TASK 7 - LISTENING WORKSHEET FROM ESL SHORT STORIES

It is a listening activity for B1-B2 students, hope you like it!

The envelope had the words "Internal Revenue Service" printed on the outside. Oh no, Vaughn thought, this could be bad news. It - bad news. IRS had determined that Vaughn owed $963, plus $88 interest, from two years -. They had disallowed a deduction for two reasons. One, his adjusted gross income that year was more than $40,000, and -, he was covered by an employer retirement plan. Therefore, said IRS, he - not allowed the deduction he had taken for his individual retirement account.

IRS - him six pages of explanations and instructions. IRS included a returnable form with an "Agree" box and a "-" box. If he checked -, he must pay the full amount. If he checked Disagree, he must send documentation supporting the reasons for his disagreement. If his documentation was -, he would owe nothing.

He - the IRS 800 number just to make sure he had - the instructions correctly. An agent told him to simply - a check with the full amount whether he agreed or disagreed. If he disagreed but his documentation was -, IRS would return the full amount of his check within eight weeks.

"Don't believe that agent. For now, just send them the -," advised Vaughn's brother later that day. "Make IRS wait for the -. It's your money, not theirs."

1. Were the words "Internal Revenue Service" on the envelope?
2. Did Vaughn think it could be bad news?
3. Did the government owe him $963, plus interest?
4. Had IRS allowed a deduction?
5. Did IRS send him 6 pages of explanations and instructions?
6. Did the form have an Agree box, a Disagree box, and an I Don't Know box?
7. Did he call the IRS 800 number?
8. Did an agent tell him to send a check for half the amount?
9. Would IRS return his check if his documentation was correct?
10. Did his brother tell him to send the check immediately?

         AUDIO      TEXT      QUESTIONS

TASK 6 - ANIMOTO

Today we will learn to create a video with animoto. With this intuitive and dynamic online application, the students can create their own videos by choosing images, music and text.


Why using ICT in the classroom?

TASK 5- TAR HEEL READER

Today the students have to practice their creative writing! I think it is an excellent activity for students with an A2-B1 level, because it can help to gain confidence in writing.

Click here to read the book.

In this case, the most important tense is past simple, so the students should write a new story, in which the predominant tense is the past simple. You can encourage your students to use different tenses, let's enjoy!

TASK 4 - VOICETHREAD

In this voicethread the students can find some actual questions and they have to response them. It is an activity indicated for B1-B2 students, because it is helpful to practice arguing expressions.

https://voicethread.com/new/share/6836833/

TASK 3 - PICLIT

The students get into groups of three. The teacher give to the groups the following image and the groups try to create a story based on it.

This is an activity for students of B1-B2 level, because speakers with B1-B2 knowledges are enough independent to produce stories.

http://www.piclits.com/viewpoem.aspx?PoemId=263043

TASK 2 - SET OF ACTIVITIES

There are some activities for students with an A2 level: with the first activity, the students can improve their vocabulary skills; the second activity is perfect to practice the past simple and the present continuous tenses; in the third activity we can find a reading and a writing; and the fourth activity is a game.

TASK 1 - ITC SUMMARY

¿Qué mejor forma de empezar un blog sobre las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TICS) que explicar un poco el contexto educativo en el que se encuentran?

Para ello debemos remitirnos al Real Decreto 1105/2014, de 26 de diciembre, por el que se establece el currículo básico de la Educación Secundaria Obligatoria y del Bachillerato. La revolución de las TICS ha llegado a tal punto que el propio currículo educativo las ha ido incorporando a las aulas. Y es que no podemos obviar que las nuevas tecnologías forman parte de nuestra vida de manera ya casi natural, definiendo nuestros hábitos, cambiando nuestros patrones. Es por lo tanto necesario que las nuevas generaciones estén familiarizadas con ellas si quieren seguir el ritmo de la sociedad.

Este currículo se ha diseñado para alumnos de ESO y Bachillerato, nacidos en una época donde el móvil es una extensión de la mano y en la que no se concibe que una persona no sepa utilizar un ordenador. No obstante, no se puede decir lo mismo de los profesores, que experimentaron en una edad más adulta el apogeo de las nuevas tecnologías y que, aún hoy, sigue siendo una asignatura pendiente para muchos. Es por ello que los docentes deben estar formados en el uso de estas tecnologías si quieren enseñar de forma eficaz a sus alumnos los grandes adelantos (y los no pocos riesgos) que afrontamos cada día en nuestra sociedad digitalizada. Es importante concienciar a las nuevas generaciones de que hagan un uso responsable, maduro y crítico de las TICS.