Jumbled Sentences: Adverbs of Frequency (Elementary)

23 March 2010: The online version can be found here.

You probably already know about adverbs of frequency, so I won't say too much here, except to say that these adverbs tell us how often something happens. There are plenty of them, but the basic ones you need to know are the following:
never-->sometimes-->often-->usually-->always
If you grade them on a scale from 0 to 5, never is on grade 0 and always is on grade 5.

We normally put these frequency adverbs before the main verb, but after the verb 'to be'. For example:

Pedro usually goes to work by car.

Sam is always on the phone!

This activity is in a PowerPoint presentation hosted in Scribd. You can watch it in full screen mode by clicking on 'Fullscreen' on the top bar of the PowerPoint image below. If you prefer, you can download the file, but you'd need to be a registered member of Scribd.

All you need to do is to put the jumbled sentences in the right order. When you've done that, post them as comments below.

Jumbled sentence: Adverbs of Frequency (Elementary)

Find these major cities in this latitude/longitude game

Test your map reading skills! Using the given latitude and longitude, try to find these major cities as quick as you can. When you've finished, take note of your score (% and time), and post it in the comments section below.

If you would like to bring it a step further, see if you can identify the cities, and post your answers as comments.

The game is hosted in purposegames.com You don't have to register to play it, but if you want to be ranked, then you must register.

To start the game, click on the image below.

If you like this game, please link to it by copying and pasting this HTML code (click anywhere inside the box, click ctrl+A, then ctrl+C) into your own blog or web template. This is the badge you'll get:

<a href="http://aclil2climb.blogspot.com/search/label/games" target="_blank" title="a cLiL to cLiMB, Language Education Site: vocabulary, games, funny videos, free dictionary, juegos educativos CLIL, 游戏学英语"><img border="0" alt="Games for Education" width="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jLiicBi8UgTi_xz9DFxWAIGgUmG6xIG7D9KXl8xyx2uA-0X9HJX3NcFabHDTQ_6oI30L961xDlU557CpafH_hIhNMLnOjXl5JDehq_jIIMrYZQtpdnTaqGLEPUkg0w6xn39IfMwTevBs/s800/Header%2075%20x75.jpg" height="75" /></a>

Label the Microscope

This is a game for revising the names of the parts of the microscope. When you've played it, tell me your score (% and the time) in the comments section below. Don't forget to write your name, class and school.

The game is hosted in purposegames.com You don't have to register to play it, but if you want to be ranked, then you must register.

To start the game, click on the image below.

If you like this game, please link to it by copying and pasting this HTML code (click anywhere inside the box, click ctrl+A, then ctrl+C) into your own blog or web template. This is the badge you'll get:

<a href="http://aclil2climb.blogspot.com/search/label/games" target="_blank" title="a cLiL to cLiMB, Language Education Site: vocabulary, games, funny videos, free dictionary, juegos educativos CLIL, 游戏学英语"><img border="0" alt="Games for Education" width="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jLiicBi8UgTi_xz9DFxWAIGgUmG6xIG7D9KXl8xyx2uA-0X9HJX3NcFabHDTQ_6oI30L961xDlU557CpafH_hIhNMLnOjXl5JDehq_jIIMrYZQtpdnTaqGLEPUkg0w6xn39IfMwTevBs/s800/Header%2075%20x75.jpg" height="75" /></a>

Holiday Activities Matching Game (Elementary)

This is a simple exercise where you have to match a verb to the holiday activity. Although there may be verbs which can have more than one answer, there is only one correct combination where all the activities match up correctly. You have a time limit of 45 seconds.

To start the game, click on the icon below.

If you like this game, please link to it by copying and pasting this HTML code (click anywhere inside the box, click ctrl+A, then ctrl+C) into your own blog or web template. This is the badge you'll get:

<a href="http://aclil2climb.blogspot.com/search/label/games" target="_blank" title="a cLiL to cLiMB, Language Education Site: vocabulary, games, funny videos, free dictionary, juegos educativos CLIL, 游戏学英语"><img border="0" alt="Games for Education" width="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jLiicBi8UgTi_xz9DFxWAIGgUmG6xIG7D9KXl8xyx2uA-0X9HJX3NcFabHDTQ_6oI30L961xDlU557CpafH_hIhNMLnOjXl5JDehq_jIIMrYZQtpdnTaqGLEPUkg0w6xn39IfMwTevBs/s800/Header%2075%20x75.jpg" height="75" /></a>

Mean, Median and Mode. Elementary Maths (1ºESO & 2º ESO) Video & Game

Hello everyone! Watch this video on mean, median and mode, and learn the song, so you can impress me in our next class! Besides, if you learn the words, you'll remember how to differentiate between the three terms. When you've done that, test yourself with the simple game that follows.

