Packet of Handouts - Minnesota Literacy...

Packet of Handouts

to accompany

Personal Writing Unit

Intermediate level

1

“What I Brought with Me” Stories to Read

Questions Before You Read:

1. How many bags did you bring with you to the U.S.? 2. What is the most important thing you brought with you to the U.S.?

3. What did you want to bring but left at home?

Vocabulary

carry-on (noun): a small bag that you take with you on a plane. You take it with to the place where you sit.

Statue (noun): a metal or a rock that looks like a thing or person. A statue can be big or small.

Souvenir (noun): a small thing you buy to help you remember a place. Sometimes it is a t-shirt, a cup, a small statue, or a picture.

2

Relatives (noun): your family, including parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law… everyone!

Prove (verb): show something is true.

Leave behind (verb): you go somewhere and you don’t take something with you. And you miss it. �

Pack (verb): put things in the bag or box.

Suitcase (noun): a bag that take with you on an airplane or a train. It is shaped like a rectangle.

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Reading

I came to the USA with my family, including my husband and three children. There were nine bags and two carry-ons. Five bags were full of I came from Mexico with normal and winter clothes no bags. I had only one because they were cheap in my blanket, $100 in my country. In two bags I packed two pocket, my passport, and statues of Lord Buddha, some my bible. My bible is medicine, my jewelry, books, CDs important because I like and some souvenirs. The last two to pray for my family. My bags were full of food such as passport was important cooked fish and sweets. Our because I needed to prove passports were in our handbags. I my identity. I left behind left my pets, house, property, my family and my house. books, magazines, and so many things. I miss my loving --Guadalupe, Mexico. relatives and good friends too. --Samudra, Sri Lanka. I packed nine bags, one for each person in I had three suitcases with clothes my family. I packed clothes, shoes, and other things. My clothes pictures, and everything I needed for my were important because I wear children. I had two bags with extra fabric. them. My documents were I brought some pictures of my parents important to show that I am from when they were alive. The pictures legal. I brought some pictures are important to me because I will never that are important to me because see them again. When I left Laos, I had to I can look at my family when I leave my home and country behind. The miss them a lot. most important things I packed were --Hawa, Somalia. money to help start my life in America, and jewelry because it is expensive and nice to wear, and clothes we needed. I kept our documents in hand. –A, Laos.

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Questions After You Read

“What I Brought with Me” Stories

1. How many people are in Samudra’s family?

2. How many bags did Samudra’s family have? How many carry-on’s?

3. How many bags did Guadalupe pack?

4. What document did Guadalupe bring? Why did she bring it?

5. What pictures did the student from Laos bring?

6. What are two important things the student from Laos brought to the U.S.?

7. How many bags did Hawa pack? 8. Why are Hawa’s pictures important to her?

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“What I Brought with Me”

Get ready to write

1. What year did you come to the U.S.? ______

2. How many bags did you pack? _____

3. What did you pack?

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4. What and who did you leave behind?

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5. What were the three most important things you packed? Why were

they important?

a)________________ because______________________

____________________________

b)________________ because______________________

____________________________

c)________________ because______________________

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6. How did you feel?

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6

What I Brought with Me

Writing

Directions:

Now write about what you brought with you. You can use your

answers from the other side of this paper to help you write.

Write one big paragraph like the stories we read before.

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After you finish writing, read it. Correct your mistakes. Use your dictionary

and ask your classmates to help you. • Did you use the past tense?

• Did you use capital letters and periods?

• Did you spell correctly?

