1) Landscape 2) the men 3) the birds 4) the cheeky bird
1) Landscape
Where is this ? What can you see ? Describe the scene
(China, mountains, river, lake, trees, rocks. The sun is rising with a golden light. The scene is peaceful and tranquil.)
2) The Men
What do they look like ? What do they do ?
(The men are old, with lines on their faces. They smoke and have disgusting teeth, yellow and black. They dance and chant. They feed the birds tiddler fish.)
3) The Birds
Describe them
(The birds are intelligent and talented. They are expert hunters and can swim well. Also, they can count, up to 7. After 7, they refuse to work unless they get some tiddlers to swallow.)
4) Cheeky bird
What does the cheeky bird do ?
Now, write your short story about fishing with birds. Advanced students can practise writing in the simple past, using verb 2.
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.
A couple of games to help review recent lessons. First up, ‘Runaround‘.
A game based on a TV show. The teacher asks a question and then gives three possible answers.
EXAMPLE:
What animal is small, green and can jump ?
A – a dog B – a frog C – a hedgehog
The students – just one from each team – run to a letter. They are allowed 3 seconds to change their mind – then give the answer.
The following questions are based on our textbook, so adapt as you see fit.
What colour is a banana ?
A – purple B – white C – yellow
What is correct ?
A – 2 red marbles B – 2 red marble C – 2 marbles red
What animal is big ?
A – a mouse B – an elephant C – an ant
How much is 3 and 4 (3 + 4 =) ?
A – 6 B – 7 C – 8
What is in your bag ?
A – a pen B – a chair C – a classroom
Is this a book ?
A – Yes, it isn’t B – No, it is C – Yes, it is
What toy can fly ?
A – a train B – a plane C – a doll
What shape is this ?
A – a rectangle B – a circle C – a triangle
What animal has rectangle pupils in the eye ?
A – an elephant B – a goat C – Ms Huong (haha)
You play with a bat and
A – an egg B – a desk C – a ball
If you want to drink water, raise your
A – hand B – toes C – hair
Next, good old Snakes and ladders. In the same teams, hand out writing boards. Use an online die or dice, and this template:
1: Make a sentence I have a colour + toy
2: A rainbow is very (adjective)
3: Write 3 colours that begin with the letter ‘b’
4: What is your favourite toy ?
5: What can you see in this classroom. Write 2 things
6: What colour is your bag ?
7: A puppy is (2 adjectives)
8: Write a question starting with ‘Can …’
9: Tell me what is in your bag
10: Draw an elephant and then tell me about the animal.
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.
Extending the concept of recycling, and phasing out plastic, this project shows how to turn old cardboard boxes into toy theatres with just scissors, sellotape, colour paper, wooden sticks … and imagination.
The subject was King Arthur, and my manager printed out some great colour pictures.
The first theatre was made from a large box, and I just cut out a central square and a side panel. I found some old yellow material in my house, so the students could make curtains or a backdrop.
The middle theatre is my first attempt (I am hopeless at art and crafts, as you can see). The box was not ideal, being oblong, so the theatre is tall and thin, but it at least gives an idea how an old box can be transformed.
Now, this is how I turned an old electric toothbrush box into a palace of dreams and fantasy.
{many instructional videos can be found on YouTube}
First, I flattened the box, and cut away the flaps. Then I made a stage by folding and taping down the front panel.
The side panels form the frames for the sides and roof.
Next, decorate with paper. I used adverts from a free newspaper with large areas of bright colour. I selected a picture for a backdrop, an impression of Arthur’s Camelot.
1
Finally, just cover all remaining areas with paper. Cut out the characters and attach them to wooden sticks.
Our Summer Class, working in teams, produced these dioramas of drama:
Task 3: Write a short story using as many new adjectives as you can. Try these pictures to help:
One day, I was in a …
Task 4: Write your own story. I want at least 6 amazing adjectives. 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.
Worksheets for this lesson may be found at the end of the blog
TASK 1:
Draw the Amazon River. Where can you find this information ? Also, write the names of the countries.
TASK 2:
In teams, write the many animals you would find in the Amazon Rainforest.
Giant ant-eater
Let’s delve deeper (let’s learn more)
Use comparatives and superlatives:
A jaguar is a big cat BUT not as big as a lion. A lion is not as big as a tiger.
A lion is bigger than a jaguar but a tiger is the biggest.
A capybara is a rodent (like a mouse or rat).
A Capybara
A rat is _______________ than a mouse but a capybara is the ____________ rodent.
What is wrong with this sentence ?
A caiman – a type of alligator.
A caiman is big but an alligator is more big and a crocodile is most big.
A caiman is a reptile – it is _______________ dangerous reptile in the Amazon. Reptiles have thick or scaly skin. They can live in hot weather and salt water.
A frog is amphibian – amphibians need water to live and only have soft delicate skin. They cannot live in saltwater (like the sea). If you see frogs or toads, it can mean that the water is good.
