Monday, October 31, 2016

Grammar #18: Gerunds (due Wednesday)

Complete the following sentences with gerunds. Please write the entire sentence in your reply.

1. Since coming to the U.S. I've especially enjoyed__________________________.
2. Since coming to the U.S., I have stopped __________________________.
3. Since coming to the U.S., I have avoided ______________________.
4. Since coming to the U.S., I've had trouble _______________________.
5. Since coming to the U.S., I've spent a lot of time ______________________.
6. I'm looking forward to_____________________________.
7. I'm still not used to___________________________.
8. I strongly dislike_______________________________.
9. On weekends, I don't feel like ____________________________.
10. If you visit my country I recommend ___________________________.
11. I don't mind ____________________________.
12. I'm afraid of___________________________.
13. Let's talk about __________________________.

Musical Lesson: Gerunds


'I Can't Help Falling in Love with You," by Elvis








"I Can't Stand Losing You," by The Police "Keep on Loving You," by REO Speedwagon (this song was SO POPULAR when I was a kid way back when!)

Gerund slides


This powerpoint presentation was made by my students last year to help remember some of the preposition combinations as well as some of the special gerund combinations. You can download it.

Thursday, October 27, 2016

The Many Meanings of "Get"

1. Receive
Did you get the package?

2. Understand
I don't get what she means.

3. Become
I'm getting tired.
I got bored after about 20 minutes of the movie.

4. Arrive
How did you get here? I got here on foot.

5. Pick up
You can get your tickets at the front office.

6. Get + preposition = Move
Get out of here.
Get off the table.
Get in the car.

7. Let's get + gerund = Begin
Let's get going.
Let's get started.
Let's get moving.

8. Catch (similar to receive)
The cops got the criminal after a long chase.
Go get him!

9. In sports, to cover, defend, or oppose somebody.
We're playing football. I'll get Joe and you get Mike.

10. Revenge
I'm going to get him good for what he did to me! (In Arabic: "Walla La Kisrak!")

11. Cause someone to do something
I got him to take me to the airport. He didn't want to do it at first, but I convinced him.

12. Answer the phone or open the door.
The phone is ringing. Could you please get it?
Someone's knocking on the door. Could you get it?

13. To take care of something, such as the bill at a restaurant.
You don't have to pay; I got it already.

14. Other expressions with get
A. Get lost!
B. Get up.
C. Get together. (to meet with friends--I'm getting together with my best friend tonight)
D. Get along. (have a good relationship--I get along well with my brother).
E. Get over it!
F. Get out of here! (It means "no way! You're not serious!)
G. Get in trouble

If you can think of any others to add to this list, post them as a comment.

Grammar #17: Be supposed to (due Sunday)

(Be) supposed to means the same as (be) expected to, both of which are passive. This means that somebody else is supposing or expecting something.

Some expectations for our class:
1. Students are supposed to come on time. In other words, students are expected to come on time.
Who expects that? The teacher. The school. The administration. The HCC culture.

2. Students are supposed to pay attention in class. In other words, students are expected to pay attention in class.
Who expects that? The teacher. The school. The other students. Everybody.

3. Students are NOT supposed to sleep in class. In other words, students are expected to stay awake in class. TAN, ANH, TOYE, GHAITH, ETC...
Who expects that? I think you know the answer to this question.

4. Students are supposed to do their own work on exams. In other words students are NOT supposed to cheat.
Who expects that? I think you know the answer to this question.

5. Students are supposed to speak English in class. In other words, students are NOT supposed to speak other languages. ROSAIDA, XIMENA, ITZEL, GUSTAVO...

If you understand this lesson, then tell me three more expectations that either the teacher or the students are supposed to meet in class.

If you do not understand this lesson, write "I do not understand this lesson."

