Travel Journal - The United States of America

                                           

You are going to embark on a 30-day trip around the United States. You need to include the things below – somewhere in your story/travel journal.

Write your travel journal in a Word document or  make a PowerPoint and feel free to include photos/pictures. You will make an oral presentation when you are done, either in class or in smaller groups.  

Include:

1.  - Visit at least two states.

2. -   Names and basic information about, at least, two big cities

3. -  Three sights/attractions that are well-known

4. -   Food that you have tried

5. -  Descriptions of scenery and landscape

6. -   What the weather has been like

7. -  Where are you staying? 

  

START with you arriving at John F Kennedy Airport in New York City. Then, feel free to go in any direction, by any means of transportation and with any budget. It is good if you start off making a mind map and think about what places you would like to visit before you start writing.

Some pages where you can find useful information, Travel guides:

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/states/

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa

http://www.bbc.com/travel/north-america/usa

https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/United_States_of_America

Example of a travel blog:

My travel blog from London

Since London is one of my favourite cities I wanted to go there this summer to experience it with my best friend Steve. Our journey began by taking the train over the Öresund’s bridge to Copenhagen Airport where we took an afternoon flight to Heathrow. After arriving in London we checked in at ”The Dorchester Hotel” which I can really recommend if you like 5-star hotels.

We went to ”The London Eye” which has become a symbol for London. It is a giant Ferris wheel situated on the banks of the river Thames which was built in 1999.. It’s also called ”The Millennium Wheel” because it was built to celebrate the new millennium. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the UK with 3.5 million visitors each year.

Then we took a refreshing walk to Buckingham Palace to watch the change of the guards. Queen Elisabeth II still lives in the castle with her husband. Buckingham palace has 775 rooms, which includes 78 bathrooms for those who are in need of one and 188 staff rooms for the staff to spend their time after serving the queen and the palace.

While Steve and I were walking towards Oxford Street to do some shopping I suddenly got a text from David Cameron saying that I should come to 10 Downing Street at once. Since I didn’t want to disobey the Prime Minster I left Steve to do some shopping of his own and rushed there.

The Blind Side

Now that you have watched the film The Blind Side, I want you to answer the following questions (the answers doesn´t have to be very long):

Part 1 – Understanding the Film

1. Who is Michael Oher?

2. Why does Michael have to change schools?

3. How does Michael feel when he first moves in with the Tuohy family?

4. Why does Michael find it difficult to improve his grades?

5. How does Michael's life change during the film?

Part 2 – Characters and Relationships

6. Describe Leigh Anne Tuohy. What kind of person is she?

7. How does S.J. Tuohy help Michael?

8. How does the relationship between Michael and Leigh Anne develop?

9. Which character helps Michael the most? Explain your answer.

Part 3 – Themes and Discussion

10. What does the film teach us about kindness and helping others?

11. Why is it important not to judge people based on their appearance or background?

12. Do you think Michael would have had the same opportunities without the Tuohy family? Why or why not?

13. What does the film teach us about family? Is family always about being related by blood?

Part 4 – Your Own Opinion

14. What is your favourite scene in the film? Explain why.

15. Which character do you like the most? Why?

16. Would you recommend this film to a friend? Why or why not?

Prepare for the Freedom Writers Exam

 Film + The Freedom Writers Diary, pages 1–29

Part 1 – Understanding the story

1. Who is Erin Gruwell, and why does she become a teacher?
2. What is the school environment like when Erin first starts teaching?
3. Why do many of the students have problems trusting teachers?
4. What different groups or conflicts exist among the students?
5. How does Erin react when she realizes how difficult the situation is?
6. Why is the students' writing important in the diary?
7. What do the students write about in the first pages of the diary?
8. How does writing help some of the students express their feelings?

Part 2 – Characters

• How would you describe Erin Gruwell as a teacher? Give three adjectives and explain your choices.
• How do the students initially see Erin?
• How does Erin's attitude towards her students differ from the attitude of some other teachers?
• Choose one student from the film. What problems does this student face?
• How do the students change when they begin to trust Erin?
• Why is trust important between a teacher and students?

Part 3 – Film and Diary

• Which gives you a better understanding of the students' feelings: the film or the diary? Why?
• In the film, we can see the students' lives. In the diary, we can read their thoughts. Which is more powerful? Why?

Part 4 – Agree or disagree?

