Grammar Basics: Unit 44 – isn’t…., haven’t…., don’t…., etc.

not” is used to make negative sentences.  Sentences using “not” often use the contracted form.

For “be” verbs, we have:

am ==> am not (’m not):

I am hungry. ==> I am not hungry. / I’m not hungry.

is ==> is not (isn’t, ’s not):

John is tall. ==> John is not tall. / John isn’t tall. / John’s not tall.

are ==> are not (aren’t, ’re not):

We are coming. ==> We are not coming. / We aren’t coming. / We’re not coming.

was ==> were not (weren’t):

The children were playing. ==> The children were not (weren’t) playing.

For modal verbs that are not forms of the verb “be,” we have:

have ==> have not (haven’t, ’ve not):

I have read that book. ==> I have not read that book. / I haven’t read that book. / I’ve not read that book.

has ==> has not (hasn’t, ’s not):

Mary has eaten breakfast. ==> Mary has not eaten breakfast. / Mary hasn’t eaten breakfast. / Mary’s not eaten breakfast.

will ==> will not (won’t):

I will go to the library. ==> I will not (won’t) go to the library.

can ==> cannot (can’t):

Max can speak French. ==> Max cannot (can’t) speak French.

could ==> could not (couldn’t):

We could go to Tom’s wedding. ==> We could not (couldn’t) go to Tom’s wedding.

should ==> should not (shouldn’t):

Bob should go to bed early. ==> Bob should not (shouldn’t) go to bed early.

would ==> would not (wouldn’t):

I would like to visit Switzerland. ==> I would not (wouldn’t) like to visit Switzerland.

must ==> must not (mustn’t):

I must wake up Father. ==> I must not (mustn’t) wake up Father.

To make negative sentences for “do” verbs, use:

do not (don’t) / does not (doesn’t) + V (inf.)

(This is for the simple present.)

I work on Tuesdays. ==> I do not (don’t) work on Tuesdays.
That restaurant has the best coffee. ==> That restaurant does not (doesn’t) have the best coffee.
Tom wants to go to Disneyworld. ==> Tom does not (doesn’t) want to go to Disneyworld.
Jane likes pumpkin pie. ==> Jane does not (doesn’t) like pumpkin pie.

For the negative simple past of “do” verbs:

did not (didn’t) + V (inf.)

I ate an apple. ==> I did not (didn’t) eat an apple.
Mother baked a cake. ==> Mother did not (didn’t) bake a cake.
We had a good time. ==> We did not (didn’t) have a good time.

For imperative sentences (commands), use “do not (don’t)” to make a negative command.

Run away. ==> Do not (Don’t) run away.
Be afraid. ==> Do not (Don’t) be afraid.
Hang up the phone. ==> Do not (Don’t) hang up the phone.

If “do” is the main verb, we still use “do not / did not” to form negative sentences:

I do my homework every day. ==> I do not (don’t) do my homework every day.
Jack does the laundry on the weekend. ==> Jack does not (doesn’t) do the laundry on the weekend.
Peter did as he was told. ==> Peter did not (didn’t) do as he was told.

Exercise.  Turn the following sentences into negative sentences.

Example:

The soup was hot. ==> The soup wasn’t hot.

1.    Mom can knit mittens for the bazaar.
______________________________________

2.    I am going to the concert.
______________________________________

3.    You must be careful.
______________________________________

4.    We were late for the bus.
______________________________________

5.    You should let your sister clean your room.
______________________________________

6.    The baby was afraid of the elephant.
______________________________________

7.    I will wash the car.
______________________________________

8.    Dick and Jane have been to Canada.
______________________________________

9.    Sheri is sweeping the sidewalk.
______________________________________

10.    Mr. Smith has written a book.
______________________________________

11.    Tom, Dick, and Harry are staying after school.
______________________________________

12.    Jack could see the scar on the man’s forehead.
______________________________________

13.    I would like to take Mr. Jones’ class.
______________________________________

Exercise.  Turn the following sentences into negative sentences.  Use don’t / doesn’t / didn’t.

Example:

Max plays the saxophone. ==> Max doesn’t play the saxophone.