Updated schedule for this week


Week 10
Class 1
Class 2
Writing
Peer editing of cause and effect essay

Connectors in the grammar book (8-4 thru 8-7)


HW: Ch. 8, ex. 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 24-27, 30-32, 36
(complete the exercises of the sections that are covered in the class).
Compare and Contrast Essay


HW: Final draft of your cause and effect essay due on Tuesday.

pp. 127-129 (write thesis statements and comparison and contrast sentences)

p. 130 (read the instructions at the top of the page. Then write your paragraph and post it on the blog—due Monday)


Grammar
Ch. 10: Passive voice (10-4 thru 10-9)

HW: Ch. 10, ex. 12, 15, 16, 17, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 35, 37, 38, 41, 42



Ch. 10: Passive Voice (conclude)



HW: Ch. 10, ex. 46, 47, 49, 51, 52, 53, 54

Blog writing #14-17


Grammar #16: Get + Adjective or past participle (due Sunday)

Go to exercise 36 on p. 279 and answer the questions below.

Grammar #15: Be used to/be accustomed to (due Sunday)

First, do exercises 40-42 on p. 281.

Then answer the 3 questions in exercise 44 below. Write complete answers.


Transitive Verb or Intransitive Verb?

The math professor explained the lesson.
TRANSITIVE—“explain” needs an object

I drive to work every day.
INTRANSITIVE—“drive” does not need an object

Many students sleep late on the weekends.
INTRANSITIVE—“sleep” does not need an object.

Louise finally got her license.
TRANSITIVE—“get” needs an object

Does your family live in Toronto?
INTRANSITIVE—“live” does not need an object

Mark and Mindy seem unhappy.
INTRANSITIVE— “seem” is followed by an adjective, NOT AN OBJECT

When did your friends come to the United State?
INTRANSITIVE—“come” is not followed by an object

For email, you need a computer.
TRANSITIVE—“need” NEEDS AN OBJECT

My father and I always disagree about politics.
INTRANSITIVE—NO OBJECT REQUIRED after “disagree.”

Did you find the address?
TRANSITIVE—“find” needs an object

Comparisons with AS

Today in class we compared doing homework with paying attention in class. Here is what some of the students said:

1. Julio: “Doing homework isn’t quite as important as paying attention in class.”                
(paying attention is a little more important)


2. Fanny disagreed with Julio: “Doing homework is JUST as important as paying attention in class.”
(paying attention and doing homework are equal—use “just” for emphasis).

3. Tan said: "Paying attention in class isn’t as important as doing homework."
(doing homework is more important)

4. Thoai emphasized Tan's point even further: "Paying attention in class isn’t nearly as important as doing homework."
(doing homework is much more important)

5. The others said: "Paying attention in class isn’t quite as important as doing homework."
(doing homework is a little more important)

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Online help: Modals and Passive Modals

Passive voice:
http://utminers.utep.edu/micontreras/passive.html (GOOD PRACTICE QUIZZES!)
http://www.esl-classroom.com/grammar/passive6.html

More on modals:
http://www3.telus.net/linguisticsissues/Modals.htm#may

Participial adjective quiz:
http://english-zone.com/grammar/prtcplsnj.html

A list of intransitive verbs

Some verbs have no object following them. 
 We cannot use the passive voice with these verbs:

1- agree                   6- die              11- look         16- seem
2- arrive                   7- fall             12- occur        17-sleep
3- be                                               13- rain            18-stay
4- become                9- happen      14- recover       19-walk
5- come                    10- live          15- remain        20-work

Powerpoint Slides:Non-progressive passive preposition combinations


Musical Lesson #5: Passive

Passive and active forms

Active sentences are red.
Passive sentences are green.

Simple past:
+ Tom opened the door.
    The door was opened by Tom.

--Tom didn’t open the door.
     The door wasn’t opened by Tom.

?  Did Tom open the door?
    Was the door opened by Tom?

Present perfect:
+ Tom has opened the door.
    The door has been opened by Tom.

--Tom hasn’t opened the door yet.
   The door hasn’t been opened by Tom.

?  Has Tom opened the door yet?
   Has the door been opened yet?

Future:
+ Tom will open the door.
   The door will be opened by Tom.

