Before younglings graduate from the Superkids Level, they have to, absolutely have to, master the most basic verb in English, the verb ‘to be’ – so, let’s go to work !
Let’s go to work
BAAM ! Easy !
Now … let’s practise
Make it a game, put the class in teams
I shall read a short sentence. I want the correct Verb 1, Verb 2 & the infinite.
EXAMPLE: I say, “I is happy.”
Team 1 writes I am happy,
Team 2 I was happy
Team 3 using the helping verb ‘want’ will write I want to be happy.
OK, I dig, Man, let’s go to work !
You is sad // He am angry // She are intelligent // It is cold // Ms Huong am cute // We am hungry // They is furious.
Change the helping verb to like or need
I is better // You is taller // Ms Huong over the moon // He am a tough guy // She weres colourful // It iss rich // We to be free // They on holiday.
A writing exercise to help build narrative. We shall use signpost language, paragraphs, amazing adjectives, adverbs and linking words, as well as some new expressions.
I shall tell you about last Sunday – it was terrible and here’s why.
The plan of my day:
6.50 Book Grab on my iPhone and leave for work.
7.40 – 9.40 Young Learners class, level 1 (24 students)
10.10 Arrive home
10.11am – 2.30pm Wedding party across the street
10.30 – 12.00 Prepare work online
5.00pm – 9.30pm Another wedding party but much louder, more karaoke singers
6.00 Go for coffee
BUT 11.30pm Barcelona win 1- 0 so ‘All’s well that ends well.’
So what were the problems ?
“Hey, where is my bike ? I am late for work !”
I only have one class; I hope they are nice and quiet. OK, they are screaming, loudly ! But now I can go home and relax. Wait a moment …
A wedding party with singing and drinking and karaoke … for four hours ! No problems, I will wear headphones, listen to my music and prepare my work online.
I give up ! This is never going to happen. However, after 2.30pm it starts to be quiet. I can work, read and at 4.45 I started to sleep … until at 5.00:
These gentlemen do not sing beautifully, they sound like cats having a fight. I decide to go out to a quiet coffee bar. The server is very friendly … but then a man walks in …
My dreadful day was nearly over. At 11.30 I watch TV and see …
Yes, my team Barcelona are playing. I am blown away by how good they are and I am over the moon because they win the game. All’s well that ends well.
NOW … your turn
Write about Mr Paul’s terrible day.
TIPS
Use a short introduction, then a new paragraph for each new event.
Use signpost language (first, next, then, afterwards, finally).
The story is in the past so you have to use simple past (Verb 2). Noun & verb agreement (he is, he was)
End with a short conclusion.
Use new adjectives and synonyms (terrible, awful, dreadful, horrendous).
I insist that you use at least one new expression (over the moon, blown away, all’s well that ends well).
Let me kick start you:
Last Sunday was absolutely dreadful.
First, I booked Grab on my iPhone but he was extremely slow and late. My manager was …
now you finish my day
Good luck with my bad day
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I am // you are // he is // she is // it is // Ms Jane is // we are // they are
Now … let’s speak !
We use the verb ‘to be’ + the adjective ‘happy‘
I am happy // you are happy //
he is happy // she is happy //
it is happy // Ms Jane is happy //
we are happy // they are happy
I am happy // you are happy //
he is happy // she is happy //
it is happy // Ms Jane is happy
we are happy // they are happy
Now … the adjective: hungry
I am hungry / you _____ hungry
he ____ hungry // she ____ hungry
it ____ hungry // Ms Jane ___ hungry
we ____ hungry // they ____ hungry
Now … let’s practise with a song.
Are you ready ?
“We are the robots.”
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I like all fruit. My favourites are apples and bananas.
Now … Your Turn
Ask your friends or tell me: What do you like ?
I like …
Match the answers with the pictures:
swimming
milk tea
toys
movies
cakes
Now make your sentences longer:
I + like + verbing + noun
I like buying toys / I like eating cakes /
I like ___________ milk tea.
Do you go alone or with friends ?
I like going shopping with my sister.
I like drinking milk tea with my ______ .
I like swimming with my _________ .
I like eating cakes with my _____ .
Finally, tell we where you like to do these things ?
I like to drink milk tea with my friends in the mall.
I like to go shopping with my mum at the market.
I like to buy toys at the _______ (where ?)
I like to eat cakes with my _______ at the _________ .
Please Note: All photos are taken from Google Images or free photo sites, and are used for educational purposes only. No copyright infringement or offense is intended. If I have used your photo or image, and you wish me to remove it, just ask. This site is not monetized, I run it on my own dollar. Thank you.
We have talked and written about perfect cities, and used our imagination. Now let’s talk about cities of the future.
(I use Present Simple, Verb 1, not future tense due to the class ability and level)
What do they look like ?
How are they different ?
Look at this picture and then read my description.
In the future the city has many tall buildings called skyscrapers. People live high in the sky. They can see all the city from their apartment.
The city has a lot of shops. The shops are open all day and all night. They sell food, toys and new phones.
My city is very colourful with many beautiful lights at night. Nobody is allowed to smoke and all cars are electric so there is less pollution.
The buildings have shops, hospitals, cinemas, schools and sports centers. People do not need to go outside if it is raining.
