Report Card now says, "Shares ideas and feelings about dances that were viewed or created"

Or, what used to be

applied critical analysis to the communication of feelings, ideas and understanding in response to a variety of dance pieces and experiences

And which is better? The old:

reflect on and identify their strength as writers, areas for improvement and the strategies they found most helpful at different stages in the writing process

Or the new:

sets goals as a writer

As we head into a week themed "The Education System in Ontario," what do you think of the latest move by the TDSB to simplify the report cards in our province?

Do you think it's the right thing to do, or do you think it's dumbing things down for parents? Register your thoughts by clicking on Comment below.

Not Pulling Your Leg on This Eggy Headache!

Remember the class discussion on how to pronounce egg and leg? Does the vowel e in those words sound more like those in plague (/eI/) or plaque (/E/)? Do the two vowels in egghead sound the same?

At the dictionary.com website, two variations are given:

1. The first pronunciation, based on Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010, sounds closer to the /E/ sound.
2. The second pronunciation, based on The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, and American Heritage® Science Dictionary, sounds more closer to /eI/ without the /I/ = /e/.

Unfortunately, because they're done on Flash files, we can't directly link the sounds here. But maybe we could do it in class next Monday afternoon!

There are two additional notes relating to the pronunciation of egg, but without the sound bytes:

1. The Medical Dictionary, by Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc, can't seem to make up its mind when it offers: "Pronunciation: 'eg, 'Ag." 
2. More helpfully, the Random House definition, in a Pronunciation Note, helpfully locates the /e/ and /eI/ pronunciation in the "speech of the less educated":

Egg, like beg, leg, and other words where “short e” precedes a “hard g” sound, is pronounced with the vowel /ɛ/ Show Spelled[e] of bet and let, except in parts of New England and the South Midland and southern U.S., where these words are frequently said with /-eɪg/[-eyg], to rhyme with vague and plague, especially in the speech of the less educated. This raising of /ɛ/[e] to a higher vowel /eɪ/[ey], articulated with the upper surface of the tongue closer to the palate, also occurs before /ʒ/[zh], as in measure, pleasure, and treasure."

Well, what's the truth? Let's listen to a few egg sounds and you'll know I'm not pulling your leg:

Today's Assignment: Modern Diseases, Continued

1. Play this video on obesity and overweight. Do not peek down the page at the transcript.
2. Write down the first three sentences in your blog.
3. Check your sentences with the transcript at the bottom of the page.
4. Find the stressed syllables in your sentences and put them in bigger font.
5. Underline the first and last stressed syllables of each sentence (using Ctrl-U).
6. Compare your marked sentences with the video again.
7. Post the results to your blog.

Helping words: attributable, cigarette, obese, overweight, preventable

All Bases Covered, Plus a Bonus, Thank God!

Yep, we hit all the places--Nathan Phillips Square, PATH Underground City, St James ... but there was a bonus thrown in. How about attending the City Hall in session? Apphia, Yuan Yuan, Ehsan, and Terry got to sit in on the proceedings while I was kept out due to a dangerous weapon in my possession: my ice skates!

 

  

The free organ recital at St James took longer than planned due to an overrun of the Communion Service. But it was restful, mostly (see videos below).

  

For some, it was nice to hear some familiar strains to the words of Number 713 in the Anglican Hymnal.

Finally, it was time to head home. If we'd hung around a few more minutes, we might've got a free soup, haircut, and perhaps a manicure from the church's outreach program!

Field Trip Tomorrow: Skate, Walk, and Listen

Our final field trip for February is planned for a time of outdoor skating, sightseeing, and organ music in Downtown Toronto next Tuesday.


 
Please arrive a few minutes early, as we're departing the Southbound Platform of Sheppard Yonge TTC Station at 9:30 a.m. for Queen Station, from where we'll walk to the iconic Nathan Phillips Square to experience the great Canadian outdoors on ice. Skate rentals are $9 for two hours (discounts available for 10 or more). You can bring your own pair and skate for free. Also, don't forget your camera, snacks, drinks, and nice, warm, water-resistant clothing and gloves (even if the weather report says the high will be 0 degrees).


Although the freeze of winter can promote a healthy lifestyle, there's shelter from the elements available. Mercifully, there's Toronto's climate-controlled "underground city" through the record-setting PATH network, which we also hope to check out on foot.

The plan is to arrive in time for a free 40-minute Music at Midday organ recital at the historic St James Cathedral, at Church and King, starting at 1 p.m. According to the program, Neil Cockburn, an organist from Calgary, will be performing.


Be there!

Today's Assignment

1. Watch this video on heart attacks. Do not peek down the page at the transcript.
2. Write down the first three sentences in your blog.
3. Check your sentences with the transcript at the bottom of the page.
4. Find the stressed syllables in your sentences and put them in bigger font.
5. Underline the first and last stressed syllables of each sentence (using Ctrl-U).
6. Compare your marked sentences with the video again.
7. Post the results to your blog.

Helping words: angina blocked calcium cholesterol deposits fatty muscle occur protein

Healthy Homes and Communities Talk by Alumna Grace Qiaoling Chen

Our former LINC student Grace Chen will be giving a free workshop in Mandarin this Wednesday evening. All are welcome. Grace, who comes from a strong background in environmental law, writes in both languages:

Now I am doing a volunteer work with Canadian Environmental Law Association, a non-profit organization. It is my work field. I am joining in a project on public environmental law education. I am in charge of education work to Chinese community in Toronto. Next Wednesday, Feb.24 I will provide a workshop in Mandarin. Could you please help forward this info. to your contacts, for example, the LINK school students?

