Nate's Reading and Writing Classes

 Warm-up / Pre-reading Discussion (5–10 min) Ask: What does “true love” mean to you? Ask: Have you ever felt very sad because someone close to you left or changed? What helped you move on?    2. Vocabulary   heartbroken , depressed , risk / risky , dangerous , vampire , werewolf , protect / protection , promise , disappear / vanish , sacrifice , friendship , enemy , rescue, choice, regret  3. Reading In “New Moon,” Bella loves Edward, a vampire. But when Bella accidentally hurts herself at the Cullen family’s house, one family member nearly attacks her — and Edward realizes it is too dangerous for Bella to stay near them. To protect her, Edward disappears — he vanishes.  This is a sacrifice he is willing to make for her safety. Bella is heartbroken and depressed. She begins doing risky things, like driving a motorcycle fast, just to feel close to him.  Sometimes, when she does risky things, she is able to hear Edward's voice in her head....

 We will watch a video about the Hanoi Train Street: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kePJZH6izh0.  Then, we will answer questions on P.23. P.24-25.  We will rate cities using the methods on P.25.  Philadelphia is not mentioned on this page.  How would you rate Philadelphia? P.26-27 Vocabulary  1. Synonymous (adj.) Meaning: Having the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. Example: “Happy” is synonymous with “joyful.” 2. Habitat (n.) Meaning: The natural environment where a plant or animal lives. Example: A rainforest provides a rich habitat for thousands of species. 3. Predators (n.) Meaning: Animals that hunt and eat other animals. Example: Lions are fierce predators on the African savanna. 4. Perceived (v./adj.) Meaning: Seen or understood in a particular way (whether accurate or not). Example: The policy was perceived as unfair by many citizens. 5. Minimize (v.) Meaning: To reduce something to the smallest amo...

  Vocabulary Presentation 1. barrier (noun) Meaning: Something that blocks movement or prevents progress. Example: A fallen tree created a barrier across the road. Visual idea: Picture of a fence blocking a path. 2. canal (noun) Meaning: A man-made waterway built for boats or for moving water. Example: The city built a canal to bring water to farms. 3. construction (noun) Meaning: The process of building something. Example: Construction on the new bridge will finish next year. 4. fierce (adjective) Meaning: Strong, powerful, or aggressive. Example: The fierce storm damaged several homes. 5. lower (verb) Meaning: To make something go down or reduce it. Example: Please lower your voice in the library. 6. occasional (adjective) Meaning: Happening sometimes but not regularly. Example: She enjoys an occasional cup of tea in the evening. 7. partially (adverb) Meaning: Not completely; only partly. Example: The road was partially closed due to re...

Feeling Like Garbage: A Problem–Solution Essay Everyone feels bad sometimes. Many people say they “feel like garbage” when they are tired, stressed, or unhappy. This is a common problem today because life is busy, and people face many responsibilities. When someone feels this way, it can be difficult to concentrate, enjoy daily life, or talk to other people. However, there are several helpful solutions that can make a big difference. One reason people feel like garbage is because they do not get enough rest. Many students and workers sleep too late or worry too much at night. Without enough sleep, the body becomes weak, and the mind becomes negative. Another reason is stress. When people have too many tasks, they feel pressure and begin to think they are not good enough. Sometimes, people also feel bad because they compare themselves to others, especially on social media. These problems can make anyone feel worthless. Although this problem is serious, there are good solutions. First...

Introduction:  Once, I had a friend and we texted and spoke with each other every day.  I was certain that we were going to have a lifelong relationship of some kind or another.  However, that stopped one day when all of a sudden they stopped taking my class and didn't reply to any of my texts.  At first, I thought that something was wrong with them, but in time, I realized that they were purposely avoiding me.  The devastating habit of people disappearing on others out of nowhere is referred to these days as ghosting .  It is a terrible phenomenon that causes a lot of pain and heartbreak for many people, and we must find good ways to solve it.   Solutions: Promoting Healthy Communication To reduce ghosting, both individuals and society need to promote a culture of openness and accountability. Encouraging Direct Communication: People should be taught — through schools, social programs, and media — that honesty and respect are essential parts ...

