The Awesome 552 Class

Spooky Week

2005-11-05T22:38:00.000-02:00

Last week It was hard to have concentration just because my dearest graduating students thought I looked so nice on Tuesday!
Check out more photos

Anyhow, we reviewed the idea of using HAVE as arrangement and result.

We worked on exercise 6, page 114.
...has me yawning
...has me tearing my hair out.
...has me biting my nails.
...has me cringing with embarassment.
...has me complaining.
...has me jumping for joy.

Remember,

Murilo HAD me LAUGHING the whole class with his funny stories. (result)
I HAD the students COME to an extra class. (arrangement)

On page 116, we talked about Nelson Mandela, Mohammad Ali, and Geri Halliwell. Then, everybody read about decisive moments in their lives.

COMPOSITION: first draft - DUE TOMORROW (Sunday) by mail.

Homework: workbook pages 63 and 64 (grammar), page 65 (vocabulary)

See you.
Carla

WhatEVER!

2005-10-25T21:45:00.000-02:00

Today (October 25th), we reviewed the vocabulary from last class:

Skim Milk
Spin Doctor
Road Rage
Veggie Buger
Aromatherapy
Netizen
Hacker
Bad Hair Day
Videophile
Decaf
Quality Time

Then, there were three listenings (page 109) and we started working on the grammar point, the use of

WHATEVER - WHATEVER you do, I'll always be by your side.
WHICHEVER - WHICHEVER job you take, it will be a step forward to your professional success.
WHEREVER - WHEREVER I go, I see him.
WHOEVER - WHOEVER calls today, tell him/her that I am sick.
WHENEVER - WHENEVER I go on vacation, I always go to the beach.
HOWEVER - HOWEVER long it takes, I'll be waiting for you here...

Some points to consider:

when you include the suffix -EVER, it means, in general "it doesn't matter how, what, who" or "anything that/any time that/any person who".

WHICHEVER involves a choice between a member of a group of things or people: You can take WHICHEVER room you want, the double room or the family room.
Or used to say that it does not matter which thing or person is chosen because the result will be the same: WHICHEVER way you look at, things are pretty bad.

HOWEVER - not used in the same way we learned in unit 10. Here it is not a connector. It is a relative pronoun. After HOWEVER you'll have, in general, an adverb or adjective, and its meaning is "It doesn't matter how...". Example: HOWEVER MUCH chocolate she eats, she doesn't put on weight/HOWEVER hungry I am, I never finish off a pizza/When I like something, I'll buy it HOWEVER much it costs.

An example without being followed by adverbs or adjectives: HOWEVER he did it, I guess it was not legal.

For the ones who were not in class, do page 110. I'll go over with you next class.

Homework: Workbook pages 63/64, Grammar n. 1 and 2.

By the way, Fettes and Macfarlane were back to class today! Tomorrow I'll send by mail the part we read in class for the ones who couldn't come today.

For extra practice on -EVER, check try the following online quizzes:

http://www.quia.com/pop/54217.html
http://buckhoff.topcities.com/noun_clauses.htm#Noun%20clauses%20--%20using%20

Have fun!

Don't forget to send me an email with the answers to the international students!

See you next class.

Carla

WORDS - unit 12

2005-10-22T13:11:00.000-02:00

Last class we first checked the test. In general, you guys did a fantastic job! I'm really proud of you. For the ones who didn't do so well, I'm sure you'll do better in the last part if you make an effort.

We learned a little bit about PALINDROMES and PORTMANTEAUS .

Some examples of palindromes:
dad, radar, refer, noon, sees, nun, pop, level, civic

Some examples of portmanteaus: camcorder, brunch, avionics, bit, electrocute, internet

We also played a bit with making fun poems that rhymed. Laughing was part of the activity! Just read of what some of the groups wrote:

After the test went red
Everyone got sad
And wanted to be dead
The teacher was very bad
And my mom and dad got mad.

My teacher is more than a preacher
She is richer than a fisher!

When I found a Kaleidoscope
I had the hope
To buy a soap
To write this note

Our teacher is the new-age preacher
She says thtT a tattoo is
no longer a taboo
Her boss doesn't allow her to show
but yet we know
Blackmailing is so nice
if we fail she's fired.

Nice, isn't it? I love your creativity.

