The Advice Column

An advice column is a short section in a newspaper or magazine to which people can write a letter explaining a problem that they have. Some advice columnists answer questions about household chores, gardening and cooking while others are called "AGONY AUNTIES." Agony aunties focus on problems that people have with their partners, friends, neighbors and family. Sometimes the problems are very serious, and sometimes they are silly. The columnist has to write advice for the people who write to him or her in a way that is clear and succinct.

Why don't you try it?

Here is an example of an advice column letter, originally sent to Ann Landers, one of the most famous advice columnists in the USA. Read it and give the writer some advice on her problem!

Dear Ann Landers: I am planning to marry the love of my life in June. "Phillip" is a terrific guy, except when it comes to my 12-year-old daughter, "Beth," who is very sweet but has attention-deficit disorder. Phillip does not understand that she needs to be reminded of things over and over. When he asks her to do a chore, he expects her to jump to it immediately. He doesn't realize that Beth is distracted easily and forgets. She isn't being deliberately disobedient.I think Phillip is being too hard on Beth when he says she needs more discipline. I agree that Beth may resent Phillip's presence in my life, but it doesn't help when he yells at her all the time. I love him dearly, but I'm having second thoughts about what marrying him might do to my daughter. Help me make the right choice. — Unsure in Baltimore

Prepare a response that gives advice to "UNSURE IN BALTIMORE" about her problem. What can she do about her situation? Be sure to use words like "should, could, might and may."

Remember to follow the paragraph structure we're been working on in class. Prepare your answer of 4-6 sentences in paragraph form, and publish it in the comments below!

Midterm Exam

Remember to study diligently for your midterm exam!

The test will cover units 1, 2 and 3 from American Headway 3a.

Remember to study the glossary at the back of the book, review the grammar tenses and prepare to write a response to a prompt.

See you there!

Week of February 23-27

This week there will be NO homework on the blog because you will be turning in your BIOGRAPHY writing assignment.

Please take the time that you would normally spend on blog homework and spend it on your writing assignment.

UP Life Montage

Watch the life montage from Pixar's UP. Pay attention to detail.

Use the past tense to RE-TELL the story of Carl and Ellie's life together.
Prepare the story in paragraph form - REMEMBER TO USE SHORT SENTENCES - and publish your response in the comment section below.

The Bad Eggs

Watch the animated film short, Bad Eggs, by Pixar.

Re-tell what happened in as much detail as you can. Remember to use the past tense of verbs in your description.

Post your re-telling the comment section below.

Happy Valentine's Day

There is only one homework assignment on the blog this week. Make sure to complete it!




Assignment: Watch the video found here.
Then, go to this page and read the article about Valentine's Day.

Prepare a paragraph of 4-6 sentences that explains ONE CAUSE (or impetus) that has led to (EFFECT) today's traditional celebration of St. Valentine's Day.
For example: St. Valentine is a priest who went against the King's order (for what? I don't know! Read the page!), his saint day is celebrated on February 14.

Publish your paragraph in the comments section below.

COMMENTS WERE CLOSED ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17 at 1:15pm

One Week Job

One Week Job is a documentary about a guy named Sean who is trying to find his passion - his ideal job. He sets off for a year, trying a different job every week.

Assignment:
Watch the video and answer the following questions (in the comment section below).

1. Do you think that it is important to try different jobs to find one that you like? Why or why not?

2. Do you think that it is important to find a job that you are passionate about? How would "work" be different if you really loved your job?

Million Dollars

Watch the video for The Barenaked Ladies' song If I had a Million Dollars.

Take note of the things that the singer would buy for his love if he had a lot of money.

What are some of the things that he would buy that you would buy as well? What else would you do if you had a million dollars?

Prepare a paragraph (remember the structure we use in class) of 4-6 sentences telling us what things you have in common with the singer, and what you would buy that is different from him?

Publish your paragraph in the comment section below.

Fashion and Culture

This week we are talking about ways that people express themselves through clothing, accessories and body modification. Many people use their outward appearance to express their beliefs and even to show what they are passionate about!

The following pictures are representative of how four different groups of religious people dress. Look at the pictures and find the similarities and differences.

From the Muslim world, you can see the kaftan and kufi that men wear and long dress and niqab that many Muslim women wear. Not all Muslim women wear burqas, the long, darkly colored gown and head-covering that we often see in the media.

The Amish are Christians who live in agricultural communities in the US - mostly in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Their religion - and lifestyle - is one of simplicity. The Amish do not drive cars or use tractors in their work, their clothes are simple (some do not even use buttons!) and they only have necessary electricity in their homes.

 

Hindu is a religion practiced (predominantly) in India. The traditional clothing for a woman is called a sari, a long piece of cloth that is draped over the woman's body. The traditional clothing for men is called dhoti, and the shirt is called a kurta.

Hasidic Jewish people live throughout the world. There is a large population in Brooklyn, New York. The men and women of this sect of the Jewish faith follow the Biblical law for clothing - men wear payot, or side curls, with beards. The white tassles that are "hanging" from their shirt line are called tzitzit and were commanded by G-d in the old testament. Women must cover their collarbones and wear long skirts. They also must cover their head, which they can do in two ways: wearing a tichel, or headscarf, or by wearing a wig called a sheitel.

Assignment:

Based on the pictures you see here, think about the following questions:

1. What do these people-groups have in common with their clothing?
2. Are there any differences in the clothes between groups?
3. What theme or value seems to be common for all four groups in their clothing styles?

Make sure to answer the questions IN COMPLETE SENTENCES -- that means you will have at least ONE complete sentence for each question. Publish your answers in the comments section below.

What in the world? (Part 2)

Do you know what these are?

Take a guess. 

What do you think they are? How are they used?

What part of the world do they come from?

Write a complete paragraph of 3-5 sentences answering the questions and publish it in the comment section below. Remember to use complete sentences. If you agree with someone else's guess, you still need to write your OWN response. 

What in the world?

This week's focus is on different cultures.

Do you know what these are?

Take a guess. 

What do you think they are? How are they used?

What part of the world do they come from?

Write a complete paragraph of 3-5 sentences answering the questions and publish it in the comment section below. Remember to use complete sentences. If you agree with someone else's guess, you still need to write your OWN response.
If you think you know what they are (or have found the answer on the internet), please write your paragraph as if it is a guess so that your classmates have a chance to guess as well.
PLEASE DO NOT COPY INFORMATION FROM THE INTERNET. USE YOUR OWN WORDS.