Tuesday, May 31, 2011

The remaining English classes

Wednesday, 1 June, I would like to collect your English books (Shortcuts 1). I will be in the classroom at 12:00. If you don't show up for class then, please return the books in class Tuesday 7 June or come by my office (B212).

Tuesday 7 June I will return your essays on the movie The Freedom Writers and also let you know your final course grade. See you then.

Course, performance & blog evaluation

Today you did an evaluation of the course, the blog and your own performance in the course. These were the questions I wanted you to respond to:

1. How would you evaluate your own performance in English class this year? What did you do well and what could you have done better?

2. How often have you visited our English class blog?

3. What do you think about using a blog in class?

4. Has the blog helped you in any way in your English studies? If so, how?

5. Have you ever refrained from (avstått från) writing on the blog for any reason? If so, explain why.

6. Do you think we should have used the blog more than we did, less than we did or was it just enough?

7. Is there any other way we could have used your laptops/the Internet more in English class? Give me ideas!

8. How would you evaluate the English classes in general this year? Consider the content, the course book, novel(s), movies, tests, teaching methods, student activity etc. 

Return your books, please

Please bring your course book (Shortcuts 1) today.

I would like you to do an evaluation of the blog, the course and of your own performance in class as well.

See you then!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Music quiz

Today we played this music quiz in class. You can find the quiz here.

Please e-mail me today's homework if you haven't done so already. What homework? See post below.

Monday, May 23, 2011

No English class Tuesday 24 May: Writing assignment on the movie Freedom Writers

Tomorrow, Tuesday 24 May, there will be no English class in the afternoon. Instead I want you to use that time to write an individual response to one of the questions below.

Your response is due Thursday 26 May at the beginning of class. Hand your text to me or e-mail it to me via Pednet.

You will have Wednesday's class as well to work but I want you to come to class then.

Here are the questions. Write a response to ONE of them. Length: 500 - 700 words. 


1.    1. Pick a couple of important scenes in the movie and discuss them in relation to the movie as a whole. Why are these scenes important in the story according to you?

2.    2. Describe, compare and discuss some of the backgrounds/stories of the individual students in the movie. In what ways did they change and what made them change?

3.    3. Describe and discuss the role of the teacher in the movie. In what ways does she bring about change? How does she change? Is she a good or a bad teacher?

4.    4. Describe and discuss the background to the movie. Find out what the racial riots were. Describe and discuss the situation in LA in the early 1990s following the Rodney King riots.

5.    5. Music plays an important role in the movie and in the students’ lives. Analyze the soundtrack. Listen to some of the songs and discuss why these songs were chosen. How are the lyrics related to the movie’s theme?

6.    6. Describe and discuss your personal experience of the movie. What did you like/not like and what did you learn?

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Freedom Writers


Today we finished watching the movie about the Freedom Writers. Here is the web site of the real freedom writers and their foundation.

If you like you can read the real diaries by the students in this book.

On Tuesday you will do a writing assignment in class where you analyze certain aspects of the movie. Check back here for further details.


The real freedom writers and their teacher

Pictures: www.freedomwritersfoundation.com

Movie in room B427 today

Today we will watch the end of the movie Freedom Writers in room B427 since the screen works better in that room. See you there at 11:40.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Regular class tomorrow

Tomorrow I will see you in class since the national tests are over. Will some of you be doing a math test in the morning? Please let me know.

Monday, May 09, 2011

Reminder: Room B424 tomorrow at 08:15

All of the speaking tests will be in Room BERLIN on the 4th floor in the B-building. Please be there ahead of your scheduled time.

Tuesday, 3 May:
Speaking 
13:00: Jahed, Deniz, James - please note the early time
13:25: Malin, Sanela, Morsall 
13:50: Feri, Asma, Danne

Wednesday, 4 May everyone has to be there
Writing
08:15 – 09:35 regular classes after the test
Room D318

+ 12:00-12:45 on 4 May
Speaking 
12:00: Lukas, Jesper, Gustav 
12:25: Felicia Br, Molly A, Ajla

Thursday, 5 May 
Speaking 
11:40 Philip, Jacky, Christoffer
12:00 Kimia, Felicia Bo, Maya

Tuesday, 10 May everyone has to be there 
Reading + listening 
08:15 - 10:40 (break in between reading and listening)
Room: B 424
No English class in the afternoon.

Wednesday, 11 May 
Speaking 
12:00 Izabelle, Tina, Amine 
12:25 Molly H, Jessica, Ahmed

Thursday, 12 May
Speaking 
11:40 Beatrice, Marcus, Julia

Tuesday, May 03, 2011

Reading and listening update 10 May

Please see the test schedule in my previous post for updated information on time and place for the reading and listening test Tuesday, 10 May. New information in red.