Well, then, we worked with the vocabulary in the book (page 108):

Videophile
decaf
veggie burger
spin doctor
quality time
road rage
netizen
skim milk
hacker
aromatherapy
snail mail
bad hair day

Then, we checked their meanings on page 109.
Homework: workbook page 64, vocabulary 1 and the two words that form the portmanteau BLOG!

Now, have fun with this WORD GAME!

Interaction in English Makes a Difference in Learning!

2005-10-10T22:33:00.000-03:00

Guys,

Don't miss this great opportunity I and Dennis are doing our best to provide you with. Interacting in English with people who live abroad gives you the right cultural perspective, and it is a meaningful and authentic situation where the second language is used as the means of communication.

So, try, explore, take risks, and learn!

International Exchange

Carla

Unit 11 - All Kinds of Funny Stories

2005-10-10T21:51:00.000-03:00

I'll never forget Paula's Urban Legend in the restroom, and Murilo's fantastic Religious story. Guilherme has proved to be an incredible storyteller. Andrey was always suspiciously laughing! How about the spiders urban legend? A funny one! Well, If I hadn't laughed, I would have convinced you with Katrina's Theory of Conspiracy. :=))

I had a great time with you in this unit.

Let's check the main points.

Topics of Class Discussions:

Childhood memories about storytelling
Fables - Androcles
Fairy tales
Urban Legends
What makes a good story (introduction, background, problem, comment, resolution) and a good storyteller
New Year's Eve stories
Things that didn't live up to our expectations
A change of plans
When things worked out much better than you'd expected
Telling lies

Vocabulary:

Compound Adjectives

well-dressed
slow-moving
well-informed
good-looking
quick-thinking
wealthy-looking
record-breaking
stress-induced
well-behaved
soft-spoken
gray-haired
fair-skinned
time-consuming
sad-faced
comfort-loving
gray-gloved
timesaving
tasty-looking
quick-drying
well-mannered
quick-tempered
fun-loving
hardworking
open-minded
sweet-smelling
smooth-skinned

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

live up to my expectations
no-show
glitch
mix-up
fall through
fiasco
pull off
on the verge of
get its act together

Grammar:

The Future Seen from the Past

I was going to the movies, but I received a phone call that got me to change my mind.

I was supposed to go to the movies, but I received a phone call that got me to change my mind.

I was due to go to the doctor, but I postponed it.

I was to go to the doctor when I heard that terrible news...

I was on the verge of doing something stupid when my friend called me.

Well, that's it!!!

Have fun, study for the text on Tuesday! If you have any questions or doubts, contact me.

See you then,

Carla

Unit 10 - Our Classes and What you should know

2005-10-09T18:33:00.000-03:00

My dearest students,

After some time without updating our blogger and knowing that some of you DO check it, here I am again! Well, I am really sorry. There are no excuses for not updating it, although I have many! Life has been hectic, I am involved in so many different projects that sometimes I feel dizzy with so much information being processed in my mind. Anyhow, I´d like you to know that I DO care for you, and here is my latest news on the class subject:

UNIT 10 - FIRSTS:

Grammar:

Discourse Markers to Contrast Ideas - But, However, Whereas

Examples:
I like eating bananas, but I hate apples.
I like eating bananas. However, I hate apples.
I like eating bananas, whereas my sister loves apples.

Remember that...
but and whereas contrast ideas WITHIN the same sentence.
whereas is not used when you are contrasting ideas using the same subject.
however contrasts ideas in different sentences.

Refer back to pages 90 and 91, student book and do the exercises in the workbook, page 51.

Get

get + noun = receive/obtain ( I got my first car when I was eighteen.)

get + adjective = become ( I always get nervous before taking a test)

get + gerund = start ( Let´s get moving. Otherwise, we will be late for the game)

= persuade/cause when you want to emphasize the activity ( I got them working hard)

get + infinitive = succeed/have the chance/have the opportunity/manage/ask/persuade ( I got my sister to lend me some money)

get + past participle = passive ( I got chosen to be the class representative)

get + object + past participle = passive causative/get passive ( I get my hair done every week)

Vocabulary:

mass-produced
multimillion
high profile
against the clock
once-in-a-lifetime
exact details
loyal fans
armchair auto racer

::::::::::::::::::::::

at first

first and foremost

first lady

from first to last

first aid

first-class

firsthand

first language

first light

first night

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

last for

get up the courage

spring to

ask out

run around

pick up

be off

Topics of Class Discussion

Being first

Different types of auto races

Doing something for the first time

Well, this is the summary of the unit. A study guide for you.

