Presenting our student family Photo contest for 2021.
Many of our students enjoyed participating in last year’s event. The activity got students and families to look around to see more. It gave them new things to talk about and try while practicing and thinking in English outside of class. You can do it any time of day. Even when just riding in the car.
We’re looking forward to seeing even more people join this year. We’re looking forward to seeing your creative photos.
We use the photographs to teach a number of lessons, from technology to composition to idiomatic expressions and poetry. It becomes something more than a contest.
Below are the three videos we created from some of the photos that were chosen by the students that took them.
Mattison Farm Stay is booked solid this year 2021.Thank you everyone for your interest.
Our preparation has begun!
We have endured the challenges of this past year including canceling last year’s Farm Stay. We can’t wait to show our students a whole new world!
“We want our students to become confident in who theyare and learn to live with others. Even if we are different, we all have something great to share.“
By the way, here is a new farm star at Mattison Corner Farm. This little boy was born last week. He doesn’t have a name yet. Do you have a good name for him?
After skipping this fun Easter activity last year, our Easter activity felt very special this year. Almost all our students in the US took part in the activity in person, even students from NYC. (they regularly take online lessons ) It had been almost a year to see some of them in person! It made us so happy.
We boiled about 20 dozen eggs. During the activity, we carried on conversational lessons about many things to bond with students. We see how our students see and think about all sorts of things, which gives us great hints to develop their English skills even further.
Thanks to all our students for joining this activity.
“How can I support my child at home?“ Play a game together! Try it today!
These days, many English learners have fewer opportunities to speak English outside of lessons. Providing opportunities to be exposed to English is essential for developing language skills. In place of social activities these days, TV, radio, YouTube, blogs, and the news are all great resources.
We use games to motivate learners. We adapt well known games for our lessons as well as make some of our own. We play these games both online and in person. Here are a couple for your family or your own students to enjoy playing. .
1. UNO Almost anyone can play this game. All you have to do is have a list of challenges that corresponds with the card numbers. You can find words/phrases from books that your child is reading or from a movie they’ve watched. We often make funny sayings together in the lesson.
2. Connect 4: With this one, you can practice a lot more target vocab. We like to mix in new words or idioms that challenge the student and some that spark funny conversation. You can adapt it to any level or age.
How to Play 1.Build up from the bottom by placing a tile or checker in the box. 2.Use the word from the box in a sentence if possible. 3. The first player to get 4 in a row (diagonally, vertically, horizontally) wins.
A video made with one of our students showing how we use “Connect Four” in class.
Here are some examples with a blank one for you to print out to fill in on your own.
If you would like to play the original but don’t have it here’s a link to Connect 4.
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＜Communication＞ COVID19が依然として存在する中,私達マティソンが今年の安全なファームステイを取り進めるために、今わかる限りの感染予防情報を皆さんと共有する事はとても重要だと感じています。参加者皆さんに私達の安全への取り組みをご理解頂き、安心してこの夏のプログラムに参加してもらうために、準備を進めながら参加者の皆さんとのコミュニケーションを一層深めていきたいと思っています。 We know it is important to keep you updated on what we are learning and implementing as we continue to educate ourselves about COVID-19. We want you to understand and feel confident in the steps we are taking to minimize risk this summer. We will continue to communicate with you as we know it in preparation for the safe opening of Farm Stay this summer.
<Pre-arrival> プログラム開始日から7-10日前は行動範囲の自粛をお願いします 開始日から4-5日前に受けたPCR検査の結果を開催日までにメールにてお知らせください Limit exposure 7-10 days prior to start of Farm Stay PCR test approximately 4-5 days before start of Farm Stay, submit the result by email <On-site Monitoring> 毎日健康状態を確認、問診を行います 毎朝体温チェックをします 手洗い、手指消毒を頻繁に行います プログラム開催期間中はマティソンの看護師と情報共有をします A daily health questionnaire Temperature taken each morning Hand washing/ sanitizing We will remain in contact with our Mattison registered nurse throughout the program as needed.
<Mask Wearing> ファームステイ参加者のグループ以外との交流の場で、ソーシャルディスタンス(6フィート)がとれない場合はマスクの着用を厳守します。マティソンロッジ内、移動車内でもソーシャルディスタンスが難しい場合はマスク着用とします。 When interacting with someone outside our group and social distancing cannot be achieved, masks will be required. We will be wearing masks when physical distancing is not possible inside our lodge and during transportation. <Cleaning & Sanitation> ウイルスや細菌の感染予防の為、日常の掃除、殺菌また室内換気の回数を増やします To limit the spread of virus and germs, we will increase our regular cleaning, sanitizing and ventilate our lodge to mitigate risk. <What happens if a participant tests positive while Farm Stay?> 直ちに感染者を隔離しご父兄にお迎えに来てもらいます 参加者全員のRapid/PCR検査をします ロッジ内の消毒に直ちにとりかかります Immediately isolate the person who tests positive until a family member comes to pick them up. Test and screen every person in the group Thoroughly clean and disinfect any areas of use
We hope that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. We have received questions from parents about if we are going to have Mattison Farm Stay this summer. We know this pandemic has been stressful to many and recognize that socializing and interacting with peers can be a healthy way for children to cope with stress and connect with others.
