An exercise for students to use critical thinking, and to practise speaking.
First we shall let the students work in pairs, discussing today’s question:
What’s the problem with your city … and what’s the solution ?
Let’s kick off with some useful vocabulary
pollution
litter
noise
traffic congestion
You may start like this:
I live in Sai Gon (Ho Chi Minh City). The city is very large and busy, and has many great places. However, it also has many problems.
Then talk about pollution (air and water),
litter (paper, plastic, food, bottles, cans etc)
noise (karaoke, motorbikes, street vendors, building work)
traffic (is it fun or safe to drive ?)
Remember to use amazing adjective as well as linking words to give longer, better answers.
Now for some solutions
How can we make rivers cleaner ?
How can we make the roads less congested ?
How can we stop people littering ?
How can we reduce noise pollution ?
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.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year one and all. Here is what we shall be studying this block, and what I expect from you:
Students will have a large vocabulary, and speak in long, interesting sentences.
Students can tell if a word is a noun, adjective, verb, pronoun etc.
Students will be able to use Simple Present & Simple Past (Verb 1 & Verb 2)
Students will come to class on time, and will be prepared; that means having pens, pencils and a notebook.
Class rules will be followed. I demand that MY students
DO NOT RUN in the halls
DO NOT SHOUT.
If you do, you shall receive a …
Additionally, you will have to sing a David Bowie song in front of the whole class !
Our classes will kick off (start) with a song
‘Love Me Do’ by the Beatles.
Next we shall have speaking time.
I will write a subject and you will talk to your partner for as long as possible. Remember, English is never finished – you can always improve (get better). Today the question is:
What do you want in 2024 ?
You can say want you want to have, where you want to go, and why, what you want to study (and why), what new skill you want, maybe some new food or drink.
Let’s break it down.
First, what do you want to have ?
A new toy // a baby sister or brother // Lucky Money // A+ in your tests // an iPhone 15 !
Next, where do you want to go, and why ?
Da Nang because it is beautiful and cool. Also I can eat fresh fruit.
London because I want to see Mr Paul’s hometown 🙂 Also I can visit many famous places like Tower Bridge.
Thailand because the people are friendly and the temples are amazing and peaceful.
Next, what you want to study (and why)
I really want to study English because …
What new food do you want to eat ?
I want to try British Christmas food because …
EXAMPLE:
In 2024 I want to go to Thailand because the food is spicy and delicious. Also, it is quieter because I don’t hear karaoke.
I want to have great classes with super students who are respectful !
Maybe I will learn some more Vietnamese so I can talk to people.
Finally, I really want to learn this music on guitar. However it is very difficult and very fast. I will have to practise every day.
Happy New Year everybody. Peace and Love.
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.
The young Asian woman has long, straight, black hair. She is wearing a blue coat and holding a large, pink book. I think she is very intelligent and hard-working. She looks very happy. In my opinion she is waiting for a friend and they will go for a coffee.
Now … your turn
Picture 2
Picture 3
Picture 4
Picture 5
Picture 6
Picture 7
Picture 8
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.
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.
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Thay Paul's Notes 