Don't forget to refer back to the book, the workbook, and the extra handouts.

Carla

SEPT 8 - A new Stage Begins

2005-09-09T10:14:00.000-03:00

Dear students,

We checked the test. Some were happy with the result, some not so enthusiastic, but you all did a good job. The test is just a hint of areas that you still need to work on. Now, the second part begins and I'm sure we will still have much fun together.

I assigned the next composition. The guidelines are all on page 50, Workbook.

Remember to organize your ideas.

Paragraph 1 - introduction about crimes and repeat offenders in general
Paragraph 2 - statistics about crimes
Paragrapha 3 - causes of crimes (you have to extend the analysis of the data provided in the workbook)
Paragraph 4 - conclusion - suggestions on how the government could work this out

Use the connectors suggested in the workbook.

For next class, bring quotation and sayings related to the word FIRST

In class, we read the second part of "The Body Snatcher". For the ones who were not in class read the second part of our suspense...I'll send an email with the attachment.

See you on Tuesday.
Carla

GRAMMAR HELP - Test 1

2005-09-01T22:02:00.000-03:00

There will be two possibilities of GRAMMAR HELP:

ONLINE - Write down your doubts in the "comment" area for this post, and I'll answer it. Let's use this area so that we can share our doubts with everyone in class. Also, you can use skype or msn messenger to talk to me. My username is carlaarena.

FRIDAY - I'll be available at the Main Branch from 10:00 to 11:00 am to solve your doubts. You are welcome to show up and discuss any problems you may have! There will also be a special Grammar Help Session with Patricia Fleury, from 10:00 to 11:00, tomorrow, Friday.

So, there are no excuses! The only possibility you've got is to get 100!

Write your question in the "comment" popup.

Carla

Aug 29

2005-08-31T22:35:00.000-03:00

Dear students,

We still worked on the past modals and learned expressions using the word LAW.

Can you remember them?

No one is above the LAW, except for the teacher (of course!)
Eliane has already gotten in trouble with the LAW.
Some teens are a LAW unto themselves.
Have you ever taken the LAW into your own hands?
Fernanda is always laying down the LAW.
The teacher's word is LAW!
We found out that some of the students were not LAW-ABIDING citizens....
By LAW, you must respect the teacher!
It is against the LAW to disobey and disrespect the English teacher!

Now, the test is just around the corner... Next Tuesday, September 6th. So start concentrating, focusing and studying. Don't open your books on the day of the test! Stop watching Faustão and profit from the beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon to study a bit.

My tips are the following links:

CTJ e-folder (focus on the QUIA Quizzes activities)

5B Webpage

This practice, together with the workbook and the extra handouts, are certainly more than enough!

Homework for Sep 1: reading page 84
Deadline for composition 2nd draft: Friday, Sep 3, until midnight

See you tomorrow.
Carla

Aug 25

2005-08-27T11:57:00.000-03:00

Dear students,

Check the page I created for my final online course project. I did it having you as inspiration. I included some resources for Units 8 and 9, and I created a calendar so that you can easily visualize the important dates for our group.

Our Webpage

I'm waiting for your comments to let me know how that page could be even more useful to you.

Last class, I certainly laugh a lot with you guys.
We had a listening and discussion about legal wrangles, page 81. Then, we were presented with the idea of using modals to talk about the past (reporting speech, speculating/making deductions, and commenting/criticizing).

Homework: Student book page 82, number 4
Workbook page 46, n. 1, 2, and 3

I'll be sending soon the feedback on your compositions.

See you on Tuesday.

Carla

Aug 18

2005-08-20T22:18:00.000-03:00

Hi, guys!

I loved our criminal class with so much interaction and learning going on. Do you still remember what a PLAINTIFF, CONTEMPT OF COURT, CROSS-EXAMINE, ARSON, LIBEL mean? If not, review the beginning of unit 9. There are lots of interesting legal words to practice and learn.

We had a new classmate joining our group! Welcome, Guilherme. Now, you are also part of a very nice group of excellent and funny students. You are a lucky guy to be among these special students!

Don't forget the homework: the vocabulary part of the matching I gave you in class (ex. 9A).

