What:

            Recently, I went with my class to different place that we have not been before to lobs and lessons. It’s a program for children that they do some activities and get some help on their homework. Before we have been there, we divided to three groups that every group should choose any story from different countries and get some pictures that related to the country that the group picked.

So what:

This time, we went to the place is completely different than we did a few weeks ago because we are going to work with children not seiner people. It was really good experience to me because I do not usually play with children and have no experience how to handle with them. Honestly, I was so worry how to work with children because it is hard to control them. In the beginning of the class, we took the first hour what is usually had in the syllabus in the second floor of the building. After that we went dawn stare to see and introduce our self to the children in the lobs and lessons who were very active than any other children that I have never seen before. I was so excited that we get the opportunity to share playing tennis with them, which was my first time that I have played tennis. Moreover, the children show to me how it could be if I’m from low-income family which I know how they feel. We played many games that everyone was very interested and excited. I tried as much as I can to help them to be more excitable on their time and had some fun. On the last hours of our class, we started to read story to them, which was about Jamaican’s story, but one of the children who were on my group seems not interested to work with us because he probably does not like to work with stranger. After we finished reading the story, we started to create the new story with the children with the new pictures that related to the Jamaica. Last week, we went to the same place lobs and lessons that was my second time. I was so happy because I’m going to work children again. At the beginning of the class we completed the movie and then we gathered together with children to do some activities. Unfortunately, we did not got outside to play tennis because the weather was rainy and instead of that we played anther game. After that, everyone joined to his group and started to make a craft with the children. I was so glad when you see the smiling on their face and working together as one team. There was no time to create the story with children. So, we just assisted them to do their homework.     

Now what:

 I really would like to visit the lobs and lessons again since its great and enjoyable experience. Honestly, I do not like to play with children or stay with them because they make me upset, but this experience it teaches me how to be patient and deal with them if they are out of controlling. In addition, it let me think about other people and how they deal with their life today. That is taught me a lesson that I will have never forgotten which it how can I deal with the hard life whatever it is hard or not.    

Death By Bacon? Study Finds Eating Meat Is Risky

By Allison Aubrey

Link:  http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/03/12/148457233/death-by-bacon-study-finds-eating-meat-is-risky

Words:

- Substantial: Of ample or considerable amount, quantity, size, etc.: a substantial sum of money.

- Mortality: The relative frequency of deaths in a specific population; death rate.

-Moderate: Kept or keeping within reasonable or proper limits; not extreme, excessive, or intense: a moderate price.

-Disputes: to argue vehemently; wrangle or quarrel.

http://dictionary.reference.com/

Questions:

- What are the higher risks of eating red meat?

-  What amount of red meat should we eat to decrease the risks of these diseases?

- Do you think other alternative sources of protein such as chicken, fish and legumes decrease their risks of premature death?

- Why do you think processed meats appear to be riskier?

New Rules To Curb Pollution From Oil, Gas Drilling

By Elizabeth Shogren

http://www.npr.org/2012/04/18/150891876/new-rules-to-curb-pollution-from-oil-gas-drilling

New words:

1 - Assault:

- a sudden, violent attack; onslaught: an assault on tradition.

- Law . An unlawful physical attack upon another; an attempt or offer to do violence to another, with or without battery, as by holding a stone or club in a threatening manner.

- Military. The stage of close combat in an attack.

- Rape.

2- gushing out:

 - To emit suddenly, forcibly, or copiously.

3- Enclosures:

-Something that encloses, as a fence or wall.

- Something that is enclosed, as a paper sent in a letter.

-The separation and appropriation of land by means of a fence.

- A tract of land surrounded by a fence.

- An act or instance of enclosing.

4- Toxic

Adjective

- Of, pertaining to, affected with, or caused by a toxin  or poison: a toxic condition.

- Acting as or having the effect of a poison; poisonous: a toxic drug.

- Pertaining to or noting debt that will probably not be repaid: toxic mortgages.

- Pertaining to or noting a financial instrument or other asset that has no value or an unknown value because there is no market for it: toxic mortgage-backed securities.

Noun

- A toxic chemical or other substance.

http://dictionary.reference.com/

Questions:

1. What kind of air pollution does your country suffer of?

2. How can we reduce pollution?

3. Do you think that a new rule from The Environmental Protection Agency will help to curb or control 

What:

Last week, I went with my class to the library to do a same what we did last a few weeks which divide to the small groups and present presentation about diverse topics such as countries, holidays, and communication. In addition, Dr. Kirk Richardson’s class came to our class to share with them our presentation and get from them some useful information about different sport places and about Education. 

