Year 2: SO next week

Hello second graders,

next Monday you'll have an SO about the new bit of grammar, so here is a bit more to help you practice.

Click here to find a lovely site with a Dutch explanation, and a few links below to practise.

Also, don't forget to make the workbook exercises, and asks lots of questions.

And remember the difference between these two:

He has been dead for 5 years

He was dead for 5 years

;)

Last but not least: DON'T FORGET TO STUDY LIST 10!!

Good luck!

Year 1: SO this week

Hey there first graders,

here is one more link to practise for this week's SO.

http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=5398

Of course, you can always click on the label Present Simple to find all posts relating to this subject and practise some more!

Good Luck!

Things that move me (4): TV fan saves presenter's life

So, there was this nurse, who was watching a TV marathon of the American game show Flip or Flop when she discovered a lump on the man's throat. She sent him an email to warn him - he went to the doctor. Turned out to be cancer.

Now, 2.5 years later, the man is fully cancer-free. If she hadn't sent him the email, who knows if would have survived this...

Click here to read the entire story

Book assignments!

I have handed out the assignment for your first book report, and I know that some of you may have lost the handout. So, here is the solution for you: I have put them online.

In the Desktop version of this blog you should be able to see it on the right hand side of this

In the Mobile version this may not be visible, so click here if your working on your phone.

Year 1  Book assignment

Year 2 Book assignment

Make sure you click on the right assignment!

Good luck and have fun!

Year 2: What to study for the test?

Dear second graders,

after your dramatic scores on the first SO, I expect you to do a lot better on the first test. To help you prepare, read this post.

Here is what you need to study:

1. All words ánd list 4, 6 and 7

You need to study all the words from the second chapter, and also the lists on the DWP. Remember to study them in context! You can use Quizlet if you want to - the words are already on there. Search for Edith_online to find my account.

You always need to study your vocab both ways: from Dutch to English, and vice versa.

2. Some and Any.

Are there any children missing today?
Yes, there are some children missing today.... or, no, there aren't any children missing today.

To practise the difference between these two words, follow the links below. I'll do my best to keep the exceptions out of the test, but I can't make any promises.

https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/vocabulary/some-any
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/confusing_words/some_any.htm
http://autoenglish.org/gr.some.i.htm

3. Comparisons (vergelijkingen)

I am big, but my brother is bigger and my daddy is the biggest.
English is interesting, but Biology is more interesting and the siësta is the most interesting!

Do you believe you are good at this? I bet you can be better!

Click the links below to practise, practise, practise!

https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/adjectives-adverbs/adjectives/exercises
http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=2070
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/adjectives_adverbs/adjectives_comparison_sentences.htm


4. Past Simple vs. Past Continuous

Your fifth tense! Here is an example of what to expect on the test for this exercise:

While I ............. (do) the dishes, my dog ............ (bark) once.

The correct answer here is, of course,  [was doing] & [barked].

It's up to you to figure out which one verb takes which tense. Be aware of irregular verbs when using the past simple! There will also be a small exercise with picture. You will need to describe both pictures in one sentence. Any correct sentence is correct, so be creative!

Here are some links to practise this part.

http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/past-simple-past-continuous-exercise-1.html
http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=734
https://elt.oup.com/student/project3rdedition/level5/unit1/grammar/exercise1?cc=us&selLanguage=en

5. Reading

There will also be a bit of reading with questions in this test.You can practice for this by doing the reading exercises in the book, and by reading your English fiction book. You have to hand in your first book report after the Autumn  break as well, so you might as well use it to practice for the test!

6. Ask questions!

If anything is still unclear to you, please don't hesitate to ask any and all questions! Your English teacher is there for you to help you and I love to be able to help you out. So, don't hesitate, and start asking!

Good luck!

Year 1: What to study for your first test?

Dear first graders,

after the autumn break you will have your first English test, and this post is supposed to help you prepare for this.

Here is what you to study:

1. Words!

You have to study all the words from the yellow pages, from English to Dutch and from Dutch to English. Remember to use the red card to study them in context!

Don't forget about quizlet!


2. Present Simple

You will need to be able to use the Present Simple (tegenwoordige tijd) in all kinds of sentences (bevestigend, vragen en ontkenningen). Here are some links to help you study!

https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/tests/simple-present-1
http://www.really-learn-english.com/simple-present-exercises.html
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/tenses/simple_present_mix.htm

3. To be and To have

Remember those two most important verbs in English? To be and to have? you will be tested again!
Use the links below to practice them once more.

http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=3019
http://www.agendaweb.org/verbs/be-have-exercises.html
http://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/english-verbs-behave1.html

4. Numerals (rangtelwoorden)

Someone who comes in place number 1 (one), is in 1st (first) place.

1 - one - 1st - first

Knowing these words is important for this test. Click the link below to practice them.

http://www.focus.olsztyn.pl/en-exercises-numerals.html
http://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/english-verbs-behave1.html


5. Reading

There will also be a bit of reading with questions in this test.You can practice for this by doing the reading exercises in the book, and by reading your English fiction book. You have to hand in your first book report after the Autumn  break as well, so you might as well use it to practice for the test!