TASK 3:
Next put these animals in order of danger, first, second and third then write a sentence using a comparative and the superlative
poison dart frogbullet antjaguar
The answers
Number 3: bullet ant
Number 2: jaguar
Number 1: poison dart frog
Did you know ?
A jaguar has ___ _____ powerful bite. A jaguar bite is _____ powerful than a lion.
A bullet ant has _____ _____ painful insect sting. The sting is 30 times ______ painful than a bee sting.
The poison dart frog has different colours. The golden poison dart frog is ____ _____ poisonous.
NOW … time to learn more:
QUIZ
Where is the Amazon Rain Forest ?
How many countries does it spread across ?
It is known as the lungs of the planet … why ?
How many different types of fish are there ?
Name 3 deadly creatures.
What is the loudest creature ?
The Salto Angel waterfall is the ___________________ in the world
Answers:
South America // 9 // it produces 20% of the world’s oxygen // 3 000 // poison dart frogs, jaguars, snakes, spiders, piranhas // a toucan // largest at 979 metres.
TASK 4: Cut and and glue onto your Amazon chart some of the animals that can be found in the Rainforest.
Make a fact chart – write down any information that you find fascinating
Worksheets
Amazing Amazon Rainforest facts
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.
I will show you a card trick. Do you know how it is done ?
J = Jack // Q = Queen // K = King // A = Ace
Now, watch the British magician Dynamo. How does he do his tricks ? Choose one and let the students guess.
Task 6: General Knowledge
Ask the following questions either team by team, or first to raise hands
Which big cat is the strongest ?
How can you make the colour green ?
Who was the first man to walk on the moon ?
What is the capital city of France ?
Which is the fastest animal on the land ?
How many people are there in the world ?
Who painted the Mona Lisa ?
Who helped to cure smallpox by making the first successful vaccine ?
How many planets are there in our solar system ?
How many stars are there in the American flag ?
How many stars are there in the Vietnamese flag ?
Name four countries where English is the first language.
How many types of penguins are there ?
Global warming is caused by the excess of which type of gas ?
Which is the biggest desert in the world ?
How can you kill a vampire ?
What shape is the pupil of a sheep and goat eye ?
How do you say ‘Hello’ in French, German and Italian ?
Can you act like this man and say, “You know this is, excuse me, a damn fine cup of coffee.”
Can you dance like Starlord ?
(clip can start at 0:29 and end around 1:23)
Answers
1 – Tiger 2 – Mix blue and yellow 3 – Neil Armstrong 4 – Paris 5 – Cheetah 6 – Over 7 billion 7 – Leonardo da Vinci 8 – Edward Jenner 9 – 8 10 – 50 11 – 1 12 – UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa 13 – 18 14 – CO2 Carbon Dioxide 15 – Sahara Desert 16 – a steak through the heart or burning but NOT a silver bullet 17 – rectangle or square
18 – Bonjour, Guten Tag, Buongiorno or Ciao !
Ciao, Federico !
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’s subject was life-changing inventions. I had previously introduced the class to early C20th collages, mixing paint with newspaper headlines, as well as ‘found art’ – items of rubbish (trash, garbage) that could be utilisied in an artistic manner.
Let’s take that a step further. I searched my house for items that could be used to create three robots.
First, a main body: I used a detergent bottle, a hard-plastic container and a rectangular cardboard box.
As can be seen, I found cotton, hard plastic, buttons, bangles, empty medicine blisters, food jars, adhesive handles, incense sticks, bits of old plumbing … etc, etc, etc.
Some good old sticky tape and glue sticks, markers, scissors and crayons:
Students are put into small teams and given this questionnaire.
The teacher will place information cards around the room, possibly even outside the classroom depending on school layout.
One student from each group will look for the answer, then report back to the group. The answer is written down.
Repeat with a new student each time, then return to the original student.
Pedagogic benefits:
Reading questions and finding the correct answer.
Reporting back to the team.
Writing the answer.
Presenting the answer to the whole class, speaking clearly and loudly.
The Perfect Penguin Quiz
1) We say a herd of sheep and a pride of lions – but what is the collective nouns for penguins ?
2) Why are penguins black and white ?
3) Why do penguins huddle together ?
4) Penguins have solid, heavy bones but other birds have hollow, light bones … why ?
5) How does a penguin keep warm ?
6) Apart from Antarctica, where do penguins live ?
7) How many types of penguins are there ?
8) Why will you never see a penguin with a polar bear in the wild ?
9) Are penguins good walkers ?
10) What does a man penguin give to a lady penguin if he likes her ?
The Answers
1) A group of penguins is called a raft (in water) or a waddle (on land).
2) The black and white is camouflage – they look like waves from above, and sunlight from underneath.
3) Penguins huddle together for protection and to keep warm
4) Penguins don’t fly. Heavy bones are better for swimming.
5) Penguins make oil. They cover their feathers to keep warm.
6) Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, South Africa, New Zealand & Australia.
7) There are 18 types of penguin.
8) Polar bears live in the Arctic, in the northern hemisphere.
9) Some penguins can walk 60 miles on ice.
