Writing character sketches

Writing character sketches- 11 

with Self Learning materials to use

1. Hasan, of The Serang of Ranaganji    CLICK HERE     

2. The doctor of The Serang of Ranaganji   CLICK HERE

3. Maggie -The Price of Flowers  CLICK HERE    lesson plan

4. Maggie's mother - The Price of Flowers  CLICK HERE  with self learning tools !


5. The writer - The Price of Flowers   CLICK HERE 

6. The Captain of Le Horle   CLICK HERE 

7. The Captain of Titanic   CLICK HERE 

8. The Brothers in Gooseberries : Ivan Ivanich and Nicholai Ivanich  CLICK HERE 

9.Greta of Conceptual Fruit   CLICK HERE 

10.Greta's father of Conceptual Fruit  CLICK HERE 

11.Miss Jopesmith- The Serang of Ranaganji  CLICK HERE

The doctor of The Serang of Ranaganji

The Doctor of The Serang of Ranaganji ( 11 improvement files )

The Doctor of The Serang of Ranaganji is young and experienced is but always duty bound.He is
a bit shy and frightened in the beginning .He is  very efficient in identifying the epidemics and
 follows the logical steps of disaster management .He informs the captain about the disease.
The captain gives instructions to keep the news suppressed and honestly tells that he is short staffed.He can not provide anyone to assist him except Hasan.He orders the doctor to do everything to contain the disease.The doc was stunned by the words of the captain but Hasan takes the lead .He helps the doctor in every way to contain the disease.Together they dedicate themselves to help the patients .When the elite people on the ship were making merry , the doctor and Hasan were  forsaking all physical comforts to keep a vigil on the patients.The doctor is never making fun of Hasan and disapproves the way the elite treat the common man.He is a symbol of compassion and dedication.He respects Hasan and his attitude.He is never making fun of Hasan like Miss Jopesmith does. The doctor does not like the the comments of Jopesmith. He says that Hasan is the noblest human being on the ship .From this it is clear that the doctor gives importance to the principles and values in life . We can see the doctor changing his attitude towards life influenced by the words of Hasan." What use is money ,Doctor Sahib,to one who has all needs.I am well enough the way I am."Hearing these words, the doctor feels ashamed of his passion for wealth and fame.
He also begins to think  like Hasan that money and rewards are not the important things in life.Thus we can see that the doctor is a great human being.

Hasan-a Real Human Being

Hasan-a  Real  Human  Being

Hasan ,the Serang of Ranaganji is a gem of a human being.Though he is not so good to look at,he has got a beautiful soul.He is an experience sailor who knows the importance of teamwork and unity.He takes the responsiblity of looking after the patients on the ship.He builds the shelter alone,provides them food and spends sleepless nights serving them and even praying for them.He is not afraid of anything ,even death.No one is waiting for him on the shore . He does not have  great desires left in life.Making money is not his aim in life."After all what is money for ,Sir." is the reply the doctor received when he suggested better pay for Hasan in return of his great service. He becomes a pillar of support and solace to the inexperienced doctor who also toils to help the people in the ship.Together they manage the disaster effectively,reducing the number of deaths and containing the disease.Only a few - the captain,the doctor and the serang- knew about the  epidemic while all the other passengers are left to enjoy the fun and frolic of the voyage.Being unaware of the dedicated service of the Serang, an elite passenger  makes a remark at Hasan, hinting that he looked like an animal.The doctor let them know that it was because of  this real human being that they are alive on the ship.

Fill in the blanks questions 11

11 questions

Fill in the blanks with appropriate forms of the verb / conjunctions / relative pronouns 

Practise these questions : 

Answers given at the bottom of this page (call 9447739033 for clearing your doubts,or send a  mail to seakeyare@gmail.com)

1.Fill in the following passage choosing the right word given in the box.

( unfortunately, therefore, but, so )

Frank and Isobel Hawking, Stephen's parents, were not wealthy, (a) ................ they
believed in the value of education. (b) ............... they planned for Stephen to go to
Westminster, a famous public school in the heart of London. (c) ................ Stephen
was ill at the time of the scholarship examination for Westminster. (d) .................

he attended the local Saint Alban's School. ( 4 x 1 )
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2.Choose the appropriate word to fill in the following message

( ever , usually , often , hardly )
Arrived home at about 8.30.We -(a)---go out in the evening every day.But I am tired now ..call you back tomorrow morning. I am going to bed . I -(b)------go to bed early.
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3. Complete the following sentences  with the suitable forms of the verbs given in brackets


If I  ..(a)...................                      (not  practise) well ,I won't pass my exam.

If you  ..(b).................(play ) it in the day time, I would not hear you.

If you had told me about your course of study,I      ..... ..(c)....(let)  you stay here.
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Take a test to check you grammar.click here

4. Fill in the following passage choosing the appropriate word given in the bracket.


( but, then ,and ,moreover )

.....(a)...... a monstrous terror seized  him,  ......(b)............     his heart stood still.   He could hear nothing  .....(c)........    it only lasted for a moment.

