About the kit
This kit is designed for language benchmark levels 1 to 4. The activities are easy to understand, and incorporate the daily use of the Toronto Star in the ESL classroom. Objectives include reinforcing common vocabulary, language structures and competencies that have already been taught in the classroom. The activities also promote the acquisition of key concepts and facts about Canada. Teachers can choose, adapt and extend the activities to suit the needs of their students.

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Table of Contents

Introduction Unit 1 - Using the Front Section Unit 2 - Using the Weather Page Unit 3 - Using the Classified Section Unit 4 - Using the Sports Section Unit 5 - Odds and Ends Resources

 

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Sample Activities (2)

Topics in the "A" Section

Rationale and Language Focus: To develop familiarity with topic headings in the front section; Ordinal numbers, topic headings

Materials: Several front sections of The Toronto Star

Procedure:

1. Ask learners "Where are the Ontario stories, Where are the Canada stories, Where are the World stories, or Where are the Letters?".

2. Learners look through the front section for the top page heading ONTARIO, CANADA, WORLD or LETTERS and respond using ordinal numbers (e.g. It's on the 8th page).

Describing time and Location of a Garage Sale

Language Focus: Prepositions at and on
Materials: Classified Section
Procedure:

1. Discuss the meaning of a garage sale.

2. Learners find the location number of Garage Sales in the classification index. Learners find Garage Sales within the classified pages.

3. Learners write 5 sentences telling the class where and at what time 5 garage sales are (e.g. - There is a garage sale at 55 Grange Street on Sunday June 3 at 10:00).

Extension: Have learners discuss in groups:

Have you ever bought anything at a garage sale? Describe it.

Have you ever had a garage sale? Describe it.

Discuss bargaining (when it's appropriate, how to do it...).

Ask learners about bargaining in their country of origin.

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