Click here to read the e-book:

After Peaches

After reading, please fill out this online Book Report. After you finish all 10 questions, click ``Print´´, then save that page as a PDF file and send it to your teacher. 

How do snowflakes form?

 Snowflakes form when water vapor travels through the air and condenses on a particle. This begins to form a slowly growing ice crystal--a snowflake! There are two basic ways that the vapor can condense, and each way plays a big role in the shape that the snowflake will eventually take.

They say that no two snowflakes are the same. That may be true, but snowflakes share some striking similarities. Take a look at these snowflakes:

See a pattern? It may not be immediately clear, but they are all symmetrical in a similar kind of way. The fancy way to say this is that they all have “six-fold radial symmetry.” In other words, if you draw six evenly spaced lines out from the center of the flake, you will notice that the shape on that line is repeated on the five other lines.

Why do they have such a pattern? And if they all have such a similar pattern, why is it so inconceivable that two snowflakes be identical? To answer both questions, you have to know how a snowflake forms.

The birth of a snowflake

Snow is not simply a frozen droplet of water falling from a cloud. What makes a snowflake different is that it forms slowly, and that it grows in the cloud.

A snowflake is born when water vapor travels through the air and condenses (changes from a gas to a solid) on a particle. There it forms a slowly growing crystal. There are two basic ways that the vapor can condense. Each way plays a big role in the shape that the snowflake will eventually take.

The first way is to form what are called ‘facets.' A facet is essentially a flat face on a 3D shape, like a prism. They form naturally when a crystal grows. In ice crystals the shape they take mirrors the shape of the molecules forming the crystal. The crystal structure of frozen ice is a six-sided shape. Therefore an icy facet is six-sided as well. That is where the symmetry in a snowflake comes from.

The second way to grow a snowflake is to form branches. Not surprisingly, this is what creates those beautiful tree-like structures. Branches form because water vapor will condense on the first thing it touches. If there is a small bump on a flake’s surface, the vapor will condense there instead of traveling any further. Now the bump is bigger and even more likely to ‘catch’ water vapor at that point. The process repeats itself and a branch is formed!

Chaos ensues…

While the snowflake generally starts as a prism with six facets, its growth can switch back and forth between creating facets and forming branches. And both processes can occur at the same time. Nearly imperceptible changes in temperature and the amount of water in the air change how the molecules act and how they condense.

Imagine a growing snowflake in a cloud. As it blows back and forth, it experiences all sorts of changing conditions. There are different temperatures and moisture levels in different parts of the cloud. There are also different conditions at the microscopic level. The order in which it experiences those changes and how long each set of conditions lasts determines the shape it makes.

How likely would it be for two snowflakes to experience the same exact of conditions all the way down to the microscopic level? Astronomically unlikely! That’s why you will never find two truly identical flakes!

Grow your own virtual snow crystals HERE!

Jazz: America´s Music

In this English challenge, you will listen to the famous song Fly Me To The Moon, sung by the jazz legend Frank Sinatra. As you listen, fill in the missing lyrics. 


Now, let´s learn more about this type of music. It is amazing!

Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of the United States. Jazz is sometimes called "America's classical music". Since the 1920s Jazz Age, jazz has become recognized as a major form of musical expression.

Jazz is characterized by swing and blue notes and improvisation. Jazz has roots in West African cultural and musical expression, and in African-American music traditions including blues and ragtime, as well as European military band music. Although the foundation of jazz is deeply rooted within the black experience of the United States, different cultures have contributed their own experience and styles to the art form as well. Intellectuals around the world have hailed jazz as "one of America's original art forms".

Find out more about this incredible American music by playing this video:

So, what do we know about jazz?

Jazz is an original American art form that in the southern United States in the early 20th century by African Americans. 

Three basic elements set this art form apart from classical music:

1) Rhythm
2) Improvisation
3) Conversation

1) Rhythm

While most classical and jazz music looks the same, the rhythms are performed differently. Classical music typically places an emphasis on the first and third beats of each measure. Jazz music switches that emphasis to beats two and four, as well as placing an emphasis on the upbeats. The tension created by switching the emphasis to the second and fourth beats and the stressing of upbeats within the measure is called syncopation.

2) Improvisation

One of the basic differences between jazz and classical music is that jazz musicians improvise. Musical improvisation is a creative process that requires the jazz artist to be spontaneous, composing music with on their instrument or scat singing music that has never been played or written down before.

3) Conversation

Classical music is composed before the concert begins. Jazz musicians play a composed tune to start and follow with improvisation that is composed on the spot. Jazz is never the same. It changes each time because the musical "conversations" that occur change as jazz musicians perform. An improvised idea from a trumpet player might be responded to by the supporting piano player, and then responded to again by the trumpet player.

