The proper way to decorate a Christmas Tree

    Did you know that there was a proper way to decorate your Christmas tree? Whether you have a fake or real tree, you could follow these key steps to achieve a perfectly decorated tree.  Well, at least these are the key steps my family has always followed to get that perfect looking Christmas Tree. First, you must get a tree. For a more traditional look, you want to have a tree that has a perfect look. The tree should be symmetrical, with fullness, and the proper height for your house or apartment. Next, you will then pick a theme for your tree. You will want to determine a specific color scheme for your tree. This will allow you to pick out the proper lights and décor for the tree. This year my family is doing a rustic theme, which will include white lights and wood-like ornaments. After you pick your theme, then you could start decorating. The first thing that you will do is the lights. My father always said you had to place a string of lights inside of the tree first (near the bark) and work your way out to the edge of the tree pins. Second, you will then lay the tinsel, garland, or even ribbon on the tree. After that, you could start placing the ornaments. Keep in mind you want to spread out these ornaments to make sure you cover the whole tree evenly. Another tip my dad would tell us is to use the bigger ornaments to fill in any bare spots you might have in the tree and never to be afraid to put the ornaments deeper in the tree. Lastly, you will want to put the star or angel at the top of the tree. It doesn’t have to be a star or an angel. You could get creative with this last piece depending on your them. Finish it off with a shirt for the base of the tree, and Bam! A perfect Christmas tree.    

Proper (adjective) of the required type; suitable or appropriate.

Traditional (adjective) existing in or as part of a tradition; long-established

Symmetrical (adjective) made up of exactly similar parts facing each other or around an axis; showing symmetry.

Color scheme (noun) an arrangement or combination of colors, especially as used in interior decoration.

Rustic (adjective) relating to the countryside; rural

Ornaments (plural noun) are used to make something look more attractive but usually have no practical purpose, especially a small object such as a figurine.

Tinsel (noun) a form of decoration consisting of thin strips of shiny metal foil

Garland (noun) a wreath of flowers and leaves, worn on the head or hung as a decoration.

Bare (adjective) without the appropriate, usual, or natural covering

Vocabulary Exercise

Complete the sentences with the correct vocabulary word.

proper           traditional        symmetrical        color scheme        rustic

       ornaments             tinsel                   garland           bare

1. An artist needs the ___________ tools.

2. The _____________ festivities of the Church year.

3. Your feet are looking a little_________________. Where are your shoes?

4. The_____________ _____________for this room was determined by an interior decorator

5. The pattern was perfectly_____________.

6. The tree had more and more massive _______________.

7. The unblemished charm of __________ life has been a perennial source of inspiration for the painter

8. Let me help you hang up that sparkly _____________ and ______________.

Grammar Lesson: Transition words

Transition words are words used to show how events took place over a period of time. These words help carry a thought from one sentence to another, as well as a bridge between sentences and paragraphs in your writing. There are many different categories of transition words. I will list some examples below.

 

To Add:

and, again, and then, besides, equally important, finally, further, furthermore, nor, too, next, lastly, what's more. 

To Compare:

whereas, but, yet, on the other hand, however, nevertheless, on the contrary, by comparison, up against, vis a vis, but, although, conversely, meanwhile, after all, in contrast

To Prove:

because, for, since, for the same reason, obviously, evidently, furthermore, moreover, besides, in addition, in any case, that is

To Show Exception:

yet, still, however, nevertheless, in spite of, despite, of course, once in a while, sometimes

To Show Time:

immediately, thereafter, soon, after a few hours, finally, then, later, previously, formerly, first (second, etc.), next, and then

To Repeat:

in brief, as I have said, as I have noted, as has been noted

To Emphasize:

definitely, extremely, obviously, in fact, indeed, in any case, absolutely, positively, always, forever, perennially, eternally, certainly, undeniably, without reservation

To Show Sequence:

first, second, third, and so forth. next, then, following this, at this time, now, at this point, after, afterward, subsequently, finally, consequently, previously, before this, therefore, hence, next, and then, soon

To Give an Example:

for example, for instance, in this case, in another case, on this occasion, in this situation, take the case of, to demonstrate, to illustrate, as an illustration, to illustrate

To Summarize or Conclude:

in brief, on the whole, summing up, to conclude, in conclusion, as I have shown, as I have said, hence, therefore, accordingly, thus, as a result, consequently

Here’s a YouTube video that so you some examples of how to use these transition words. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5HZpmJpfSI

Grammar Assignment

After you finish watching the YouTube video, I would like you to practice using these transition words. Write 5 sentences using at least 4 transition words. Don’t be afraid to get creative. 

