English lessons this week.
Lesson one this week begins with the newspaper. We'll be looking for new vocabulary and sharing strategies for how to respond when we encounter unfamiliar words. Students are asked to think of two words that have been invented in their lifetime. Puzzler question of the day: where does the word 'google' come from?
Lesson Two this week begins our new spelling and vocabulary curriculum. One lesson midweek, each week, will be dedicated to spelling, grammar, and writing conventions. This is a slight variation on the spelling/vocab practice we began last week.
During Lesson Three students will make a huge list of words invented in their lifetimes, and we'll discuss some of the trends driving new vocabulary: information technology, internet media, and new slang. Today's Puzzler: Do you speak 1334 (pronounced "leet")?
Next week we delve into that fateful moment in history 1066, the Battle of Hastings, and its importance to the Origins of English. Students will become word historians learning to use the etymological information in the dictionary. For more on the activity you can find a link at the bottom of this entry.
Links to related pages outside HERO:
Word Histories by Exploratorium
More on 1334 (leetspeak) at Wikipedia
Stay Tuned!