Some buildings are old fashioned but most are very modern.
Now … your turn
Write about a future city. Remember to use adjectives:
clean / expensive / futuristic / high / interesting / modern / old fashioned
Check your grammar – I want it to be perfect !
From Fritz Lang’s ‘Metropolis’ 1927
Please Note: All photos are taken from Google Images or free photo sites, and are used for educational purposes only. No copyright infringement or offense is intended. If I have used your photo or image, and you wish me to remove it, just ask. This site is not monetized, I run it on my own dollar. Thank you.
What are the problems … and what are the solutions (the answers) ? For example, in Singapore, if someone litters (throws rubbish on the street), they have to pay a fine, pay money to the police.
Now … your turn:
Write about what you want in YOUR city and why. Use amazing adjectives, and tell me why you would like these things.
Also, tell me what you DO NOT want, and why. How would you punish people who broke rules ?
You may also draw, but do the writing first.
Good luck and have fun !
Please Note: All photos are taken from Google Images or free photo sites, and are used for educational purposes only. No copyright infringement or offense is intended. If I have used your photo or image, and you wish me to remove it, just ask. This site is not monetized, I run it on my own dollar. Thank you.
Please Note: All photos are taken from Google Images or free photo sites, and are used for educational purposes only. No copyright infringement or offense is intended. If I have used your photo or image, and you wish me to remove it, just ask. This site is not monetized, I run it on my own dollar. Thank you.
Now that you have had a little time to “Wake up, wake up,” time to move on to a new story.
We have a writing activity for students to practise telling a story, using ‘signpost language’, adjectives, adverbs for the Top Cats, and to see if they can remember their grammar.
Let’s go ! Here are five pictures; what is the story ?
Time for a word bank
Signpost words
First / next / then / after / afterwards / finally
Nouns
business man / library / champagne / private jet
Adjectives
lazy / poor / bored / tired / furious / strict / hard-working / over the moon (very, very happy) / rich
Verbs
sleep / scream / study / graduate / relax
Now, start writing … and good luck !
Please Note: All photos are taken from Google Images or free photo sites, and are used for educational purposes only. No copyright infringement or offense is intended. If I have used your photo or image, and you wish me to remove it, just ask. This site is not monetized, I run it on my own dollar. Thank you
Intro: How do you say these words ? By the end of the lesson, with the help of Oasis, you’ll be saying, singing, them like a native English-speaker.
Verse One: In English, we speak very quickly, we combine word sounds and ‘swallow’ other letters. When you hear the song, listen … these words are pronounced like this …
Needa lit’al timeta way cup,
Needa lit’al timeta way cup, way cup
In Standard English, I teach you to pronounce the ‘t’s clearly and precisely, but in natural spoken English, many people ‘swallow’ the sound. Best way, as usual, is to practise.
Verse Two: I will show you a video by the band Oasis.
Oasis were a band of five musicians. They were from Manchester in north England. First, watch this video:
Tell me a story about the video
Who is the main subject ?
Where are they ? What are they doing ?
How do they look ?
How about the other people in the video ?
How do they feel and why ?
What do they do ?
DO NOT START WITH PRONOUNS
Remember to use new, exciting adjectives.
Look at your class notes.
Chorus: Plug in, turn up the amp to 11 and Rock ‘n’ Roll !
Let’s hit the effects pedals and get some wonderful words, amazing adjectives.
Fivehandsome, young musicians live in a tower block. They are …
What are they doing, what are they wearing ?
What is the problem ?
Tell me about the neighbours
And don’t forget to sing,
Needa lit’al timeta way cup, way cup
Please Note: All photos are taken from Google Images or free photo sites, and are used for educational purposes only. No copyright infringement or offense is intended. If I have used your photo or image, and you wish me to remove it, just ask. This site is not monetized, I run it on my own dollar. Thank you.
Today we are going to use all our English skills to create a wonderful story. We shall use adjectives, adverbs, perfect grammar and show off our amazing vocabulary.
Are you ready ? Let’s Rock ‘n’ Roll !
Oasis were a band of five musicians. They were from Manchester in north England. First, watch this video:
Tell me a story about the video.
Who is the main subject ?
What are they doing ?
How do they look ? Where are they ?
How about the other people in the video ?
How do they feel and why ?
What do they do ? What do they look like ?
There is so much to write about, so plan your story before you start writing.
WILF (What I’m Looking For):
A strong start, tell me about the main subjects.
DO NOT START WITH PRONOUNS
Remember to use new, exciting adjectives. Look at your class notes.
What are they doing and how – use adverbs.
Here’s some brilliant words to make your story glorious:
irritating // annoying // thoughtless //
spyhole // letter box // dart board //
neighbours // tough guys // lady in a sari
tower block (a tall apartment building)
TOP CATS – some new expressions
Can’t hear myself think
The noise drives (the neighbours) crazy
The walls are paper-thin
If your work is sub-standard, you will have to sing this song in front of the whole class … so be brilliant !
Please Note: All photos are taken from Google Images or free photo sites, and are used for educational purposes only. No copyright infringement or offense is intended. If I have used your photo or image, and you wish me to remove it, just ask. This site is not monetized, I run it on my own dollar. Thank you.
Thay Paul's Notes 