The End is Really the Beginning!

It has only been a few days since several of our UNASP students from Brazil started to return home.  Most spend one semester at SVA to learn English and a new culture.  Another UNASP group follows the next semester.  I truly enjoyed this group of young people.

Having spent the last 4 months teaching them English (and hearing some pretty standard complaints from time to time), I was slightly surprised when they said they were sad to leave.   

"Just when I was beginning to really learn English and make friends with Americans, I have to leave!"  I was happy at that comment because it meant that the SVA experience was a success.

I thought of you all when I read this article in WIRED magazine...

How Brazil Plans to Teach a Million People English Before the Rio Olympics

Students!  Remember that SVA was just the beginning for you!  Blessings and Happy Holidays reunited with family and friends.  I will miss you!

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) New King James Version

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct^[a] your paths.

 

 

FINALS WEEK AT SVA

Our last days together this semester.  I wish you good luck and Godspeed!  Merry Christmas!!!

ENGLISH FUNDAMENTALS TESTS

15-Question Grammar & Vocabulary Test

10-Question Listening Test


After each online test, save the results for Mr. Rivera to record.

 It was a great experience with great young people from around the world at SVA 2014!!!

Friday, November 14

Instructions for Mr. Rivera's ELL classes today.

5B - English Fundamentals 1

Students: Icaro, Islla, Bruce, Victor, Andrea (SVAE)

Finish all exercises in Ch. 4 TEXTBOOK

Study Ch. 4 grammar charts using google/youtube

6A - U.S. History & Culture

Read p.88-92 in small groups (2-3)

Write answers to questions 1, 2 on p. 92

Use internet to research all titles and headings p. 88-92

6B - English Fundamentals 2

Students: Camilo, Ana, Keren, Danilo, Alejandro, Vitor, Jhonatan, Graciela, Rafael

Finish all exercises in Ch. 4 TEXTBOOK and WORKBOOK

Study CH. 4 grammar charts using google/youtube

7A - Listening/Speaking

Watch TED Talks (English subtitles)

7B - Writing/Reading Lab

Students: All the above

1. Journal Question: Cold: Write about how you experience the cold at SVA
2. Writing: Work on Draft 1 - Semester Writing Project (due Nov. 21)
3. Mrs. Griffin’s Online Work (Camilo, Alejandro, Sebastian, Tammy, Danilo, Gabriel)

THURSDAY, November 13, 2014

PLANS FOR MR. RIVERA'S ELL CLASSES
NOV. 13, 2014

English Fundamentals 1

Students: Icaro, Islla, Bruce, Victor, Andrea (SVAE)

Study for Test on Ch. 4.  

Finish all exercises in Ch. 4 TEXTBOOK

Study Ch. 4 grammar charts using google/youtube

Watch EF1 Ch. 4 “Grammarspeaks” at englishclasssva.blogspot.com

English Fundamentals 2

Students: Camilo, Ana, Keren, Danilo, Alejandro, Vitor, Jhonatan, Graciela, Rafael

Study for Test on Ch. 4

Finish all exercises in Ch. 4 TEXTBOOK and WORKBOOK

(workbooks are in the “OUT” box)

Study CH. 4 grammar charts using google/youtube

Watch EF2 Ch. 4 “Grammarspeaks” at englishclasssva.blogspot.com

Writing/Reading Lab

Students: All the above

Students should work in the following order:

1. Writing: Work on Draft 1 - Semester Writing Project (due Nov. 21)
2. Mrs. Griffin’s Online Work (Camilo, Alejandro, Sebastian, Tammy, Danilo, Gabriel)
3. TOEFL Practice on Computers  OR  Reading practice exercises at englishclasssva.blogspot.com

Friday, November 7

Today is my wife's birthday, so I will not be at school today.  Here is the plan for classes today.  See you on Monday!  Ciao...

ELL Substitute Plans - Friday, November 7 (12:40-3:30 p.m.)

• 5B - English Fundamentals 1 (12:40-1:10 p.m.)

1. Work on textbook exercises following Charts 4-3, 4-4 and 4-5
2. Quiz on Ch. 4 on Tuesday
3. Finish workbook Ch. 4

• 6A - U.S. History & Culture (1:15-1:45 p.m.)