We are excited to resume Farm Stay while following CDC and NYS Health Department considerations to protect campers and Mattison staff on the farms. However, for this year, we can only accept campers residing in New York. It was a tough decision, but the health and safety of our campers and staff remain our highest priority. Thank you for your understanding.
During this snowy season, we are staying warm and cozy and enjoying a cool science experiment with our students while we learn to describe the reactions and express feeling.
Oil とWaterにAlka Seltzer(Citric Acid とBaking Soda)の反応を楽しむ実験です。 どうしてOilとWaterが混ざらないの？ Why don’t the oil and the water get mixed? どうしてFood ColorはOil にとけないのにWater はとけるの？ Why doesn’t the food color melt into the oil, but melts into the water? 色の泡が浮かび上がってはじけて,でまた下に落ちてくよ。 The color bubbles float up to the top and pop! Then they drop down to the bottom again. わぁ…すっごーい！ Oh my….it’s so incredible! 信じられない。 So amazing. あぁ、だからLava Lampっていうのね。 Oh, that why they call it “Lava Lamp”
色んな表現が飛び交います。
実験の締めくくりの、５つの素材のDensityを考える実験も生徒さんの予想を覆します。 Material ⇒plastic, glass, rubber, silver, woodが素材です。 What’s your prediction? Will it float on the oil? Will it float in the oil? Will it sink in the oil? Will it float in the water? Will it sink in the water? どの位置で5つの素材が静止するのでしょう。 自分の予想を書き込み、実際に実験して確認。
生徒さんがThe glass is more dense than the rubber. The wood is less dense than silver. とそれぞれのDensityと関係について意見を交わして終了するレッスンはきっとご家庭でも楽しめるアクティビティですね。
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Our Christmas activity this year is making “Mini Felt Christmas Trees”. Although some kids could not join this fun & creative activity, we are sharing precious moments talking about various topics in a welcoming and at-home atmosphere.
From kindergarteners all the way up to college students, trying to keep conversations while they keep moving hands and thinking about which sequins to use next is a challenge. This kind of activity simulates our everyday real life environments such as keeping conversation with someone while you are eating, walking to the cafeteria and working on a project. We want to provide fun activities as we keep focused building each student’s English communication skills no matter their age. We can find their interests because we truly care and focus on them.
We are happy to finally have an activity like this again since COVID19 started. While the COVID19 positive cases are surging here in Westchester, NY, we want to continue to follow the guidelines and keep all safe and healthy.
As we approach this holiday season, we decided to do “Holiday Activity” for those who attend in-person lessons.
Many schools in the US have started all remote learning recently. It took us a long time to decide whether we should do this kind of activity or not. However, we believe our one-to-one teaching environment is safe enough as long as we follow the state guidelines.
As much as we are sorry for those who are quarantined at this moment, we hope to bring cheer and smiles to as many students as possible.
Please provide your child a well fitting mask while he/she attend our in-person lessons to protect others and us.
We, at Mattison English, would like to extend our thanks and gratitude to each of you this Thanksgiving.
This year has been full of even more challenges due to the pandemic. We all have been able to work together to grow and expand your students’ English abilities and awareness.
Thank you for your cooperation and resilience with the changing guidelines. With effort, we can get through this if we continue to care for and communicate with each other.
We’ll keep doing our best to create a strong connection with our students, so they can find their place in the world of English. That bond is important for their confidence and interest and makes for productive lessons whether online or in person.
We feel blessed and lucky for our health, family and friends. Our hearts go out to all of those who are suffering from sickness and hunger this year. Please take care of yourself and each other.
We believe, when people enjoy doing something, they will naturally become curious, more motivated, and get better at it. 楽しんで取り組むという事は、興味を刺激しそれがモチベーション向上となり、自然に上達に繋がると思っています。
We are using the photos from our “Photo Challenge” in our lessons. Students are creating videos out of the pictures in which they can be descriptive and creative with their English by writing captions and in some cases even poems. この夏に行ったアクティビティ”Photo Challenge”の写真を日々のレッスン内で活用をしています。ハンズオンアクティビティとし、生徒さんと一緒にビデオを作製をし、叙景的でクリエイティブな英語表現、また詩のようなキャプションを完成させる生徒さんもいます。
Each photo is displayed only for 10 seconds, so it is a challenge to read each caption within that amount of time. Try it and then try it again. Let’s see if you become faster at reading. 1コマの写真には10秒しか時間が取れまず、1コマのキャプションを10秒で読み取るのはチャレンジです。何度もトライしてみてください。速読の力も一緒につけましょう。
During this summer, we had a *remote* activity which every one could participate in from anywhere in the world. The rule was very simple. We gave a list of things to take pictures of. Just like scavenger hunting, but with taking pictures of objects. For example we had these in the list; *A picture of a food of you cooked *A picture of you frozen in the air *A police officer waving *Something that looks like it has a face *Water etc….