Good luck! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask me!

Hobbies (2): crochet

Recently, I've learned how to crochet, and it has become a great hobby of mine.

Here are some things I've created over the past few months.

Nsfs: a label warning you to avoid these posts at school

I've noticed that some of you like to visit my blog during school time. This is, of course, perfectly okay. Except for some items.

For that reason I have made up the label NSFS: not safe for school.

Opening these logs during school time is entirely at your own risk. They contain funny links, humorous videos and so forth; I.e. all those things we don't want you to enjoy under our watch ;)

Reason for this new label is that I yelled at a student today, while he was watching a video I linked myself. So, Oscar, I'm sorry, and I hope I have solved this ;)

Year 1: Your first SO!

Dear first graders,

Your first SO for English will be on Wednesday. Here are some sites you can use to practise.

1. Subject / Object Pronouns.

he sees me, I see him.

Having trouble knowing when to use me and when to use I? Click on the link above to practise some more. The object pronouns cannot be found in your book, but you do need to know them!

2. Possesive pronouns.

I have a ball. This is my ball. The ball is mine.

Possesive pronouns (bezittelijke vernaamwoorden) are used to tell what is mine and what is yours. One comes before, the other behind. Click the link above to practise, practise, practise. 

3. Quizlet

Studying words can be fun! Search on the site above for 'Edith_online' and study the words for the so. Make it a game - who can beat my high score of 7.7 seconds?

Grammar (2): Tenses!

Do you still find all those different tenses in the English Language so confusing?

Don't worry! Help is here!

This lovely website provides example sentences for every tense: Affirmative, Negations and Questions (bevestigend, ontkennend en vragend). It also has a very brief description on how to use each tense.


From year 3 onwards, I expect you to know these rules and be able to apply them correctly. Especially in letter writing! (hint, hint, year 5 students!)

Year 2: What to study for SO X1

Dear second graders,

next week you will have your first SO of the year. Traditionally this SO has the worst results of the entire year. This year it won't! Because here are some magnificent websites that you can use to study.

There are three grammatical structures you need to know. These are:

1. If and Will (the first Conditional)

You need to be able to form your own sentences with if and will.
Example: sun shines - play football.
If the sun shines, we will play football.

These exercises will help you learn the rules. 

2. Present Simple & Present Continuous

Remember these from last year? Does this happen all the time or is it happening right now?
Example: I play football every Saturday vs I am playing football right now.

This website first gives you the rules once more. Scroll down to find the exercises.

3. Past Simple

Last but not least: let's talk about the past! This is also from last year. Again, scroll down for the exercises.
 Example: I played football last night.

Be aware of the irregular verbs! (= onregelmatige werkwoorden).
Don't forget to study the LISTS on the DWP.

4. Irregular Verbs

Want to practice these pesky verbs?This link will give you all  the irregular verbs the English language has. You only need to know some of them! It also provides exercises.

Another tip to study the irregular verbs: Download the Quizlet App and search for Irregular: there are many lists already online, ready for you to be studied!

SO X1:
G2A, G2B: Monday 21st of September
2G: Friday 25th of September

Students Tips (1)

Here are a couple of links that some of my pupils have emailed to share with you!

1: Explosms Comics

A bit rude - so it's not for the faint of heart, but also hilarious! A new comic every day, in English, so a enjoyable way of expanding your vocabulary.

2: A hilarious and heart warming video

This clip shows you how locals come into action when a local jewelry store has been robbed. It's so worth it to endure the dialect!

3: Dutch Expressions hilariously translated

Football fans may already be familiar with these kind of expressions thanks to our own Van Gaal, but that doesn't mean they're not funny anymore.

Enjoy!

And if you have anything to add - a funny story to share, or a heart warming video that needs to be linked, please send me an email.

Year 2: listening practice

Hello second graders,

Next week you will have your first listening test. You cannot prepare for this test - as in, there are no words to study.

However, practice makes perfect, and some of you might want to practice some more at home.

You can use this site to do so. Make sure you use the Listening exercises (ctrl+F let's you search the website).

Good luck!

Year 2: if & will video

Dear second graders,

This week's lesson will be about sentences with if and will, also known as the first conditional. Don't worry about the name, all you need to know is how to use it and which mistakes to avoid.

I recommend you to watch this video before this week's lesson.

Remember, if you watch this video, you will have an easy lesson this week!

Also, you can use this to prepare for the first test.

Study tip (2): app

The school year has started and it is time to start studying your words again.

One of my students was using this app at school, and she has sent me the name so I can share this with you.

Quizlet

This app allows you to put in your own word lists as well as using lists made by others. It offers different ways of practising, like mix and match or typing in the correct answer. It even pronounces the words for you!

Things that move me (3): good people

I came across this article right before bedtime, and it made me feel all happy, warm and fuzzy inside.

And since I want you to feel the same way, here is my moment of happiness for today.

Study tip (1): linking words

Reading tests become so much easier when you know your linking words. Especially in year 5, when your preparing for your final exams.

Click here to practice some more with those pesky little words, and go ace those exams!

