Northland. Journeys. ESL & LBS Newsletter

Transcription

1 Northland Journeys ESL & LBS Newsletter Volume #9 Northland Adult Learning Centre, Algoma District School Board, 440 Northland Road, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6C3N6 Phone: , Fax: , Web Site: Literacy and Basic Skills/English as a Second Language Announcements: Open House on March 2, 2007 from 12:00-2:30 pm - Employment Connection Wednesday, February 21, 2007 A Day of Skiing and Snowshoeing Time Management Workshop Wednesday, March 21, 2007 Personality Dimensions - Heidi will be back Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious Saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? To find out, go to the following website: I enjoy ESL class field trips so much. Especially, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at Hiawatha were a great experience to me. Most of my classmates were afraid to do these winter sports because it was their first time. Our teachers encouraged us to try them, and they arranged a short lesson for us. It was a beautiful day. I loved the scenery inside the bush and the frozen stream near the falls. We cross-country skied a 4 kilometer trail and snowshoed a 2 kilometer trail. We had a great time and we took a lot of pictures. I hope we can enjoy these activities again. Biscuit (ESL)

2 PAGE 2 Welcoming Ceremony The Minister of Education was welcomed at S.F.Howe School by the Urban Aboriginal students. The first part of the ceremony began with drumming and native singing. Next, came smudging which everyone present took part in. The Minister of Education, Kathleen Wynne, received a presentation of a picture of the former Collegiate High School by Mario Turco, Director of Education for Algoma District School Board. The picture presentation was made in honour of the minister s grandmother who was a teacher for many years here in the Sault Ste. Marie area. After the presentation was completed, the native students performed a very colourful hoop dance as well as jingle dancing. All the native costumes were hand-crafted and were very colourful and unique in their design. Lunch and refreshments were served to all in attendance. The minister was touched deeply by all the events that took place at the ceremony. Albert Trumble (LBS)

3 PAGE 3 Mockingbird Hill Sleigh Ride Our ESL class went to Mockingbird Hill for a sleigh ride. It was snowing, so the scenery was really incredible. We sang a few English songs and our own countries songs. It was really interesting to listen to them. Si Youl was pushed by one of our classmates and it was funny to watch him fall off the sleigh. I took lots of pictures, and I had a blast. Mi Young (ESL) Canadian Trivia 1. What animal is Canada s national emblem? 2. What is Canada s famous rodeo called? 3. What Canadian invented the snowmobile? 4. What is the name of the vast treeless area in Canada s north? For answers, see bottom of page 5. Charlie s Corner Just in the nick of time, SNOW! This will keep all the outdoor people from going mad! In case I forget, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the December and January crew. A reminder that February is Volunteer month, so get out and support the Volunteers. The 2nd annual Rock-a-Thon is set for Saturday, February 10th at the Station Mall. Top rockers with the most pledges will get the opportunity to win a $399 rocking chair and gift certificates from Storey Furniture. This year s Rock-a-thon runs from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm.

4 PAGE 4 History of Speed Skating by Si Youl Lee (ESL) In earlier times, ice-skating was a way for people to get around during long, cold winters. Frozen canals and rivers made excellent skate-ways between villages. Speeding over smooth ice, skaters could travel quickly. It was often faster to skate than to travel by land. In 1763, the world s first organized skating race was held on the Fens in England. Over the next hundred years, the popularity of skating grew. All steel blades were introduced, and people realized that they could skate faster. In 1924, Speed skating was one of the athletic events. Ever since then, it has been part of the Olympic tradition. A speed skate is made for speed and racing. A speed skater only needs to move across the ice quickly. It looks like a shoe and provides more flexibility than other skate boots. The blade of a speed skate is much longer than a boot. The longer blade helps a skater to go faster. Speed skaters want to skate as fast as possible; therefore, they wear thin body suits that cling to their bodies. The tight clothing helps the skater cut through the air. Speed skating is divided into two categories, long track and short track. No matter what the distance of the race, the object is speed. Long track skating takes place on a 400-meter ice oval. Long track events are based on distance. Men s events are 500, 1,000, 1,500, 5,000, and 10,000 meters in length. Women skate the same distance, except for the 10,000-meter race. They also skate a 3,000-meter race. Short track events became an Olympic medal sport in Their blades are also shorter than those used in long track events. I believe the best of best is the Korean team in short track events. Winter is finally here, and the weather has become very cold. Children are having fun playing sports in the snow. You can enjoy these sports only in the wintertime when it is cold. Therefore, why don t you go out and enjoy them while you can? At first it is hard to keep your balance on ice, and sharp skate blades are necessary. Once you get used to the feeling of it, you will be able to glide easily.