7

“An Important Person” Stories to Read


1. Who are the most important people in your life? Why? 2. Who are some people in your life that have influenced you?

Vocabulary

generous (adjective):

classmate (noun):

disease (noun):

incurable (adjective):

grateful (adj):

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I Miss My Mama When I was a girl, I did not understand my mama, because she always told me to clean the house, do homework, and study for tests. I always wanted to play with my friends. But now I’m a mama, and it is so hard for me with my three kids. I try to make the best for them, but I miss my mama because she stayed in Mexico. I think I need her help and advice. I love my mama. Guille, Mexico ________________________________________________________________________

My Grandmother I am from El Salvador. I came to Minnesota in 2006 with my Grandmother Isabel. She is 67 years old. She has seven children and 12 grandchildren. She worked very hard. She is energetic, generous and disciplined. She has long hair, and brown eyes. She is very happy. She told me histories about people’s rights. My grandmother had a hard life in my country in the ‘80s during the civil war. A lot of people died when the other country invaded. William, El Salvador _______________________________________________________________________

My Classmate Yer Vue I remember my high school classmate Yer very well. He was smart and handsome. We studied together. We played volleyball and planted vegetables in the garden behind the school. In December, the Hmong new year was coming and we celebrated. We talked about the future and what we wanted to study in college. He wanted to be a good teacher for children. I wanted to be a nurse to help people when they couldn’t help themselves. One day he came down with an incurable disease. The doctor couldn’t help him. After five months, he died on Aug. 30, 2000. He only was 24 years old. He had been in college only two years. I was very sad and I’ll never forget my classmate Yer. He is always in my heart. He was my best friend. Ze, Laos ______________________________________________________________________________

Star of My Life I am most grateful for my son. He is the best piece of my life. He always knows how to put a smile on my face. After his birth, I couldn’t wait to get home to hug, kiss and play with him. There are so many stars up there. But I know that he is my shining star. Nedzad

9

Questions after you read

“An Important Person” Stories

1. How many children does Guille have?

2. Does Guille understand her mother now? Why or why not?

3. What is William’s grandmother’s name?

4. What words does William use to describe his grandmother?

5. What did Yer Vue want to be?

6. Why do you think Ze will always remember Yer?

7. Why do you think Nedzad compares his son to a star?

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“An Important Person”

Get ready to write

1. Who are some important people in your life? Think about family, friends,

anyone who influenced you. Make a list.

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2. Look at the list you made. Choose 2 or 3 people. Decide one reason WHY

that person is important to you.

Name: _________________ Important because: ________

_______________________________________________


_______________________________________________


_______________________________________________

3. Choose 1 person that would be the most interesting for you to write

about. Write that person’s name here:

_____________

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An Important Person

Writing

Directions:

Now write about your important person. Write about why this

person is important and how he or she influenced you.


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and ask your classmates to help you. • Did you use the correct tense (present and/or past)?



12

“Simple Poetry” Poems to Read

Peace Poem Untitled

Peace is like God I am thankful: Peace looks like my mom I am thankful for pizza. It sounds like crying I am thankful for fun. It can be fighting I am thankful for money. Peace is always in God I am thankful for a dime.

Yodit, Ethiopia I am thankful for English class because it makes me happy every day. I am thankful for tables and chairs and books. I am thankful for the day after tomorrow. Anonymous

Only One I am

only one Mother’s Day But still I am one Mother’s Day I cannot do Many decorated cakes everything Fried bread on the grill But still I can Loud Hmong music do something Plates of cooked steaming turkey I will not Lips on mother’s cheek refuse to do the Mother’s Day something I can do Bao Guadalupe

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so much depends

The Black Pot The New Car

So much depends upon So much depends upon a black pot. A gray car. Cook the vegetables and rice Driving to school in the kitchen. In the parking lot. Naree Anonymous

The Gold Key The White House

So much depends upon So much depends upon a gold key. A big house It is beautiful standing in my purse. on the street. Adriana Sokha

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Yes, that’s me

Yes, that’s me Yes, that’s me

Look and you’ll see Look and you’ll see

My hair is black and long My hair is black and short

My eyes are black My eyes are brown

My arms are long My arms are for carrying my son

My hands are feeling my baby My hands are for putting on

My heart is speaking English my shoes and eating

I’m married My heart is for giving love to my

My friends are good friends family

I have lived in Minneapolis for one year I’m studying English

And six months I never fight with my brothers

I hope to understand English My friends are good at playing

I dream I’m in my country soccer

It’s all as clear as can be I have lived in Minneapolis for

That’s positively, absolutely me. seven years.

