The United States of America: A Melting Pot

Did you ever wonder why the United States is called a melting pot? Do you even know what it means to call our country a melting pot? The United States has been attracting people from all over the world since we won our independence from Britain in 1783, at the end of the Revolutionary War. They came to this country leaving behind their homeland in order to make a better life for themselves. The result of the melting pot are American citizens who become part of the history of our nation, who become the defenders of our freedom and who bring their own individual talents and culture to meld into this great society. We are Asian American, Euro American, Mid Eastern American, African American. We are all Americans under the red, white and blue flag that represents the United States of America. This is all of our country and we are here because of what it stands for. It stands for life liberty and the pursuit of happiness and "All men are created equal".

Grammar note:
This post touches on the fact that even though we all come from different backgrounds, we are all still Americans. I believe this is a great way to have each student write their own paragraph about their culture.

Grammar activity:
In a composition, students will write about their own heritage. They will include at least two activities (verbs) from their culture that they practice, with at least two people and where they participate in their cultural events (nouns). Students also must be incredibly detailed about their cultural experiences (adjectives).

Vocabulary:

1. Attracting: to draw or bring people closer
2. Result: what happened because of an event or action
3. Citizen: to be apart of a country
4. Freedom: the idea that you are allowed to do whatever you want, as long as it doesn't hurt someone.
5. Individual: one person
6. Culture: what makes a country or area unique. Culture consists of people, music, art, sports etc.
7. Represents: an object or person that acts or speaks for something else
8. Liberty: the right to choose
9. Pursuit: to go after something
10. Society: how people relate or act with each other in a community

The Renaissance Man

Leonardo da Vinci was born in 1452 and died in 1519, was a painter, architect, inventor, and student of all things scientific. He was talented in so many fields that he was labeled “Renaissance man.” Today he remains best known for his art, including two paintings that remain among the world’s most famous and admired, Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. Da Vinci received no formal education beyond basic reading, writing and math, but his father appreciated his artistic talent and sent him, at around age 15, to work with a very well respected sculptor and painter from Florence. Da Vinci contributed to science with early drawings and designs of a helicopter, much earlier than any other scientists. Leonardo also got involved in higher mathematics later in his historical life. When he began studying mathematics he did not know how to express his findings in terms that was recognized by mathematicians, so he often solved problems by drawing geographic shapes to calculate equations.

Grammar note:
Since Da Vinci ventured into so many fields and physically did so many things that this post would be an excellent opportunity to go over verbs.

Activity:
Students will identify at least five verbs from the post and create sentences using each verb. Once each verb has a sentence, they will read their sentences out loud to their classmates.
Their classmates will provide positive feedback and making recommendations on how to improve their sentences.

Honest Abe

One of my favorite people I remember studying about in school was Abraham Lincoln. He was a man who had accomplished so much during his life, and presidency, and was assassinated.
Abraham Lincoln was born in Hardin County, Kentucky on February 12, 1809. Lincoln admitted to only having one year of formal education, or one year of actually going to school, and taught himself most of what he learned through reading every book he could. Lincoln was nominated for the presidency by the Republican Party in 1860.  Lincoln won 40% of the popular vote and 180 of the 303 electors. Abraham Lincoln is considered by many scholars to have been the best President. He is credited with holding the Union together and leading the North to victory in the Civil War. His actions and beliefs led to the freedom of African-Americans from slavery. On April 14, 1865, Lincoln was assassinated while attending a play at Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C. Actor John Wilkes Booth shot him. Lincoln died on April 15th.

Grammar note: There are a variety of people, places and things named in this blog. There is an opportunity to point out several nouns in this blog.

Grammar activity:

Students will list at least two places, two people and two objects from the paragraph about Lincoln.

For example, they could list Hardin, Kentucky and Washington, D.C. as places, Abraham Lincoln and John Wilkes Boothe as people and stage and school as things.  

After identifying two people, places and things/objects, students will then create their own sentences using each noun.

The nine year old that refuses to lose.