1. Read Ch. 5 individually.  Use chromebook/internet to help you understand more.
2. Study Quizlet.com for Ch. 5 vocabulary quiz on Monday

• 6B - English Fundamentals 2 (1:50-2:20 p.m.)

1. Do textbook exercises following Chart 4-6
2. Finish grammar workbooks for Tuesday, Ch. 4

• 7A - Listening/Speaking Lab (2:25-2:55 p.m.)

1. Watch/Listen to TED Talks on computer with English subtitles
2. Do Listening Exercises at svaenglishclass.blogspot.com

• 7B - Writing/Reading Lab (3:00-3:30 p.m.)

1. Turn in 50 new words in vocabulary notebook
2. Begin work on First Semester Writing Project:  “My International Experience in 2014”  (750-1000 words typed)

1st draft: due Friday, November 21

2nd draft: due Friday, December 5

3rd draft: due Thursday, December 18

October Home Leave

October Home Leave was really nice, although it involved a lot of driving!  We went up to Boston and visited New Hampshire and Vermont as well.

October 10 - SVA ELL Class Work

Hi Class,

I understand there was no teacher in my classes yesterday, October 9.  I am sorry about that.  Today I will make sure you have a teacher by sending Mrs. Rivera to class!  You will enjoy her.  :)

Please read and follow the plan below.  I have also shared some photos from Washington, D.C. at the end.  

Blessings and Happy Sabbath!

Mr. Rivera

------------------------------------

Tuesday, October 7 was Community Service Day.

On Wednesday, October 8, we went to the international admissions for tours of James Madison University and Eastern Mennonite University. 

On Thursday and Friday, October 9-10, I will be out of town, so you will have a substitute teacher.  

Here is the work you will need to do THURSDAY and FRIDAY.  I will be back in class on Monday, October 13.  

Mr. Rivera
andy.rivera@sva-va.org
413-325-4656 (text/call)

CLASS PLANS FOR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9 (and Friday, October 10)

5th Period B - English Fundamentals 1 (5th period B) 

A. Chapter 3 - Study Charts 3-1 to 3-10 (use powerpoint, grammar speaks, and youtube)

B. Speaking Exercises/Activities with Teacher from Textbook, Ch. 3

C. Students must finish workbook Ch. 3 through chart 3-5 (due Tuesday, October 14)

D. Possible Quiz on Charts 3-1 to 3-5 on Tuesday

6th Period B - English Fundamentals 2 

A. Chapter 3 - Study Charts 3-1 to 3-4 (use powerpoint, grammar speaks, and youtube)

B. Speaking Exercises/Activities with Teacher from Textbook, Ch. 3

C. Students must finish workbook for all Ch. 3 (due Tuesday, October 14)

D. Possible Quiz on Charts 3-1 to 3-4 on Tuesday, October 14

7th Period B - Writing/Reading Lab 1&2

Journal Questions:
Friday - Write about Community Service Day (who, what, when, where, why, how)
Monday - EMU/JMU Tour - Compare these two schools to each other and colleges in your country

B. Read Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (online) AND/OR

Read Autobiography of Frederick Douglass (online)

TOEFL Prep

SVA Homework

UNASP Work

Vocabulary Book - due Friday, October 10 (ALL STUDENTS)

CLASS PLANS FOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10
6th Period A - U.S. History & Culture

A. Research and prepare your Presentation on a famous American Indian or American Slave (due Wednesday, October 15)
What to present:

Slaves - name, family, colony/state, type of work done, fame and life story

Indians - name, meaning of name, tribe, region of tribe, fame and life story

B. Read Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (online) AND/OR

Read Autobiography of Frederick Douglass (online)

C. Chapter 3 - Watch each videos below:

1) Economy of New England Colonies 

2) Economy of the Middle Colonies 

3) Economy of the Southern Colonies 

7th Period A - Listening/Speaking Lab 1&2

TOEFL Prep on ELL computers

Listening Exercises on englishclasssva.blogspot.com

Washington Monument, Washington, D.C.

 Abraham Lincoln, Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C.

The Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.