Discuss with a partner. Give reasons for your answer.

Agree or Disagree?

• A teacher can change a student's life.
  Agree or disagree? Why?
• Students should be allowed to write about their personal experiences at school.
  Agree or disagree? Why?
• It is difficult to learn when you do not feel safe.
  Agree or disagree? Why?
• People often judge others before they really know them.
  Agree or disagree? Why?
• Your background does not have to decide your future.
  Agree or disagree? Why?
• Writing can be a way of dealing with difficult experiences.
  Agree or disagree? Why?
• Erin Gruwell does too much for her students.
  Agree or disagree? Why?

Part 5 – Think deeper

• Why do you think the students are divided into different groups?
• What does freedom mean to the students?
• Why can telling your own story be powerful?
• Why might it be easier to write something than to say it aloud?
• What do the students have in common, even though they come from different backgrounds?
• Do you think Erin understands her students at the beginning of the story? Why or why not?
• What do you think is the most important message in pages 1–29?
• If you were one of the students, what would you think about Erin's teaching methods?

The Freedom Writers Diary: Read part 3

Start with working with these words (approximately 10 min):

Freedom Writers Diary p. 1-29 (Part 3) Flashcards | Quizlet

Today you are going to read and listen to diary entries 9-12 and entries 13-14 in the book

Mr. Prusinowski 8th Grade Reading Group Freedom Writers Diaries 9 - 12 - YouTube

Mr. Prusinowski 8th Grade Freedom Writers Diary 13 - 14 - YouTube

Discuss last weeks questions and start to prepare for the Freedom Writers test you´ll have:

- how children around the age of 10 are manipulated into becoming gang members,
- that when they are old enough to understand it is hard to get out but it can be done,
- that most gang members have experienced violence and trauma during their childhood,
- that being initiated by being beaten up is very dangerous and could kill a young person,
- that carrying weapons such as guns and knives gives a false feeling of protection,
- that it is always safer not to use weapons or any other kind of violence,
- that if someone starts a fight, the safest choice is always to stay out of it.

The Freedom Writers Diary: Read, Part 2

Last week, you discussed racism. Then you read and listened to diary entries 1-3.

Today you are going to read and listen to diary entries 4-7 in the book:
Mr. Prusinowski 8th Grade Freedom Writer's Diary 4 - 8 - YouTube

But first I want you to work with words here:  Freedom Writers Diary p. 1-29 (Part 2) Flashcards | Quizlet

When you´re done reading the diary entries of today´s lesson, I want you to discuss the following things:

- how children around the age of 10 are manipulated into becoming gang members,
- that when they are old enough to understand it is hard to get out but it can be done,
- that most gang members have experienced violence and trauma during their childhood,
- that being initiated by being beaten up is very dangerous and could kill a young person,
- that carrying weapons such as guns and knives gives a false feeling of protection,
- that it is always safer not to use weapons or any other kind of violence,
- that if someone starts a fight, the safest choice is always to stay out of it.

If (only if) you have time left, you can work with these words (next week´s diary entries):

Freedom Writers Diary p. 1-29 (Part 3) Flashcards | Quizlet

The Freedom Writers Diary; Read, Part 1

Now that we`ve seen the movie Freedom Writers, we are going to read parts of the book. 

I want you to work with the following words first:  Freedom Writers Diary p. 1-29 (Part 1) Flashcards | Quizlet

During today´s lesson we will read and listen to Ms. Gruwell´s diary entry and also read and listen to diary entries 1-4 in the book: Mr. Prusinowski 8th Grade Freedom Writer's Diary 1 - 4 - YouTube

Today you are going to discuss racism, based on the scene with the drawing of Jamal.

- Where does racism come from?

Go to this page: http://www.chasingthefrog.com/reelfaces/freedomwriters.php and read about the real Freedom Writers.

Homework for week 36

Here are the words you must know for next week´s homework test: 

Freedom Writers: words Flashcards | Quizlet

Cook and tell

 Work with words here: Kitchen ware Flashcards | Quizlet

These words are also homework for next Wednesday (29/4)

 

Find a recipe!!

You are now going to prepare to write your recipe. Here are some tings you are NOT supposed to do: 

• - Do NOT use google translate for the whole text – write it yourself. 

• - Do NOT just take one recipe and use it as it is – you have to add something yourself. 