5.Supply a verb in agreement with its subject ( is ,has,am,were,was,)

 a. The teacher with his students_______ just arrived.
 b. Neither of the films ______ interesting.
 c. I as well as my father _______ watching a film now.
d. A good deal of time _____ wasted on this case.
e. Either you or he _______ there.

6.

Answers

1. (a) but  (b ) therefore (c) unfortunately (d) so
2. (a)  usually    (b ) often    
3. (a)  do not practise   (b ) played    (c) would have let    
4. (a) then    (b )  and   (c) but     (d)
5. (a)  has   (b ) was    (c) am      (d)was (e) was
6. (a)  however   (b ) instead    (c) like wise  

MORE QUESTIONS   

Stop phubbing , read and digest - newsdigestckr 19/06/2019

Stop phubbing * , read and digest  ( ckr 19/06/2019 )

Dear friends, Today is readers' day. June 19.The day when P N Panicker , the founder of Kerla Grandhashaala Sangham( An organisation of public libraries in Kerala ) passed away is observed as reading day in Kerala. Various programmes underlining the importance of reading is being observed in campuses and public spaces all over Kerala today.

Why do we give so much importance to reading ?


Because reading maketh a human being perfect as Francis Bacon,the famous essayist  once pointed out.
"Reading maketh a full man,conference a ready man and writing an exact man." 
This is the exact statement of Bacon on reading.
He gives importance to reading.After reading ,things should be digested and the reader should form an opinion of her / his own  on the subject and should present it in a discussion and get it acknowledged by other readers . 
After reading and getting his view point acknowledged by the contemporary readers ,she /he should write on the topic as writing will  make you an exact human being according to Francis Bacon.

Friends, Reading can change you a lot.Reading keeps you alive.Reading can keep you away from bad thoughts.bad habits. away from drugs,away from alcohol. Reading takes you away from gloominess.Away from despair and depression. From boredom.INTO HAPPINESS .INTO WISDOM.INTO ENLIGHTENMENT.INTO THE BLISS OF SOLITUDE.

What do you do when you feel bored AFTER a class ? Well, during my college days I used to spend a lot of time in the libraries. Especially when I feel disinterested in attending a particular class( Now most of us get ourselves glued to  a T V screen and go on changing the channels ! When we feel bored again, we get engaged on the phone.Phubbing is the result.You are interested only on the messages and are trying to send other people around you away-that is phubbing. Stop phubbing please.). And in a library what would I read  ? I would read the day's news papers.In Malayalam first ,the  Indian express next ( and how many of you read these news papers now ..? ) The Hindu next.The Competition Success Review, the Out look.The Readers' Digest.The Mathrubhumi.The Kalalakaumudi and so on in Malayalam. Sahithya Varaphalam was my favourite article I used to read and digest.It was a  feature written by the then well known critic in Malayalam  , M Krishnan Nair  in Kalakaumudi every week highlighting and criticising the stories and books published at that time. It had been a yardstick for new readers like me to evaluate literature  . It was Krishnan Nair who led me to great books and writers like Dostoevsky. It was "sahithya varaphalam" a weekly analysis of literature " and the library at Nirmalagiri College ,my Alma mater , which took me to the arena of world literature and the possibilities of English language.


Let me come back to the topic .Yes.In a library you can read many books and useful periodicals like  the Employment News.Periodicals , magazines.A good library will always provide you chances for better reading.You read about different perspectives  possible. You agree with them silently. You disagree with some of them furiously. You feel that you should at least make the author know that you have a different idea about it, so you decide to write about the topic. Soon you may feel that you don't have much arsenal to prove your point.You are convinced that you should read more about it .So you go to the librarian and request for a membership,peruse certain books on the topic and then you start writing.In a library I -the teacher of English- have grown up, in the libraries many a scholars have grown up.Many thinkers. Many politicians. Many social activists. Ask our favourite poet Sugathakumari .Ask our  beloved writer M T Vasudevan Nair .Ask Dr.Jineshkumar Eramam. Ask Anupriya, the young poet from Payyannur , ask Dr Bhaskaran Nair .They would say they groomed themselves out of reading. Mohandas once happened to read the book of essays "Unto this Last" by Ruskin Bond. The rest is history.Mahatma Gandhi was born. If you read the life stories of great people , you can see how a book change their lives.They have groomed themselves out of  libraries.Let me pay tribute to  Mr. P N Panicker and like minded leaders of the organisation  who dedicated all their lives to ensure that there is a library in every village in Kerala.

Dear friends, Reading makes you happy.You get news about employment opportunities .Reading entertains you. When the bishop in the Les Miserables stuns the policeman with the reply that he had given the candles to the man as he was his bother you feel stunned by the possibilities of human virtues. Reading makes you inspired. Reading gives you dreams.As our former president  APJ KALAM rightly stated,Dreams get transformed to thoughts, thoughts get transformed into actions.That why Malayalam poet Kunhunni once said "vaychail valarum ,vayichillel valayum".If you read, you will be able to  grow.If you don't read ,you will be ruined.

