Monday, August 31, 2015

The Secret Garden Chapter 1

  The Secret Garden was a classic almost when it was published. This book is not only for children, adults can find many delightful allusions, and issues to think about.  Social change can come from literature.  The same can be true with the works of Charles Dickens as well as Frances Hodgson Burnett.  She went through hardships in her life, and decided to provide for her family through her writing for magazines.  Fiction was very popular in the late 19th, and early 20th centuries and she was a woman writer when is was not popular for women to work or write.

Here is the link on Amazon to download the book for free.
  http://amzn.to/1ibQ57P

Here is a pdf from Gutenberg http://www.gutenberg.org/files/113/113.txt 

Read Chapter 1 and prepare these questions to speak about with your English teacher.

Questions
Before you read the first chapter, what does the title of the novel mean to you.
What does Mary's name signify to you?
What was her parent's attitude toward Mary?
What other book does Mary's drinking a glass of wine remind you of?
How is Mary described?
Is she pretty?
How is Mary's mother described?
Why didn't she leave when she was told to?
What does this tell us about her personality?
Who takes care of Mary? How is this person described?
Why is she left alone?
What animal is left with Mary?  What does this signify to you?
What is Mary's character?
Now, after you have read the first chapter, what does the title of the novel mean to you?


Homework:  Write a newpaper article that explains why the little girl has to go to England.
Write the headline, an introduction, and give details about the events that happened.


Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English teacher






Friday, August 28, 2015

Harry Plotter and the Chamber of Serpents

This is a delightful quick read for all you frustrated Harry Potter fans.  I can't believe that after only 7 books she quit the series!  L.Frank Baum wrote 14 Oz books!  There must be more to tell about Hogwarts! And there is!  I found this parody, and it fits right in and is fun!

http://amzn.to/1hZ9UPR


Questions
Is this a good parody?  What makes a parody?
Who is your favorite character?
How did the author portray  Harry, Ron and Hermonie?
After reading this book, how do you feel about Slitherin?
How do you feel about the main character?  His best friend Miles?
Do you think that they should be in this house?
What house would you put them in?
Explain how the author fits his story into the 7 of J.K,Rowling.





Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English teacher

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Newborn Pandas face 4 dangers. English Conversation lesson

I remember the time in 1973 when I spent the summer in Harrisburg Pennsylvania with my Uncle and Aunt. They had an acre and a half of land, using it for growing corn, apples, pears, and vegetables.  When I wasn't up a tree reading a book,( you know the real kind with paper?), we were traveling.  This was the year that the Pandas came to the Washington Zoo.  Nixon had just "opened" China and these animals were the darling of the town.  It was worth it to make a trip to the Capital just for that! Now, we know more about the Pandas, This is a very interesting article about newborn pandas, they are just so cute!

Read this article and discuss it with your English teacher
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/08/150824-pandas-national-zoo-twins-animals-science/


Key terms
the natural instinct
 abandon
rotate
 incubator
Easier said than done
a challenging night
swapped
supplemented
thriving
vulnerable
 awry
excrete waste
a bleaker picture
fragmentation
vulnerability
restoration 
 panda cams

Questions
How many panda cubs are usually born at one time? 
Why are twins unusual? 
How does the zoo staff make sure that each baby gets time with the mother? 
What are the 4 big problems that baby pandas face? 
How can the zoo staff help the babies? 
Where can pandas live in the wild? 
What is the big problem that face pandas in the wild? 
How can that be overcome? 



Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English teacher 


Tuesday, August 25, 2015

William Shakespeare Sonnet 1 English Literature lesson

While Shakespeare's plays are very popular,  sometimes it is better to begin studying with the sonnets. They are short, only 14 lines, they rhyme and have only a few ideas.  
We are starting with Sonnet number 1. 



Key Terms

beauty's rose - symbol of youth's perfection
contracted to thine own bright eyes - vain person wants to see only their own reflection
self -substantial - consuming itself
buriest thy content - killing your offspring
churl - miser 
niggarding - not giving charity
To eat the world's due, by the grave and by thee - to you and the grave will be the end 

Questions
What are the themes in this sonnet?
What does the rose symbolize?  In modern times?  In Elizabethan times? 
Who is Shakespeare writing this sonnet to?  Is this person happy to get this sonnet? 
What is the feeling of this poem? 
What is Shakespeare's criticism?  
Is the person beautiful? 
What trait does he criticize? 
How old do you think the person is? 



Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English teacher 






Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Giving Directions in English for French speakers

Giving directions in English can be difficult for speakers of other languages,  here is a list of common directions that you might find when driving a car.  The chart is for French Speakers.

côté de la banque next to the bank
continuez toujourscontinue on
continuez tout droit keep going straight
de l'autre côtéon the other side
en face de la banqueacross from the bank
faites demi-tourmake a U-turn
le croisement intersection
le feu set of lightsset of lights
suivez la routefollow the road
tournez à droite make a right
tournez à gaucheturn left


Exercise: 

Write 10 sentences in English giving directions to a driver. 

Example: 

Please tell me where to find City Hall?   First you go straight, and at the 1st traffic light make a left. 

Now it is your turn:  Make your sentence any length you want.  

1._________________________________________________

2_________________________________________________

3.________________________________________________

4.________________________________________________

5._______________________________________________




Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English teacher 

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Raiders of the Lost Ark , Movie English Lesson

This is a movie that almost every kid has seen, either in the theater or at home on their computer.  It is a classic with Harrison Ford at his best. Lots of action, chase scenes, fighting, and spirituality.  A really great movie. But you want to know more about it?  Read this link!


Vocabulary
action-adventure film
 franchise
 invincible
originated
serials
 top-grossing film
 nominated
 excitement
ingenious
action hero 

Questions
When was Raiders of the Lost Ark released? 
Who was the director? Who was the producer?
Why were these four films made? 
Which Academy Awards did it win? 
What did the critics say about the movie? 
Did you see this movie? 
What was your favorite scene? 
Who is your favorite character? 
What is ironic about the end of the movie? 



Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach- Professional English teacher

Monday, August 17, 2015

The History of Amazon English conversation

Ever wondered who started Amazon? Well, not until I read this short article did I really know the history of this business even though I actually have written and have for sale books on Amazon!

 Read and prepare this link. There are many exercises on here, do as many as you can to see what you understand!
http://www.businessenglishmaterials.com/amazon.html

Vocabulary
garage
retailer
popularizing
diversified
popular ranges of goods
cleverly
a huge share
teamed up
minimal packaging
an innovative leader
commerce

Questions
Who started Amazon.com?  
When did he start Amazon?
Why is Amazon so successful?
When did Amazon start selling other products than books? 
Do you buy products on-line? 
Have you ever bought from Amazon? 
If so, were you satisfied with your purchase? 
Do you think that Amazon would take back a product if you didn't like it? 
What can be improved about the Amazon website? 





Here is your English teacher's mini-site on Amazon!http://www.amazon.com/Rachael-Alice-Orbach/e/B00A21JOVI

Sunday, August 16, 2015

How to Stay Cool without Air Conditioning!

This past week we felt like we lived at the equator!  Some days were up to 37 or 40 degrees!  Most people just sit at home and turn on the air conditioner, and I even saw a neighbor get one installed last week!


Read this article to get more ideas about how to keep cool during the summer!  There are 3 pages, so be prepared!
http://www.motherearthnews.com/renewable-energy/energy-efficiency/natural-cooling-methods-zm0z15aszsor.aspx

Vocabulary
scorching summer weather
wide-eyed disbelief.
 refrigerant-based air conditioning 
beat the heat
voracious energy appetite
releases fossil carbon 
fluorocarbon refrigerants
wean ourselves off 
urban heat island
internal dial
adaptive model of comfort
Superfluous reliance
shedding the heat
lingering effects
swamp cooler
airflow 
geothermal-cooled 
deciduous trees
deflecting sunlight
 properly hydrate
a good foot soak 


Questions
Which one of these options have you used in the past? 
Which one will you want to implement? 
What temperature do you feel most comfortable? 
What is the best outdoors temperature for you? 
What is the best indoors temperature? 
What do you do to keep cool during the summer? 
What activities do you do that could change in order to stay cooler? 
What directions do your windows face? 
What can you do to make that area cooler? 



Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English Teacher 







Friday, August 14, 2015

Napoleon Bonaparte - The Battle of Waterloo

This is a very interesting site that has the news in English in three levels. 
How to use this site. Note to teachers:  1st read the first level news. Make sure that the student knows all the words.  Then move up to the 2nd level. check understanding, then move up to level 3. Levels 1 and 2 have an audio component and level 3 has a video.  This site has funny news as well as more serious subjects for your English students.  

Now the student has knowledge of the subject, and can discuss with the teacher the differences between the levels, and can talk about the subject in more detail. 

Napoleon Bonaparte was a very important person in European History. Read the three levels and listen to the audios to learn more about him. 

http://www.newsinlevels.com/products/two-hundred-years-after-the-battle-of-waterloo-level-1/

Vocabulary

emperor

was 

wore 

came to power 

battle 


Questions

What clothing did Napoleaon Bonaparte like to wear?

What was the name of the battle that he lost?

How many days was he in power after he came back from Elba?

How long ago did he lose the battle?





