar word for the correct patterns of spelling and helping verbs for action words.  Grammar tense patterns give information about time and should ALWAYS match time phrases.  (Examples: I work every day.  I worked yesterday.  I will work tomorrow.  I'm working right now.)

We practiced the sounds of the color vowel chart.  We practiced listening for the difference between "rose boat" won't and "cup of mustard" want.  We did a survey using "want to" and a dictation to conversation.

For Friday, January 9:  Workbook p. 21.  Study vocabulary..  Study the color vowel chart.  Each color vowel color makes one vowel sound.  The chart shows all the vowel (open voiced) sounds in English.

Want more homework?  Please read in English.  You can sing with lyric videos, find things to read here or join one of my reading groups on Ellii.com.  

Ellii.com requires sign up, but I already paid, so you should not pay.  If you want, go to  https://ellii.com/students  Our 1st level code = 7DS6SB,  Our regular level reading code is 82449N.  If you have great English reading skills, try code 6GS2JJ.  If you want to read to prepare for citizenship, use class code MSAU4L  

Want grammar? Study simple present verb tense.  We practice simple present when we contrast "I want to understand" with "She wants to understand."  

1-8  Today, we did  WB 19 and went over WB p. 20.  We did a reading on SB p. 24.  I introduced the color vowel chart.  (Color vowel chart links to a Youtube.com video from Karen Taylor--one of the creators of the color vowel chart-- who explains what it is.  Don't believe her when she says your brain stops you from hearing any sound.  Believe that it's really difficult to hear and say sounds that are not  in your native language)  

I like to use the color vowel chart to explain and remember how to pronounce words in English.  English has 5 vowels, but at least 14 vowel sounds.  The chart has one color for every vowel sound.

For Thursday, January 8  Do Workbook p. 20.

1-7-26 Today, we did WB 18 & 19.  We did SB p. 19.  I showed the links for homework, vocabulary and to learn typing on the student website.  We talked about using "too" to agree with positive statements, "either" to agree with negative statements, and "actually" to disagree or signal that we changed our mind.  (Video with examples.  Spell hamburger,  "hamburger" not like the video) We played a game to practice simple present, to after like, I like ___(Nouns) vs. I like to ____(verbs) and agreeing and disagreeing.

For Wednesday, January 7: Do workbook p. 18.  Study vocabulary.

1-6-26 Today, we talked and wrote about the picture on SB p. 18.  We did the listening on p. 19.  Some people took the reading test.  Other people talked about goals and listened to the song, "Desperado."  

For Tuesday, January 6, 2026:  Study vocabulary and do the worksheet - page 1 & page 2

1-5-26 Today, we introduced ourselves to each other.  We got textbooks.  We talked about the class.  Nouns are names of people, places, things, & ideas.  Verbs are = or action.  Use base verbs (no ing, no s, no past form) after will or after want to.  We use "to" between like/want and verbs   I like chocolate./I like to eat.  I like Bachata./I like to dance.  I like books./I like to read.  She wants to learn spelling, but he wants to practice listening. They both want their books.  He wants to learn grammar rules, but she doesn't.  

Fall 2025 Homework

List of Kahoots                                 

I hope the written homework can be finished quickly. I want it to help you remember vocabulary and grammar patterns.  Research shows that taking a break and then reviewing is really good for memory. Testing yourself is good studying. Using English in real life is your best homework.

Homework for Friday, November 21:  If you have time and/or money, make or buy food to bring to the class party tomorrow.  Please come.

11-20 Today we used "Let's ____(base verb)" to suggest activities.  We did a lyrics cloze to "Let's go fly a kite."  We did SB 120 & 121 & WB p. 113.  We did Kahoot: Household Problems & Kahoot Verb tenses

Homework for Thursday, November 20: Write an email to me at PimteacherLaurie@gmail.com  Imagine you live in a terrible place.  Write a letter of complaint similar to the letters on WB p. 111 or SB p. 118

11-19 Today was reading day.  We did WB 108, WB 110, WB 111, and SB p. 118.  Red & Blue Group read about Johnnie's terrible apartment search experience.

