Topic Design Project, No. 1

In last week's class we nearly finished the book portion of unit 1: What is Environmental Science? Your homework was to write answers to questions about environmental science. In this class period, we will start our first Topic Design Project which will be to design an environmental resource center  or learning center. This background of the center should be designed purely for environmental education purposes, not fun or recreation, although learning can often be both fun and recreational. It should contain at least five various sections (as can be seen in the example) and must offer interesting and useful information for visitors. You should draw it from overhead view, and please be as detailed as possible. In addition, you must draw a location map (where it will be). This can be drawn in a small box to the right of your main design.

In the first part of class this week, we will finish checking the questions on the board as a class. Then we will start the designs, which will be first done in your textbooks. Sometimes I require them to be completed on separate sheets of paper and turned in. After that, we will have an opportunity to practice presentations in pairs, and then small groups. I will explain useful techniques for presentations. Don't forget: pronunciation is very important in English presentations. Be sure to pronounce clearly!

This week is the first presentation, so presentation points will be practiced. Later in the month we will create a larger version of your design on A3 paper to present in front of groups within the class. I will explain how to do this as time goes on. Finally, you have an opportunity to present your ideas in slide form to the whole class. Next semester, we will do many presentations in front of class, so now it is a good idea to practice.

Please don't forget to bring all your books and notes to every class! If you forget your book, or neglect to do the homework, book-work, designs, or don't take quizzes and tests, you grades will go down.

The Meaning of Environmental Science

Hello new Science English students! In this week's class you will start the first project, "What is environmental science?" You will begin by reading a passage about environmental science. Then, reflecting on the reading, you will write the meanings in English and then check them in Japanese. After this you can practice writing the words we learned into the sentences; after this, you will be able to practice listening. After the listening section you must think about questions with a partner and write your answers in English. But the unit isn't finished yet! You will continue on to one of the biggest activities we will do in the class: creation of designs and presentations. The first design will contain an environmental resource center will be used for educational purposes. You must write an explanation and design the center, and then later present it in pairs and small groups.

All the activities in each week's class will be checked after finishing. Please bring your textbooks to each and every class. In addition, don't forget pencils, pens, paper, and you may have to bring a USB flash drive if possible. You will present our designs and research to the class, so please try not to be nervous; it will be a good experience for all of you. The presentations will take place several times a month in small groups, and then at the front of class. Presentations will be completed mostly twice per month.

Please come to every class, bring all the materials, try to write and speak your best in English, and try to use mainly English rather than Japanese! In addition, please follow this blog. Speaking of blogs, we will all have a chance to make a blog about an environmental issue and also will complete some homework using blogs, google drive, and e-mail. I will write a new blog entry every week, and it will cover past homework answers/comments, things we will do in the upcoming class, and new and interesting information.

Let's have fun in SE! That's all for now.