1.    Mark has a black cat.
______________________________________

2.    The car got a flat tire.
______________________________________

3.    Sally and Mary grow watermelons in their backyard.
______________________________________

4.    The dogs barked all night.
______________________________________

5.    The refrigerator works now.
______________________________________

6.    Hank fixes our car.
______________________________________

7.    I went to the bank.
______________________________________

8.    The choir sings the national anthem.
______________________________________

9.    The barber cut my hair.
______________________________________

10.    Father made breakfast in bed for Mother.
______________________________________

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Culture Focus: National Parks

Purple Mountain Majesties

Iceberg Cirque, Glacier National Park (Rocky Mountains, Montana)

Many people enjoy nature, so it is not surprising that they would want to set some land aside as parks or recreational areas to preserve the rugged beauty of nature.  It was in this spirit that America’s first National Park, Yellowstone, was established in 1872.

John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt (left) and John Muir on Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park

Although people acknowledged the importance of preservation and conservation, for many years there was no systematic approach to the acquisition of land for nature preservation.  Indeed, the well-known nature preservationist John Muir took U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt on a tour of the Western United States to impress upon him the need to develop a federal approach to setting up a national park system.  But it wasn’t until 1916 that the National Park Service was created under President Woodrow Wilson.  The original vision of the National Park Service was “…to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wildlife therein, and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”

Now, there are over 365 National Park Service areas in the US, including 58 actual National Parks.  The National Park Service has been expanded to include:

National Parks:  There are 58 of these, including the famous Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Grand Canyon.

National Monuments:  There are 74 of these.  National Monuments are similar to National Parks – the main difference has to do with how an area is established as a National Monument.  Examples of National Monuments include:  the Statue of Liberty, Fort McHenry (associated with the war of 1812, and Francis Scott Key inspired to write the Star Spangled Banner), Fort Sumter (the place where the first shot of the American Civil War was fired), and Muir Woods (where the Redwood Forest is, near San Francisco).

National Historical Parks, National Historic Sites, and International Historic Sites:  There are 123 areas that fall into this category.  These sites are sites of historic significance, or are a significant cultural resource, or have some significant cultural or natural feature.  Examples include Ford’s Theatre (where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated) and Colonial National Historical Park, which contains the Jamestown National Historic Site (where the first permanent English settlement in North America was located).

National Memorials:  There are 28 National Memorials, which memorialize a historic person or event.  Examples include the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, Mount Rushmore, and the Washington Monument.

National Military Parks / National Battlefield Parks / National Battlefield Sites / National Battlefields:  There are 24 sites that fall under this category.  They are battle sites preserved by US government, including Gettysburg National Military Park and Gettysburg National Cemetery, and Shiloh National Military Park.

National Parkways:  There are 4 protected scenic roadways, including the Blue Ridge Parkway located in the Appalachian Mountains.

National Recreation Areas:  There are 18 sites designated as National Recreation Areas, where the primary focus is on water-based recreation.  An example of this is Golden Gate National Recreation Area near San Francisco.

National Lakeshores / National Seashores:  These are coastal areas that have been preserved for their beauty.  There are 4 National Lakeshores, all in the Midwest:  Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan, the Apostle Islands in Wisconsin, the Indiana Dunes, and Pictured Rocks in Michigan.  There are 10 National Seashores, including Padre Island in Texas, Cape Cod in Massachusetts, and Cape Hatteras in North Carolina.

National Rivers and National Wild and Scenic Rivers and Riverways:  There are 15 rivers or riverways that have this designation for their scenic, recreational, geologic, fish & wildlife, historic, and cultural importance.  An example of this is the East Branch of the Tahquamenon River in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

National Scenic Trails:  There are 11 trails of particular natural beauty that have received this designation, including the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.

There is an entrance fee for the National Parks.  This fee ranges from $7 – $20, but it is good for seven days.  If you are planning on visiting a lot of National Parks, you can instead buy an annual pass (known as the “America the Beautiful pass” for $80.  This annual pass is good for an entire year from the date of purchase.

What can you do at a National Park?  All kinds of things, depending on the particular park, and the time of year.  Possible activities include:

  • Camping (RV, tent, backpacking)
  • Hiking
  • Biking
  • Climbing
  • Swimming / Scuba diving
  • Skiing
  • Snowmobiling
  • Boating / Canoeing / Kayaking
  • Horseback riding
  • Picnicking
  • Fishing
  • Hunting
  • Birdwatching / Wildlife viewing

The most popular National Parks:

  1. Yosemite National Park, California.  Established 1890.  In 2011 it had 3,951,393 visitors.
  2. Glacier National Park, Montana.  Established 1910.  In 2011 it had 1,853,564 visitors.
  3. Acadia National Park, Maine.  Established 1916.  This was the first national park east of the Mississippi River.  In 2011 it had 2,374,645  visitors.
  4. Zion National Park, Utah.  Established 1909.  In 2011 it had 2,825,505 visitors.
  5. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.  Established 1929.  In 2011 it had 2,587,437 visitors.
  6. Denali National Park, Alaska.  Established 1917.  This was originally named Mount McKinley National Park, and it is home to the highest mountain in North America.   In 2011 it had 406,582 visitors.
  7. Arches National Park, Utah.  Established 1929.  In 2011 it had 1,040,758 visitors.
  8. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.  Established 1919.  In 2011 it had 4,298,178 visitors.
  9. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.  Established 1872.  This is the oldest National Park.  In 2011 it had 3,394,322   visitors.
  10. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.  Established 1915.  In 2011 it had 3,176,941 visitors.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 43 – Too/either, so am I/neither do I, etc. (Solution)

Exercise.  Complete the responses by writing “too” or “either.”

Example:

My birthday’s in July. — My birthday is ___________.  ==>  My birthday’s in July. — My birthday is too.

1.    It didn’t rain on Friday.
It didn’t rain on Saturday either.

2.    Tom was late for school yesterday.
Sam was late too.

3.    Jane is getting married in June.
Susan is getting married in June too.

4.    Dick doesn’t like coffee.
Jane doesn’t like coffee either.

5.    I can play the piano.
Kathy can play the piano too.

6.    I haven’t seen the new movie.
We haven’t seen the new movie either.

7.    I can’t wait to see you next week!
I can’t wait to see you next week either!

8.    William Shakespeare was a famous writer.
Mark Twain was a famous writer too.

9.    Mark won’t eat his supper.
He won’t eat his dessert either.

10.    Jake went hunting last weekend.
Bill went hunting last weekend too.

Exercise.  Respond to the following sentences with either “So…I” or “Neither…I”

Example:

I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes.— ____________. ==> I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes.—Neither would I.

1.    I wouldn’t know what size shoes Max wears
Neither would I.

2.    I was just thinking about Mrs. Carson.
So was I.

3.    I have the complete works of J.S. Bach on CD.
So do I.

4.    I love the smell of fresh-baked bread.
So do I.

5.    I haven’t heard any more about Carly’s grandmother.
Neither have I.

6.    Wendy could pick Helen up at the airport next Tuesday.
So could I.

7.    Wait, I’m not ready to leave yet.
Neither am I.

8.    It looks like Howard won’t be coming to the party this Saturday.
Neither will I.

9.    Peter can do a hundred push-ups.
So can I.

10.    Mary didn’t finish her report on the Pilgrims.
Neither did I.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 43 – Too/either, so am I/neither do I, etc.

If we can say the same thing as another person, we can add “too” or “either” at the end of a sentence.

too – At the end of a sentence with a positive verb:

I’m tired. — I’m tired too. / I am too.
John is a student. — I am a student too. / I am too.
Mike went to Canada on his vacation. — Really?  We did too.
Tim can speak German. — I can too.

either – At the end of a sentence with a negative verb:

I’m not tired. — I’m not tired either. / I’m not either.
John isn’t a student. — I’m not a student either. / I’m not either.
Tom can’t speak German. — I can’t either.
Mike didn’t go to Canada on his vacation. — We didn’t either.

Other options for a sentence with a positive verb:

so am I = I am too:

I’m going to college next fall. — So am I.  (I’m going to college next fall too.)
The Martins are moving to Wyoming. — So are we.  (We are moving to Wyoming too.)

so do I = I do to (do, can, would, should, etc.):

I like swimming. — So do I.
I can ride a bike. — So can I.
I should go to bed now.  — So should I.
I’d like to have a million dollars. (I would like to have a million dollars.) — So would I.
We have three cats. — So do the Smiths.
Jack went camping in Michigan. — So did we.

Other options for a sentence with a negative verb:

neither am I = I’m not either:

I’m not going to college next fall. — Neither am I. (I’m not either.)
The Martins aren’t moving to Wyoming. — Neither are we.  (We aren’t either.)

neither do I = I don’t either (do, can, would, should, etc.):

I don’t like dogs. — Neither do I.
I can’t speak Italian. — Neither can I.
I would never treat my mother like that! — Neither would I!
Dick shouldn’t eat so much. — Neither should Harry.

 
Exercise.  Complete the responses by writing “too” or “either.”

Example:

My birthday’s in July. — My birthday is ___________.  ==>  My birthday’s in July. — My birthday is too.