您想提升您的健康水平和生活质量吗？

您想参与有关您社区的政府环境决策吗？

欢迎参加加拿大环境法协会主办的讲座:

健康，家园与社区

时间：2月24日，周三，晚6:30-8:00

地点：Bridlewood 图书馆，Bridlewood Mall

2900 Warden Ave. (Finch/Warden)

国语，茶点招待, 免费全免

联系人：陈巧玲，电话：416-800-6953

电邮：qiaoling_chen@hotmail.com

By the way, the attached is the poster in English version (Just remind that the address should be 2900 Warden Ave. and workshop is using Mandarin).  In addition, I have some poster sheets. Can I distribute some to your class or the LINK school next Monday?

It's FB, Johnny's, and TONE TAI!

So, from 10 a.m., there we were in Food Basics, activity sheets and grocery flyers in hand, scribbling down aisle numbers, prices, brand names, etc. The number of the faithful included:

1. 
   
   Aidin
2. 
   
   Ehsan
3. 
   
   Fiona
4. 
   
   Frank
5. 
   
   John
6. 
   
   Munira
7. 
   
   Philly
8. 
   
   Terry
9. 
   
   Yuanyuan

(Thanks, Frank, for the picture!)

At Johnny's Hamburgers, in addition to terms on the handout, we learnt what a kaiser bun, souvlaki, veal, root beer, Sprite, and pickles are. Everyone had something to eat. Someone suggested checking out the sale at Tone Tai at Peanut Plaza rather than Hong Tai around the corner. The decision was unanimous.

At Tone Tai, few instructions were needed on arrival other than to meet back at the oranges. For some, it was quite a steal on aloe vera juice ($.99 a 2-litre bottle) and soybean milk ($.38 for litres). For others, seeing all kinds of jellyfish--fresh, shredded, prepacked--was an eyeopener. When it was time to go, we wished each other a Happy Chinese New Year!

Field Trip Friday February 12 - Doing Errands in Our Neighbourhood

1. Sign in at the entrance of the Food Basics at Victoria Park and Sheppard Ave East at 10 a.m.
2. Use your checklist to ask questions, collaborate with classmates, and get information.
3. Regroup at entrance at 11 a.m.--to compare answers and complete any purchases.
4. Depart Food Basics on foot at 11:15 a.m., and head for iconic Johnny's Charcoal Broiled Hamburgers. Be very careful crossing Victoria Park and Sheppard!
5. Enjoy the short break at Johnny's and then head over to Hong Tai Supermarket.
6. Mandarin-speaking students may begin their Chinese New Year and Chinese cuisine program for their classmates on arrival.
7. Class dismisses at Hong Tai, and everyone is encouraged to blog their experience!

Bring a pen, warm clothing, good walking shoes, change for a burger (count on $5 for a combo) or some grocery, and a sense of excitement!

View Larger Map

New Verb Charts Posted

Ah, yes. "New verb charts [have been - BE verb] posted [past participle of main verb]."

So, for your convenience, here are the charts for all 24 tenses of the English language:

ACTIVE VOICE

PASSIVE VOICE

Happy Birthday, Penny and Grant

Penny and Grant celebrated their birthdays with the teachers today with a potluck lunch. Here are the pictures:

And here's a "Happy Birthday" from the whole lot of us upstairs on the 9th:

Francisco "Frank the Cuban" Delgado says good-bye

Our dear classmate has just sent an email to say farewell to the class:

Give greetings to all students on the course and especially to Ken and and the couple  of Iran as well as those from China who were together during this time.

For all a hug and sincere thanks for having spent many times together and have learned something of the English language.

Frank is going on to study to become an automotive mechanic. He says in his blog that he got the language keys to Canada from MicroSkills.

In his situation, perhaps it may be best for him and his wife to continue studying under the LINC Home Study Program. Maybe Ken the Korean, whose baptismal name's also Francisco and who also said good-bye to us at the ski centre last week, might be interested as well!

Ehsan and Aidin are still with us, yay! But we're sure to miss both of them, Frank and Ken, and wish them the best in their every pursuit. We hope they'll continue to keep in touch with us!

Announcing: Conversation Circle on Thursdays

Have you ever wondered what those native speakers are talking about on the job or in your neighbourhood? When they crack a joke, why does it seem so funny to them but not to you? Do you wish to be able to join in a conversation as smoothly as they do? If so, you might be interested in the latest news:

A good way to practise English but a lousy way to get head lice?

Our MicroSkills Language Centre will be starting a new English Conversation Circle class on Thursdays, 3 - 4 p.m., beginning on February 4, 2010. This program is free, no preregistration is required, and all are welcome!

Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your use of English with your classmates and others in an informal environment. We hope to offer other opportunities to listen to and to speak English.

Books Sold for Haiti

Last Tuesday, our LINC Level 4-5 class participated in the fundraiser for Haiti through a book sale.

Through Frank Wu's leadership, a whole variety of books were sold, and two dictionaries were auctioned.

The total amount raised is unknown, the money going into a common donation shoebox.

Check out Frank's pictures and videos of the event at his blog!