Helen's blog

Monday, April 18, 2016

Monday's assignment

When we take notes on information we hear over the phone, we often need to write down the information quickly. The use of abbreviations is a helpful strategy while taking messages.

Task 1:

Write the full word or expression (or meaning) beside each abbreviation below. Add other abbreviations (and their meanings) you commonly use or would like to know the meaning of. Share them with the class.

1. AGM annual general meeting 13. RSVP respond please

2. apt. apartment 14. ste. suit

3. asap as soon as possible 15. urg. urgent

4. co. company 16. w/ with

5. ext. extension 17. w/o without

6. FYI for your information 18. cc. closed caption

7. inv. invitation /invoice 19. e.g. for example

8. mo. month 21. etc. and so on

9. no. or # number 22. i.e. that is

10. mt. meeting 23. vs. versus

11. N/A no applicable 24. p.s. post secriptum

12. impt. important 25. n.b. take notice

Task 2:

The following are common phrasal verbs we often use while on the telephone. Match the correct meaning with each phrasal verb.

1. hold on gm	a. put the receiver down
2. put (a call) through e	b. return someone’s call
3. get through j	c. answer a call, lift the receiver to take a call
4. hang up a	d. stop talking on the phone
5. call up l	e. connect one caller to another
6. hang on gm	f. deactivate (a cell phone)
7. call back bk	g. wait
8. pick up c	h. talk louder
9. get off (the phone) d	i. to be disconnected abruptly during a telephone conversation
10. get back to (someone) bk	j. to be connected to someone on the phone
11. cut off i	k. return someone’s call
12. switch off/turn off f	l. make a telephone call
13. speak up h	m. Wait

Task 3:

Some phrasal verbs are separable (e.g., call someone back); others are not. Complete the chart below by putting the phrasal verbs above under the correct column.

Separable	Not separable
Put a call through call up cut off pick up switch off/turn off hang up call back	hold on hang on get through get back tospeak up get off

Friday, April 15, 2016

April 14 2016 Assignment

Thursday's field trip on April 14, 2016

This Thursday's field trip is to a free concert at Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre in the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts above Osgoode Station.

Location: 145 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5H 4G1

Please meet at 10:00 a.m. on the Westbound Platform of Bayview Station or 11 a.m. at the entrance of Four Seasons. The itinerary includes Queen Station, PATH Underground City, Nathan Phillips Square, the former and present City Halls, and Osgoode Hall.

Here are your pre-trip activities, to be answered in Comments, below:

What are three rules of etiquette at any concert?

1. Arrive punctually, must ware formal dress.

2. Keep quiet, not noisy, the phone is silent.

3. After whole group playing, together applause.

What instrument or performance would you expect to see at the concert?

I like Piano, violin, flute, saxophone performance.

What time does the concert begin?

12:00 pm

Who's the performer?

Dynamic American pianist Kara Huber

What do you hope to take away from the free concert?

Unique playing style to bring a different musical experience.

Who's leaving from Don Mills Station on Thursday, and at what time?

9:30 am

Which of the other places on the itinerary interests you, and why?

We visited new city hall.

What's the weather going to be like on Thursday?

It's could sunny.

What would you advice your classmates to bring on Thursday?

Money and mobile phone.

Who's your lunch partner on Thursday?

Only myself.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

April 13 2016 Assignment

Task 1:

Watch a video about parent-teacher interviews. Listen to a parent-teacher interview at:

www.settlementdownloads.org/downloads/video/parentteacher/PT_EN.html

While you are listening, identify the expressions that are used to:

Begin the interview:	Welcome to parent-teacher interview. I am very glad to see you this evening.
Make transitions from one topic to another:	Let me just show you.... Well, how about ..... As you can see ..... You know? that is actually good things .... Can I ask the question?
End the interview:	If you will have some questions you can feel free to contact me.

Answer the questions below about the interview.

1. Is Richard progressing well in school?

The Richard progressing is well.

2. What specific comments about Richard’s performance does the teacher make?

He is Encouraging and strong student.

3. What four questions did the parents ask?

1.They ask about homework.

2.They ask about Richard's new friends.

3. They ask about after school programs.

4. They ask about personal grow part in report.

4. What information do the parents give the teacher about their son?

He likes write stories.

5. What suggestions does the teacher give to help Richard do better in school?

Richard has to read more at home.

6. How does the meeting end?

Teacher said that parents can feel free to contact to him if they will have something to ask.

Take 2:

Accordingly, children in Ontario receive a report card three times during the school year. The report card has grades and written comments about the child’s performance in each subject. The comments usually include next steps – actions the child is encouraged to take to improve his/her mark in a particular subject.

The list below contains terms from an Ontario report card. Write the correct letter on each line to match the terms with their meanings. Use a dictionary if needed.

