State Unit Study of California

State Unit Study of California These state unit studies are designed to help children learn the geography of the United States and learn factual information about every state. These studies are great for children in the public and private education system as well as homeschooled children. Print the United States Map and color each state as you study it. Keep map at the front of your notebook for use with each state. Print the State Information Sheet and fill in the information as you find it. Print the California State Map and fill in the state capital, large cities and state attractions that you find. Answer the following questions on lined paper in complete sentences. State Capital What is the capital?State Flag Who designed the flag?State Flower Where did the scientific name come from?State Bird How is this bird easily recognized?State Tree What is the average trunk diameter?State Song Who wrote the state song?State Seal What river is the miner working by? Heres a great picture of the state seal.State Animal How tall do these animals grow?State Marine Mammal How big do these whales grow?State Reptile What are the eating habits of this reptile?State Fish When did this fish become the official fish?State InsectWhat is the wingspan of this insect?State MineralWhat is the foundation of the economic history of California?State RockWhat is the coloring of this rock?State Motto What does this Greek word mean? California Printable Pages - Learn more about California with these printable worksheets and coloring pages. California Word Search - Find the California state symbols and other related words. Did You Know... List two interesting facts. California Landmarks - The state of California has designated nearly 1100 sites as California State Historical Landmarks. This site has pictures of many of them. Your Idea Becomes a Law - Learn how a bill becomes law in the State of California. San Diego Natural History Museum - Explore the activities at the Kids Habitat. Energy Quest - Energy education from the California Energy Commission. Big Orange Online - Learn about the California orange industry and create your own label. The California Gold Rush - Learn all about the California Gold Rush with this online student booklet. Odd California Law: It used to be illegal to peel an orange in a hotel room.

Tips for Telephoning Native English Speakers

Tips for Telephoning Native English Speakers Have you ever had problems understanding native English speakers on the telephone? If so, you are not alone. All English learners have difficulties understanding people on the telephone. This is for a number of reasons: People speak too quicklyPeople dont pronounce the words wellThere are technical problems with the telephonesYou cant see the person you are speaking withIts difficult for people to repeat information This article focuses on the first and last problems listed above. Follow these tips to help you get native speakers of English to slow down! Immediately ask the person to speak slowly.When taking note of a name or important information, repeat each piece of information as the person speaks.  This is an especially effective tool. By repeating each important piece of information or each number or letter as the spell or give you a telephone number you automatically slow the speaker down.Do not say you have understood if you have not. Ask the person to repeat until you have understood.  Remember that the other person needs to make himself/herself understood and it is in his/her interest to make sure that you have understood. If you ask a person to explain more than twice, he will usually slow down.If the person does not slow down, begin speaking your own language!  A sentence or two of another language spoken quickly will remind the person that he is fortunate because he doesnt need to speak a different language to communicate. Used carefully, this exercise in humbling the other speaker can be very effective. Just be su re to use it with colleagues and not with a boss! More Telephone English Telephone English: Dialogue and Appropriate VocabularyTelephone English: Leaving a Message on an Answering MachinePractical Exercises: Exercises to Improve Your Telephoning SkillsRole Plays: Role Play Dialogue Cues to Practice Telephoning with FriendsBusiness Telephone ConversationsTeaching Telephone English: Lesson Plan