Have you ever gone out in public and seen someone shouting and screaming at no one?  Sometimes, people act in strange or unusual ways. This is called bizarre behavior. It can happen at school, at work, or in public. In this essay, I will talk about the reasons for bizarre behavior and suggest some ways to solve this problem. One reason for bizarre behavior is stress. When people are too worried or tired, they may act strangely. Another cause is mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression. Finally, some people behave in strange ways because they want attention from others or to be popular online. To solve this problem, we can help people manage stress through exercise and relaxation. Schools can also teach students how to control emotions and behave calmly. In addition, families and friends should support people who show signs of mental health problems. Finally, social media companies can limit harmful content that encourages strange behavior. In conclusion, bizarre behavi...

There is too much sugar in food, especially in the USA Have you eaten out lately?   If so, I am sure you have noticed the abundance of sweets that you can find here at restaurants and in stores.  American food is filled with sugar, and it's not just traditional desserts, such as ice cream, cake, donuts, pies etc.  Even things that are supposed to be healthy, such as juice or cereal are filled with sugar.  Too much sugar has the potential to cause health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease.  Here are some solutions to this problem.   The first solution is to try and encourage people to eat less sugar in their diets.   This, of course, is easier said than done.  It's very similar to telling people to stop smoking.  That is because sugar, like nicotine and caffeine, is quite addictive.  Many people are completely hooked on sweet things and can't get enough of it.  That being said, the more people tell people that they sho...

 By Nate Feldman Have you ever felt like you were roasting in an oven?   Well, I do every afternoon when I am in room 201 of the dormitory building taking my reading and writing class.   It’s so hot that even though it is November, some students are in shorts and t-shirts to survive the blazing inferno.   Classes are meant to be places of learning, not places of suffering, so we must find immediate solutions to this.

  Title: The Paradox of Urban Living Reading Text (Approx. 400 words) Cities have long symbolized opportunity, innovation, and cultural exchange. From the bustling streets of New York to the high-tech districts of Tokyo, urban life attracts millions seeking employment, education, and excitement. Yet, behind the glamour of skyscrapers and nightlife lies a paradox: while cities bring people together, they can also make individuals feel profoundly isolated. Urban environments thrive on diversity and density. The close proximity of people from different backgrounds fuels creativity and collaboration. Startups, art scenes, and social movements often emerge from this dynamic mixture. However, the same density that fosters innovation also creates competition for space, resources, and attention. Housing shortages, rising costs, and long commutes have become defining features of many major cities. Moreover, the pace of urban life can be both exhilarating and exhausting. Digital connect...

 By Nate Feldman Hook: Have you gone to the ocean lately?   If so, you might have seen a lot of plastic floating around.   The growth of plastic in the ocean is a significant problem that is not only damaging sea life, but also poses an incredible risk to humans as well.   Hook: One day when I was on vacation at the beach, I noticed some things floating in the water.   I thought they were fish, but I later learned they were plastic bags.   I learned from this experience that plastic in the ocean is a big problem.     To conclude, plastic in the ocean is a big threat to all life on Earth.  We can fix this with stronger laws and people not using plastic anymore.  So, let’s start using less plastic today and make the world a better place.  Thank you Mr. Nate J

Topic: Plastic Pollution in the Ocean Introduction Today, one of the biggest environmental problems in the world is plastic pollution in the ocean. Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste go into the sea. This plastic harms fish, sea animals, and even humans. It is important to understand this problem and find ways to solve it. Problem Plastic pollution happens when people throw away plastic bottles, bags, and other things without recycling them. The wind and rain carry the plastic into rivers, and the rivers bring it to the ocean. Many sea animals, like turtles and fish, consume the plastic because they think it is food. This makes them sick and sometimes causes them to die. Plastic also breaks into tiny pieces called microplastics. These microplastics can enter the food we eat, which is harmful for people’s health. Solutions There are many ways to lessen plastic pollution. First, people can use less plastic. For example, we can bring our own reusable bags and bottles inst...

  Every year in the USA, at least 45,000 people die from gun violence.   This statistic is absolutely horrifying and shameful for the country in so many ways.   These shootings also come in a variety of ways.   For example, some people are killed in mass shootings, where a gun person kills multiple people at a time, such as at schools or other public places.   But, most of the killings are individual crimes, like people fighting each other and then shooting.   So, how do we solve this problem?   I have come up with a variety of solutions.   The first solution is to limit the amount of guns that people can purchase.   One of the biggest problems in the USA is that it is so easy to buy a gun.   This comes from the Second Amendment of the United States constitution.   However, we need to move beyond something written in the 18 th century and focus on modern times.   So, I suggest even if people buy weapons, it should be no mo...