1.    It didn’t rain on Friday.
It didn’t rain on Saturday ___________.

2.    Tom was late for school yesterday.
Sam was late ___________.

3.    Jane is getting married in June.
Susan is getting married in June ___________.

4.    Dick doesn’t like coffee.
Jane doesn’t like coffee ___________.

5.    I can play the piano.
Kathy can play the piano ___________.

6.    I haven’t seen the new movie.
We haven’t seen the new movie ___________.

7.    I can’t wait to see you next week!
I can’t wait to see you next week ___________!

8.    William Shakespeare was a famous writer.
Mark Twain was a famous writer ___________.

9.    Mark won’t eat his supper.
He won’t eat his dessert ___________.

10.    Jake went hunting last weekend.
Bill went hunting last weekend ___________.

Exercise.  Respond to the following sentences with either “So…I” or “Neither…I”

Example:

I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes.— ____________. ==> I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes.—Neither would I.

1.    I wouldn’t know what size shoes Max wears
___________.

2.    I was just thinking about Mrs. Carson.
___________.

3.    I have the complete works of J.S. Bach on CD.
___________.

4.    I love the smell of fresh-baked bread.
___________.

5.    I haven’t heard any more about Carly’s grandmother.
___________.

6.    Wendy could pick Helen up at the airport next Tuesday.
___________.

7.    Wait, I’m not ready to leave yet.
___________.

8.    It looks like Howard won’t be coming to the party this Saturday.
___________.

9.    Peter can do a hundred push-ups.
___________.

10.    Mary didn’t finish her report on the Pilgrims.
___________.

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Education Focus: Graduation

proud graduate

 

For this week’s educational focus, I want to take a look at graduation. “Graduation” just means that the student has completed the necessary work for a particular grade level, and can then be moved up to the next level. However, when you say the word “graduation,” most people will think of a specific ceremony marking the end of a particular stage in a student’s life, and his moving on to the next stage. This “moving on” is also called “commencement,” and the graduation ceremony is also often called “commencement exercises.”

In the American educational system, the transition from junior high school to high school, from high school to college, and from college to the working world are all marked by graduation ceremonies. Thus, we have 8th grade graduation, high school graduation, and college graduation. For the ceremony, the graduates (the students who are moving on) march in to solemn music (traditionally, “Pomp and Circumstance” by Elgar – midi, or see Wikipedia’s sample (which is played too fast for commencement exercises) at the bottom of its page) and take their seat in an auditorium. All the graduates are dressed in cap and gown, with a tassel hanging from the right side of the cap. Various speeches are given by the principal or other school officials, the valedictorian (the top-ranked student in the class), and the salutatorian (the student who is ranked second in the class). Sometimes, in the case of a college graduation ceremony, a notable person may be awarded an honorary degree from the school (for outstanding work in a particular field, for example), and then that person would most likely give a speech as well. The speeches tend to be motivational, encouraging the students to continue to do their best and be a positive influence wherever they may be. After all the speeches, the students line up to get their diploma (the symbol of the degree that they earned), and the principal or dean reads off the names of the graduates. As his name is called, the graduate crosses the stage, shakes hands and accepts the diploma, and switches his tassel from the right side to the left. The switching of the tassel symbolizes that the student is now a graduate. Afterwards, the student steps off the stage and returns to his seat. When all the students have received their diplomas, they are presented to the audience by the dean or principal: “I now present to you the class of [year],” and many graduates then throw their caps in the air in celebration.

The graduate’s family often prepares some sort of celebration as well, and graduation parties are very common. Particularly in the case of 8th grade and high school graduations, it is common to have a graduation picnic or pool party for the whole class. Many parents also give a nice graduation gift to their graduate, such as money, a new bicycle, or other reward for having successfully completed school.

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PlayPlay

Crossword – Basic Vocabulary 14 (solution)

crossword puzzle solution

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Crossword – Basic Vocabulary 14

crossword puzzle
Across
1 a large boat (4)
2 the response to a question (6)
6 a small amount of tobacco, rolled up in thin paper and smoked (9)
8 a method for doing something (3)
10 a salty body of water (3)
12 underwear (13)
14 a place where sick people go to get better (8)
16 a preposition used to say where someone or something goes (2)
18 the part of your body that connects your hand to your body (3)
20 the part of an object that is farthest from its center (4)
21 energy in the form of heat or light that is sent out as waves that cannot be seen (9)
23 a word used to ask or talk about how successful someone is at something (2)
25 a conjunction used between two words or phrases to show that either of two things is possible, or used before the last in a list of choices (2)
26 a small cloth used to wipe your face or nose (12)
28 thoughts, images, and feelings that you experience when you are asleep (5)
29 the business of selling goods in large quantities at low prices to other businesses, rather than to the general public (9)
31 to do something in a particular way or for a particular reason (3)
33 whether a person, plant, or animal is male or female (3)
34 the feeling of wanting something that someone else has; jealousy (4)
36 when one nation fights against another (3)
37 the same in size or number (5)
39 a color of the rainbow (3)
40 what cars use for fuel (3)