Green & Blue group practiced short and long vowel sounds. Long vowels sound like their name (Green tea E, Gray Day A, White tie I, Blue moon U, Rose boat O)  Vowels followed by vowels often say their name -- they are long vowels.  (Green tea: reach, steal, feel, heel, we'll, wheel)  A vowel followed by two consonants often uses its short (punch in the stomach) sound  Silver pin: rich, still, fill, hill, will.  Long vowel A=Gray day: chase, fade, shade, age, tail.)(Short sound E = red dress = chess, fed, shed, edge, tell)

We read about Thanksgiving.

Homework for Wednesday, November 19:  WB p. 106 & 109.  Study  5 Fall 2025 Vocabulary 5.  Study reading day vocabulary: Green and blue vocabulary or Red and Blue Vocabulary.

11-18  Today we did SB 117, WB p. 107.  We used the format from p. 114 to speak and write recommendations for many of the categories on the bottom of p. 115.  I showed people the "students recommend" section of this website.  My class website and the online reading groups on Ellii.com are always available to my students even after your class session is over.

 Ellii requires registration and has NO connection to Fairfax County Public Schools.  I subscribe because I want to use some of their teaching materials.  My subscription allows me to have online student groups.  You don't need to join to do well in my class or get promoted, but two of my former students improved their reading while practicing on Ellii.com

www.ellii.com Code V3THWG (green group in class)

www.ellii.com Blue code is 409LSL 

www.ellii.com Red code is 166GS2JJ 

www.ellii.com Citizenship code is MSAU4L

www.ellii.com Phonic Awareness is KXW84H

www.ellii.com English for Nursing Assistants is 4S5BCR

Homework for Tuesday, November 18 SB 115 -- Using suggestions on p. 115, write recommendations on a paper for me,  Example:  I recommend Backlick Road Service Station because their gas is relatively cheap. 

11-17  We did WB 104 & 105.  SB 116 and SB 114 & the top of 115.

Homework for Monday, November 17: Do WB 104 & 105.

11-14:  Today, we practiced using modals (Can, could, will, would) for requests.  When you ask someone to do something for you, you can use any of these question words with a base verb.  They are interchangeable in this context. (SB 112-13)  Would is more formal than will.  Could is more formal than can.  All of them are okay in most situations.  

When you ask if someone wants something, you can only use would, as in Would you like a drink? Don't use can, could, or will with like.

An outlet in a house is an electrical outlet.  It's where you plug in your appliances.  Appliances are machines that use electricity to help with housework or cooking.

We practiced vocabulary with a Kahoot and with Quizlet Live.  We also practiced future with be going to with a chant and with a Kahoot.

Homework for Friday, November 14:  Do WB p. 102 & 104.  Study new vocabulary set 5 Fall 2025 Vocabulary 5.  Study verb tenses.

11-14 Today, we started Unit 9.  (We did SB p. 110-111)  We went over a LOT of vocabulary for the kitchen and problems in the kitchen.  (5 Fall 2025 Vocabulary 5.)  We did a writing assessment by writing about a time that we went to the park.

Homework for Thursday, November 13 -- Read over the things we read in class today.  Can you turn in the reading about Veteran's Day tomorrow?

11-13 Today was reading day.  We all practiced vocabulary and phrases used at dentists.  Green & Blue practiced BL and BR sounds.  Red & Blue read about a sushi chef.

NO SCHOOL Tuesday, November 11

Homework for Wednesday, November 12.  Read in English for at least twenty minutes.  (I gave out a reading on Veteran's Day, but you can read anything you want.  If you like children's books, some students improved their reading test scores after reading books on Uniteforliteracy,com )  Study reading day vocabulary: Green and blue vocabulary or Red and Blue Vocabulary.

11-10 We talked about our weekends.  We practiced using have to/must not/can't _____(base form) for rules.  We had three groups with 3 different discussion topics: rules for children, rules for employees, and rules for students.  We learned about how to register.  We took a vocabulary quiz.  We did a Kahoot about health problems.

If you are moving to high intermediate, start studying irregular verbs.

Homework for Monday, November 10:  Study 4 Fall 2025 Vocabulary for Vocabulary Quiz,  Do handout to practice have to & has to. Page 1 Page 2 Think about words for a doctor you like or a park that you like.  When did you last see the doctor or go to that park?

11-7 We took an  Employment Survey.  We practiced "have to/has to _____(base verb) and the difference between must not _____(base verb) and don't have to _____(base verb)  You have to practice to get good at English.  You must consider context when you learn new words. You don't have to translate every word to improve quickly. You must not teach people wrong grammar rules.  You don't have to come to every class to pass to the next level, but you have to respond to questions appropriately and quickly.  You also have to read pretty well.