How many people out there have little sisters? I have a nine year old sister myself and she is not the most graceful loser. When I say "not a graceful loser" I mean she will do what she has to do to win. Especially with my brother and I. Here is an example. Today I was playing air hockey with her and like a good older brother I was making it fun, looking the other way on purpose so she could sneak a few cheap goals in. The score was tied when I realized "Oh no! I almost forgot to post my blog for EDU 542, my favorite class!" I quickly asked my sister "Is it okay if we made a rule that the next goal wins? I have homework to do." She gave me an evil stare, unhappy that playtime was going to be cut short, but agreed with the new rule. After minutes of intense air hockey, I snuck a goal in and threw my hands in the air victoriously and shouted "Yes! I am the winner!" My sister shook her head in embarrassment for being related to such a dork and said "Thomas, can we play the NEXT person who scores a goal wins? Please?" knowing full well I would say yes to such an adorable request. We began playing again and after two minutes of intense air hockey she slapped the puck past my blocker and scored. "Did you see that?! That was awesome!" she said victoriously and began walking away. "Wait," I said standing by the table still. "Can we play the NEXT person scores a goal wins? For real this time?" I continued. "Nope, I just won," she said quickly and ran off before I could convince her otherwise. Well played, little one. Well played.

Vocabulary:
1. Graceful: to move smoothly, without falling or stumbling
2. Intense: Very tense and stressful
3. Victoriously: feeling like you won
4. Embarrassment: feeling ashamed
5. Adorable: cute
6. Quickly: fast
7. Request: to ask for something
8. Well-played: phrase to describe a good job
9. Evil: mean or scary
10: Stare: to look at something or someone for a long time

Grammar point:
When do we use a period, an exclamation point and a question mark.

We use a period (.) at the end of general statement or sentences.
We use exclamation marks (!) when we are excited or our voice rises.
We use a question mark (?) when we are asking a question.

Activity:
Pick the proper symbol at the end of each statement.

1. He calmly walked across the street (.) or (?)
2. Are you going home (!) or (?)
3. We won the championship (!) or (.)
4. Is it time for lunch (?) or (.)
5. I am doing homework (.) or (?)
6. I got a new puppy (?)  or (!)

The Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show

This year the Super Bowl was played by the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos. What was supposed to be a game of the ages turned out to be a complete blowout, showing the country that the Seahawks were clearly the most complete team in the league. Since the game was a blowout, viewers were looking towards other parts of the event to bring entertainment. Between a blowout in the game and below average commercials, viewers like me were left feeling a bit unsatisfied by the evening, that is until Bruno Mars stepped to the stage for the halftime show. In past years the halftime show has been a huge festivity that has gotten received mixed reactions from viewers. Who can forget the world of drama the Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction brought to the country during the 2002 halftime show or last year when Beyoncé put on a performance that made people forget there was a game being played all together. This year, young Bruno Mars had the task of following up Beyoncé's stellar performance in the first outdoor Super Bowl played in the northeast part of the country. Fighting cold temperatures, Bruno came out and put on a great performance that had fans of all ages jumping and dancing. His soulful sound reminded many of a legend by the name of Michael Jackson as he sang and danced around the stage with fellow band members. Mars was joined on state for a song with the Red Hot Chili Pepper, which in my opinion was fantastic.

Vocabulary:

1. Blowout: When one team beats an opponent by a large amount.
2. Viewers: People watching an event.
3. Unsatisfied: Not happy with an event or performance.
4. Wardrobe: What a person wears.
5. Malfunction: When something bad unexpectedly happens.
6. Stellar: Doing something really well.
7. Joined: To do an activity with someone.
8. Fantastic: A word to describe something good.
9. Stage: Where a person does a performance.
10. Festivity: A party, celebration or performance.

Grammar Point: When do we use capital letters

We use capital letters at the beginning of each sentence, for the first letter of a proper noun and when we speak about ourselves using the word "I".

Example of sentence: We are going to the mall tomorrow.
Example of proper noun: Bruno Mars, New York, Monday

Students will identify the words that need to be capitalized and they will correct any words that are capitalized incorrectly:

1. I am afraid to Go on stage by myself.
2. have a fantastic day.
3. I am unsatisfied with my grade.
4. I was joined by my mother when i went to the city.
5. the computer had a Malfunction.
6. Have A stellar day.
7. The Super Bowl has many viewers.
8. The Seahawks won in a Blowout.
9. I can't wait to watch the halftime festivity.
10 Lenny Has A Great Wardrobe.

Can you hear me now?