Down
1 a part inside a plant or animal that is shaped like a bag and contains liquid or air (3)
2 something you can choose instead of something else (11)
3 what a bird lays and sits on in her nest to make baby birds (3)
4 a hot drink that is not as strong as coffee (3)
5 able to see through (11)
7 to move from one place to another (2)
8 a long thin piece of rope or leather with a handle, that you hit animals with to make them move (4)
9 a row of lights along the front of the stage in a theatre (10)
10 an adverb used when emphasizing the degree or amount of something by saying what the result is (2)
11 the gray and black remains when you burn wood or paper (3)
13 a very small living thing that can make you ill (4)
15 above your head (8)
17 used; previously owned by someone else (10)
19 a long thin pole or bar (3)
22 a small thin piece of steel, with a point at one end and a hole in the other, used for sewing (6)
24 a preposition used to show what a part belongs to or comes from (2)
27 a piece of equipment consisting of a tube-shaped piece of wood, metal etc that rolls over and over, used for painting, crushing, making things smoother etc (6)
29 a solid substance made of fat or oil, commonly used for making candles (3)
30 to phone someone (4)
32 money paid to the government on income or goods (3)
33 a word used when speaking to a man in order to be polite or show respect (3)
35 opposite of no (3)
38 a preposition used to indicate towards a higher place or position (2)

 

 

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Idiom Focus: Animal Idioms 21

Every Saturday I’ll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.

live high on the hog:    have the best of everything

Example:  

After barely getting by for years, Steve won the lottery and has been living high on the hog ever since.

lock the barn door after the horse has been stolen:    be careful or try to make something certain after it is too late

Example:  

After the scandal broke, the politician tried to minimize damage to his reputation by promising to make all his campaign finances public.  That’s like locking the barn door after the horse has been stolen, as far as I’m concerned.

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Writing Assignment: Mother’s Day (Solution)

Happy Mother's Day

Click for larger image

1.    Where was this picture taken?
This picture was taken inside a house.

2.    Who do you see in the picture?
We see a woman (probably a mother) and two children.

3.    What are the people in the picture doing?
They are sitting in a chair, having their picture taken.

4.    What is Mother’s Day?
Mother’s Day is a day where we honor our mothers, or the mothers in our lives – mothers, grandmothers, mothers-in-law, and mothers-to-be.

5.    What is a grandmother?
A grandmother is the mother of your father (paternal grandmother), or the mother of your mother (maternal grandmother).

6.    What is a mother-in-law?
A mother-in-law is the mother of your spouse (the mother of your wife/husband).

7.    What is a mother-to-be?
A mother-to-be is a woman who is expecting a baby.

8.    What is a stepmother?
A stepmother is the wife of your father (i.e., your father has remarried after being widowed or divorced).

9.    What can we do to honor our mothers?
We can give our mother a gift, or something that she might like or enjoy.  We can do something for her to make her feel special.  We can also tell her how much we love her and appreciate her.

10.    What kind of presents would be good for Mother’s Day?
Some good presents for Mother’s Day might be flowers, candy, a gift card, or treating her to a meal at a nice restaurant.

11.    What is a gift card?
A gift card is a card that contains monetary credit and can be used at a store or restaurant.

12.    What is often given with a present?
Oftentimes a card is given with a present.

13.    What kind of present might a young child, who usually doesn’t have much money, give to his mother for Mother’s Day?
There are plenty of presents that a young child might give to his mother for Mother’s Day.  He can let her sleep in, he can give her breakfast in bed, he can pick some nice flowers from the garden, he can give her a homemade gift or homemade card, or he can give her “coupons” that are good for household chores.

14.    Why do you think many people might like to take their mothers out to a restaurant for Mother’s Day?
Many people like to take their mothers out to eat for Mother’s Day as a way of giving their mother a break from the stress of cooking and cleaning for a holiday dinner.