We practiced beginning level prepositions (at a time, on a day/date, in a month/year) and added during and by.  Monica pointed out that we say on time to describe at the correct time - not late.  Use during for at the same extended time as and by to mean at and before the following time.  Our Kahoot was short, but a little difficult.  We usually don't use a preposition when is means =.

Homework for Friday, November 7 -- Handout about emergencies. Page 1,  Page 2 = the back

11-6  We did a worksheet describing an emergency with present continuous verbs and there was and there were.  Use there was followed by a singular noun:  There was an accident.  There was a dog.  There was a man.  

Use there were followed by plural nouns:  There were many accidents.  There were a lot of dogs.  There were some men.

We had conversation groups that talked about health and food.  We played Quizlet Live in teams using 4 Fall 2025 Vocabulary

Homework for Thursday, November 6 - Try Reepworld Medicine.  It works better on a computer or a tablet than on a phone.  

11-5 Today was reading day!  There are new words on your reading day vocabulary sets: Green and blue vocabulary or Red and Blue Vocabulary.

NO SCHOOL TUESDAY November 4

Homework for Wednesday, November 5: Study vocabulary set 4.  Study your reading day vocabulary: Green and blue vocabulary or Red and Blue Vocabulary. If you have time to do the Reading Packet, please do it and ask questions about anything you don't understand.  If you don't have time, please don't copy the answers to give it to me.  Also, if you can, try Reepworld Health-- Medicines.  Pills are both tablets and capsules.

11-3  We wrote about our weekend.  We read about Carl's nausea and medical appointment at a clinic.  We did a have-has Kahoot.  Everyone did really well for the positive sentences.  We did the substitution drill practice, "What's the matter?" (The one I explained on Thursday, but we didn't do)  We did listening fill-in-the-blank worksheets for Herbert's Party and Doctor, Doctor.

Homework for Monday, November 3: Study vocabulary set 4. Read in English for twenty minutes a day. (Anything that's interesting!)  If you have time, I want you to do Reepworld Health-- Prescriptions for Wednesday.

Need something to read?  These links go from easy to hard. Tell me if any of them don't work for you.  Children's books are on Unite Books - one student who read these with her daughter improved a LOT on our reading test. You can join reading groups on Ellii.com.  You can get books at a library. DO NOT PAY $$$.  f

 Ellii requires registration.  You don't need it for my class, but two of my former students improved their reading a LOT by practicing on Ellii.com

www.ellii.com Code V3THWG (green group in class)

www.ellii.com Blue code is 409LSL 

www.ellii.com Red code is 166GS2JJ 

10-31 Aziza brought Halloween candy for everyone.  We wrote about what we're looking forward to.  Usually verbs after to have to be base form, but in this expression they are gerunds -- the ing form.  I'm looking forward to sleeping late on Tuesday.  I'm looking forward to seeing you soon.  I'm looking forward to the party.  We talked about the weather -- a five day forecast.  Carlos showed us the math to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius.  We practiced answering, What's the forecast with it'll be sunny, it'll rain, it'll be partly cloudy.  We can also answer with it's supposed to be sunny.  It's supposed to rain.  It's supposed to be partly cloudy.  We reviewed health problems, and played a game to practice talking about remedies using "You should ____(base form)". You should put ice on it.  You should eat chicken soup.  You should go to the doctor.  You should take medicine.   We read a story about a sick guy that felt that he needed to stay to work.  We had conversation questions about health.  (One small group did conversation questions about Halloween.) We did a partner dictation about the time change this weekend.  We filled in the blanks on the lyrics to "Shallow."

Homework for Friday, October 31 --  Study New vocabulary set 4. Read in English for twenty minutes.  Need something to read?  These links go from easy to hard.  You can join reading groups on Ellii.com.  You can get books at a library. DO NOT PAY $$$. 

www.ellii.com Code V3THWG (green)

www.ellii.com Blue code is 409LSL

www.ellii.com Red code is 166GS2JJ

10-30 Today, we took a quick vocabulary quiz, and we talked about health problems.  We had a LOT of new words, so I'm starting a new vocabulary set: 4 Vocabulary set 4.