Writing tip (1): formal letter writing

Now that the year is almost starting, I am getting excited to go back to teaching. And as I was preparing my year 5 lessons for next week, I just had to go and find a practice website for you. And I did.

So, my fifth year students will start the year off with writing a formal letter.

This exercise will help you improve your writing skills as well as your vocabulary. You can practice more by clicking on the 'B2 level' button at the top.

Happy practising!

Listening tip (2): app

The British Council provides a great deal of apps that help you improve your language skills. Today I will introduce one of these.

(Important! Since I own only an Android phone I will only link to the Android applications. I have no knowledge of whether these are avalaible for Apple or where to find them. If someone cares to supply the links to me I will surely add them to this post and future posts.)

Android British Council Watch and Listen

This app provides a number of videos on different aspects of British culture: there are videos about music, sports, history and much more.

Each video is accompanied by:
- an audio script, allowing you to read and listen at the same time.
- a glossary, explaining the most important difficult words.
- questions about the video, so you can check whether you really understood the video.

Each video is approximately 5 minutes long. You can also listen to the video without the audio script by tilting your phone sideways. This way you can truly focus on your listening skills.

The videos are suitable for years 1, 2 and 3, but may provide extra vocab for higher years.

Things that move me (2)

Dearest pupils of mine, and actually everyone out there,

Please watch this video. Watch it all the way to the end, and preferably, watch it again.

And please, think about your own online activities, and your own safety.

Stay safe.

Reading tip (2): webcomic

Of course, my favourite webcomic needs to be on here too, so here it is.

Questionable Content by Jeph Jacques

The main characters in this comic are Marten, Faye, Dora and Hannelore, although many side characters appear, disappear and reappear throughout the series.

Dora runs a coffee shop, Marten works at the library of a college and the comic is basically a slice of life of a bunch of twenty somethings in Massachusetts. And there are robots. Tiny robots called AnthroPCs, and they are sort of humanoid. Marten has one, Pintsize, and he is kind of an asshole.

I recommend to read the comic from the beginning in the archives. The earlier artwork is a lot crappier than the modern stuff, but the characters and the story line are worth it.

Listening tip (1): TV show

Here is a listening / watching tip for pupils in year 1: Rocket's Island.

A short summary, straight from Wikipedia because I am too lazy to write my own summary, and it's a good summary:

Rocket's Island is about the Boulsworth Family, who live and run Knot Farm, who take care of a number of foster children who come and stay with them. Rocket and his friends have many adventures in their day-to-day lives with plenty of drama involved.

It's funny and actually quite thrilling at times. The characters are well written, and have a typical CBBC weirdness to them :)

It's broadcast on CBBC, or BBC 3. Don't worry if you don't get BBC 3, there are plenty of episodes available on YouTube.

And here is the link to the original advert. Go ahead, click on it. Have fun!

Rocket's Island Trailer

My hobbies (1): crafting

During the summer I've got quite a lot of time on my hands (finally!) and my inner crafts lover tends to take over. And also I ruined the zipper on my favourite shoulder bag, so I'm desperately in need of a new shoulder bag.

So I took some old jeans, cotton wool and a newly acquired stitching skill.

And voila, here is the result, which I'm quite pleased with. The details remind of the bag's origin (ie old jeans), and it has a sturdy, rough look.

So now I'm totally into textile and making bags, as a new craft, so if you have old jeans and/or are looking for a new bag, you know how to contact me 😊

Things that move me (1)

I know that the following clip is quite old and you might have seen it already, but that doesn't mean it's not amazing.

And even after all this time, this video still moves me to tears. Lots of tears.

So here it is for you to enjoy (once more).

Alan on AGT

Reading tip (1): website

So, it's time to really put up some content here, and I'm starting off with one of my favourite websites:

Cracked.com

Cracked is a website that features all kinds of articles: interesting features, witty infographs, the works.

Every wanted to know what the five deadliest household appliances are? Ten ways in which you are killing yourself every day? Six superheroes based on Medieval folklore? Chances are, cracked has an article on it, including sources and references.

Well written articles, with lots of humour and the amazing ability to leave you baffled every time.

So, start filling your head with useless but funny knowledge and start reading!

Also avavilble as app as the Cracked Lite Reader.

Starting a new blog

You know... There is a problem with finally starting the blog you thought about for so long.

For the last couple of years I have had this thought about a million times:

"If I had a blog I'd post this"

And thankfully most of them didn't make it to my long-term memory, but quite a handful did.

And now that it's finally here, I don't know where to start.

Yeah I know, first world problems *grin*

Welcome

Hello everyone,

Welcome to you all, and thank you for witnessing a memorable moments; I am finally launching my own blog.

For years I've been thinking about starting  a blog, to share my favorite websites, funny videos, random stuff  I stumble across and - last but certainly not least - to share learning tips & websites with my pupils.

Chances are that you are reading this because I have you this address in class. If so, hi there pupil! Thanks for visiting - I promise to make it worth your while!

If you happen to be here for another reason, I also welcome you and please let me know how you found me.

To all of you - welcome, and happy reading & learning!

Edith