Happy Easter!

Spring is a time of many celebrations. Easter this year is on Sunday, March 29th. 

1. Easter Vocabulary
2. Reading (easy) - Easter Bunny
3. Listening (not so easy) - Easter video quiz

Easter Things to Do in Vancouver

Vancouver Easter Events and Egg Hunts
Stanley Park Easter Train

How to Decorate Easter Eggs 

 

 

How to Decorate Easter Eggs

CBC News Listening

Each week, you can listen to three new news stories and answer questions about them.
This week's stories are:

• The world's 1.2 billion Catholics have a new pope 
• Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield has taken over as commander of the International Space Station
• Calgary zookeeper fired after the escape of some gorillas

1. Download the lesson here and print it out.
2. Listen to the stories here.

This lesson is from the CBC website Learning English with the CBC.

Happy Nowruz!

Nowruz

Nowruz, the Persian New Year, is the first day of spring and the start of a new year according to the Iranian calendar. Come celebrate and experience Nowruz at the Persian Fire Festival in North Vancouver tomorrow evening.

Persian Fire Festival

When -  Tuesday, March 19th
Time - 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where - Ambleside Park, West Vancouver 
Cost - Adult: $5; children under 10 are free

Live music, Persian food, fire jumping and dance performances.

Watch this video to learn about  Nowruz traditions.

 

Listening Homework - News Story #2 and #3

Listening Homework

First, do the vocabulary exercises on your worksheet, then listen to the CBC newscast below to answer the questions. If you don't have the worksheet, you can find it (as well as the answers) here.

 
 

For more lessons on listening to the news, go to Learning English with the CBC.  News stories are read at a slower-than-normal pace so they are easier to understand. You can download and print the lessons.

Join our Volunteer Team!

Come out and join Andrea's Level 4 student Volunteer Team at the BMO Vancouver Marathon on May 5th. We'll have a lot of fun, while supporting an exciting Vancouver event. We are signing up to volunteer at a water station, handing out water bottles to runners.

When: Sunday, May 5, 2013 - 8-11 a.m.

Where: *LOCATION HAS CHANGED West 16th Ave at Blanca St.
How: Click this link to sign up on the BMO Vancouver Marathon Volunteer page

- Click "Join our Crew" to get started. 
- Make sure you fill out all the fields with a * star. 
- "Are you Joining a Team?" --> Use the drop-down menu to select "Andrea//"
- In the drop-down menu under WATER STATION FULL MARATHON POSITIONS select our location: May 05-F8-W 16th Ave 300 / Blanca St .8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Here's the link to the BMO Vancouver Marathon website, and here's a video about volunteering at the marathon:

St. Patrick's Day Celebrations

D'ja have any plans for the weekend?

Fun, free activities on Granville Street at the Celtic Village. Music, dance, costumes and activities for kids at the Celtic Festival.

Saturday March 16: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday March 17: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Granville Street (between Robson and Nelson Streets)

 
More information about the Celtic Festival here
 
What's this holiday all about? Here's a 5-minute reading about St. Patrick's Day

 

 

Past Perfect review

 
1. Mr. Past Perfect - Grammar Speaks
2. Past perfect practise 
3. Simple past or past perfect?
4. Past perfect quiz 

Vocaroo

Powered by Vocaroo Voice Recorder

Health Fair - Saturday, March 9

The Diversity Health Fair is happening this weekend. It's a great opportunity to get connected to health and wellness resources in your community.

Date: Saturday, March 9, 2013, 

Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Dr., Vancouver, BC
Admission: free

The Diversity Health Fair provides newcomers and immigrants access to a wide range of health and wellness resources. The Fair features
- over fifty health and wellness exhibitors
- fitness and cooking demonstrations
- medical screenings and onsite tests
- spectacular entertainment
- children’s activities

•                   Click to view the  Diversity Health Fair website

Court Basics

Court Tour

Court Quiz

Assisted Suicide Debate

Such an interesting day at the courthouse! A hearing about assisted suicide was scheduled for this morning. Protesters for both sides of the issue were picketing in front of the court when we arrived.

Last year, BC Supreme court ruled in favour of Gloria Taylor who fought for the right to assisted suicide. Now, the federal government is appealing that decision.

The trial was adjourned (delayed) for two weeks because one of the lawyers was ill.

ELSA 4 Morning students listen as supporters and opponents explain their points of view outside the BC Court of Appeal on Monday.

Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

The Raging Grannies

Here is the  CBC report. ELSA 4 morning students are the "curious bystanders."  Federal appeal of assisted suicide ruling postponed in Vancouver

Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Charter of Rights and Freedoms 1 - listen and answer the questions.
Charter of Rights and Freedoms 2 - fill in the blanks.

Vancouver Law Courts

 

Field trip to BC Supreme Court - Monday

Morning Students - Please meet in the lobby at school at 9 a.m. sharp OR meet at the entrance to the Supreme Court (at Hornby and Smithe) at 9:20 a.m. 
Afternoon Students - Please meet in the lobby at school at 1 p.m. sharp OR meet at the courthouse at 1:15 p.m.

If we have time, we may be able to watch some trials. Check this link in the morning to see which cases are being heard.  List of today's Supreme Court trials


If you're interested, this website has more information about the Supreme Court as well as a video.
Guide to BC Courts

Crime and the Legal System

Listening and Vocabulary

 Fighting a Parking Ticket

Reading Practise

Check out the Crime and Police section of Janis's Website where you will find many gripping crime stories to choose from for reading practise.
Click > Reading  > CLB 3-5.