Thursday, August 13, 2015

Minion attacks in a Museum - Easy English Level Conversation

This is a very interesting site that has the news in English in three levels. 
How to use this site. Note to teachers:  1st read the first level news. Make sure that the student knows all the words.  Then move up to the 2nd level. check understanding, then move up to level 3. Levels 1 and 2 have an audio component and level 3 has a video.  This site has funny news as well as more serious subjects for your English students.  

Now the student has knowledge of the subject, and can discuss with the teacher the differences between the levels, and can talk about the subject in more detail. 

Minions are from a movie and kids are more likely to have prior knowledge about them, in addition to what they will learn from this website.  Here is the Level 1 news link: 
http://www.newsinlevels.com/products/minion-attacks-level-1/

Vocabulary

Despicable

characters

injured

Questions 

What is a minion? 

What movie is a minion from? 

Have you seen the movie? 

What did you like about the movie? 

What happened in Dublin? 

Was any one injured? 

Why is this funny? 




Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English teacher 


Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Jurassic World Movie Breaks Box Office Records - English Conversaton

I remember when the Jurassic movie trio came out in the 1990's.  We rented all three and on a rainy and cold weekend, we watched them all.  By the end, the kids were under the table from fright to save themselves from the Raptors!  Well the fun is out for round 4! And it is a Hit! 


Prepare this text and answer the questions with your English teacher 
http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1506/150618h-jurassic-world-0.html

Vocabulary 
broke box office records
an opening weekend
No one saw this coming



Questions
How much money did Jurassic World make when it came out? 
Why didn't anyone see this coming? 
What is the movie about? 
How many countries did the movie play in? 
Why did it break the record? 
Do you like dinosaur movies? 
How often do you watch movies? 
Where do you watch movies? 
Which is better to watch a movie at home on the computer or in a theater? 

Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English teacher 

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

History of Badminton English lesson

I never knew that Badminton had such a colorful past!  I used to like playing the game when I was a child, because of the "birdie"  It is so cute!

Read this article and prepare to discuss it with your English teacher
http://www.bwfbadminton.org/page.aspx?id=14887



Vocabulary
 battledore
shuttlecock
 upper class pastime


Questions
What was the original name name of the game?
Why was it changed to the modern name?
Who first played the game in England?
When was the IBF formed?
How many countries were members?
How long did it take until there was a tournament event?
How many disciplines are there in Badminton?
When was the first Badminton game played at the Olympics?
How long did it take for the game to be accepted as an offical Olympic event?
Why is Badminton  an unusual  event in the Olympics?
Which discipline do you like to play in Badminton?
How long does a game last?
Where is your Badminton club located?
How often do you play?
Which is more difficult, Tennis or Badminton?



Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English teacher




The Enlightenment and how it is still affecting our world. History English lesson

The Enlightenment was a period in time that was the explosion of new ideas and ways of living.  It started in 1650 and ended approximately 1800.  But the effects of this movement are still being felt in today's world.  

Read this article and prepare to speak about it with your English teacher   I suggest that you look up all the famous people mentioned in this article, if you want, you can read about them in your native language. Be able to speak about them in English. 
http://www.sparknotes.com/history/european/enlightenment/summary.html



Key Terms 
destructive
compelled 
tangible
mistreatment
monarchies
a breaking point
a snowball effect
ensued
scorn and skepticism
 intimidating 
ratified
solidifying concepts
caustic 
skepticism
the best intentions
implement


Questions
What was the initial cause of the Enlightenment ?
Who were the main early proponents? 
Which discoveries caused people to think differently? 
Why was  Galileo Galilei  treated so badly by the church?
What was so important about Renee Decartes and Francis Bacon? 
What ideas did Hobbs make popular? Are they still popular today? 
How did John Locke's ideas affect governments even to the present day? 
Why did the Protestant King and Queen William and Mary become popular? 
What was the main difference between the Enlightenment in England and France? 
Even though Voltaire's writing was satire, what effect did he have on French Society? 
What did Denis Diderot do eventhough he was not in favor of Revolution? 
Jean Jacques Rousseau's philosophy was for small democracies, how did this affect the aftermath beginning of the French Revolution? 
Why did Emmanual Kant say that you can never be really sure of your senses? How did this end the Enlightenment? 
Why did the French Revolution end the Enlightenment? 
Which Enlightenment ideas are still important?  Which ones are not important? 




Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English Teacher 



Monday, August 10, 2015

Who invented the Smiley Face?

I don't know about you, but I even had a pink smiley button.  This was when I was a kid.  In the 1970's we saw this everywhere.  The Peace sign was blaze, and there it was on T-shirts, buttons, and you name it.   Forget your troubles, and Be Happy!  I never thought about who actually designed it until the Forest Gump movie came out.  But now we have the real story about the Smiley! 

