Solar Power will go portable by June 2015! Technology English lesson

I have always dreamed of having solar power in my hand.  Whenever some gadget would come out that would be solar powered, I bought it.   I had a solar powered battery charger, for AAA batteries.  Nope, didn't work.  Next I tried a solar powered Bluetooth, it was ok, but powered better by the wall.  Now however, this might not just be a shot in the dark, but the real thing.

Read this article for the next best Solar powered: Generator! http://www.timesofisrael.com/light-one-portable-solar-generator-

Key Terms
electrical system.
life comes to a halt
debris
prototype
 communications disconnect. 
 restoring
 flaw
sourcing the fuel,
 protecting
 rampant looting
mayhem 
outlets
integrated 

Questions 
Who would most benefit from this invention? 
Would you consider buying one? 
How would you use it? 
How did the inventor get the idea for this invention? 
How is the company raising the seed money?
When will the product be available on the market?
How long will it provide power? 
What type of devices will work best with the invention? 
How heavy will the device be? 
Do you think that this will be very successful? Why or why not?





Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English Teacher 

How to raise a sensitive child - English Conversation Lesson

How do you raise a sensitive child?  This article and video has some very good points about parenting.   Be prepared to discuss this with your English teacher. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/24/factor-in-childs-life-lasting-impact-_n_6372748.html?ir=Parents

Key Terms
 helicopter parenting
sensitivity 
stifle
interactions 
standardized tests
predictor of success
 commitment, loyalty and intimacy 
generalizable
 endure
correlational
adult roles


Questions
What did you find most useful in this article? 
Who or what has influenced your life choices most, is it your family and upbringing or your environment?
Can a caring loving home override lack of financial stability?
What is your earliest memory?
Were there certain fashions that were popular when you were a child that you wanted, but your parents didn't want to buy it?
How did your parents explain it to you? 


Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English teacher 

Do you Hate your job? Here's what to do - Business English lesson

Does going to work give you a headache?  Is your work just so boring that you could scream?  Well, it doesn't have to be that way.  Here are tips you can follow to help you make the best of a bad situation, or even turn it around. 

Read this article and be prepared to speak about it with your English teacher 
http://time.com/3630839/hate-your-job/

Key Terms
verge 
The old adage
throw in the towel 
job lined up
employed significant other
physically/emotionally abusive
crucial addition
flexible work schedule
pursuing
career changers
career niche
first point of contact
informal informational interviews 
coffee meetings

Questions
What do you like about your job?  
What do you dislike? 
What can be changed?
Do you have enough money saved up so that you can quit?
Do you really hate your job or is it just the circumstances surrounding it?
What could you change about your job if you could?
In this economic crisis is it really sensible to change your company right now?
Are there other jobs in your industry available? 

What can you do to make your current job better? 

Who can you speak to? 

Are there parts of your job that you really like? 

Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English Teacher 

 

Make up New Words English lesson

We need to make up new words in English.  The easiest is to "steal" words from other languages, you can compounding, toothpaste,  Blends, and many other ways to make new words.


http://www.ted.com/talks/erin_mckean_go_ahead_make_up_new_words

This is the transcript of the talk, so after you have seen the talk, if you didn't understand any word, then read the transcript.  http://www.ted.com/talks/erin_mckean_go_ahead_make_up_new_words/transcript?language=en

Questions
Which of the ways to make new words, are new to you?
Which one have you heard of before?
Which one have you used yourself?
What are new words that you have heard recently?
What are the consequences of using new words?
Have you ever made up a new word?
What part of speech is best for making up a new word?
Which new words did J.K. Rowling make up?  Who uses her new words?
Do you use unusual words in your daily life?




Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English teacher 

The US immigration system is broken - Obama wants to fix it!

The United States was started as a nation of immigrants. Everyone came from someplace else.  The pull of the "Golden Medina" as we say in Yiddish, fueled the economic boom in America throughout the years.  But now, there are too many people answered the call, and they have come illegally.  These people don't pay income taxes, yet they take advantage of all the services of the United States.