5 PAGE 5 Recipe of the Month: Date Squares 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed 1 cup butter or margarine, firmly packed 13/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp baking soda 11/2 cups rolled oats 1 egg, beaten 1 recipe date filling Cream shortening and sugar well. Sift flour, baking soda together and stir in. Mix in rolled oats and egg. Place 1/2 mixture in a lightly greased 13 x9 cake pan or 2-8 square pans and pat down firmly. Spread with filling. Cover with remaining crumb mixture and pat lightly. Bake at 350-degree oven for 35 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool, cut into squares and remove from pan. Makes 21/2 dozen medium bars or 4 dozen smaller ones. 3 cups dates cut up 11/2 cups boiling water 1/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed 1 tsp vanilla or 1 tsp lemon juice Date Filling Combine all ingredients in saucepan. Cook 10 minutes until mixture takes on consistency of jam and cool lightly. Food Trivia Provided by Maureen Dewar (LBS) Q: When the power goes off, will food in your refrigerator stay cold enough to be eaten safely for: (a) 4 to 6 hours; (b) 6 to 8 hours; or (c) 8 to 10 hours? Q: Is the most recognized smell in the world: (a) popcorn; (b) peanut butter; or (c) coffee? Q: How many teaspoons of sugar does the average North American consume every day: (a) 9 teaspoons; (b) 19 teaspoons; or (c) 29 teaspoons? (Answers will be posted in the March issue) Answers to Canadian Trivia Questions: 1) Beaver 2) Calgary Stampede 1. Armand Bombardier 2. Tundra

6 LATE ONE NIGHT BY LEE SIM (LBS) PAGE 6 Late on a cold, December night my next door neighbour rapped loudly on my front door. When I heard the loud rapping, I immediately snapped up out of my sleep. I raced to the front door and whipped it open! To my surprise it was just a neighbour of mine. He asked nervously, Can you help me get into my house? It seems that I ve locked myself out. I contemplated the strange request and replied, Sure, what are neighbours for? I asked, Could you please wait in the porch for a minute while I go get changed? Because I was still in my blue striped pajamas. Yes, he replied anxiously. So while he waited patiently, I changed into an old pair of jeans, a black sweater, and I put on my black Kodiak boots. Before we left, I locked my large Oak front door. We headed out to the garage, where I was going to grab my thirty foot ladder. This way we could try one of his second floor windows to see if they were unlocked. When we arrived at the garage, I went to open the door and of course, it was locked! I thought to myself, no big deal that was until I checked my front pockets. I forgot the keys on my black cherry nightstand inside the house, which was locked! I threw my hands up in the air and exclaimed, Great, what s next? My neighbour was confused by my actions and asked curiously, What s wrong? So I explained to him about how my keys were locked in my house. He said, Do you have a credit card? Suspiciously, I asked, Why? I can use it to get my door open then I can get my keys. This way I can retrieve my ladder and try to get you back in to your house. Okay, I replied, relieved that my suspicions seemed to be wrong. I gave him a credit card that was maxed out and he began to work at the door. Running the credit card back and forth until SNAP! Unfortunately, the credit card was the only thing that gave way. After a short break and some brainstorming we noticed a kitchen window that seemed to be just out of our reach. So I gave him a boost. Too bad I didn t know my own strength. SMASH!!! I put him right through the large kitchen window. Only a fraction of a second later the middle upstairs light came on. I began to panic and I turned to run, that s when I heard, Freeze!!! I didn t dare move a muscle. The police took the supposed neighbour and me into custody. Then they dragged us down to the police station. It Turns out the neighbour from directly across the street saw us trying to open the front door, and they called the police. As for the neighbour that I was helping, because I was new to the neighbourhood I had no idea what my neighbours looked like. He turned out to be a common thief and when I pushed him through the window he smashed his head off of the edge of the sink. This knocked him out. After many arduous hours of telling and re-telling my story, the police finally believed me. They brought me home and helped me get inside of my house. In the long run, I apologized to the real neighbour. He was mad for awhile, but he did eventually forgive me. I bought him a new window and helped put it in. Most of all, I learned something new from this experience. I learned that helping someone out is not always the right thing to do!