• 
  

Now – decide what kind of recipe you want. Find a basic one that you can use. Write it down yourself – and CHANGE it to your liking. As an example: pancakes recipe but you add chocolate or carrot into the batter.  

Don’t copy/paste, write it yourself, only refer to the base recipe for help. 

 

You write it by yourself – remember that I want you to film you making it. 

 

Good luck and take it easy – think about respecting the work space (arbetsro!!!) 

Easter

Word work: 

https://quizlet.com/281866345/easter-words-flash-cards/ 

Reading: 

Pick a text to read about Easter.

Intermediate: http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/uk-now/read-uk/easter

Advanced: http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/magazine/life-around-world/happy-easter 
+ http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/magazine/life-around-world/should-you-give-something-lent

Reading response: 

Answer these questions in a Word document or in a piece of paper.

What did you find out about Easter in the UK?

Why is Easter celebrated? 

Do you celebrate Easter? If so, what do you usually do? If not, do you celebrate any holiday where you eat special sweets or chocolate? 

What words were new to you? 

Matilda; Chapter 21

 Work with words from the last chapter: Matilda: Chapter 21 "A New Home" Flashcards | Quizlet

Listen/read the last chapter of Matilda, "A New Home" here (both chapters 20 and 21 in this reading, go to 12.30 to listen to chapter 21): Matilda: Chapter Twenty and Twenty One - YouTube

Discuss:

• In the end, what do you think about what Matilda decides to do?
• Would you have done something different?
• What did you think about the end of the book?
• What was the best and worst part of the book?

Answer question in workbook:

What happens to Matilda at the end of the story?

(Elaborate your answer!)

Matilda: Chapters 17 & 18

Work with words here: Matilda, chapters 17 & 18: Miss Honey's Story & The Names Flashcards | Quizlet

Read/Listen: Chapter 17: Matilda: Chapter Seventeen - YouTube

 - Answer questions in your workbook.

Matilda: Chapter 16

 

Work with words for chapter 16 here: Matilda, chapter 16: Miss Honey's Cottage Flashcards | Quizlet

Read/listen to chapter 16 here: Matilda: Chapter Sixteen - YouTube

Answer question in your workbook: Describe Miss Honey's cottage. 
Please elaborate (utveckla) your answer as much as you can!

Matilda: Chapters 14 & 15

Work with words from these chapters here; 

The First Miracle -  Matilda, chapter 14: The First Miracle Flashcards | Quizlet

Listen to chapter 14 here: Matilda: Chapter Fourteen

The Second Miracle -Matilda, chapter 15: The Second Miracle Flashcards | Quizlet

Listen to chapter 15 here: Matilda: Chapter Fifteen
Answer questions in worksbook.

• What does Miss Trunchbull Think is in her glass?
• What does Matilda want to talk to Miss Honey about?

If you have time left, answer the "Extra" questions in your workbook.

Matilda; Chapter 13

Work with words here: Matilda, chapter 13: The Weekly test Flashcards | Quizlet

Read/listen chapter 13: Matilda: Chapter Thirteen

Answer these questions: 

- What does Nigel suggest Miss Trunchbull to do to check if all the students can spell "difficulty"? 

- What does Miss Trunchbull do to Rupert? 

Matilda; Chapters 11 & 12

Work with words from chapter 11 here: Matilda, Chapter 11: Bruce Bogtrotter and the cake Flashcards | Quizlet

Listen (chapter 11) here: Matilda: Chapter Eleven - YouTube

Words from chapter 12: Matilda, chapter 12: Lavender Flashcards | Quizlet

Listen here: (8) Matilda: Chapter Twelve - YouTube

               

Answer these questions: 

What will Miss Trunchbull test the children on? 

List three facts about newts: 

•  
•  
•  

Answer these questions: 

What does Nigel suggest Miss Trunchbull to do to check if all the students can spell "difficulty"? 

What does Miss Trunchbull do to Rupert?

Matilda; chapter 10

Work with words here: Matilda - Chapter 10: Throwing the Hammer Flashcards | Quizlet

Read/listen to chapter 10 of Matilda: Throwing the Hammer: Matilda: Chapter Ten - YouTube

Then answer this question:

What is the Chokey? Describe it.

Finished? Work with words from chapter 11 here: Matilda, Chapter 11: Bruce Bogtrotter and the cake Flashcards | Quizlet

And read the chapter + work with questions.

Ms Trunchbull hammer throw