-- Tom won’t open the door.
   The door won’t be opened by Tom.

?  Will Tom open the door?
   Will the door be opened by Tom or by Suzi?

Grammar #14: Passive Voice

Answer the following questions with more than a yes/no response.

1.    Were you allowed to watch as much TV as you wanted when you were a child?
2.    Were you ever sent to your room as a punishment?
3.    Were you made to help with the housework? (e.g. do the dishes, sweep)
4.    Have you ever been robbed?
5.    Have you been given a prize?
6.    What kind of presents are you usually given on your birthday?
7.    Have you ever been given a present that you didn’t like?
8.    Have you ever been caught doing something bad?
9.    Where can you be reached during vacation?
10.What has to be done in your home/apartment on the weekends?

Powerpoint Presentation: Reasons for the Passive Voice


Sunday, October 23, 2016

Format for your essay

I'd like you to use a 12-point font (Times New Roman is the standard font).

I'd like you to have 1-inch margins on all sides.

Of course you need to double space.

At the top left or right corner:
Your name
The date
My name
Essay #3: Final Draft

Peer editing sheet for cause and effect essay

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-rIza1967iVTTFjXzFCVVU5WGM/view?usp=sharing

This is just in case you lose yours or if you don't go to class on Tuesday. Remember, you are still responsible for doing the peer editing part of the process.

Hi Guys

As I told you last week, I will be absent on Tuesday. Mr. Crooks will be coming again. This will be my last absence (hopefully).

I have posted the schedule for the week under weekly schedules. Please have a look.

In writing you will do peer editing of your cause and effect papers and you will also work on chapter 8 in the grammar book.

In grammar you will continue chapter 10 (passive). I will complete chapter 10 with you on Thursday.

I look forward to seeing you then.

HC

p.s. Many of you have not submitted your thesis. It was due last night. Your outline is due now, but I have only seen a few.

I will not be checking the blog until Tuesday night, so you will not have the benefit of my input for this essay. I will deduct points from your essay if you have not completed these 2 steps (thesis and outline) because it was clearly explained to you in class and on the blog.

Friday, October 21, 2016

The Language of Cause and Effect

Please look over this chart. It will help you with your essay.

http://www.eluprogram.com/The_Language_of_Cause_and_Effect.pdf


Thursday, October 20, 2016

Topics for your next essay (cause and effect)

Your thesis statement is due Saturday 7 p.m. (Post as a comment.)
Your outline is due Sunday 5 p.m. (Post as "reply.")
Your first draft is due in class on Tuesday.
Your final draft is due in class on Thursday.

Here are some choices for topics. I hope you find a topic that interests you. All of the ideas for this essay should come from YOUR BRAIN, not from the internet. However, if you go to the internet for information or statistics, you must tell me your sources at the end of your essay.

1. How smartphones have impacted our lives (effect)
2. Why students cheat (cause)
3. The effects of divorce on children (effect)
4. How a particular book or movie has influenced your life (effect)
5. An important historical event in your country (cause or effect)
6. Why do people get married nowadays? (cause)
7. Why did you/will you choose your major? (cause)

Please select one topic and send me your thesis statement by tomorrow (Friday). After I approve your thesis, I want you to send me your basic outline for the essay.

I look forward to reading your VERY THOUGHTFUL ESSAYS.

Writing #4: Paragraphs of Cause (due Friday)

Explain two of the causes for the failure of the Undergrad Grill. Write two complete paragraphs.

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Hi Everybody

I posted the schedule for this week under "weekly schedules." Please have a look.

I will be absent on Tuesday. Mr. Crooks will be my sub. In writing class, you have an in-class process essay to write. In grammar, you will complete chapter 6, which we began on Thursday.

I look forward to seeing you on Thursday.

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Some thoughts on writing a process essay

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/process.htm

This is something interesting for you to read. The author explains WHY you write a process essay and HOW to get the reader interested in your topic. I welcome your comments if you read it.

