Happy New Year!

Dawn... 7:15 a.m.  From the SVA Orchard looking west towards  the Allegheny Mountains in West Virginia.  A new year is dawning and almost here.  Let's make 2015 the best year of our lives!!!  In God's power.  :)  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

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.

Worth Every Penny

I loved September Home Leave.  We spent it at Virginia Beach as a family.  (Julia, Valentina, Sofia, Diego, Nicholas, and Andy).  It was worth every penny!

Summer is Over and a New Year Has Begun!

What a summer it was!  On May 27, I took a group of SVA students to Instituto Superior Adventista de Misiones (ISAM) in Argentina to learn Spanish.  ISAM was wonderful, and Argentina is awesome!!!!

In July, I taught a Summer ESL program in Massachusetts to a group of 42 Argentinian high schoolers and 26 Japanese girls!  We visited Boston and New York City.

Finally, in August, we made it back to good old New Market and SVA!

So, summer is over, and the new year has begun!  We have a great batch of ELL students this year from several countries.  I am looking forward to the best year yet at SVA!

Proverbs 3:5,6
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 will make your paths straight.

The Rivera Family in Times Square, New York City - August 2014
(left to right: Diego, Julia, Nicholas, Andy, Sofia, and Valentina)

2014 SVA Tennis Champion

Jeffry Vergara (Peru) def. Giovanni Rossi (Brazil) 6-1, 1-6, 6-4

 Jeffry is an iron man triathlete from New Market, Virginia and a member of the New Market Seventh-day Adventist Church. He made his way through the SVA Tennis Tournament defeating Sara Lim (6-0, 6-1), Danny Jimenez (forfeit), Andy Rivera (6-1, 6-3), and tournament finalist and runner-up, Giovanni Rossi. Congratulations Jeffry! You are 2014 SVA Tennis Champion!!! See you next year!!! :)

SVA Tennis Tournament Semi-Final Update

This is the first tennis tournament I have ever organized, and it has been rough in spots - mainly having to do with scheduling.  So, it has been extended.  But we have enjoyed it, and I would invite those interested to come and watch the semifinal and final, today and tomorrow, after supper and during rec.  It is a lot of fun to have spectators.  I will be taking a minibus to the park.  By the way, I am looking for someone to help me with supper supervision at the cafeteria today...  :)  4:45-6:15 p.m. 

Monday - Semi-finals
Match 1
Giovanni Rossi  (#1) Brazil
versus
Juan Camilo Rodriguez (#2) Colombia

Match 2
Andy Rivera (#8) U.S.
versus
Jeffry Vergara (#11) Peru

Tuesday - Final
Match 1 winner
versus
Match 2 - winner

Why Did I Come to SVA?

This is what I came to SVA for.

This group went to the Winchester Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church this past Sabbath to worship and fellowship with God's people up there.  We preached, sang, testified, ate, fellowshipped, and visited His Saints in Spanish, English and Portuguese!

Every person was totally positive, engaged, cheerful, brave, and helpful.  We harmonized in word, deed, and song all day long.  The folk were absolutely blessed and impressed with our youth and Shenandoah Valley Academy.

Thanks River, Karina, Sarah, Robert, and Giovanni.  It was fun to spend the Sabbath with you, and I'm not going to forget it.  You are God's Agents of Redemption, too!  A shout out to Pastor Orlando Newball!

Now, that is what I came to SVA for.  :)

SVA Tennis Tournament Day One

This is the bracket for the tournament. Yesterday there were several byes and other people unable to play, so I don't think there were any matches played. But that is the idea of this schedule. We want people to be able to play, and not be locked into a particular time. It needs to be flexible for the businessmen in the tournament, so we will do it this way. By the way, unless you play on a Sunday or Wednesday, don't expect a crowd to watch you.  That will begin in the quarterfinal round.  We will most likely play some matches on Wednesday. Mr. Rivera will probably play Dean Nick on Tuesday around lunchtime. The matches that need to happen soon (preferably before Wednesday, but definitely by Mother's Day) are: Daniel vs. Florin/Sarah vs. Jeffry/Andy vs. Nick/Matthew vs. Dzik.  The results of these matches will lead to some great matchups for next week. If you have finished your match, make sure to notify Mr. Rivera at once. Make sure to keep an eye on the weather and have a great time playing tennis!!!!