I hope to travel this year.

Zahra, Somalia I dream of my family in Ecuador

It’s all as clear as can be

That’s absolutely, positively me

Angel, Ecuador

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Questions to talk about after you read the poems

1. Talk about each poem with your classmates. What is each one about? What can you learn from each poem?

2. What are some new words you see in these poems?

3. Is it better to read these poems silently or out loud? Why?

4. Do you think these are good poems? Why or why not?

5. Which poem is your favorite? Why?

15

“Simple poetry”

Get ready to write

Here are ideas for poems. Choose at least three that you want to try. Fill in the blanks.

Thankful So much depends

I am thankful for ______________________ So much depends on ________________

I am thankful for ______________________ __________________________________

I am thankful for ______________________ __________________________________

I am thankful for ______________________ __________________________________

I am thankful for ______________________

So much depends on _________________

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___________________________________

I am thankful for ______________________

___________________________________

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___________________________________

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_____________________________________

Yes, that’s me Peace poem

Yes, that’s me

Look and you’ll see Peace is like _______________

My hair is ____________________

My eyes are ____________________ __________________________

My arms are ____________________

My hands are ____________________ __________________________

My heart is _____________________

________________________________ __________________________

________________________________

________________________________ ___________________________

________________________________

I hope to _________________________ ___________________________

I dream about _____________________

It’s all as clear as can be

That’s positively, absolutely me

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Now, try to write some poems using ideas of your own.

Ideas: Write a poem about an important holiday or celebration

Write a poem about an idea or opinion that is important to you

Write a poem about a beautiful person or place

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Now, choose one poem from this paper that you like the best. Copy it here:

__________________

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17

“Life in a New Country” Stories to Read


3. What things were new or different for you when you came to the U.S.? 4. What do you know now about life in the U.S. that you didn’t know when you first

came? 5. Did you have any funny experiences when you first came to the U.S.?

Vocabulary

dizzy (adjective):

struggling (noun):

impressed (noun):

vivid (adjective):

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True Story about Myself I came to the United States on December 6, 1995. At first life was difficult because I couldn’t speak English. I didn’t understand anything. Life in the United States and Africa is different. The first weeks and months were hard for me. One day I went to downtown Minneapolis to apply for a job. On my way back, I took the bus. I put in a 20-dollar bill and no change came out. I didn’t know how to ask a question or how to ride the bus. I stayed home for two weeks because I did not have a ticket or any money. After three months, I went to school and then got a job. Everything is good in life now. Nasra Ali ________________________________________________________________________

American Man I didn’t know any English when I first got to California. I had to wait for the airplane. I sat next to a young man. He was about 24 or 25 years old. He was American. I threw up and felt dizzy because I was very exhausted. He helped me; he took care of my son, gave me a paper bag to puke in , and gave me some towels. He took my son until I arrived in Minnesota. But I didn’t say anything to him, because I didn’t know how to speak English. Then, I didn’t know what “thank you” meant. Right now, I want to say thank you to him, but I don’t know where he is. I will never forget that man. Mai ________________________________________________________________________

My First Month in the United States I remember the first month I came to the U.S. It was snowing, and when I went out, I fell down and broke my nose. My nose hurt and I felt very sad. I was in the hospital for two days. I didn’t want to leave the house because my nose was big and red. I stayed in my cousin’s house for two months. When I felt better, I was scared to go outside. In time, I lost the fear and started to go to different places. Anonymous ______________________________________________________________________________