Monday, October 10, 2016

Updated schedule for writing


Week 1 (August 23 and 25):
Course introduction
Ch. 1, pp. 2-24 (prewriting)

Week 2 (August 30 and Sept. 1):
Ch. 2, pp. 25-46 (writing paragraphs)

Week 3 (September 6 and 8s):
Ch. 2, pp. 25-46 (writing paragraphs)
Ch. 3, pp. 47-66 (revising and editing)
HW paragraph #1, see p. 45

Week 4 (September 13 and 15):
In class test paragraph #1
Ch. 3, pp. 47-66 (revising and editing)
Ch. 4, pp. 67-84 (writing essays)
HW paragraph #2, p. 79

Week 5 (September 20 and 22):
Ch. 4, pp. 67-84 (writing essays)

Week 6 (September 27 and 29):
Ch. 4, pp. 67-84 (writing essays)
HW essay #1, p.98 (general)

Week 7 (October 4 and 6):
In class test essay #1
Ch. 5, pp. 86-98 (process essays)

Week 8 (October 11 and 13):
Ch. 7, pp. 111-124 (cause and effect)
HW essay #2 (process)

Week 9 (October 18 and 20):
Ch. 7, pp. 111-124 (cause and effect)
In class test essay #2 (process)
HW essay #3 (cause and effect)

Week 10 (October 25 and 27):
In class test essay #3 (cause and effect)
Ch. 8, pp. 125-137 (compare and contrast)

Week 11 (November 1 and 3):
Ch. 8, pp. 125-137 (compare and contrast)
HW essay #4 (compare and contrast)

Week 12 (November 8 and 10):
Ch. 9, pp. 138-150 (problem and solution)
In class test essay #4 (compare and contrast)

Week 13 (November 15 and 17):
Ch. 9, pp. 138-150 (problem and solution)

Week 14* (November 22):
Ch. 11, pp. 163-179 (opinion)
HW essay #5 (opinion)
*November 24: Thanksgiving holiday

Week 15: (November 29 and Dec. 1):
Ch. 11, pp. 163-179 (opinion)
Review

Week 16: (December 6 from 9-11):
Final Exam (problem/solution or opinion essay)

Sunday, October 9, 2016

Updated schedule for grammar (please note test dates)


Week 1 (August 23 and 25):
Course introduction
Ch. 1: Present time

Week 2 (August 30 and Sept. 1):
Ch. 2: Past time

Week 3 (September 6 and 8):
Ch. 3: Future time

Week 4 (September 13 and 15):
Ch. 4: Present perfect and past perfect

Week 5 (September 20 and 22):
Ch. 7: Modal auxiliaries

Week 6 (September 27 and 29):
Ch. 7: Modal auxiliaries and review

Week 7 (October  4 and 6):
Test #1 (chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7)
Ch. 5: Asking questions

Week 8 (October 11 and 13):
Ch. 5: Asking questions
Ch. 6: Nouns and pronouns

Week 9 (October 18 and 20):
Ch. 6: Nouns and pronouns
Ch. 10: Passive voice

Week 10 (October 25 and 27):
Ch. 10: Passive voice
Ch. 13: Gerunds and infinitives

Week 11 (November 1 and 3):
Ch. 13: Gerunds and infinitives
11/3: Test #2 (chapters 5, 6, 10 and 13)
Ch. 14: Noun clauses

Week 12 (November 8 and 10):
Ch. 14: Noun clauses (continued)

Week 13 (November 15 and 17):
11/15: Test #3 (ch. 14)
Ch. 12: Adjective clauses

Week 14* (November 22):
Using If and Wish (Teacher handouts)
*November 24: Thanksgiving holiday

Week 15: (November 29 and Dec. 1):
Ch. 9: Comparisons
12/1: Test #4 (If and Wish and ch. 9 and 12)
Ch. 8: Connecting Ideas

Week 16: (December 6):
Final Exam (11 a.m. -1 p.m.)

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Grading Symbols

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-rIza1967iVMVR0ejFqbzNaT0k/view?usp=sharing