November is Here

Wow! Today is November 1st. 

We have two holidays this month, 

and we set the clock back one hour on November 4th. 

November 12 - Veterans' Day

November 22 - Thanksgiving Day

In the Ventures text, we are studying Present Perfect tense again.

Here's a video explanation. There are many more videos that you can watch at this address. We will see some of them in class. 

You can also go to these addresses to practice online: 

the perfect tense in English - good explanation with practice

present perfect vs. past tense - explanation and quiz

Pronunciation Practice - this is a very useful pronunciation site

Wendy's Cats Halloween Game

Here's a Halloween Game to play 

First, watch the slide show about witch Wendy and her 13 cats.

Why have 13 cats? What do you think?

Second, take the "Rags to Riches" quiz. 

Answer questions about witch Wendy and her 13 cats. If you can't remember, look at the slide show again.

Halloween Costume Contest

Let's have a Halloween costume contest in our class next week. You will win a prize for participating. Sign up in class.

Here are more ideas about Halloween costumes.

Do you know the vocabulary related to Halloween? 
Let's look at this website to learn more

After the Unit 4 test, we start Unit 5 - Around Town. The grammar in this unit is verbs + infinitives and more present perfect. Check back to the October 15 blog entry to see a video on how to use the present perfect tense.

Halloween Vocabulary Video

  

Halloween is October 31st

Next Wednesday, Oct 31, is Halloween. 

Click What do you know about this holiday?  

And what is your favorite Halloween costume? 

Check some out here

Go here to read and listen to news from the VOA. You can also find grammar information here. We'll take a look in class.

Here's a spelling game you might enjoy

This Friday, October 26th, at the Great Star Theater

see Inner Senses

Get free tickets from your teacher or at the Counseling Office

U.S. citizens, register to vote online before Oct.22

Today in the computer lab (Rm.803), you can register to vote. 
Go to www.sos.ca.gov and click on Voter Registration. Next, click on Register To Vote Now.  You will need your California ID or Driver's License. It takes about 5 minutes. Ask me if you need help. REMEMBER: you must be a U.S. citizen to vote.

We will also look at Unit 4 - Health on the Ventures website.

Let's check out a CCSF internet resource for students: 
tinyurl.com/eslccsf  

Go to this website and find your ESL level.

Next, choose what you want to study. 

We'll practice VERB TENSES at eflnet.com.

Look for Intermediate Low 6 and Higher 

Choose Listening, Pronunciation: 
http://www.englishcentral.com/videos

We'll practice this in class. 

Be sure to relax and take a break while you're in the computer lab.

More present perfect info??

Here's one more video explaining the present perfect tense.

      If you're interested in applying for a job at Trader Joes (at Hyde Street and California Street), here's how to get an employment application:

1. www.traderjoes.com

2. careers

3. TJ's employment application

4. Open the application

5. Print it (file --- print)

6. Take it to the store between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Good Luck!!

We'll be in the Computer Lab Rm. 803 this Thursday. 

What did you used to do on the weekend?

Welcome to the second half of Fall Semester. Yes, we're half finished with the first semester at our new campus. 

Today there is a Teachers' Meeting from 9:45 - 10:45 a.m. Our class will start a few minutes late. 

Our next topic is 'used to' meaning something you did at some past time but don't do now. For example, "When I was a child, I used to ride my bicycle every day." 

Be careful: 'be used to' means be familiar with or accustomed to something.
It has a very different meaning, but sounds (almost) the same.

Here's some more practice with the 
present perfect vs. past tense

Use the Learners' Dictionary here

When to use Present Perfect

Here are some resources for practicing the present perfect tense:

1. present perfect vs. past simple

2. present perfect explanation and exercise

3. EnglishClub.com present perfect

4. A video about the present perfect tense and the present perfect progressive (-ing) tense

5. A video with songs that use the present perfect tense

                                           ENJOY!

Unit 4 - Health

Before we start the Health unit, see how well you can follow directions: 
The Magic Gopher

Here's some information about the
'food pyramid', which is now a plate.

And here's the official U.S.D.A. website about the food guide, which is called 'myplate'

This is our Unit 4 vocabulary:
advice
diet
exercise
health
medication
pressure
tired 
weight
chart
healthy
Listen and practice these words

More Writing Practice

More Writing Practice

Write a sentence or two about each cartoon:

Summer Weather in the Fall

I hope you enjoy this 'warm' weather. It will be over soon.

Here's a website to check on the temperature. We'll look at how to use it this Thursday, Oct.4, in the Computer Lab (Rm. 803).

Let's learn how to leave messages on this blog, too. I've never done it before, but I see there is a 'comment' button. We'll try it in class. 

Blue Angels

We'll also look at programs 
you can use on the Internet:
Chat
Email
Skype
Facebook
Youtube

Can you think of more? Let me know. We'll look at them in class. You can learn how to use them at this website:  www.gcflearnfree.org


Here's an intermediate vocabulary building website.

And some beginning vocabulary word lists are here.


One more thing: 
Monday, October 8, is a holiday for students. Teachers will be learning new technology, but our school will be closed.