The lyrics for the song:

Mean, median and mode
Mean, median and mode
How do you find the mean?
Add up the numbers in the data set
Divide the total by the number of items
The answer is the mean or average

Mean, median and mode
But how do you find the median?
Arrange the numbers in order
From the lowest to the highest values
The middle number is the median
For an odd number of items
The average of two middle numbers
Is the median for an even number of items

Mean, median and mode
Mean, median and mode
How do you find the mode?
Just find the number that repeats most often
And that number is the mode
If you find no number that repeats most often
Then there is no mode
Mean, median and mode
Mean, median and mode
Mean, median and mode

I'll explain the examples shown in the video:

Mean:

Data: 1, 8, 6, 4, 6

Add up all the numbers in the set: 1+8+6+4+6, which gives the answer 25. There are 5 numbers in the set. You calculate the mean (also known as average) by dividing 25 by 5, which gives the answer 5.

Median:

Using the same data, you arrange the numbers in ascending order: 1, 4, 6, 6, 8. Since there are 5 numbers (which is an odd number), the one in the middle is 6 (1 and 4 to the left of it, and 6 and 8 to the right). So, 6 is the median.

If, however, there are 4 numbers (which is an even number) 1, 4, 6, 6, you'll have to add the 2 middle numbers, which, in this case, is 4+6. Then, you divide the answer by 2: 4+6=10. 10 / 2= 5. So, 5 is the median here.

Mode:

The mode is basically the number which repeats most often. In our example, the number that repeats most often is 6 (repeats twice). If there aren't any numbers which repeat (e.g. 1, 8, 6, 4), then we say that there isn't any mode.

Let's test if you've understood the concept by playing this game. Have fun learning! Oh, and don't forget to submit a comment so I know you've been here!

Click here for full screen version

Read this if you have problems entering my blog

It has been brought to my attention that some users are unable to enter this blog without seeing some error message or other. I've tried to get to the bottom of this problem, and it all points to Internet Explorer as the culprit.

There are two choices; either you install Firefox, which, in my humble opinion, is a far better browser anyway, or you have to make sure that your system has all the latest updates. Read about it in Wiki or go to Microsoft Windows Update site.

In case you're wondering, there is no problem whatsoever with having two browsers; in fact, it can be rather useful. Some web sites work better with Internet Explorer, while others have been designed more for Firefox. These are the two most popular browsers at the moment. Google Chrome is trying to get a slice of the pie, but it still has some way to go. The only thing you need to concern yourself with is which you would prefer as your default browser.

Please email me if you have any further problems.

Ideas for Halloween in the classroom

Last updated 13 Oct 2009 20:45

In two weeks, Halloween is with us again. What have you got lined up for this year? Here are just a few ideas to help you get going.

To introduce/revise vocabulary related to Halloween, I've set up a PowerPoint presentation. Show the slide first, then elicit the word before revealing it. It's appropriate for basic level upwards. To display it properly, you'd need to download it. You may have to register with Scribd first.

To revise the vocabulary, do a miming activity. Show a picture to a student and she or he has to mime it for the others to guess the word. If you think the students already know the words, you can do the miming activity before showing the PowerPoint.

Halloween vocabulary

At the end of the vocabulary presentation, there are two activities which can be done independently:

Have a competition and see how many words the students can form from the word HALLOWEEN. You'd be surprised how many words are possible!

Then, ask them to think of all the words which can be associated with Halloween. Just like what I suggested in my odd one out post, you can accept practically any words. If they seem to be somewhat strange, ask them to explain the connection.

To introduce some tension in these activities, set a time limit, say of 5 minutes.

If you have a classroom projector, you can show them some videos. There are tons of Halloween-related videos you can find on the internet, but I've selected a few for you here. For the older or more advanced students, you can discuss the history of Halloween:

For the younger students, show them something more light-hearted:



To end the class, have a singalong with this monster hit!

Play them the karaoke version and have everyone join in! Unfortunately, they have disabled the option to embed, but here's the link:

If you don't like my ideas, try these sites:
abcteach
halloweenlinks

Have a harroween time!

How to make Finger-Licking Succulent Chocolate Brownies!

Each time I make this, I get inundated (well, I do like a bit of exaggeration here and there!) with requests for the recipe, so I've decided to publish it here. It's a very simple recipe, and doesn't need much elaboration at all. If you follow my instructions to the letter, I'll guarantee that you'll be the toast of the party!