And the most exciting part: Composition!!! It's due to Tuesday, if you want the chance of a second draft, or Thursday, if you are going to have only one draft. The guidelines for it are on the workbook, page 45. Try to use some of the expressions suggested there, and do your best! I'm anxious to read your opinion about the most important invention of the 20th century. Remember, I love to receive compositions by email carlaarena@gmail.com

See you on Tuesday.
Carla

Verb Tenses Links

2005-08-16T12:15:00.000-03:00

As requested by Mônica, here's a series of interesting links on verb tenses.

Tables with Verb Tenses

Tenses Frames

Worksheets on Verb Tenses at the Bottom of the Page

Verb Tenses Tutorial - Englishpage

Tons of Links to Practice each Verb Tense!

That's it, guys! Have fun!

Carla

Aug 16

2005-08-16T11:56:00.000-03:00

Dear Students,

Well, we found out today that Monica likes to play card games on the computer, AS WELL as Luciana. Of course, we have those ones that we knew about... Like Paula, for example! It was the first time I heard about GTA. It is a game full of action, murder, sex. It MEANS THAT it is not really appropriate for kids!

We discussed about a a Korean guy that died because he played computer games for 50 hours. It was certainly more than he could take!!!

Read the news about him.

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/08/09/game.death.reut/

Problems of the modern times, huh?!

Do you have an opinion about that? How can parents help teenagers understand the dangers of video games? Are there positive aspects about video games? I'll wait for your comments.

Well, in class we also worked with DISCOURSE MARKERS, Student Book page 74 and 75.

Remember, the ones that highlight DIFFERENCES: but now, but then
The ones that ADD SIMILAR INFO: but crucially, but then, it's true that, also, as well, not only
The ones that DRAW CONCLUSIONS: so in this sense, this meant that, it's certainly true that, after all

HOMEWORK for next class: Student Book page 75, number 5.

See you next class.

Carla

Homework - Aug 9

2005-08-10T15:48:00.000-03:00

The future...In real life, it can be as we wish. In terms of grammar, it is predetermined by the moment in the future we are talking about.

Future Simple - a Specific time in the future.
Ex: In December 2005, I will graduate.

Future Continuous - An action will be taking place at a certain period in the future.
Ex: In ten years, I will be taking care of my children.

Future Perfect - An action will have been completed when it gets to a certain point in the future. Ex: By this time next week, all class 552 students will have mastered the future tense.

And how about your future? What will you be doing in ten years or tomorrow?!

I hope to read your comments here.

Homework: Handout - Exercise 8A

See you tomorrow.

Carla

Homework - Aug 4

2005-08-08T23:30:00.000-03:00

Last class, we kept talking about the future. Also, we talked about the most useful and useless gadgets ever invented.

Stephen Hawking became Stephen Walking,and we got to know a little bit more about this extraordinary astrophysicist. I asked you to read his interview and work on the vocabulary part on the following page.

See you tomorrow.
Carla

Calendar for the Semester

2005-08-08T23:10:00.000-03:00

Our calendar for the semester is:

TEST 1 - Units 8 & 9 - September 6

RECESS - October 13

MIDTERM ORAL TEST - Units 8,9 & 10 - September 22

TEST 2 - Units 10 & 11 - October 18

HOLIDAY - November 15

TEST 3 - Units 12 & 13 - November 29

FINAL ORAL TEST - Units 11,12 & 13 - December 1

PODCASTING

2005-08-03T15:22:00.000-03:00

Hi, guys,

It was wonderful to see familiar faces and new ones in class yesterday! I'm sure this semester will be special for you and for me.

As I promised and as you were so curious about this new technological resource that is available on the Internet, the Podcasting, here's the link to learn more about it, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcasting

If you want to listen to those news that you listened to, go to the Technological Column. There, you'll find both listenings, the one on Podcasting and the new trends of Cell phones.

Does anybody know what WIKIS are?

Please, share your ideas on the effects of technology in our lives or any other idea that you think is interesting sharing in terms of technological trends.

By the way, Paula and Fernanda, thanks for your comments and I hope to see everybody interacting here.

See you tomorrow.

Have fun and a lot of learning experiences!
Carla

WELCOME to your last semester in the Advanced Course!

2005-07-30T23:57:00.000-03:00

Just saying hi to you, my awesome graduate students! Finally, you've reached the last semester of the Advanced Course. Congrats! You are a winner. To make this blogger a special place during this semester, I count on you to interact, share your opinions about what we discuss in class, and advance your English learning process. I hope to see everybody making good use of this blogger and having fun!

See you around,
Carla