Homework for Thursday, October 30  Study  vocabulary set 3 for a quiz.

10-29 We added a lot to Green and blue vocabulary or Red and Blue Vocabulary.

Today was reading day.  Green & blue group practiced speaking and reading about the weather.  We also read about some farmers who bought a lamb 36 times to help the seller pay her medical bills.  Red & Blue group read and talked about preventing heart attacks, diet, and superstitions.  We added a lot to Green and blue vocabulary or Red and Blue Vocabulary.

Homework for Wednesday, October 29 - Study your reading day vocabulary!  Green and blue vocabulary or Red and Blue Vocabulary. If you want more to read and listen to, sign up for my (free to you) online reading groups.

www.ellii.com Code V3THWG (green)

www.ellii.com Blue code is 409LSL

www.ellii.com Red code is 166GS2JJ

Mary Ann's group vocabulary is at  Red and Blue Vocabulary.   

10-28 Today, we went over the rest of Unit 1 in the workbook.  We played Quizlet Live.  We did an online grammar quiz. We played a game to practice present continuous verbs & changing verbs to match a time phrase.  We took a  unit 1 quiz.

Homework for Tuesday, October 28-  Study Unit 1 for a quiz.  I want you to be able to identify and use opinion-size-color-pattern-noun for clothing descriptions. (SB p. 8)  Use length-type-color for hair.  I also want you able to correctly use simple present and present continuous verbs (SB p. 10) We'll have the Vocabulary 3 quiz on Thursday.

10-27 Today, we practiced contrasting and using simple present and present continuous verbs.  We talked about using have.  When have means "own," it's never present continuous.  We can say, "I have this pencil right now,"  Don't say "I'm having this pencil right now.  Most other verbs are present continuous right now:  I'm talking right now.  I'm working right now.  You usually shouldn't use simple present right now:  I work right now.  I talk right now.  She's having a baby=she is pregnant.  No "having" for children after that.  He's having a party means he's hosting a party.

If the meaning is enjoy or eat, have is normal -- Present continuous now:  I'm having a snack right now.   Simple present for routine: I have snacks every afternoon.  We did a Kahoot to contrast simple present and present continuous.

Homework for Monday, October 27-- Do the worksheet. Study vocabulary set 3.  Study Unit 1 -- practice using adjective order and contrasting simple present with present continuous.  Write me an email that describes a famous person, friend, or relative at pimteacherlaurie@gmail.com 

Today, we practiced writing and listening.  We reviewed low intermediate adjective order:  opinion, size, color pattern noun.  We talked about two exceptions:  north American native people often say " big beautiful" and "big ugly" but that's not in the "right" order.  We wrote descriptions of our classmates and guessed who they were.  We read the email on p. 12.  We played Quizlet live.  We talked about new words.  We did a partner dictation and a fill-in-the-blank song.

Homework for Friday, October 24 -- Do workbook p. 14 & 17. Study vocabulary set 3.   Notice that we're almost finished with Unit 1, so we're almost ready for a Unit 1 test.

Today, we practiced using simple present tense with "How often" questions & group conversation.  We practiced using frequency adverbs with a Kahoot.  We identified simple present and present continuous verbs.  We went over the homework on WB p. 10 and practiced speaking it.  We practiced using simple present with but, too, & either on SB p. 17.

Homework for Thursday, October 23 -- Do workbook p. 10, 14, & 16  Study new vocabulary set 3.  

10-22 Today was reading day!  Laurie's group vocabulary is at Green and blue vocabulary  I put things for you to read (if you want to) at www.ellii.com Code V3THWG (green)

www.ellii.com Blue code is 409LSL

www.ellii.com Red code is 166GS2JJ

Mary Ann's group vocabulary is at  Red and Blue Vocabulary.   

Homework for Wednesday, October 22:  Do workbook p. 10 & 16.  Study new vocabulary set 3.  

10-21 Today, we did SB p. 13.  We went over the answers for SB 14 & 15.  We practiced using time marker phrases at the beginning or end of a sentences. (NO time marker phrases in the MIDDLE)  We put a comma after the time phrases at the beginning.  We didn't use any commas when the time phrase is at the end. We did WB p. 15. We practiced using frequency adverbs before most verbs, but after verb to be. I talked about matching verb tense to time phrase:  Yesterday, I didn't come to school.  They light lanterns for Diwali every year.  She is getting dressed up in a gorgeous dress.  She usually works very hard.  She didn't go to work last week.  Two months ago, we didn't have classes in Trailer 2.