Present Perfect vs. Past Simple (lesson + exersises)

Verb Tense Review: The Past Simple

We use the past simple verb tense to talk about events that happened at a specific time in the past. Usually, in these sentences, there is a word like ‘yesterday’ or ‘last year’ which shows the action happened at a time in the past that is finished.

Past Simple Keywords: yesterday, last week, last month, last year, in 1994

• I washed my clothes yesterday. (yesterday is finished)
• I met her in 2009. (2009 is finished)
• I woke up at 7 a.m. this morning. (this morning is finished)

This actions happened in the past, they are finished, and there is no connection with now.

Verb Tense Review: The Present Perfect

Subject + [ Auxiliary verb ‘have’ ] + [ Verb in Past Participle ]

• I have met her.
• She has visited Seoul.
• John has exercised twice this week.

Present Perfect Keywords: today, this week, this month, this year, in my life, recently, lately, since, ever, never, yet, still, so far

With the present perfect, we cannot use a specific time in the past such as ‘yesterday’ or ‘in 2008.’ We use the present perfect when we talk about 1) actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past, 2) actions in a period that has not finished yet, and 3) actions that began in the past and continue to the present.

Let’s review each case.

1) Using Present Perfect with An Unspecified Time in the Past – Talking about Experience

• I have seen the movie Titanic.
• She hasn’t met him.

These two sentences don’t say anything about time. They don’t have words like ‘yesterday’ or ‘in 2008’. When we speak like this, we are talking about the experience we have had in life. These sentences are the same as saying:

• I have seen the movie Titanic in my life. (I have this experience)
• She hasn’t met him in her life. (She doesn’t have this experience.)

We’re talking about your life. Is your life finished? No, you are still alive. Your life is a period that has not finished yet. This is usually how we use the present perfect (see the next case).

2) Using Present Perfect with a Period That Has Not Finished Yet

• I have paid my rent this month. (this month = a period that is not finished yet)
• I have gone to the doctor twice this year. (this year = unfinished)
• I have been to Japan twice in my life. (your life = unfinished)
• I have flown in an airplane.*

*Again, in the last example, we use the present perfect because there is no mention of time. We are talking our life experience. And because your life is not finished yet, we use the present perfect. We cannot use the present perfect for dead people. For example, ‘Michael Jackson has sang in many concerts‘. We cannot say ‘has sang’ because the period in which he sang (his career, his life) is finished. There is no connection with the present, so we use the Past Simple.

3) Using Present Perfect Progressive for Actions that Continue from the Past until Now

Subject + [ Auxiliary verb ‘Have’ ] + [ been ] [ Verb in ~ing form (Present Participle)]

This is similar to the rule above.

• She has been working here since 2010.
• We have been waiting for 30 minutes.

In these examples, it’s the action that is unfinished. You began working, or waiting, in the past, and you are still doing it now. There is a clear connection with the present. We want to focus on the fact that the action is still happening (now), we use the progressive tense — in this case, it is the present perfect Progressive.

Note: With the verbs live, work, teach, and study, there is no difference in whether you use the present perfect Simple or present perfect Progressive. For example, “I have lived here for two years.” is the same as “I have been living here for two years.”

There is one more situation in which we often use the present perfect.

4) Present Perfect for Actions in the Very Recent Past

• I’ve just had breakfast, so I’m not hungry.
• Jane has lost her job, so she’s sad.

We could use either the present perfect or the past simple (Jane lost her job) for these sentences. True, both actions have finished, but because they have happened very recently, there is still some connection with the present.

Prepositions with the Present Perfect: Since & For

We use since with the Present Perfect to indicate when an action (that continues to the present) began.

• I’ve been studying English since 2004. (I am still studying it)
• She has been married since she was 20 years old.  (She is still married)
• People have been fighting in wars since the beginning of time. (They are still fighting)

Again, these actions continued in the past until now. (Note: We use from for actions that started in the past and have finished, for example: I lived in that house from 2002 to 2004.)

We use for to show the amount of time that has passed since an action began.

• I have been studying English for 12 years.
• She has been married for 8 years.
• People have been fighting in wars for thousands of years.

Practice: Exercises for Contrasting the Past Simple and Present Perfect

Remember to look for the keywords, e.g. yesterday. These will help you decide if there is a connection with the present or not.

1. Alan  (graduate) from university last month.
2. There  (be) a large earthquake in Japan in 1995.
3. I like to exercise, but I  (not/exercise) yet this week.
4. My brother  (never/go) to university.
5. John and Lisa  (be) married since 2010.
6. Recently, it  (not/be) very hot.
7. My brother  (not/be) to the dentist for a long time.
8. My wife and I  (be) married for 1 year. So far we  (not/have) any big problems.
9. I started writing my essay two hours ago, and I still  (not/finish) yet.

