Class summary + Interview with Lorraine Monroe Thursday, March 26, 2009

Today we summarized the story about Keisha. We came up with the following:

• Keisha was a strong girl that did not give up despite the problems she faced.
• She did what she wanted to do. She pursued her dream.
• Keisha's mother supported her kids. She tried to keep them away from trouble.
• It does not matter where you live or where you come from. It's the person that makes the difference.

After that we listened to an interview with Lorraine Monroe, the principal of a school in Harlem, New York. The interview comes from a national test of English A. Watch a video of Lorraine Monroe here: http://www.aeispeakers.com/video.php?SpeakerID=702

Here are the answers, as promised:

1. The school was in chaos.

2. There were burnt out rooms/burnt bulletin boards/lots of graffiti on the walls. (One of these is enough).

3. It was a mixed area.

4. Because she loved yellow.

5. All of the graffiti.

6. The children started to behave.

7. Because it was economical/cheaper.

8. Everybody thought the school was nice/a good school.

9. They had to wear their uniforms. Come to class. Bring their equipment. (One of these)

10. They couldn't bring weapons/drugs/fight. (One of these)

11. If children didn't do their homework they had to stay in school after class and do it.

12. The school received funds/money.

13. The children loved them.

14. Because they had a tennis court next door/close to the school.

15. For the weak children/for those who did not know how to read and write properly.

16. In reading and math.

17. 20% were latino, and 65% were from single-parent homes.

18. A much larger proportion of the class went to college.

19. She had fun/she had good teachers.

20. They should use their power and regard their job as a mission.

Please note that your answers may be correct even though they are not worded exactly like mine. Ask me next time if you have questions about your answers.

Next week I will give you a written individual summary of your performance so far in this course and also some advice on what you need to practise.