In English, descriptive words are always singular even when it's utterly crazy for those words to be singular.  Our weekend was three days. -- We had a three-day weekend.  (NO S on day if it's before the word we're talking about.)  Her son is sixteen years old.  She has a sixteen-year old son.   I have a four-door car, but he has a two-door car.  My car has four doors, but his car has two doors.  That building has twelve floors.  That is a twelve-floor building.

NO SCHOOL MONDAY

Homework for Tuesday, October 21:  Finish blue book p. 14 & 15.  Do WB p. 14.  Study new vocabulary set 3.

Today, we did WB p. 12, SB p. 10, 11, 14 & 15.  We didn't finish SB p. 14.  We practiced using time markers (phrases like every day, every week, on Monday, Now) with  BOTH simple present and present continuous.   Every _______ and usually go with simple present.  I work every day.  I usually wear blue shirts.  He visits his mother every Saturday.  She cleans the kitchen every morning.  We do laundry every Saturday.  I usually drink coffee in the morning.  He usually eats soup.  We usually speak English in class.  He usually drives to class, but she often takes the bus.  Look! Right now. & At the moment go with present continuous.  Look!  The sun is shining and the wind is blowing.  I'm writing about the class at the moment.  What are they doing right now?  Hyck Jin is checking his phone.  (Of course, he checks his phone every class.  Look!  Washington is asking an excellent question!  Of course.  He asks excellent questions every class.  Look!  Amparo is coming in late.  Of course.  She can't come on time because she has to drop off someone before class. Today, most of the students are wearing black.  Of course! They usually wear black clothes.)

Most time markers go at the beginning or at the end of a sentence.  They don't go in the middle.  If you put a time marker at the beginning, put a comma after it.  Don't put a comma before a time phrase at the end of a sentence.  We usually have class on Mondays, but we don't have class on Monday, October 20.  Every weekend, I clean the kitchen.  I clean the kitchen every weekend. 

 Present continuous is for NOW and for the future.  We practiced answering "What are you doing after class?"(I'm going home.  I'm going to work.  I'm picking up my daughter. and "What are you doing this weekend?" I'm spending time with my parents.  I'm watching my children play soccer.  I'm going to a party.  I'm doing laundry.  I'm cleaning my kitchen.) 

Frequency adverbs: always, usually, sometimes, rarely, seldom, never go before the (simple present tense) verb, but after verb to be: am, are, is.  I usually come to class.  I am usually in class.

We took a vocabulary quiz and wrote about a classmate.

Homework for Friday, October 17.  Do BLUE Student book p. 10 and WHITE Workbook p. 12.  Study vocabulary set 2 and new vocabulary set 3.  

10-16 Today we practiced using adjective order and Unit 1 vocabulary with WB pages and a game.  We talked about Present Continuous vs. Present Tense and watched the video on SB p. 10.  We reviewed Unit 8 vocabulary (set 2) and our current vocabulary (set 3) with Quizlet live.

Homework for Thursday, October 16: Study vocabulary set 2 and new vocabulary set 3.  Do p. 6 & 8 in the workbook.  You now have new vocabulary sets:  Green and blue vocabulary or Red and Blue Vocabulary.  I want to give a quiz for vocabulary set 2 

Some people will finish the Dictionary-adjectives worksheet, but the first part is difficult because my copier didn't copy it in color.  Ava and Ella have blond hair.  Luis has black hair.  Zara has brown hair.

10-15 Today was reading day.  Red & Blue group read about Tarsila de Amaral and practiced advanced adjective order.  They also read about the movement to change Columbus Day into Indigenous peoples Day.  Green group also practiced  using adjectives.  We read about a man who wanted to start a business.  We talked about phonics as we listened and pronounced common letter combinations:  ch, green tea ea and gray day ai words.  We practiced finding answers to tricky reading questions in texts.

