Saturday, June 11, 2011

Pronunciation from the article about behavior in Japan and in the U.S.

practice saying this with your partner, please

I feel comfortable (kamf-ter-bel)

Difference

features

characteristic features

others

people's

eyes

other people's eyes

surprised (don't forget d)

age

someone's

I was surprised to see

someone's help

I was surprised to see an old lady who couldn't walk without someone's help

uniforms in highschools (don't forget s and s)

feelings about age

burst into tears (meaning is: suddenly started crying)

tears
here's
Sears (department store)
here's
clears

a baby burst into tears

a baby burst into tears



worst
burst
the worst baby burst into tears
the first and the worst baby burst into tears

ego
egocentrism (meaning is: selfish)
self-centered
self-centered (d)
self-centered means egocentric
self-centered means egocentric, which means selfish

culture
teacher
feature
culture teacher
catcher teacher culture

Wednesday, June 01, 2011

Questions for reading students about the NY Times article on tornadoes

In what state and town was the tornado? On what date?

1.   What does the acronym FEMA stand for?
2.   How many people lived in Joplin?
3.   What are two housing options for people who have lost their homes?
4.   In what other natural disaster did FEMA bring in trailers?
5.   Is FEMA trying to find new houses or existing ones? Why?
6.   Why isn’t FEMA looking for housing inside Joplin?
7.   About what percent of the city was damaged? How does that compare to Katrina?
8.   How many people are still missing?
9.   Who is Susie Stoner? Where does she prefer to put people (two choices) Why?
10.  What are three things that will take a lot of time to get for trailers?
11. What are two places people have gone from the 8,000 structures smashed in the storm?
12. What was Penny Musgrave’s daughter doing when the roof of their house was ripped away?
13.  Describe the changes in Penny’s emotions over time.
14. How does her economic situation  add to her anxiety?
15. What has to be done before survivors can rebuild? “The current population could drop substantially.” Why? How does that compare to Katrina?