How To

Each week of the summer program we are focusing on a different rhetorical style of writing. These modes of writing have different forms and parts in English. Last week, the girls interviewed each other and wrote biographies about their partners. This week we are focusing on writing a 'How To' essay in which they will describe the steps and details involved in creating or doing something. To warm up for this task, we played a game in which the girls had to describe 'how to' recreate an arrangement of bizarre items (these included a glove, a straight pin, a paper clip, several paper shapes and a Band Aid!) They did a great job with using prepositions and time sequence words. Spacial descriptions are often quite hard in writing and, though few partners managed to recreate the arrangement perfectly, nearly everyone was quite close.

The girls had five minutes to describe the arrangement of the objects...

Nane thinks carefully

Cindy hard at work

Sherrie checks her work

You scream, I scream, 

we all scream for Ice Cream!

The girls worked hard to make their own ice cream.  Some made vanilla and others chocolate, but all love the taste--it always tastes better if you make it yourself :) The recipe is quite simple to do at home. Combine milk, sugar and vanilla extract (or cocoa powder if you prefer chocolate ice cream!) in a small ziplock bag.  Place this small bag in a larger ziplock bag filled with crushed ice and salt.  

Shake for about ten minutes, then enjoy! 

Moet, Sherrie, Cindy, Voon, Tilly and Misato hard at work

Tilly and Misato sample their vanilla ice cream

Fun at the Pool

The girls took advantage of the nice weather we had in New York today and went swimming! 

They all had a great time.

  

going off the diving board

relaxing in the water

Voon and Haruka smile for the camera

Making Collages in the Library

Tonight, the girls went to the school library for their evening activity.  They made collages, picture representations of ideas, using colors, shapes and pictures from old magazines. Again, it was great to see them working together and being creative!

Everyone chose pictures carefully and shared ideas

Moe, Emily and Cindy sit in the "Pit" and work

Voon and Haruka work near the fireplace

Pilates!

Here are the girls in their Pilates class this afternoon.  They are in the Emma Willard gym.

Moet having fun

Afterwards, Kelsie and Nora (current Emma Willard students who are on the crew team) 

showed the girls how to use the rowing machines

Writing letters home...

Weekend Activities

The girls were busy this weekend! Here are some pictures of the fun activities they participated in...

Grilling marshmallows at a bonfire...

...and making bracelets!

Painting at The Pottery Place





This afternoon's activity let all the girls show off their creativity! They chose pottery pieces to decorate and let their personalities shine through their work. The pieces will be ready next week, and we can't wait to see the finished products!

choosing a color

Such beautiful pottery! 

Misaki hard at work

Tilly and Emily discuss their pieces

At Starbucks afterwards

The Troy Farmers Market

walking over...

This morning we visited the Troy Farmers Market.  The girls really enjoyed seeing all the locally grown vegetables and fruit and locally made jewelry and soaps, as well as sampling some of the delicious prepared foods!

Mayu, Haruka and Voon enjoy some homemade lemonade

looking at a booth and speaking with the owner

American Fun!

Sarah, Sherrie, Marianne, Ashley and Misato at Johnny Rockets, a classic Americana restaurant!

Emily's partner was so funny!

Marianne shows her partner the illustrations

Haruka reads aloud

Moe worked so well with this shy girl

  

Read Me A Story 

A Community Service Project of the International Language Program

The girls met their partners at the camp and we walked to the public library

Misato with her partner Salim

Shannon with Jessica

Each girl was paired with a young child who attends summer camp at Emmaus United Methodist Camp.  Many of these children are immigrants or refugees from countries including Burma, the Congo, Eritrea, Iraq and Nepal. Our ILP girls made us proud! They read the children stories and helped them find interesting books in the local public library. We will visit these children next Friday afternoon, as well.

Week One- Women in American History

Our theme for Week One of the International Language Program was 'Women in American History'.  The girls learned about famous American women, including Emma Willard herself, and learned about the 19th Amendment, in which American women earned the right to vote. The girls made posters supporting suffrage based on the information they had learned.