So What:

            I was so glad that I’m going to dress traditional cloth and preform one of traditional dances, but at the same time I was sad because it was last time at the library. At the library, we divided to small groups and I was single with three-conversation partner. Firstly, before I start my presentation, we talked about different general topics and explained what I was dressing.  First of all, I presented about my country which UAE and every one who were in my group thought that UAE is just Dubai. Then I started to talk about the national day what people usually do in this day. After that, I preformed a one kind of traditional dances in front of the people who were in the room.  I was so enthusiastic when I saw a smiling on their face and liked my performance.  However, every one admired what I was holding and I demonstrated to them why we dance with fake gun. I really learned many things that might improve my English skills such as   communicating with American speaker, asking questions and feeling confident without being shy.  It’s really good experience that will help in my life. Last week, Dr. Kirk Richardson’s class visited our class to share with them some presentations. Unfortunately, I wasn’t with my classmates when they met them at the first time. I was so nervous when my teacher mentioned that we have to prepare for presentation and present it in front of anther class. It’s really good experience for me because we have to do that at the academic class.  Being more active is one of my characteristic and being able to stand in front of the class without feeling nervous. So, I decided to be one of volunteers. I presented about holidays in UAE and showed them some materials such as traditional clothes and feck gun that we used in our traditional dance. I think I did well on my presentation because Dr. Kirk encouraged me when he said that  he likes mine , using my hand while I was talking and talking without reading from the PowerPoint. In addition, Dr. Krik Richardson’s class presented three presentations about different topics such as Sports and educational architecture. Honestly, I gained a lot  of information especially about different sport places in Richmond. I’m glad when my teacher came up their emails to contact with them to know more about these places and ask questions if we need.

Now What:

I’m so glad and proud to gain whole these experiences that will assist me during my life. I learned a lot of things that could increase my English skills. Next time, I will do by best to improve my English by paying my attention, preparing for the class and asking a lot of questions.  

Car Guru: Stop Downshift In Manual Transmissions

ByTracy Samilton.

http://www.npr.org/2012/03/26/149398112/car-guru-stop-downshift-in-manual-transmissions

New Words:

- Addicted: devoted or given up to a practice or habit or to something psychologically

- Enthusiasts: a person who is filled with enthusiasm for some principle, pursuit, etc.; a person of ardent zeal: a sports enthusiast.

- Stalls : a booth or stand in which merchandise is displayed for sale, or in which some business is carried on (sometimes used in combination): a butcher’s stall; a bookstall.

Questions:

What do you prefer to have manual or automatic car?

Why do you think that most of people have automatic cars?

Do you think  that cars companies will stop producing cars with manual shift in future?

What:          

This week, I went with my class to public library to talk about our presentation. I was so excited because we are going to present as we did in LLi. There were diverse people who we are supposed to meet with. Actually, I was in a small group that consists of Luye and conversation partner who is organically from Richmond. His name is Mohammed and told us that he is working in DMV. Firstly, we talked a bout various topics that we prepared for. Mohammed told us that he so excited to come to public library to gain a lot of information about other countries. In addition he mentioned that he has started studying different things to evolve his English skills.

So what:

 Although this my second time in public library, I didn’t feel that interested that as we were in LLI. People that we work with are completely different that people who are in LLI in many things such as asking questions, comminuting and participating.

I was very glad to see our conversation partner very active with us because he was smiling, asking us about various questions about our countries and answering every question that we asked. Before I came to the library, I was thinking how my conversation partner would be. Then, I realized that Mohammed is a one of the best people I have ever met because he was kindly, friendly and socially. I learned many things through this experience such as how to start conversation with people you have not met them before, do not feel shy while you talk with people and try to not stop talking even it was wrong. Mohammed was enthusiastic to pay attention to us while we presented our presentation.

Honestly, The good thing I did is connecting between what I learned at the class and during conversation at the public library. Recently, we are studying about healthcare in Oral Communication and I discussed with my group about this issue. I improved my information about healthcare after I got Precious information from my conversation partner.   

Now What?

Actually, I have learned many things that would help me in academic classes how to communicate with students at University and how to start conversation. in addition, improving English skills is one of my goal and trying as much as I can to develop my presentation to make it longer.