Makes Me Smile When I arrived in the U.S., it was winter and very cold. About a month later, it was a cold day in the morning. When my husband was going to the office, he ran out of gas in the middle of the road in front of somebody’s house. He was struggling with his car when the guy who lives across the street asked him about the problem. So, my husband explained that his car had run out of gas. As soon as he heard that, he ran into the garage and brought a big plastic container full of gas and put gas into the car. It was the first time for my husband to meet him, but he was really kind enough to help other people. I was very impressed and I still have a vivid memory of that. It makes me feel great and have a big smile whenever I think about it. I am truly lucky to be in America, especially in Minnesota where there are many warmhearted people and crisp and clean air. Anonymous

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Questions After You Read

“Life in a New Country” Stories

1. What mistake did Nasra make on the bus?

2. Why did she make that mistake?

3. What happened to Mai while she was on the airplane?

4. How did the American man help Mai?

5. In “My First Month in the U.S.”, what happened to the writer?

6. How did he/she feel? Why?

7. In the story “Makes Me Smile”, who helped the writer’s husband?

9. Why does the writer smile when she thinks about this story?

20

“Life in a New Country”

Get ready to write

1. How long have you lived in the U.S.? ______

2. Where was the first place you lived?

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3. Who were the first people you met?

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4. What were the most important things you had to learn?

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5. Do you remember some funny or sad stories from the first days or weeks

you lived here in the U.S.? Write a few words to remember each story.

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Life in a New Country

Writing

Directions:

Choose one interesting or funny story about when you first came to

the U.S.


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and ask your classmates to help you. • Did you use the past tense?



22

Sentence Practice #1

Directions: Make sentences. Put periods and capital letters in the correct places.

I came to the United States on December 6, 1995 at first life was difficult because I couldn’t speak

English I didn’t understand anything life in the United States and Africa is different the first weeks and

months were hard for me one day I went to downtown Minneapolis to apply for a job on my way back, I

took the bus I put in a 20-dollar bill and no change came out I didn’t know how to ask a question or how

to ride the bus I stayed home for two weeks because I did not have a ticket or any money after three

months, I went to school and then got a job everything is good in life now



I came to the United States on December 6, 1995 at first life was difficult because I couldn’t speak

English I didn’t understand anything life in the United States and Africa is different the first weeks and

months were hard for me one day I went to downtown Minneapolis to apply for a job on my way back, I

took the bus I put in a 20-dollar bill and no change came out I didn’t know how to ask a question or how

to ride the bus I stayed home for two weeks because I did not have a ticket or any money after three

months, I went to school and then got a job everything is good in life now

23



I am most grateful for my son he is the best piece of my life he always knows how to put a

smile on my face after his birth, I couldn’t wait to get home to hug, kiss and play with him

there are so many stars up there but I know that he is my shining star



I am most grateful for my son he is the best piece of my life he always knows how to put a

smile on my face after his birth, I couldn’t wait to get home to hug, kiss and play with him

there are so many stars up there but I know that he is my shining star

24



I didn’t know any English when I first got to California I had to wait for the airplane I sat next to a young

man he was about 24 or 25 years old he was American I threw up and felt dizzy because I was very

exhausted he helped me he took care of my son, gave me a paper bag to puke in, and gave me some towels

he took my son until I arrived in Minnesota but I didn’t say anything to him, because I didn’t know how to

speak English then, I didn’t know what “thank you” meant right now, I want to say thank you to him, but I

don’t know where he is I will never forget that man



I didn’t know any English when I first got to California I had to wait for the airplane I sat next to a young

man he was about 24 or 25 years old he was American I threw up and felt dizzy because I was very

exhausted he helped me he took care of my son, gave me a paper bag to puke in, and gave me some towels

he took my son until I arrived in Minnesota but I didn’t say anything to him, because I didn’t know how to

speak English then, I didn’t know what “thank you” meant right now, I want to say thank you to him, but I

don’t know where he is I will never forget that man

25



I like the winter snow It falls from the sky very fast I don’t like the cloudy weather Minneapolis weather

is good because one day snow falls another day is cold and sunny I think a lot of snow falls in the winter

it gets very cold Minneapolis is colder than by country, Afghanistan the way to enjoy winter is here to

walk in the skyway

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