 

1. A: Where’s John? — B: I don’t know. I  (not/see) him today.
2. A:  (you/ever/be) to Hawaii? — B: Yes. Twice.
3. A: When  (you/get) your dog? — B: Last summer.
4. A: How long  (you/study) English? — B: Five years.
5. A: Do you know anyone who  (be) to Thailand? — B: Yes, my sister.
6. A:  (you/see) my keys today? — B: Yes. I  (see) them this morning on the kitchen table.
7. A: Would you like half my sandwich? — B: I  (just/eat) lunch, so I’m not hungry. Thanks for asking though.

 

Exercises for For and Since (and From)

• Peter lived in Japan …forfromsince 2001 until 2005. Now, he lives in Chicago. He has been living in Chicago …forfromsince he left Japan. He works as a chef at a nice French restaurant. He has been working there …forfromsince almost two years.
• Laura is an excellent golfer. She has been playing golf …forfromsince she was 8 years old. Now, she’s a professional. She has also been coaching …forfromsince several years. She started coaching me last year. …ForFromSince then, I have become a much better player.

 

Exercises: Present Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Progressive (Continuous)

Hint: Do not use the progressive tenses for state verbs.

1. My sister  (watch) TV for four hours. She should take a break.
2. I’m hungry. I  (not/have) anything to eat yet today.
3. It  (rain) since noon. I wish it would stop.
4. A: When is the bus coming? — B: I don’t know. I hope it comes soon. I  (wait) for half an hour.
5. George is my best friend. I  (know) him since I was five years old.
6. The Johnsons are trying to find a house to buy. They  (look) for four months. They  (not/find) anything yet.
7. The weather  (be) so nice recently. I love summer.
8. You  (do) these exercises for several minutes.  (you/make) any mistakes?

 

Insert the Correct Verb: Present Perfect Simple, Present Perfect Progressive, or Past Simple

• A: Hi John. I  (not/see) you in a long time! How  (you/be) lately?
• B: Great! It’s nice to see you. How are you?
• A: I’m doing great too. Hey, Sarah  (tell) me that you have a new job.
• B: Yes, at Campbell’s Auto Insurance. I’m doing accounting, of course. I  (only/be) there for a month but it seems pretty good. And what’s new with you?
• A: Well, I  (move) into a new apartment last month with Jacob.
• B: Jacob?
  A: My boyfriend. You  (not/meet) him. We  (be) together for half a year now.
• B: Good for you. And what does Jacob do?
• A: He’s an accountant too. Actually, he’s searching for a job now. He  (look) for a few months now, but he  (not/find) anything good yet.
• B: I know how he feels. I  (have) about five interviews at different companies before I  (find) my job. I’m sure he’ll find something.
• A: I hope so. Okay, I’ve got to get going. It was nice talking to you, John. Have a nice day.

 

New York City Listening and Spelling Interactive Activity

Click here: Practice your English Listening and Spelling skills while learning about the city of New York in the United States of America! As you listen, you must fill in the missing words that you hear. 

Grammar City Board Game!

This is a great game you can print and play with your family to practice speaking many different areas of English Grammar. Print the Board Game, Game Instructions, and Money. Then print the card pages that are areas you need to practice. Good luck and have fun!

Grammar City BOARD GAME here
Grammar City GAME INSTRUCTIONS
Grammar City MONEY - Print and cut up approximately 10 pages of play money per group.

Grammar City Question Cards: Print and use depending on your level and which you need to practice...

ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS 

ADVERBS OF FREQUENCY

ARTICLES

CAN & COULD QUESTIONS

COMPARATIVES

PARTS OF SPEECH

POSESSIONS: I, ME, MINE, MY

FUTURE: GOING TO & WILL

PAST CONTINUOUS

THIS THAT THESE THOSE

THERE IS & THERE ARE

THERE, THEIR, THEY´RE

SUPERLATIVES

PRESENT SIMPLE

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

PREPOSITIONS OF TIME

PAST SIMPLE

YES / NO QUESTIONS (PRESENT)

MAKE YOUR OWN QUESTIONS

MAKE YOUR OWN QUESTIONS 2

WILD CARDS (OPTIONAL) - The 'Wild Cards' are optional.  If you decide to use them, they should be randomly mixed in with the Grammar Question Cards before the game begins.

Past Simple Irregular Verbs

Check out this WORKSHEET to help you practice your past simple irregular verbs. 

Past Tense

Practice the Past Tense with this interactive activity!