Read this article and discuss it with your English teacher 

Vocabulary 
hapless
enduring cultural icon
 craze
misremembering
casting about
cranking out 
 assuage low employee morale
in lots of 10,000
to register the mark
global licensing agreements     emoticons      unmistakable dimples


Questions 
Where did you first recognize that the Smiley was a fad? 
Did you believe it was Forest Gump?
Did you know that Forest Gump is actually a fictional Character in a 1986 novel by Winston Groom
What does the Smiley mean to you? 
What kinds of efforts do you make to cheer yourself up?
Which color of the Smiley helps you the most? 
Should we do something to help Harvey Ball, get more compensation for his work on the Smiley? 


Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach, Professional English Teacher 


Friday, August 7, 2015

Police Officer helps 38 weeks Pregnant woman

Usually in the news nowadays we have been hearing about police abusing their position.  White police officers beating up black suspects or even worse.  Well, this is not a story about that but instead about how police officers helped a black woman on the way to the hospital to give birth.  A welcome change in the news!


Read this article and prepare the questions to discuss with your English teacher
http://www.popsugar.com/moms/Police-Officer-Helps-Pregnant-Woman-38021143



Key Terms
going viral
rearview
really bad contractioncitation
to affix
obliged
caption
no race
compassion

Questions
What do you think about police officers?
Are police officers generally helpful in your city? 
What do you feel when you see a police car behind you? 
Have you ever gotten a traffic ticket?  What happened? 
Is there anything unsual in how the officers in this story reacted? 
How can we make the police to act more compassionate? 
Is this an isolated incident? 




Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English Teacher


Wednesday, August 5, 2015

6 ways Journalists can use press releases

When you are starting out as a journalist, you have to learn how to write effectively. This is a different type of writing than what is taught in school, Is  |"Truth in the news" still the norm, or not?

Read this post and discuss it with your English teacher
http://www.poynter.org/how-tos/writing/181207/6-ways-journalists-can-use-press-releases-effectively/


Key Terms
verbatim
 released
 minimal editing
attribution
plagiarism
newsrooms
 traditional reporting skills
fact-check the information
paraphrase
 raise questions
 transparent
newsworthy
 time-sensitive
hoax
analysis
my beat


Questions
Do you believe in the news from social media? 
What makes a press release important? 
What things do you look for in a press release? 
How do you know they they are telling the truth? 
How often do you follow the news? 
Do you write for a blog, or other newspaper? 
Do you think that letters to the Editor are effective? 
What type of news do you like? 




Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English Teacher 





Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Open Plan Offices or Closed Plan Offices; That is the Question!

When you are setting up your corporate space, you need to decide whether to have your employees sit out in the open, or in cubicals, or offices. This article gives guidelines to business leaders how to plan their space.



http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-06-16/open-plan-offices-for-people-who-hate-open-plan-offices#r=hpt-ls

Key Terms
introvert
retiring
 opt for 
energy-sapping distractions
electrifying ideas
gregarious extroverts
struck a chord
 rankling bullpen offices
decompression or focused work
outfitted
prying eyes and ears
 team-based brainstorming
rejuvenation
 misanthrope
 paradoxes 
negative implications
hidden financial cost


Questions
What type of office do you work in? 
Are you an introvert or an extrovert? 
Which time of day do you do your best work? 
What type of office would you want to work in? 
Which one of these rooms mentioned in the article is your favorite? 
Which one would you go to most? 
Where would you hold a meeting? 
Where would you go to take a break? 
Would your company change to this type of office styles? 


Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English teacher 

Mapi Pharma patent approved! Medical English Lesson

Israeli Startups are in the news again, this time in the medical field.  New drugs are being developed that will help patients have a better quality of life despite their illnesses.  One of the new drugs will help MS (Multiple sclerosis) patients. 

Read this article and prepare to discuss it with your English teacher 
http://www.israel21c.org/mapi-pharma-patents-new-ms-pain-relief-drugs/


Key Terms
"eye level"
pipeline
slow-release form
Informed by 
innovative drugs
injected 
 therapeutic agent 
novel form.
improves compliance 
 efficacy
formulation
collaborators
lucrative market
foreseeable future


Questions
How can these new drugs help patients?
Which is better once a week injection or once a month?
How long does it take to bring a new medication to the drug stores?
How many people does MAPI employ? 
What is so special about the CEO?
How did he decide to work on these particular drugs? 
How is this different from the usual way that products are developed?





Medical English Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English Teacher 


Baby Shark Game like Hangman. . .

This is an example of how I played the game today with a student:  You can print this or play it using Zoom! I think of a word from the less...