Hello Students,




I hope you enjoy the three day weekend!


Melody will give you a reading for our debate on Columbus Day. Please annotate as always. This time, annotate not only for vocabulary but also for arguments in favor of celebrating Columbus Day or against it. I will check your annotation.


Please also answer the questions at the end of the reading.


Finally, we will have our vocabulary test on Tuesday morning.


We will have lecture on Wednesday and Friday next week.












Monday, June 1 we will plan to go to Elliott Bay Books to buy summer reading books. Thanks for your suggestions on book topics and styles. The booksellers there will present books to you before they give you a chance to browse.


Reading is absolutely the best way for all of you to improve your English this summer. Read books you enjoy and that you can read fluently. Research shows that the most effective way to improve English is to read books that are one step above your current ability. In other words, the books should be challenging but not so difficult that you are unable to read them fluently. If you are having to look up more than 5 words per page in order to follow the story, the book is probably too difficult. Try to figure out the meaning from context rather than looking up every word you do not know.


Keep a vocabulary notebook through the summer. 40 words per week is a good aim!


Stay in touch with me about your reading. I will miss you, and I am happy to email with you about the books that you are reading. You may keep a reading journal and send me responses. (Of course you may also write about other things! I'd love to hear about your life in your home countries. This is a casual way for you to continue writing in English.)






Heather