Websites for Practicing English

Breaking News English: News articles for ESL students with practice vocabulary & related exercises
Elllo: A variety of listening activities
BBC Dance Mat Typing: Practice learning to type
Many Things: Different online activities, games, puzzles, pronunciation, listening
Dave's ESL Cafe: Various links/activities for students

Favorite English Songs

Today's activity included finding your favorite American songs. Here's a list and the links to the songs that students chose:
1) Teachers' favorite song: "It Don't Mean a Thing"
2) Max's favorite song: "Erase Me"
3) Ryan's favorite song: "Apologize"
4) KiYong's favorite song: "Chocolate Legs"
5) Mo's favorite song: "Beautiful"
6) Soro's favorite song: "Right Now (Na Na Na)"
7) Alex's favorite song: "Let It Be" (British)
8) Logan's favorite song: "Boom Boom Pow"
9) David's favorite song: "Bad Romance"
10) Chase's favorite song: "Listen"
11) Marat's favorite song: "Thank You"
12) Hunter's favorite song: "Angel"

Oregon Websites

Practice flashcards about Oregon: http://quizlet.com/4366946/oregon-flashcards-flash-cards/
"Explore Oregon" (the 7 regions of Oregon): http://www.traveloregon.com/Explore%20Oregon.aspx
Wikipedia on Oregon: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oregon
Oregon Wagon Train video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR-dOtBSYqs

Interest in Oregon Native Americans

Chief Joseph was a famous Nez Perce native of Oregon who was famous for resisting the removal of his tribe to reservation lands in Idaho.











Here is the Wikipedia site on Chief Joseph: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Joseph
Here is a youtube video example of one of his speeches: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEMdN_4GAs4

In the 1800s, Native American tribes were often relocated or moved to reservation lands that were very different from there original tribal homelands. The reservation land granted by the United States government was often not as desirable as the original tribal lands. In addition, because many Native American cultures and religions are directly connected to nature and the natural surroundings, the tribes did not want to leave their homes. Thus the government attempts to relocate tribes to new environments often resulted in bloody battles between Native American tribes and the United States.

Because early settlers and missionaries were concerned with converting natives to Christianity, natives were often forced to leave behind their traditions, including speaking their native languages. In recent years there has been interest in reviving the Indian languages. In Oregon, at the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community, they are even teaching children the "Chinook Jargon" language starting in preschool so that this language will not be forgotten. Here is the Wikipedia site on Chinook Jargon: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinook_Jargon
Sample of Chinook Jargon on a sign:

In your group, research choose a topic related to an Oregon and write an entry on this blog. Include any interesting information you found and a picture.