Enjoy!

Irregular Verb Forms

Study the irregular verb forms with this helpful guide. You can print this out and create flash cards, or simply use it as a guide as you construct sentences in English. 

Online Practice Cambridge English Activities (Primary 5 & 6)

Below you will find vocabulary, grammar, skills development and practice tests for the External English Exams as you continue to improve your English and prepare for these exams. I recommend that you focus on the Vocabulary Practice (Primary 5 & 6) and Grammar Practice (Primary 6) Sections of the page, as they have great interactive activities with exercises that are very similar to what you will see on your exam.

👉Primary 5 students, click here.

👉If you are in Primary 6 and taking the A2 (KET) exam, click here for Vocabulary Practice and click here for Grammar Practice (these are the same for KET and PET).

👉If you are in Primary 6 and taking the B1 (PET) exam, click here.

Spanish Virtual Museums to visit from home

Going to a museum no longer requires being in the actual place. Although there is nothing like going through galleries and rooms discovering historical curious facts or great works of art, this is no longer the only option. Thus, it is possible to take virtual tours in some of the most important museums without having to leave your home. Below is a list of links to museums in Spain that have great virtual tours.

1. National Archaeological Museum (Madrid)

Next to the National Library, one of the most beautiful in Madrid, is the physical headquarters of the National Archaeological Museum. It houses a huge collection that allows you to travel back in time from prehistoric times. Thus, you can get to know the cultures that have shaped the country, from the Neolithic to the medieval ones, including the classics. Among its pieces there are wonders such as the Bicha de Bazalote or the Dama de Elche. Fortunately, its virtual tour is one of the best you can find. There is also an interesting mobile application that lets you review it through panoramic views.

2. Museum of Natural Sciences (Barcelona)

This museum is a very diverse and scientific review of the best of nature. This virtual visit comes from an initiative between the institution from Barcelona and Google. Between them they have created a digital site that goes through a digital map, reports and photographs of the area.

3. Oceanografic (Valencia)

Do you like the sea and its creatures but you can’t leave land? No problem. The Oceanogràfic of Valencia allows you to see its different enclosures and rooms in a very detailed way thanks to a virtual reality review. In a very intuitive way you can “walk” its streets and widen the information through photos. A map allows you to jump from one side to another quickly. Sharks, seals, flamingos, tropical fish… Everything is just a click away!

4. Picasso Museum (Barcelona): Collection and the Virtual itineraries

In this Picasso museum, the attention is focused on Picasso’s training stage, which lets you know him from the inside out. The collection is the largest in existence and is well collected on the institution’s website. In addition, virtual itineraries are suggested that allow visitors to get to know the courtyards of the buildings that make up the area and the Barcelona associated with the genius of the capital of ‘la Costa del Sol’.

5. San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts (Madrid)

This institution was born in the early stages of the Bourbon monarchy in Spain. Its development came from initiatives from the time of Philip V, brought to life thanks to Ferdinand VI. This led to one of the country’s great artistic institutes. The San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts developed considerably with Charles III and his heirs. It survived the republican periods, already established as a centre of reference, and now has an extensive collection. This can be seen perfectly thanks to the great virtual tour they have created. It is very well designed, as it could not be otherwise, and combines static panoramic views with 360 mapping to go through its different floors.

English Brain Teasers

Try these Brain Teasers for Young Scholars.

In this activity, you must find the word that fits before or after the three words on the right. In the example exercise, the word is "fly" because the three words would be: dragonfly, horsefly, and housefly. These are all different types of insects. In the first problem, the word is "star" because the three words on the right are moviestar, shooting star, and north star. For these first two examples, the missing word was added to the end of the words on the right. However, in some exercises, like exercise 2, the missing word may go before or after the words on the right. You do number 2 yourself, then continue until the end! How many can you get right?

The Boston Tea Party - Social AND Natural Science

The Boston Tea Party was a protest by the American Colonists against the British government. It occurred on December 16, 1773. It was one of the key events leading up to the American Revolution. Read more about this important event in the history of the United states here. 

Boston Tea Party Science Experiment
Now that you know about the Boston Tea Party, try this science investigation. Inspired by the Boston Tea Party, this experiment will help you learn about th the reports of eyewitnesses. You will get to experiment with various types of tea in warm and cold water and in fresh and salt water. 

A2 and B1 Practice

Practice Activities

Here are some great activities to help you prepare for your External Exam the all Year 6 students will take in the Spring. Click the filter Level: Independent for activities for the 6th grade English levels.  

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A2 and B1 Practice Tests

Above is a collection of practice tests and resources for the English External Exams. Print out these practice tests and later you can check the answers using the Answer Sheets.