Don't forget to look at this post, too: Cooking Verbs

Ingredients:

200g dark chocolate (I use Nestlé dessert chocolate)
150g brown sugar
150g butter
150g wholemealflour (can be 75g white & 75g wholemeal)
150g walnuts, coarsely grounded
4 eggs
pinch of salt
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
vanilla essence (optional)
icing sugar

Procedure:

1. Melt chocolate together with the butter (à la bain-marie or in the microwave) in a fairly large mixing bowl. Let it cool a little.

2. Add sugar to this chocolate mixture, followed by the eggs and the salt. Mix well with a spatula. There isn't any need to beat or whisk the mixture.

3. Add the bicarbonate of soda to the flour and sieve them into the bowl, mixing continually. Add the walnuts and the vanilla essence.

4. Pour into a greased rectangular mould y bake in a preheated oven @ 175ºC for 30 mins.

Tip: maintain moisture in the oven by adding a small bowl of water.

5. Remove the mould from the oven and let it cool for several hours.

6. At this stage, the outside will be crusty, but the inside will be soft, almost uncooked. So, wait till it has cooled down sufficiently, then place it in the fridge. I normally leave it in the fridge overnight, but if you're in a hurry, several hours of refrigeration ought to be enough to solidify the middle a little.

7. Remove the cake from the mould, cut into small squares & sprinkle with icing sugar. Serve and bask in your newfound glory!

Do let me know of the outcome when you've tried it!

Pronunciation of regular past simple verbs /id/, /d/ and /t/ (Elementary +) Fun activity!

Most learners of English have problems pronouncing past tenses correctly. Fortunately, there are only three different ways of pronouncing the ending of regular verbs, which can be expressed by the phonetic symbols of /id/, /d/ and /t/.

Even more fortunately is that of the three, the sound of /id/ is the most obvious, and also the easiest to identify. The past simple of regular verbs ending with the sound of /d/ or /t/ is pronounced with the ending of /id/. Please note that it's the sound and not the letter which you have to pay attention to. For example, depend /dɪˈpend/ --> depended /dɪˈpendid/, want /wɒnt/ --> wanted /'wɒntid/.

If in doubt of the ending sound, consult the dictionary.

To identify when to pronounce the past with a /d/ or a /t/ is somewhat trickier. The rule is that if the ending sound is voiced, it is pronounced with a /d/ and if it is voiceless, it is pronounced with a /t/.

All vowels are voiced, so you 'only' have to worry about the consonants. When you make a voiced sound, your throat vibrates whereas when you make a voiceless sound, it is just air coming out of your mouth. You can hear the difference by trying this test: cover your ears and say 'save' /seɪv/ and 'cough' /kɒf/. You will find that you can feel a vibration at the end of 'save' and not 'cough', which means 'saved' will be pronounced /seɪvd/, while 'cough' will be pronounced /kɒft/.

Try practising the pronunciation of some words using the method mentioned above before attempting this game. The idea is to drag-and-drop each item in the correct bin as fast as you can. If your answer is wrong, you won't be allowed to put the word in that bin, and you'll have to try again.

Have fun!

Note to teachers: you are welcome to use any of the activities found here in this blog. You can have the students do them in the computer lab, or set them as homework and asking them to state their scores in the comments section. If you do the latter, please ask your students to give some information which will allow you to identify them. They don't have to give their surname if they don't want to, but information like their first name, the name of the school, the class, and the teacher's name are all useful identifiers, e.g. Jesús V./4ºA/Rincón/Chiew.

Click here for full screen version

New Macmillan Coursebook! Global

Macmillan has published a new 6-level course for adults, entitled GLOBAL. The marketing boys has promised us that these course books offer something different to what has been available up till now, from the book design to the philosophy behind the course. They are so confident we will be wooed that they're offering a free download of one full unit, which we are free to use in the class. You can get it here.

I for one can't wait to try it out in the classroom!

Irregular Past Simple Arcade Game (Elementary)

The infinitive form of a verb will be shown at the bottom of the game screen. You then have to click on its past tense/past participle form which appears above. Before you click to start each level, read the past tense forms first. See how fast you can go, and try to get to Level 6! Each time you play, there will be a different selection, so play it as many times as you wish and tell me your best scores!