Thank you for submitting so many photographs for the challenge! We are amazed at the creativity of everyone. Over 500 pictures were submitted from many students. We have reviewed the entries and decided on who will be getting awards for their participation! Some pics are at the bottom of this blog. Students will be notified during their lessons about the results. 皆さん, Photo Challengeへの沢山の応募をありがとうございました。今回は500枚以上の写真がエントリーされました。参加者の創造力のすばらしさに驚いています。すべての写真に目を通し、Award受賞者を決定しました。このブログ下にいくつか写真を載せます。結果は参加者にそれぞれレッスン中にお知らせします。
The photo challenge is an event that serves a purpose in our students’ development of their English skills.By taking the photos, learners have hands-on experiences they can learn about their surroundings and their communities.Together, we can develop vocabulary, grammar, and conversation skills by describing, commenting on, and talking about everyone’s pictures.As many of those who have experienced living in foreign countries before are experts in communicating in English, this kind of activity provides an emotional attachment which should lead to better memorization of any new language that comes up, so they are prepared to instantly utilize those skills whenever needed.
Mattison English used to hold annual Speaking Contests and Writing Contests. However, under the COVID19 circumstance, we were seeking an event that both student and family members can join while improving their English skills. We are so grateful that so many students participated in Japan and the US. We hope this has been an enjoyable experience for you and your family.Thanks again.
Here comes the sun! As you begin a new school year, we hope you build new trails and seek new horizons.
NY is ready for students to start a brand new school year. Every student is excited yet anxious to see what is about happen. The schools have their own unique learning styles to keep their learners safe and provide the education they need.
We, Mattison English stand by our students and support whatever challenges they may have to face this time of the year.
Stay curious, surround yourself with wisdom…..and let’s accept a new culture and language! No matter what, it’s going to be a great year. Let’s hop on the boat and start the journey!
Beaver Pond at the Mattisons, Richland, NY – Photo credit Patty S.
After 2 weeks off due to cancelling our summer program, “Mattison Farm Stay”, we are ready to get back to work fully charged!
During our 2 weeks off, we got a lot done and were able to relax some. It was a great time to think about our students and how we want to provide the best way to improve their English skills from kindergartners to college students as well as business clients.
We appreciate our students’ trust and hard work even through this pandemic. As NY opens up, we will continue to welcome students as well as newcomers in a clean sanitized environment and online.
We hope everyone is well and staying safe during these hard times. コロナウイルス感染拡大によち長期的なロックダウンが続いていますが、皆さんにおかれましては毎日規則的な生活を続け、健康を維持し、学校や地域の再開を待ち望んでいらっしゃることと思います。
Mattison English has been conducting our lessons online. Of course we would prefer to have everyone come over to our house for classes but we all have to work through this together. 感染拡大によりマティソンのレッスンは3月半ばより全てオンラインに切り替わりました。受講生皆さんと直接レッスンができない事は残念ですが、皆さんの健康、地域機関の回復を願い、マティソンも一丸となり皆さんと一緒にこの状況を切り抜ける覚悟でいます。
At this time, our students have fewer chances to be exposed to live English since everything is shut down. We are glad to offer the opportunity for them all to have the chance to speak to a live person albeit online. It is important for them to keep their conversation skills oiled and ready for action so when they do go back to school or back into public they won’t be so rusty. 毎日家の中で過ごす事が長期化する中、家庭内で英語を使う機会が少なくなり不安に思い始めている方が多い中、オンラインでのレッスンをご提供できることを嬉しくまた光栄に思っています。今まで打ち込んでいた目標を維持し、学校、その他の機関が再開した時の準備を整えておくことは大切な事の1つであり、こんな時だからこそ目標を定めコツコツと努力したい、英語力を維持したいという方々を広くサポートしていきたいと思っています。
Something we noticed during online lessons: Students that are used to coming to our lessons feel safe and confident being with us . They are more themselves when they can have privacy when they talk to us online. They can completely focus and be more involved in the lesson if they are not distracted by other people in the room. They need to take chances when they speak English and can depend on us to correct them when it is important or ask us questions. オンラインレッスンを快適に受講するには… 元々2013よりオンラインレッスンを行っている私達にとってオンラインレッスンはあまり難もなく切替える事ができましたが、通学レッスンで講師と快適な信頼関係で結ばれていた受講生がオンラインに切り替わり、レッスン環境の変化に動揺してしまう傾向がみられる場合があります。それは受講生によっては、講師とプラベートな空間を確保できる事でより自分らしさを発揮でき、失敗を恐れず発言でき、結果レッスンに集中できると感じている為だと思います。受講生がお子さんの場合は出来るだけ受講生と講師のプライベートな空間を確保してあげれるようお願いします。
What can you do? As well as talking with us, students and their families could make times when they speak English to each other by playing games, cooking together, looking at art online or just chatting. おうちでできる事 これは通学・オンラインに関わらずいえる事ですが、ご家庭内で「English time」と家族みんなが英語を話す時間を短時間作ってみたりするもの変化があってお勧めです。英会話をしながらボードゲームや料理をしたりするのはいかがでしょう。またEnglish版のオンラインゲームや洋画、洋楽、youtubeなども効率的に用いるのも良いでしょう。
We are all in this together and get through this together. マティソンはこれからもみさなんと共にいます。不安に感じる時は何時でも声をかけてください。一緒に乗り越えていきましょう。
This farm stay provides many mind opening experiences that give a deeper grass roots understanding of the world around us. People from elementary school through college can develop strong English and problem solving skills by being part of real working American farms. The many different people they meet help them to understand the connection between environmental issues, economics, social awareness, food culture and their own futures.
