Blog #6: FREEwrite

Today's blog is a freewrite.  That means you can write about anything.  Like usual, don't worry about grammar or spelling, just write.  Write 2-3 paragraphs, or more!

*due Monday, 11/14 before class.

Blog #5: Creative Writing

You will choose (or be given) 3 photographs to write about.  Your task is to make one interesting story from the three photos! Think of it like creating a crazy movie script. Your classmates will not see your photos, so try to use descriptive language to tell your story.  Have fun and be creative!

Write 2-3 paragraphs.  Due Monday, 10/31 before class.

Blog #4: "TED Talks" Listen & Respond

Have you heard of "TED Talks"?  They are short , inspirational speeches given by fascinating experts and innovators in different fields.  They are very popular and usually very good.

Your task:

1) Read about summarizing on pages 66-68 in the textbook.  Don't do the practice in the book, just read these pages to review what a summary is.

2) Click on the link below of 15 TED Talks "that will change your life".
3) Look through the list and choose one that seems interesting to you (not #8 or #15- they are too short).
4) Listen to it (if you don't like it, switch to another one).  They are 15-25 minutes long.
5) Write a 2-3 paragraph response.  Write one or two paragraphs of summary, explaining the main ideas of the talk in your own words.  Then write one or two paragraphs of your reaction and opinion about it. Will it change your life??

TED Talks Link

*If you finish early, you can go back and read some other classmates' Blogs 1-3, and check for comments on your own previous blog entries. You can also go to the official TED Talk website (ted.com) and find another talk to listen to until class is over.  This is a great way to practice listening to authentic academic English.

Blog 4 due before class on Monday, 10/17

Blog #3: Confession

Confession time:  Write about a time you got in trouble as a child.  What did you do?  How did you get caught?  Did you learn anything from the experience?  If you never really got in trouble, you could tell us about something you did, but didn't get caught, or you could talk about someone else who got in big trouble.  Check the comments section below for my story...

Blog Response 3 due Monday, 10/3 before class.

Blog #2: Proverbs

I really enjoyed reading your blogs and comments last week!  Keep up the good work.

Read the proverbs below (from the grammar book Focus on Grammar 4).  Respond to them in any way you'd like to.  You might comment on one or more that are meaningful to you.  Do you have life experience that matches these proverbs?  Do you have similar proverbs in your culture?  How do they compare?  Write 2-3 good paragraphs.

1. Rome wasn't built in a day.
2. He ran away from the rain and was caught in a hailstorm.
3. Silence was never written down.
4. Never promise a fish until it's caught.
5. Stars are not seen by sunshine.
6. Write the bad things that are done to you in sand, but write the good things that happen to you on a piece of marble.
7. Skillful sailors aren't made by smooth seas.
8. A good year is known by its spring.
9. Knowledge is like a garden: if it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested.
10. Great trees are envied by the wind.
11. The night is dark, but the apples are counted.

Please title your blog "Blog  #2".  It is due Monday, September 19 before class.

Blog #1: Introductions

Tell us  about yourself! Who are you? What are some things that interest you? Why did you decide to come to the U.S. to study? What are some of your hobbies?  Please write 2-3 short paragraphs.  Also, think of some interesting things to tell us!

Write your blog on YOUR page. I will link it to my page. Please title it "Blog #1".

Blog #1 due Tuesday, 9/6