Fun, Fun, Fun!!!

The girls are playing 'Ninja' a fun and active game! 

They are in the alcove of their dorm, Hyphen Three.

More Journal Topics

1. If you were given a free airline ticket, where would you travel? Why?
2. Have you ever been on a roller coaster? What was the scariest (or most fun!) part about it? Describe the ride using all five senses (sight, sound, smell, touch and taste)

The girls have full days at Emma! Every day after class there are sports activities, as well as visits to colleges and universities on Wednesdays. Today they toured the campus of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

on the RPI campus tour

enjoying the nice weather!

On Tuesday the girls participated in a Nia class, 

a combination of dance and yoga.

Another Busy Day!

Sidi, Moe, Mayu and Shannon work on flashcards

Marianne and Cindy edit their biographies

Tilly, Emily and Haruka take a break

Extra Journal Topics

Every day there will be a few extra journal topics posted to give students the opportunity to express their opinions and ideas in English. These are optional, but they can be fun!

• Why were they interesting?  Write about a person you know who has the most interesting eyes, teeth, hair, nose, OR ears.

• So gross!  Write about the last time you ate something that you hated the taste of.

The First Day of Class

Our first day of class went very well. The girls took Grammar, Reading, Speaking and Writing assessment tests.  They also participated in activities to get to know their classmates and teachers. I think I know nearly everyone's name...but there are lots of new faces so I will keep practicing! 

The girls on their first day of the International Language Program

***For the Parents***

This blog is updated with pictures of your child during Emma Willard classes and activities.  Their last names will not be used. If you do not wish your child's pictures to be used, please email me at mercy.hume@gmail.com.  I will remove any pictures they are in and make sure they are not pictured on the blog.

Looking sharp in the Emma tee shirts!

We are almost all here! With just one more student still traveling to Emma, we were all very excited to meet all the girls--and they were excited to meet the staff, teachers and other students.  Here are a few pictures from the JFK airport pickup. Classes start today; pictures and reports to follow.

Everyone met at Starbucks to wait...

A sneak peak at the classrooms...

Soon you will be sitting... 

....in these seats!

Around the Emma Willard campus you will see many Gargoyles.  These are funny, cute or strange little stone carvings that decorate the outside of the buildings.  

Everyone has a favorite...try to find yours!

This is how we feel about you all arriving tomorrow!
Happy Gargoyle!

Packing List

Just a reminder...pack those suitcases soon!

Suggested Packing List

The following are strongly suggested items to pack:

Clothes and Shoes (All in this category are necessities)
Bathing Suit
Jeans
Shorts
Tops/Tank Tops
T-shirts
Athletic Shorts
Pajamas
Sweaters
Comfortable pants/Sweatpants
Undergarments
Bathrobe
Dress pant/shirt or special skirt/dress
Dress shoes
Jacket/Rain jacket
Sandals
Sneakers/socks
A traditional outfit from your country

Toiletries and Such
Deodorant
Feminine hygiene products
Hairbands
Hairbrush and comb
Nail clippers
Shampoo and conditioner
Soap and container
Toothpaste and toothbrush
Sunscreen

Miscellaneous
Alarm Clock
Backpack/Tote
Binder (1)
Notebooks (2)
Laptop Computer (optional)
Pencils and pens (5)

Dictionary (optional)
Watch
Plug Adapter
Photos of your family and friends
Camera
Swimming Towel

Residential Life

Living in another country is fun and very different from what you may be used to at home! During the ILP there are many people who will be living in the dorms with you to help you practice and speak English, make friends and adjust to living in the US.  Here are just a few:

Kristina Blundon is the residential director.
She is there to help you with any problems you have
and plan fun activities for the afternoons and evenings

Sarah Berry is part of the residential life staff. She went to Emma as a high school student.
Sarah enjoys learning about classical civilizations, especially Ancient Rome!