Aim; “Improve English skills, Environmental awareness, Observe economic system from an agricultural viewpoint, Food education”
Please send us an email for more information. Email: chris@mattisonenglish.com
=Happy New Year 2020= We see ourselves reflecting on the past years and those who have helped to shape Mattison English. The year 2019 was quite a year for us! It is in this spirit that we say thank you and we hope that 2020 will be just as memorable for you and your loved ones. We look forward to seeing and supporting you for years to come.
An international couple — unique upbringings that support others’ learning English language using both English and Japanese made so much sense for us to keep it going for 20 years. Now we know for sure that we’re making the right decision to keep doing what we love and are good at.
Thanks to many students who have trusted us and enjoyed the moments in the lessons with us. We’ll keep on going doing our best.
Whatever we experienced and enjoyed with you is unforgettable experiences. Thanks to Chris-san, Mio-san and your sons, we could have fulfilling days in NY! We are looking forward to hearing good news again and we hope that we can go to Harrison again. Y.N
アメリカでは小学生低学年からFirst, Next, Then, Last といったように英文の書き方を習い始め、中学生辺りから本格的にEssayの書き方を指導されます。 基本的なEssayの習得は現地ニューヨークの学校では勿論、日本での検定試験、入試、面接にも対応できます。
Which season do you like best?
I like summer best. – 結論 ＜introduction＞
I can swim at a beach. – 理由１ ＜topic sentence＞
Day light is longer. – 理由２ ＜topic sentence＞
I don’t have to wear a heavy coat. – 理由３ ＜topic sentence＞
Summer is my favorite season. – 結論 ＜conclusion＞
これはThe 5-sentence Personal Essayというとてもシンプルで分かりやすいエッセイの書き方指導です。 あのJohn F. Kennedy もこの用法を使いハーバード大学へ入ったとあります。 下がそのオリジナルー Via JFK Library and Museum
ℚuestion “Why do you wish to come to Harvard?” Here’s what a young JFK had to say:
The reasons that I have for wishing to go to Harvard are several. I feel that Harvard can give me a better background and a better liberal education than any other university. I have always wanted to go there, as I have felt that it is not just another college, but is a university with something definite to offer. Then too, I would like to go to the same college as my father. To be a “Harvard man” is an enviable distinction, and one that I sincerely hope I shall attain.
★I believe–/ In my opinion, / I agree with–/ From my point of view, / I support the idea that –/ ★ Firstly, / To start with, / One reason that / First of all, / The first reason is that / ★ Secondly, / In addition, / Next, / Moreover, / Furthermore, / ★ Lastly, / At last, / Additionally, / In comparison, / On the other hand, / ★ In conclusion, / To conclude, / For the reasons above, / In summary, / To sum up, / As I have stated above, /
Topic Sentence(1st piece of support the thesis) 主題をサポートする論点 – Elaborate the topic sentence 論点の詳細 – Provide an example/ evidence/ quotation 例、証明、引用 – Explain the importance of the example/ evidence/ quotation 上の詳細
Topic Sentence(2st piece of support the thesis) – Elaborate the topic sentence – Provide an example/ evidence/ quotation – Explain the importance of the example/ evidence/ quotation
Topic Sentence(3st piece of support the thesis) – Elaborate the topic sentence – Provide an example/ evidence/ quotation – Explain the importance of the example/ evidence/ quotation
Conclusion – Rephrase your thesis フレーズに変化させ主題を再主張 – Summarize your 3 topic sentences ３つの論点のまとめ