10-14  Today, we did the first four pages of Unit 1 -- 6, 7, 8, 9.  We described people. Native speakers use a complicated word order for adjectives:  Number, Opinion, Size, Age, Shape, Color, Pattern, Origin, Material, Purpose (NOUN).  Our class will practice Opinion, Size, Color, Pattern for clothes, and Length, type, color for hair.  Use this order to make your own phrases for things you often want to describe.  (I have an old blue car.  She has a tall, four-year-old daughter.  That's a beautiful long green dress.  She's wearing a sexy, tight, red dress.)  We practiced vocabulary with Quizlet.  We practiced adjective order with a Kahoot.

 Homework for Tuesday, October 14:  Study vocabulary set 2 and  vocabulary  If you didn't turn in the handout from Friday today ( Chang is going to watch the fireworks,  We're hungry, so we're going to eat) turn it in on Tuesday.  It has two sides, but I only put one side on here last Friday.  1.  I didn't assign new written homework today.  We won't have a vocabulary quiz on Tuesday, but I want to have one soon.  If you want, bring a recipe for a dessert that you like.

10-13-25  Today we talked about our weekend.  We practiced writing sentences in different verb tenses.  We read an old-school style Columbus Day history and practiced using past tense correctly.  We played Quizlet live.  We talked about Columbus Day and Clothes.

Homework for Monday, October 13:  Do the handout to practice be going to ____(base verb) for the future.   Study vocabulary set 2 and  vocabulary 1.  We'll probably have a vocabulary test on Tuesday.

10-10 Today, we practiced using be going to _______(base verb).  Use be going to ___(base verb to talk about plans for the future.  It's better to use "will" when you don't have an existing plan.  We often correctly use present continuous for the future when we have plans to go somewhere.  We did a Kahoot to practice future with be going to.

Homework for Friday, October 10:  Do the handout.   Study new vocabulary set 2 and  vocabulary 1.  

10-9 Today, we talked about jobs.  We played Quizlet live to practice the verbs on page 98.  We practiced using what and where with a job history.  We did Ventures Arcade- Blue 2 Unit 8.  We took a quiz.

  Homework for Thursday, October 9  Study Unit 8 especially can vs. could, what vs. where, and the verbs on p. 98.  Bring your job history.  Study new vocabulary set 2 and  vocabulary 1.  Finish These People are Employed to turn in.

10-8 Today, we talked a lot.  Many students answered the most common question, "Tell me about yourself."  We did pair work and a FSW to practice common expressions in job interviews.

Homework for Wednesday, October 8 -- Study Unit 8.  Bring your job history.  Study new vocabulary set 2 and  vocabulary 1.  

10-8 Today, we practiced using a time sheet. (SB 106)  We also reviewed can/could to talk about skills now/in the past. (WB 101)  We gave each other advice about how to get a job.

Homework for Tuesday, October 7:  Do WB p. 101.    Study new vocabulary set 2. Have you finished Unit 8 in the workbook?  If you didn't turn in a resume or job history today, bring it tomorrow.  Write your answers to these common job interview questions 

10-6   Today, we reviewed unit 8 vocabulary and ideas (using past tense, using present tense, and using conjunctions - and, but, or)(WB 90, 91, & 95)  We studied how to use can & could for ability.  (SB p. 107)  (I could dance ballet when I was eighteen years old, but I can't dance ballet now.  I couldn't drive when I was fourteen years old, but I can drive now.) Can and could are modals.  Modals don't follow verb tense rules.  Can is always can.  Could is always could.  They both go with a base form verb.  When used for ability, can is present and could is past.  When used for requests, can and could are used the same ways. (Can you please do your homework? = Could you please do your homework?)  Could is a little more formal than can.

Homework for Monday, October 6:  Do WB p. 98. Write and bring your job history.  Start to write answers to common job interview questions 

10-3 Today, we went over WB 100, 96, & 97.  I explained the three ways to make future tense.  We did a reading and talked about our opinions of some jobs.  We talked about the upcoming weekend.  We practiced talking about errands.  We played Quizlet live.  FOUR people won!! 