P.S.  How this all started...

SVA Tennis Tournament

SVA Tennis Tournament

May 4-18, 2014

New Market Park Tennis Courts

"A Champion Will Be Crowned!"

Welcome to the 2014 Shenandoah Valley Academy Tennis Tournament!  Please read all the information below to become familiar with the operation of this fortnight of great tennis!  All fans welcome.  God bless!!!

Match Schedule

Round of 16 (May 4 and May 7.  Must be played by May 11)

Giovanni Rossi (1) vs. Open/Bye (16)

Jhonatan Almeida (2) vs. Open/Bye (15)

Juan Camilo Rodgriguez (3) vs. Open/Bye (14)

Danny Jimenez (4) vs. Open/Bye (13)

Matthew Harter (5) vs. Dzik Mazando (12)

Sarah Lim (6) vs. Jeffry Vergara (11)

Daniel Chirvasuta (7) vs. Florin Copaceanu (10)

Andy Rivera (8) vs. Nicolas Lapido (9)

Quarterfinal Round (May 7 and May 11*.  Must be played by May 14)

Semifinal Round (May 11 and May 14.  Must be played by May 18)

Tournament Final (May 18)

Tournament Player List (Seeds)**

1. Giovanni Rossi, Junior

2. Jhonathan Almeida, Junior

3. Juan Camilo Rodriguez, Sophomore

4. Danny Jimenez, Junior

5. Matthew Harter, Freshman

6.Sarah Lim, Junior (Village student)

7. Daniel Chirvasuta, Freshman (Village student)

8. Andy Rivera, SVA Teacher

9. Nick Lapido, SVA Task Force Dean

10. Florin Copaceanu, New Market Church, Businessman

11. Jeffrey Vergara, New Market Church, Businessman

12. Dzik Mazando, Freshman

Tournament Rules

·      Tournament Entry Fee: $5 students/$10 adults (pay Andy Rivera)

·      16-player, single elimination tournament.  If you lose a match, you are out.  Win 4 and you win it all.  Top 4 seeds may receive a first-round bye. 

·      To advance, you must win best of 3 sets.  7-point tiebreaker in 3rd set

·      Pray with your opponent before every match.

·      Gentleman’s rules – No referees.  Players agree to honestly call all shots.

·      Each player must bring a can of new balls to their match.

·      Winner takes the remaining new can of balls to his/her next match.

·      Matches to be played (generally speaking) on the dates listed above.***

·      Weather delays or other situations may delay match play.  

·      Respond to your opponent in a timely fashion by phone or email to avoid forfeit.

·      Make arrangements with your opponent if you cannot play on scheduled dates.  

·      If your match is not played within a reasonable time, you and/or your opponent may face forfeit.

·      Report match results immediately to Andy Rivera.  

* May 11 is Mother's Day - Mom is first, tennis is second!  Fewer matches likely to occur this morning.

**  We will accept last minute entries.  Any last minute entrants will be paired against top 4 seeds in descending order.

***New Market Courts are reserved for the following dates: May 4: 9:00-12:00 p.m.; May 7: 5:30-7:30 p.m.; May 11: 9:00-12:00 p.m.; May 14: 5:30-7:30 p.m.; May 18: 9:00-12:00 p.m.  SVA students are scheduled to play at these times and will be transported to New Market Tennis Courts.  Please do your best to fit in these times.  If not possible, contact your opponent beforehand to make alternate arrangements or you may face forfeit.  We are very flexible, but communication is critical.

ANY PICTURES YOU CAN TAKE AND SEND TO ANDY RIVERA WOULD BE APPRECIATED!!!

ENJOY!  

MAY THE BEST MAN OR WOMAN WIN!!!!!!!!