15.    If you think the restaurant might be crowded, what should you do in advance?
If you think the restaurant might be crowded, you should make a reservation in advance.  Otherwise, you might have to wait for a half-hour or more before the restaurant is able to seat you at a table.

16.    What do you call a meal that is neither breakfast nor lunch, but comes between breakfast and lunch?
Brunch is a meal that is neither breakfast nor lunch, but falls between the two.  The word is a combination (a portmanteau) of the “br” from breakfast and the “unch” from lunch.

17.    Many women like to receive flowers as a present, but unfortunately they don’t last very long.  What can we do with flowers to preserve them?
We can preserve flowers by drying them, or pressing them between the pages of a book.

18.    Sometimes a local newspaper might have a Mother’s Day contest:  Children can complete the sentence, “My mother is the best mother, because __________.”  How would you complete the sentence?
One way you could complete the sentence is this:  My mother is the best mother, because she is always there to help me and love me when I need her, and she helped to mold me into the person I am today.

19.    What might you do for Mother’s Day if your mother has passed away?
If your mother has passed away, you could visit her grave and put some flowers there, as a token of remembrance.

20.    Why do you think it is a good idea to show appreciation to your mother on Mother’s Day?
I think it is a good idea to show appreciation to our mothers on Mother’s Day because mothers play an important role not only in the family, but in society as well.  The following poem by William Ross Wallace talks about the influence of mothers on society.  (The refrain is especially well-known:  “…the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.”)

The Hand that Rocks the Cradle is the Hand that Rules the World

Blessings on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace,
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Infancy’s the tender fountain,
Power may with beauty flow,
Mother’s first to guide the streamlets,
From them souls unresting grow–
Grow on for the good or evil,
Sunshine streamed or evil hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Woman, how divine your mission
Here upon our natal sod!
Keep, oh, keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother-love impearled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
And the sacred song is mingled
With the worship in the sky–
Mingles where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

   ~ William Ross Wallace ~

Paragraph:  Mother’s Day

When I was a small child, I wanted to get something for my mother for Mother’s Day.  However, I didn’t have any money to buy her a present.  So I thought about what I could do for her instead.  First, I took a piece of paper and a box of crayons, and made a card for her.  I drew flowers and hearts on it.  Then on the inside I wrote a short note, telling her that she was the best mother ever, and that I loved her so much.  After that, I went outside to the garden and picked some flowers for her.  I got some lilacs, and made a tiny bouquet of lilies of the valley.  When everything was ready, I went to her and told her “Happy Mother’s Day,” giving her my homemade card along with the flowers.  She thought the card was lovely, and the flowers beautiful.  A little while later, Dad took Mom out to dinner, along with the rest of us.  Mom said that she had never had such a nice Mother’s Day.

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Writing Assignment: Mother’s Day

Mother and children

Click for larger image

Vocabulary

mother
grandmother
paternal grandmother
maternal grandmother
mother-to-be
mother-in-law
stepmother
child
flowers
bouquet
press flowers
gift / present
homemade
card
gift card
treat
sleep in
breakfast in bed
dinner
brunch
restaurant
reservation
holiday
contest

1.    Where was this picture taken?
2.    Who do you see in the picture?
3.    What are the people in the picture doing?
4.    What is Mother’s Day?
5.    What is a grandmother?
6.    What is a mother-in-law?
7.    What is a mother-to-be?
8.    What is a stepmother?
9.    What can we do to honor our mothers?
10.    What kind of presents would be good for Mother’s Day?
11.    What is a gift card?
12.    What is often given with a present?
13.    What kind of present might a young child, who usually doesn’t have much money, give to his mother for Mother’s Day?
14.    Why do you think many people might like to take their mothers out to a restaurant for Mother’s Day?
15.    If you think the restaurant might be crowded, what should you do in advance?
16.    What do you call a meal that is neither breakfast nor lunch, but comes between breakfast and lunch?
17.    Many women like to receive flowers as a present, but unfortunately they don’t last very long.  What can we do with flowers to preserve them?
18.    Sometimes a local newspaper might have a Mother’s Day contest:  Children can complete the sentence, “My mother is the best mother, because __________.”  How would you complete the sentence?
19.    What might you do for Mother’s Day if your mother has passed away?
20.    Why do you think it is a good idea to show appreciation to your mother on Mother’s Day?

Paragraph:  Mother’s Day

Does your culture do anything special to honor mothers?  Is there a special holiday set apart for this?  Have you ever shown any appreciation to your mother?  For Mother’s Day, write a brief paragraph about how you would honor your mother.

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