Homework for Friday, October 3:  Study new vocabulary set 2.  Do workbook p. 92 & p. 98.  As always, read something you like in English (No more than 7 words you don't know per page). Homework for Monday: Do WB p. 98. Write and bring your job history.  Start to write answers to common job interview questions   

NO SCHOOL THURSDAY

10-1 Today we used past and present tenses to talk about duties (responsibilities).  We did p. 102 and p. 104 in the student book.  We practiced vocabulary set 2 with teams doing Quizlet.live.  In response to Kabir's question, I talked about one of the most important topics in this class, basic verb tenses.  Use present continuous for action verbs right now.  (I am writing about the class.  They are driving home.  She is taking the bus)  We can use simple present for right now, but we usually don't.  We usually use simple present to talk about schedules, frequency, and facts. (I go to school every weekday. Water boils at 100 degrees C.  She watches soccer games every Saturday.  He works four evenings a week.  She never drinks wine.  I usually visit my mother in the evening. I have an old car.  She doesn't come on time.)  Use simple present for things that are always true, things that repeat, when you use a frequency adverb (always, usually, sometimes, seldom, never), and for non-action verbs now.  Non-action verbs often involve ownership, opinion, the senses (see, hear, feel, taste, smell), and emotions.  I see you!  He hears us.  Aziza's food tastes delicious.  Coffee smells wonderful.  I don't have that paper.  I need it.) Use past tense for actions that are finished.  (We talked about duties. We finished two pages in the book.  We practiced vocabulary.  We didn't write very much.  I made a mistake five seconds ago, then I fixed it.)

Homework for Wednesday:  Do workbook p. 95.  Study new vocabulary set 2.

9-30 Today, we practiced using what to ask about an activity (What are you doing?  I'm writing about class.  What did she do?  She worked.  What did you eat for breakfast?  I ate an egg on toast and a mandarin.  What are you doing?  I'm drinking coffee.  )We used where to ask about location.  (Where do you study?  I study at Plum Center.  Where do you live?  I live in Springfield.  Where does she live?  She lives in Fairfax.  Where did they buy their coffee? They bought it at 7 11.)  We used when to talk about time.  When is your birthday?  It's in August.  When can you come?  I can come on Monday.  When will we have a day off?  We're off on Thursday.  When did you come to Northern Virginia?  I came to NoVa in July, 1990.  (Want to practice with a Kahoot?  Kahoot what or where) We did a past tense kahoot so we practiced the 3 ways of speaking ed and we practiced the irregular verbs on p. 98. We reviewed spelling rules for adding ed.  (Usually just add ed.  Consonant y -- no y -- ied. (study-studied, try-tried)  Vowel y - just add ed -- played, enjoyed.

Homework for Tuesday.  Do this worksheet -- remember base form with didn't and past form for affirmative.  Do WB 94 if you didn't do it last weekend.  As always study vocabulary especially new vocabulary set 2.   If you don't have much time, play the matching game for five or ten minutes.  Read anything that interests you in English.  It's your level if you don't know between 2-7 words per page.  if you want to try the Kahoot again, it's here:  Kahoot for pronouncing ed.

9-29  Today, we talked about last weekend.  We contrasted the verbs that go with usually, last weekend, and next weekend.   Usually: (I usually work.  He usually mows the lawn.  She usually buys groceries.  They usually play soccer.) Last weekend ( I worked last weekend.  He mowed the lawn last weekend.  She bought groceries last weekend.  They played soccer last weekend. Next weekend. (Next weekend, I'll work.  He's going to mow the lawn.  She'll buy groceries.  They are going to play soccer.  We practiced pronouncing simple past regular verbs and did a Kahoot for pronouncing ed.  Some students talked about their past with conversation questions, while other students took a vocabulary retest from our vocabulary:  class words set 1.  We did a fill-in-the-blank listening worksheet with "How did you know."

Homework for Monday:  Do WB . 94.  Read something in English.  Study new vocabulary set 2. If today's quiz was difficult, study vocabulary again.  

Today, we practiced using present tense with 'on the weekend" and "every weekend."  We studied vocabulary.  We took a vocabulary quiz.  We studied conjunctions: and, but, or.  Use and with similar or additional information.  Use or for choices -- pick only one.  Use but as a warning: opposite is coming.

Homework for Friday, September 26.  Study vocabulary. for a quiz.  Do Workbook p. 90.  If you know the vocabulary from set 1, look at our new vocabulary set 2.

9-25 Today, we reviewed agreeing with too and either by writing sentences.  We used "but" to show differences in opinion.  I don't like fish, but Romario does.  I like spicy food, but Romario doesn't.  I don't like bussing tables, and he doesn't either.  He likes to dance, and I do too. We practiced using present continuous verbs for NOW and for the future (after class.)  We played Quizlet live.  We went over vocabulary in a hospital on p. 96 (SB) and we did the listening on p. 97 (SB).  One trick:  you don't need to do something if you already did it. We did partner dictations for writing sentences about the picture on p. 96.