1. exceeds (the provincial standards) .....d...	a) a text with a graph or some other visual display
2. remediation ......j......	b) longer
3. literary text .......h.......	c) standard ways of doing something
4. graphic text .......a........	d) goes beyond what is expected
5. cite .....i............	e) at a constant level (of success)
6. extended ........b........	f) very good performance
7. considerable effectiveness .................	g) a figure with four or more sides and angles
8. conventions .......c........	h) a story
9. consistently ........e...........	i) to mention, refer to
10. emerging ......k...........	j) an action taken to correct or improve a skill
11. polygon ..........g............	k) beginning, starting to happen

Monday, April 11, 2016

April 11 2016 Assignment

MEETING AGENDA

Sunny Grove Elementary School Parent Association

When: Monday, June 15, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Library
Objective: To plan fundraising activities for spring term

1. Presentation about school activities in need of funding
2. Brainstorming: fundraising activities
3. Select most effective fundraising activities: discussion and vote
4. Set up committees and assign responsibilities

Task 1:

Now answer the following questions:
1. What type of meeting is the agenda for?
It's a school council meeting.

2. Who are the participants?
Parents of Sunny Grove Elementary School.

3. What is the purpose of the meeting?
To plan fundraising activities for spring term

4. How long do you think it is going to be?
Maybe 2 hours.

5. How can the participants prepare for the meeting?
The participants must prepare enough chairs, vote box and other equipment.

Task 2:

Listen to this phone conversation between two managers who decide on a meeting.

1. Write a memo to the participants of the meeting to inform them about the time and place of the meeting.

2. Include an agenda with possible items for discussion.

Friday, April 8, 2016

April 8 2016 Assignment

Friday, 8 April 2016

Friday's assignment

''Blizzard in Birmingham''

The Turner kids were not accustomed to snow. The most they ever got in their southern city of Birmingham was an inch or so per year. Even that was quite infrequent—it never snowed more than once or twice each winter. And on the few occasions that it did snow, it was always too warm for the snow to accumulate. The temperature almost never got below freezing.

What was funny was that even the slightest bit of snow was enough to cancel school and close businesses. No one knew how to drive in the stuff. It was never enough for young Lily Mae Turner, though, because the snow that came was always too sparse to build a snowman or to go sledding.

But one night, in March of 1993, something magical happened. An unexpected blast of cold air from Canada and moist air from the Caribbean converged on the eastern part of the United States to create the “Storm of the Century.”

All that the Turner kids knew was that when they woke up Saturday morning, there was 17 inches of unbelievable snow on their front lawn and as far as the eye could see.

The Turner parents were in shock. Most folks in town were ill-prepared for such a storm. They had no shovels to dig their way out and no salt to keep from slipping. They had no idea what to do.

While the adults seemed paralyzed with disbelief, the Turner kids set about having the time of their lives. Lily Mae discovered that a rope tied to a metal trash can lid made a perfect sled. John Henry figured out that if he put his feet in plastic grocery bags before putting on his rain boots, his feet stayed warm for a longer time. Rachel made snow angels in every part of the yard. Together, all the kids made a huge snowman and dressed it in their dad’s hat and jacket. (Mr. Turner didn’t own a scarf!)

For three straight days, the Turner kids had a splendid time. On Tuesday, the temperature hit 70 degrees, and life for these Southerners went back to normal.

Questions:
1) As used at the beginning of the story, what does accustomed mean? A. used to B. aware of C. scared of D. interested in	2) As used at the beginning of the story, which is the best antonym for infrequent? A. common B. long C. rare D. surprising
3) Which other title would best fit this passage? A. “1993” B. “A Cold March” C. “Magical Snow” D. “Ill-Prepared Parents” 4) The author may have described the storm as magical because A. Lily Mae believed the snow was magic B. it was such an unusual thing to happen that it felt like magic C. there was no other explanation for why the storm occurred D. the author wanted to cast doubt on whether the storm actually took place 6) What conclusions can be drawn about what the weather is typically like in Birmingham during the month of March? I. It is warm. II. It does not snow. III. It is windy. A. I only B. I and II C. II and III D. I, II, and III 8) "What was funny was that even the slightest bit of snow was enough to cancel school and close businesses." "No one knew how to drive in the stuff." Which of the following punctuation marks could best be used to combine the above sentences? A. a comma ( , ) B. a semicolon ( ; ) C. an ellipsis ( … ) D. a hyphen ( - ) 10) As used at the end of the story, which is the best antonym for splendid? A. great B. perfect C. happy D. terrible 12) Pick one of these two situations, and write a paragraph to describe what would you do and why if you were in the same shoes as: 1-Turner kids 2- the Turner parents You can start off by saying: If I were the Turner kids/parent, I would ………………………………………	5) How are the children different than the adults in this passage? A. The kids stayed warm, while the adults were very cold. B. The kids knew the storm was coming, while the adults did not. C. The kids went out and had fun, while the adults did not know what to do. D. The adults still had to go to work, while the kids stayed home. 7) What can be said about the Turner kids' ideas for playing in the snow without the usual snow gear? I. They were creative. II. They were effective. III. They were complicated. A. I only B. I and II C. II and III D. I, II, and III 9) What was going on outside of Birmingham during the snowstorm? A. The rest of the country was also dealing with snow. B. Nothing—Birmingham was the only area affected by the storm. C. The Eastern United States was also hit by the storm. D. The passage does not provide enough information to say. 11) Find synonyms for all the underlined words in the passage and then use them in sentences of your own. 13) Click on this link and record one to two minutes of a personal experienced that you had once and you felt "ill-prepared" for it. Then save the link and add it on your blog. You need to include the following points: When and where this event happened? What was the situation? Why were you ill-prepared for it? What did you do? How did it end?