Read this article to see what Obama is trying to do!
https://medium.com/@PresidentObama/why-i-acted-on-immigration-e2cfd851b4d4

Key Terms
heritage
dynamic
entrepreneurial
took office
 to secure
deployed
unaccompanied
apprehended
meanwhile
comprehensive
undocumented
pathway
to the back of the line
bipartisan
resources
 threats
 felons
amnesty
deal-breaker
shutdown
inherited


Questions

What is the major problem with immigration in the United States?
Which taxes do they pay?
Which taxes don't they pay?
What process does Obama want to see happen now?
What is the final goal of the current system?
What does Obama's want to see happen?
Why doesn't Congress pass a bill about the immigration problem?
Is there a big immigration in your country?
What is your government doing to help the immigrants?

Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbah- Professional English Teacher

J.K.Rowling reveals how she feels about Draco Malfoy's character

J.K.Rowling successful Harry Potter series has become a classic,  I read a fantasy book recently, that even mentioned a character from the books as part of another story.  The word Muggle has even entered the modern vocabulary!  Read the latest about the series!


http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/books-magazines/jk-rowling-reveals-what-she-really-thinks-about-harry-potters-nemesis-draco-malfoy/story-fna50uae-1227165447599

Key Terms
snippets
unnerved
dubious
fictional
ironically
antihero
unenviable
ardent
 concealing
sneering
destined
backstory
glimpse
advocated
distaste
scum
 pity
trivia



published- two syllables 
fictional - three syllables
acknowledge- three syllables
position - three syllables
damaging- three syllables

Questions
What does J.K. Rowling feel about Draco Malfoy?
What does this article add to our knowledge of Draco?
According to the story, why is Draco bad?
How does the relationship between Draco and Harry mirror what is going on in the outer story. 
Why do girls like the character of Draco?
Why does Draco have blonde hair, and Harry black hair?
In which book does Draco show he doesn't want to murder people?
Do you think that Draco and Harry will be friends?
Which names did she choose from mythology?
Which is your favorite character in the series?
Do you see other sides to the characters? Are they all one dimensional?
One of the most interesting characters is Snape.  Tell me about him.
Are there other characters who are multidimensional?
Have you read other of J.K.Rowling's writing?


Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English Teacher

Obama wants to establish relations with Cuba

Does normalizing relations with Cuba sound like a good idea?  It seems to me that it would boost the whole economy of the Caribbean, and help Cuban-Americans feel that they are more accepted in their home country as well as in their adopted country.  There were secret talks even with Pope Francis!

Read this text and be prepared to speak about it with your English Teacher.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/ap-sources-us-cuba-seek-to-normalize-relations/ar-BBgUJV0?ocid=ansnewsap11

Key Terms
 re-establishment
outdated 
approach
 historic shift
enmity
profound differences
 in a civilized manner
clandestine
spied
accompanied 
imprisoned 
sweeping
economic ties
easing restrictions
unilaterally end
abrupt use
 overcoming
major obstacle
lawmakers
long-standing ban
annual cap
remittances
five decades
Sen. = Senator
 hailed as heroes
convicted
conspiracy
subcontractor
bypassed local censorship



Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla  
Senator Marco Rubio - Republican Senator from Florida
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev  - 
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Democratic Senator from Nevada 

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/ap-sources-us-cuba-seek-to-normalize-relations/ar-BBgUJV0?ocid=ansnewsap11


Questions
What do you know about this subject before reading the text?
How will normalizing relations between Cuba and the USA help them?
What will be the restrictions even with the new relations?
What will help Cuban residents the most?
Who would be the first tourists to Cuba?
Does your country have normal relations with Cuba?  Why or why not?
Did the economic embargo affect the United States?  Cuba?
Would you want to visit Cuba?
How can the Cuban government improve Human Rights?
Do you think that Cuban should be on the "supporters of terrorism list?"
What other steps need to be taken now?
Do you think that the United States should try to change Cuba's political system?






Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English Teacher