Homework for Thursday, September 25:  Write an email to me at Pimteacherlaurie@gmail.com.  You can talk about your job or you can write about a weekend or a day off.  Study vocabulary.

9-24 Today, I introduced the idea of using too (for affirmative) and either (for negative) to agree.  We played games to practice vocabulary & using verbs.  We identified present and past verbs with WB p. 5 and with this Kahoot:  ID past or present.   We practiced using past form for affirmative and base form for negative with this Kahoot: Simple Past: Contrast positive and negative.

Homework for Wednesday, September 23:  Do Workbook (White book) p. 5. and study vocabulary.   If you want to try the Kahoot again, here's a link.  For WB p. 5, use present tense with every or usually.  Use past with last.

9-22 Today I used a slide show to teach the formal grammar rules of "simple" past tense.  It's important to use a past form verb for affirmative sentences (I sat down after class.  I walked this morning.  I went to an amazing show.), but use a base verb with didn't for negative sentences (I didn't sit down.  I didn't walk this morning.  I didn't go to a show last week.)  Use a base form with did for questions.  (Did you sit down?  Did you walk to school?  Did you see a show?)  We watched the slides, practiced some examples, talked to each other, filled out a worksheet, and wrote sentences for "find someone who."

Study vocabulary,  D   Homework for Monday, September 21- WB p. 96-97.  Study vocabulary.  If you want to try the Present Continuous Kahoot again, click here.

9-19 Today we reviewed present continuous and identified job duties (SB p.103).  We spent a lot of time talking about spelling rules that go with adding an ing.  We described the picture on SB p. 2, we did the listening on SB p. 4, and we did a present continuous kahoot. (link above)

Homework for Friday, September 18.  Study vocabulary..  Do this worksheet.about can ___base verb  I hope it's easy and you can do it quickly.

9-18  Today, we practiced listening to people who talked about their skills.  We used "you can't ____(base verb) to talk about rules. We went over the color vowel chart.  We wrote about objects that our classmates brought.

Homework for Thursday, September 17:  Study vocabulary.  Do WB p. 3.  Bring something that you like to talk about. (Can be a picture on your phone, but please choose tonight, not during class>)  I'm not looking for a full oral presentation, but I want you to talk about it in English.  Example from me:  I'm Laurie.  "Olive sock"  Laurie.  I brought this tee-shirt because it's very special to me.  It's special because my mother gave it to me. She gave it to me because she said I helped her do a NASA experiment, and she wanted me to have the NASA team tee-shirt.

9-17  We reviewed our vocabulary with a game.  We completed p. 2 in the white workbook, and the listening on p. 3 in the blue student book. We practiced using the Color Vowel Chart., and present continuous verbs.  We also practiced listening with can and can't.  We talked about our skills.  If you can't do something that a job interviewer asks for, tell them that you are willing to learn and that you usually learn quickly.

Homework for Wednesday, September 16- Study vocabulary. Bring an object or a picture of an object that you like to talk about!

9-16 Today, I introduced the color vowel chart.  A vowel is a letter (a, e, i, o, u) or a sound we make with our voice.  English has 5 vowels.  We often only teach 10 sounds for those vowels, but there are fourteen sounds. The color vowel chart has one color for every sound.  I rarely use "auburn dog" because it's not a common sound in a Northern Virginia accent.  I hope we can use this chart to teach and remember pronunciation, spelling, and reading.

We played a board game to get to know each other.

Some people took a reading test.  Others did a grammar (mixed verb tense) page and wrote a paragraph.

Homework for Tuesday, September 15: Study class vocabulary for today.  Answer questions on the class website (blog) either as a comment or on paper.

9-15 Today, we introduced ourselves.  We interviewed a classmate.  We tried our first line dialog.  How many people did you talk to?  We talked about the class and about class goals.  Skills are actions that you can do.  When you talk about skills, stress the action after can.  I can cook.  I can read.  He can play the guitar.  In the sentence, I can cook, pronounce "can" like Kn or Kuhn.   When you talk about things you can't do yet, stress can't.

Can-can't-will-won't & want to ____________(Base verb)  A base verb doesn't have a special ending like ed, s, or ing.