Click here for full screen version

If you like this game, please link to it by copying and pasting this HTML code (click anywhere inside the box, click ctrl+A, then ctrl+C) into your own blog or web template. This is the badge you'll get:

<a href="http://aclil2climb.blogspot.com/search/label/games" target="_blank" title="a cLiL to cLiMB, Language Education Site: vocabulary, games, funny videos, free dictionary, juegos educativos CLIL,  游戏学英语"><img border="0" alt="Games for Education" width="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jLiicBi8UgTi_xz9DFxWAIGgUmG6xIG7D9KXl8xyx2uA-0X9HJX3NcFabHDTQ_6oI30L961xDlU557CpafH_hIhNMLnOjXl5JDehq_jIIMrYZQtpdnTaqGLEPUkg0w6xn39IfMwTevBs/s800/Header%2075%20x75.jpg" height="75" /></a>

Halloween Thriller! (PE - Body Expression)

Originally a Roman Catholic festival to celebrate the eve of All Saint's Day (1st Nov), Halloween has distorted over the years into a party time related to lighted pumpkins, fancy dress and anything to do with ghosts and horror.

As part of our lesson on body expression in PE, I would like you all to watch the Thriller video of the late Michael Jackson, even though I know all of you must have seen it lots of times. I want you to observe the movements of all the dancers, and the idea is not so much for you to copy their movements but for you to invent some of your own. Remember, you have about three weeks to prepare this!

Unfortunately, they have disallowed us to embed the video here, but you can follow this link to watch it.

Countries and Nationality (Elementary) Arcade Game

Match the nationality to the country in this fun arcade game. Read the rules before you begin. See how fast you can go, and try to get to as high a level as you can! Don't forget to tell me your scores!

Click here for full screen version

If you like this game, please link to it by copying and pasting this HTML code (click anywhere inside the box, click ctrl+A, then ctrl+C) into your own blog or web template. This is the badge you'll get:

<a href="http://aclil2climb.blogspot.com/search/label/games" target="_blank" title="a cLiL to cLiMB, Language Education Site: vocabulary, games, funny videos, free dictionary, juegos educativos CLIL,  游戏学英语"><img border="0" alt="Games for Education" width="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jLiicBi8UgTi_xz9DFxWAIGgUmG6xIG7D9KXl8xyx2uA-0X9HJX3NcFabHDTQ_6oI30L961xDlU557CpafH_hIhNMLnOjXl5JDehq_jIIMrYZQtpdnTaqGLEPUkg0w6xn39IfMwTevBs/s800/Header%2075%20x75.jpg" height="75" /></a>

Bag the vocab! Ideas for practising vocabulary (Teachers)

One of the articles that has been in the pipeline for some time now is 'ideas for teaching vocabulary'. Unfortunately, due to time constraints,  I have been unable to bring it to fruition. So, it was with great pleasure that I read Jennifer's  recent post, and an even greater pleasure when she gave me permission to reproduce it here (Jenny, I hope you don't mind, but I've chopped and changed it a little). It's a fun activity to practise vocabulary of common objects, and can be adapted and extended to suit most levels.

STEP 1 – Select a few common objects, and place each one in a separate soft bag or an envelope. Any objects are suitable, as long as they aren't messy!  Number the bags/envelopes.

STEP 2 – Pass the bags/envelopes around the room, or leave them on your table. Students try to guess what the object is by feeling it through the bag. They are not allowed to look in the bag or remove the object. They then write the number of the bag, the name of the object and its purpose/definition. For higher levels, it's a good way to practise relative pronouns: "It's an object which you use to write with". For lower levels, they can say, e.g. "You use it to write on a piece of paper".

STEP 3 – Randomly ask a student for his/her answers. Check if anyone has a different answer. Show the object, and write the word on the board. Make sure they check the spelling of the word in their notebooks. Repeat this procedure for the remaining bags.

STEP 4 – Brainstorm uses for the object. You can even have a competition to choose the most original answers!

STEP 5 – For intermediate students, you can extend the activity to practise advice. This could be done in pairs or groups. One relates the nature of the problem, and the other offers the advice.

Example:

Situation: The clock on the wall isn’t working. It stopped this morning.
Advice: You should change the battery.

Problems in Science games

Some of you might have been put off by the message 'Page not found' with an image of a baby crying in the two Science States of Matter games...

Well, to tell you the truth, I have no idea why this is happening, but don't worry. If you scroll a little way down, you can 'click here for full screen version', and that will open the game on a new tab/window. Don't forget to tell me your scores!

Blog Carnival

Carnival time is here again! Not the Rio de Janeiro kind, but a blog carnival. The ELL Classroom is holding the 13th Edition ESL/EFL/ELL Blog Carnival. Christened 'The Greatest Show on Earth", I'm featured as the 'Flying Trapeze Artist'! LoL. Check it out!