Sleep-Deprived New Parents Don’t Have To Hit The (Sleeping Pill) Bottle

By Sarah Varney

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/08/08/139034126/sleep-deprived-new-parents-dont-have-to-hit-the-sleeping-pill-bottle

New Words:

   - Havoc:  ruinous damage.

- Insomnia: inability to obtain sufficient sleep, especially when chronic; difficulty in falling or staying asleep; sleeplessness.

- Chronic: having long had a disease, habit, weakness, or the like: a chronic invalid.

Questions:

Why do you think that new parents who have a new baby are having trouble falling asleep at bedtime?

What are the causes of lack of sleeping?

Do you think eating medicine is a good solution to eliminate of this issue ?

What:

My group had three members. We talked about Art. Before we started our presentation, everyone introduced about his self because this was our first time. After that, we started to present about Art.

Our conversation partner told us that he is not interested in Art and did not have a major background about Art. 

I noticed that we have to prepare for all presentations that we did it before spring break, and we have to download all video that you would like to demonstrate them. In addition, I paid my attention to the conversation partner and my classmate and got some useful information from them. 

 So What:

 I surprised that we were in a small group; I thought that we are supposed to be in a big group. I was glad that I’m going to talk about UAE, but I surprised that our teacher divided us to groups and gave us a specific topic to talk. Everyone who was in my group seemed paid attention to me when I was presenting mine and there was no interruption from them.   

On other hand, I was so glad that my conversation partner was very happy. I think I did not prepare for a topic what I’m supposed to talk. So, we switched the topic to Foods. In addition, I wondered that our conversation partner has a lot of information about South Korean and foods.

I have learned that should be active by asking questions when you do not understand. In addition, I noticed that I have to be ready and practice a lot before presenting the presentation.

My conversation partner asked us a lot of questions such as several questions about different culture between to countries.

Now what:

            I realized the importance of group management and how to get conversation on the topic. In my group, I was the less one who talked in my group because I was not perfect. Our conversation partner   let every one to talk and let asking specific questions. It seemed to get other people improve their skills. I feel much better and feel comfortable when we do group work.

            Next time, I will try as much as possible to do my best and take enough time to make every thing clearly. I’ll try to follow: 1- do not feel shy and ask question.2- if I have enough time, Talk about something I learned at the class such as homework news.

            In order to improve my English skills, I will pay my attention to every one who is talking and prepare for it before the class.

Coffee May Lower Risk Of Deadliest Prostate Cancer

By Richard Knox

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/05/18/136402267/coffee-lowers-risk-of-deadliest-prostate-cancer

New Words:

- Prostate cancer: a malignant tumor of the male gland that produces components of semen; a disease in which cells of the prostate gland become abnormal and start to grow uncontrollably, forming tumors.

- Epidemiologist: the branch of medicine dealing with the incidence and prevalence of disease in large populations and with detection of the source and cause of epidemics of infectious disease.

- Aggressive: characterized by or tending toward unprovoked offensives, attacks, invasions, or the like; militantly forward or menacing: aggressive acts against a neighboring country.

- Diagnosed: to determine the identity of (a disease, illness, etc.) by a medical examination: The doctor diagnosed the illness as influenza.

http://dictionary.reference.com/

Questions:

- Why do you think most people drink a lot of coffee everyday?

- What are the risks of drinking much coffee?

- Do you think that there is link between coffee drinking and overall risk of prostate cancer?

Name: J.E.B. Stuart

website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J.E.B._Stuart

Questions:

1- who is J.E.B. Stuart?

 his name is James Ewell Brown. He was probably the most famous cavalryman of the Civil War. A Virginia-born West Pointer (1854), Stuart was already a veteran of Indian fight He was a U.S. Army officer from Virginia and a Confederate States Army general during the American Civil Warand  and was  a veteran of the frontier conflicts with Native Americans and the violence of Bleeding Kansas.

2- Where and when was James Ewell Brown  born?

He was born on February 6 in 1833 in Patrick County, Virginia

3- How was he known to his friend?

He was known to his friends as “Jeb”, from the initials of his given names.

4- When did he entered the Emory and Henry College?

He entered Emory and Henry College when he was fifteen, and attended from 1848 to 1850.

5- Why JEB Stuart was promoted  to brigadier general on september in 1861 ?

Because  Stuart led his regiment in the First Battle of Bull Run, and participated in the pursuit of the retreating Federals. He then commanded the Army’s outposts along the upper Potomac River until given command of the cavalry brigade for the army then known as the Army of the Potomac. 

Open Question

-  Do you think these wars and conflicts that happened in the past Have an effect in our time?