When I was in middle school it was common for a fellow student to come into school one day with something that everyone was talking about. Whether it was a fresh set of braces or the newest pair of Jordan sneakers, there was always some kind of buzz going about the school. One day a friend of mine came to school with something that has become so common in our society today that it makes me feel prehistoric every time I think about the first time I saw a friend of mine holding one. My friend brought in a cell phone. Yes, a cell phone. It wasn't a smartphone, like we are so used to seeing now, it was a brick of a phone with a black and white screen. It didn't flip, it had a 60 text message limit before it ran out of memory and you most definitely couldn't update your Facebook status from it. As a matter of fact the only really cool thing about that phone was the snake game that I still enjoy playing today. I would be lying if I said I didn't run home that day begging my parents if I could get one, spitting out any dramatic scenario that would require me having a phone.

Fast forward to the year 2014. Go into a middle or high school and try to find a student that has the same phone that rocked Bellport Middle School 12 years ago. You won't find it. Technology has taken a huge leap forward in the past 5 years alone.

Definitions:
1. Fellow: People that are with you
2. Buzz: What everyone is talking about
3. Prehistoric: Really old
4. Memory: Amount of space available to save items
5. Technology: Machines or systems
6. Fresh: New
7. Cell phone: A telephone that works without wires
8. Smartphone: A cellphone that can use the internet
9. Scenario: A possible situation
10. Require: To need something.

Matching:
Fellow                                                                                 a. New
Buzz                                                                                    b. To need something
Prehistoric                                                                           c. A cell phone that can use the internet
Memory                                                                              d. People that are with you
Technology                                                                         e. A possible situation
Fresh                                                                                   f. What everyone is talking about
Cell phone                                                                          g. Amount of space available to save items
Smartphone                                                                        h. A telephone that works without wires
Scenario                                                                              i. Really old
Require                                                                               j. Machines or systems

Grammar Point:
A lot of the vocabulary used in this post could almost be considered slang. Although it is not grammatically correct, it is important for ELLs to understand the social language that is being spoken and written around them. There also is a lot of vocabulary about technology. Knowing technological vocabulary is crucial, especially at a time when technology is such a huge part of our day to day lives.

Are you ready for some football?

This weekend the New England Patriots will play the Denver Broncos in the AFC championship game. The winner of this game will play in the Super Bowl. The best player for the Denver Broncos is Peyton Manning. He is the quarterback for the Broncos. Manning, who was a first round pick, broke many records in the 2013 season. If Manning and the Broncos wins this game on Sunday he will be going to the Super Bowl, which is being played in New York this year, for the second time in his career. The best player for the Patriots is their quarterback, Tom Brady. Brady, who was a seventh round pick, has won three Super Bowls and has been in five total. If Brady and the Patriots win, it will be the sixth time him and his head coach, Bill Belicheck have gone to the Super Bowl together. These two quarterbacks have played each other many times over the past fifteen years, with Brady coming out victorious more often than not. After a heart breaking ending to their season last year, Manning and the Broncos have all the motivation to win this year and return to the sports biggest event.

Vocabulary
Records: An achievement by a person or team that no one else has done.
Championship: The most important game of the year. The two best teams play to be the best one.
Super Bowl: Footballs championship game.
Motivation: Desire to want to succeed.
Winner: Person or team who plays better.
Patriots: Team from New England who were named to describe early Americans.
Broncos: Team from Denver named after a wild horse.
Victorious: Winning a game or competition.
Quarterback: A position on a football team.
Heart breaking: An expression to describe extreme sadness.

Vocabulary Assignment 

Fill in the blank using the vocabulary words.

1. The                    was so difficult to control after the race.
2. Sometimes people need the right                              to get their work done.
3. The                                   is the most viewed event in the world.
4. Tiger Woods was the                         of the 1998 US open.
5. I hope my team wins today so we can play in the                              game next week.
6. Losing a really close game is so                                 .
7. George Washington, Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson are all considered                           .
8. If you can throw a football far, you should think about playing                       .
9. If you work really hard and get a little lucky, you can breaks a lot of                              .
10. I scored more points than my opponent so that made me                       .

Grammar Point:
The vocabulary assignment for this post gives students a chance to take new words that they have learned and put them into sample sentences. These sentences only have one correct matching word, so when they place the correct word in the correct sentence, they will see and hear what context that word belongs. It will help them learn to read around words to figure out the definition of a word that they do not know.