Too much to do

Too many times there’s too much that needs to be done. I have two dogs that constantly need to go outside for a walk and release their energy. Two jobs that I need to juggle and sometimes I have to work late for. I wish I had the ability to pause time and fall into a deep sleep for a short period of time. This will give me the rest I need to feel a significant difference. It would provide me with a jolt of energy when I actually get up from it and continue my busy day. Have you ever felt a moment like that before? A time when it seemed like there was too much to do? What did you do in that situation?

Vocabulary:

Constantly (adverb) continuously over a period of time; always.

Release (verb) all or enable to escape from confinement; set free

Juggle (verb) cope with by skillful balance

Ability (noun) possession of the means or skill to do something

Significant (adjective) having a particular meaning; indicative of something

Jolt (verb) give a surprise or shock to (someone) in order to make them act or change

Situation (noun) a set of circumstances in which one finds oneself; a state of affairs.

Vocabulary Exercise:

Complete the sentences with the correct vocabulary word.

constantly released juggle          ability significant           jolt      situation

1. People __________ many responsibilities in life.

2. Technology is ____________ changing as time goes on.

3. In times of stress her dreams were _____________.

4. She tried to ________ him out of his sadness.

5. She ____________ his arm and pushed in aside.

6. The coach managed to lose his _________ to motivate his players.

7. That ___________ will really hurt Jack.

Grammar Lesson: Two, Too, To

Two, too, and two are another set of words that frequently cause confusion.  They are also considered homophones because they are all pronounced in a similar way but mean different things and have different spelling. 

TO: 

• Can be used as a preposition of movement or direction. 

Ex: I will take you to the airport.

• Identifies the person or thing affected or receiving something.

Ex: I gave it to Jade

• Can be used t show a change of state, condition or quality

Ex: She tore the letter to pieces

• Can be used as the first part of an infinitive (to + verb= infinitive)

Ex: He needs to study more.

TOO:

• Can be used before an adjective or an adverb for reinforcement to mean “very” or “more than..”

Ex: This house is too big for me.

• Can be used as an adverb to mean “also” or “in addition”

Ex: I was very tired last night and my mother was too

TWO:

• Only used as a number. Two = 2

Ex: There are two cats outside.

Grammar Assignment:

Fill in each sentence with the correct word.

To: a function word Too: also Two: a number

1. I am going _________ read a book.

2. Donald ran _________ miles.

3. Is Ann coming ___________?

4. She got ________ wrong on the test.

5. My brother likes ________ play baseball.

6. I was at the park ________ times today.

7. Those clothes are _________ expensive.

8. Cindy got __________ strikes in bowling.

9. I need _____ write_______ pages for school.

10. I need you ________ help me it’s _______ heavy.

Useful Link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv2Ai5GES1w

Thankful

Thankful

Many times we go through life not thinking about what we are truly thankful for. Our wants tend to magnify the needs that are being met. But there are moments in our lives where we need to take a step back and ponder on those things that have truly blessed us in our lives. Aside from the material things we have, there are individuals that have truly made a big impact on our lives. For example, my parents have always been there for me. They’re the most giving people I have in my life. They give me love, support, financial help at times, and more. They’re always thinking about my life over theirs. I am truly blessed to have both of my parents in my life because not many people have that. I thank God every day for those two, and my hope is that one day I could bless them in the same way they have blessed me.

Vocabulary:

Tend (verb) to be disposed or inclined in action, operation, or effect to do something:

Magnify(verb) to increase the apparent size of, as a lens does.

Ponder(verb) to weigh carefully in mind; consider thoughtfully.

Aside(adverb) in spite of; put apart: notwithstanding

Impact(noun) influence; effect:

Financial(adjective) of or relating to those commonly engaged in dealing with money and credit.