10) A man penguin gives a lady penguin a rock if he likes her. The man shows he wants to build a nest together and start a family. The stones will protect eggs.
NOW … write and draw a story
A penguin goes on holiday to the Arctic and meets a polar bear for the first time. What happens ?
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 do not have any instruments in our class (yet … later we shall make a xylophone !), but we all have voices and can sing !
Let’s start with a round. This is when some of the class sing a song, then the other students sing the same song BUT one verse later.
Listen to this children’s song called ‘London Burning.’ Listen and then we shall try to sing. Many points to the best singers.
Teacher’s Note: split the class into small groups depending on class size and motivation. Award points for the best performances.
First question – do you know any famous composers ?
M _ _ _ _ _
B _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
C _ _ _ _ _
B _ _ _
P _ _ _ _ _ _ _
QUESTION RUNAROUND
Teacher’s Note: Keep class in small groups. Select one student per group to run up to the board and place – not slap – their hand on number 1,2 or 3. Blank the screen so the students can’t see the answers !
Question 1: Who wrote this music
1) BlackPink 2) Paganini 3) PinkBlack
Question 2: Is this music for
1) a birth, 2) marriage or 3) death ?
Question 3: Is this music
1) Happy and joking 2) sad 3) very angry
Play from 17:02
Question 4: This music is about a planet – which one ?
1) Venus (love) 2) Jupiter (happiness) 3) Mars (war)
Question 5: This opera is set in which country ? 1) China 2) Australia 3) Spain
Last Question: Classical music is often used in films. Was this music used in a …
1) comedy 2) animation 3) space film ?
How does the music make you feel ?
What adjectives can you use ?
excited, thrilled, scared, nervous, awe-inspired
Now it’s time to learn about the orchestra and the instruments.
The number 4 is very important in music – do you know why ?
What are the four families of instruments ?
What are the four stringed instruments ?
What are the brass instruments ?
What are the percussion instruments ?
BUT … it’s not always perfect. Take a look at these:
June 21st in Antarctica. The sun did not rise; it was night for 24 hours and the temperature was less than -50°C.
How do penguins keep warm ?
Percival Penguin couldn’t sleep, he had many penguin problems that kept him awake, so he went for a walk.
Penguins like walking some can walk up to _______ miles.
Really, Percival was in love with Heather Penguin and he wanted to find a lovely heart-shaped rock to give to her.
Why do male penguins give rocks to female penguins ?
However, he couldn’t see where he was and suddenly … he fell, and kept falling and falling, down and down.
When he stopped falling, he stood up and saw
“Oh la la ! Where am I ?” he cried. The night was gone, it was sunny and it was really, really hot, at least 12°C. However, there was a huge white monster. Percival was scared but curious.
Just then, Percival saw another amazing sight – a bird that could fly ! That was impossible !
Penguins are birds but can’t fly – why not ?
“Upon my soul, what have we here ?” said the new friend.
“My name is Percival Penguin, please to meet you. Can you tell me where am I ? I need to meet my Heather.”
Just then a new friend appeared and asked, “Does your Heather wear leather in hot weather or only feathers ?” This was Di O’Nisiss, another strange creature.
Poor Percival was perplexed, he didn’t know where he was or who these animals were. The white bird flew down next to him.
“Hello, I am Athena. I’m a snowy owl. Di O’Nisiss is a reindeer and that,” pointing with her wing, “Is Erik Polar bear.”
Penguins never meet polar bears – why not ?
“The white monster ?”
“He isn’t white, he’s brown,” corrected Di O’Nisiss
Why are white polar bears actually brown ?
“I think Percival, you are very far from home. Welcome to the Arctic. How did you get here ?”
“I’m not sure. One minute I was walking, the next I fell and fell and fell …”
“He found a teleport,” said Di O’Nisiss. “Are you hungry ?”
“Oh, yes, I would love to eat some ______ ”
What do penguins eat ?
“Shall we go for a swim ?” Percival asked Athena.
“A swim ?” replied Athena, “Are you loco ? Birds don’t swim they fly”
Percival was very confused.
“What a crazy place ! Birds fly but don’t swim, white bears are brown, night is day, cold is hot. Everything is upside down.”
“Well,” answered Athena, “Everything IS upside down. Let’s get some lunch then we will tell you all about the Arctic … and you can tell us about the Antarctic.”
NOW … your turn
Finish the story. You may write and draw a comic if you wish. How does Percival get back to the Antarctic and does he find a rock for Heather.
The Arctic region contains plains, mountains, rivers and lakes, hills, and tundra. Tundra has no trees but lots of grass and plants, so has food for animals. Antarctica is 98% ice.
The Arctic has many large land animals including reindeer, musk ox, lemmings, arctic hares, snowy owls, squirrels, arctic fox and polar bears. The sea has walrus, seals and some whales.
The largest land animal in the Antarctic is an insect, a wingless midge, less than 1.3cm long. There are no flying insects. Apart from penguins, there are also seals.
About 4 million people live permanently in the Arctic region. Nobody lives permanently in Antarctica.
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.
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Thay Paul's Notes 