Vocabulary Exercise:

Complete the sentences with the correct vocabulary word.

tend      magnify        ponder       aside impact           financial

1. People around here ____________ to wear gloves in the winter.

2. Take a few minutes and ___________ the question before you answer the question.

3. We felt the full _________ of the storm

4. They could use technology to ____________ their sales.

5. He pushed people _____________ as he ran to the bus.

6. Dan showed little interest in his ___________ status.

Grammar Lesson: Their, There, They’re

Their, there, and there are considered homophones because they are pronounced similarly but mean different things. This causes confusion for many.

Their: is a third-person plural possessive adjective. It shows that a particular thing belongs to “them.”

Examples:  Have you met their son yet? Or   Is that their book?

There: may function as an adverb, an adjective, a pronoun, a noun, or an interjection.

1. (adverb) there refers to a place

  Ex: Please sit over there.

2. (adjective) there is used to emphasis, especially after a noun modified by a demonstrative adjective 

Ex: Ask that man there

3. (pronoun) there is used to introduce a clause or sentence 

Ex: There is no hope.

4. (noun) there it may mean “that point”

Ex: He stopped and went on from there.

5. (interjection) there expresses feeling such as relief, satisfaction, sympathy, or anger.

Ex: There! It’s done.

They’re: is a contraction of they and are

Ex: They’re the best.

Grammar Activity:

Look at each sentence and determine if the right there, their or there, is being used. Circle if the sentence used the correct or incorrect there, their or they’re.  If a sentence used the wrong there, their or they’re, cross it out and put the correct one on top.

1. Correct or incorrect:  They parked there car under the tree. 

2. Correct or incorrect:  Sam and William are still sleeping because they’re exhausted.

3. Correct or incorrect:  They can’t find there seats on the airplane.

4. Correct or incorrect:  I’ll stay here. You go they’re.

5. Correct or incorrect:  Their aren’t any tickets left for the two o’clock train.

6. Correct or incorrect:  Are there any cookies left?

7. Correct or incorrect:  Where are they’re books?

8. Correct or incorrect:  Why can’t I go over there?

Useful Link:

Their There They're - Homophones Song - Educational Music Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G45RQ5b4W78

Fun Holiday Memes

                                                                          

                                                                                

    

                                                

Christmas in November.

Hi everyone, I hope all is well. As the 2020 year begins to come to a close and the holidays start rolling in, I can’t help but share my feelings on what I feel about seeing Christmas in November. Christmas is one of my favorite holidays, but I think it’s way too early to be putting up a Christmas tree and watching Christmas movies in November. It feels like we are rushing, possibly, forgetting the Thanksgiving holiday and what it stands for. Thanksgiving is a time to take a step back and look at the blessings we have in our lives. In my eyes, we lose the authenticity of Thanksgiving and Christmas when we try to rush to them before their time. I understand why many people are turning to Christmas. They are looking for a little bit of joy that holiday brings, but why can’t we find that same joy when celebrating Thanksgiving? Maybe we need to reevaluate the value we put on Thanksgiving. What are your thoughts about Christmas in November?

Vocabulary 

1. rolling (adjective) moving by revolving or turning over and over

2. rushing (adjective) moving with urgent haste

3. possibly (adverb) perhaps (used to indicate doubt or hesitancy)

4. forgetting (verb) fail to remember

5. blessings (plural noun) a beneficial thing for which one is grateful

6. authenticity (noun) the quality of being authentic (genuine)

7. reevaluate (verb) evaluate again or differently 

8. value (noun) the regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of             something.

Vocabulary Exercise: Matching

1. rolling:         a. a beneficial thing

2. rushing         b. evaluate again or differently

3. possibly         c. moving with urgent haste

4. forgetting d. the importance, worth, or usefulness of something.

5. blessings e.  moving by revolving or turning over and over

6. authenticity f. the quality of being authentic (genuine)

7. reevaluate g. perhaps

8. value h. fail to remember

Grammar Point

Linking Ideas with a Conjunction

Sometimes you want to link two ideas with a second S+V+O combination. When you do, you need a coordinating conjunction [FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)]

The new formula looks like this:

S+V+O, COORDINATING CONJUNCTION+S+V+O

EX: Christmas is one of my favorite holidays, but I think it’s way too early to be putting up a Christmas tree…

Grammar Assignment

Write 4-5 sentences on your feelings about Christmas in November using conjunctions