Dear friends,Reading can change you.It is a fact.Reading can help in changing your society. India, our motherland needs you. There are epidemics. There are health issues. There is poverty and unemployment in many places. Reading may help you in finding solutions.There is scarcity of Water in many places .There are environmental issues affecting the growth of our Nation .The future of our world is threatened by climate change. There is a need for immediate action to stop climate change. Children are out in the street in some  countries like UK demanding stringent measures to stop climate change.Give our future back is their slogan .How can we help them. ?  Pope Francis has read about this issue seriously and he has declared climate emergency in the world.But how many of us take this seriously ? Are we reading these issues creatively ? or are we just skimming and skipping when it comes to grave issues facing the world ? When I wrote a  post in F B and whatsapp  on the marriage function of a relative,hundreds of my friends liked the post.When I posted the statement by Papa on climate emergency,do you know what happened ? Only one reader cared to comment on it.This  is the grave situation we face . We all read, but don't read positively.but are we reading positively ?

We all read, we  all change or would like to change.But to what direction you would change ? Even terrorists read a lot.There are stories of criminals who devise new methods after reading about them or watching films. So reading is not enough. What you digest after reading is what counts .what we digest is really important. The schools and our teachers play a great role in helping us to select the books we should read and digest the ideas so as to develop a positive mindset.This is where discussions after a reading a book  becomes a serious activity.This is where the ideas you digested after reading get scrutinized, get evaluated, get acknowledged by your friends , teachers and other readers who always focus on the creative and positive aspect of reading.Discussions after reading is a must. Programmes like reviewing a book become meaningful in this aspect.The Readers' Forum in Alakode is conducting many a session this week for reviews and discussions on different books. This is a great work.Congrats to all organisations like them who are engaged in the cultural transition of Kerala. 
let me thank Mr.sreekumar who gave me chance to speak to you.,the students of GHSS MATHIL,the future generation of Kannur. Let me congratulate the teachers , the schools , the librarians of this land who make it a point that reading goes on ,that reading is creative through programmes like this.Let me wish these programmes all the best.
"reading maketh a full man,conference a ready man and writing an exact man."
I would suggest a slight change in the first part.Reading maketh nice citizens.Citizens who do not ask for what the country can do for them but who will do what they can do for the country.

-Thank you.
( CKR )

phubbing :  The practice of ignoring one's companion or companions in order to pay attention to one's phone or other mobile device.

"phubbing is just one symptom of our increasing reliance on mobile phones and the Internet"

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To the students

PLEASE SEND A COPY OF THE SCRIPT OF A SPEECH in English YOU MADE / WOULD LIKE TO MAKE  ON READERS' DAY to this blog at seakeyare@gmail.com.The best three SPEECHES will be recognised and published here.( AROUND150 WORDS)/last date 23/06/2019 ; 4 PM
Result of this competition
https://ckrenglishclass.blogspot.com/2019/06/student-essays-on-reading.html

Dealing with students of average perfomance in English

Dealing with students of average perfomance in English( They will be referred as special learners in this blog henceforth)

1.Option 1 : The first two weeks may be used for supporting the students in improving their grammar.Then the textual lessons may be discussed.Notes must be given by the teacher.( ADDITIONAL PERIODS MUST BE FOUND TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LOST TIME TO COVER REGULAR LESSONS )

OPTION 2.THE FIRST PART OF THE PERIOD EVERY DAY MAY BE UTILISED TO DO EXERCISES TO IMPROVE THEIR GRAMMAR IN ENGLISH.
Notes must be given by the teacher.


2.EXERCISES MAY BE DEVISED AND ADAPTED TO SUIT THE PARTICULAR BATCH GIVING IMPORTANCE TO THE FORMAT AND CONTENT OF THE QUESTIONS EXPECTED  IN THE PUBLIC EXAM



How I would teach the special learners  tenses ?

I would use a  programme notice of a seminar  (which can be prepared on the board or shown on the screen ) and first discuss how to prepare the report imagining that the seminar has taken place.

From the sentences made by the students I  would start a discussion on tenses and meanings evolved.

I  would ask them how  they would describe the event if the seminar was taking place at the same time .Then we will discuss many sentences in the present form.

Then I would ask them to make sentences to describe the event if it would happen the next week.Then we we will be discussing a few sentences in future tense.


Then I will move on to the use of tenses and explain the four different formats in each tense.First a topical idea about the 12 tenses would be given, then each tense and its forms and signal words will be discussed. This might take a few hours but the work will be useful later.

At the same time we will discuss and prepare a report of the programme in  past tense on the first period ,another report of the same programme in present tense the next period ( it will look like a running commentary) , a third one in future tense in the third period ( it will be  a script for announce ment )
These three reports will be compared to bring out the difference of tenses and different meanings conveyed.
Students can be encouraged to present these reports orally like a commentary on TV / Radio and announcement of an event or reading a news report.

while teaching grammar this method will make the special learner always engaged.
THE rules of grammar may be presented but we need not make the students learn them by heart.Just make them familiarised with  the techniques involved.

Different formats of responses like the above  may be used to initiate the discussion of various grammar items like reported speech and voice changes.

While discussing the text in a class of the  special learners, you can not expect that they will read  the text by themselves and come out with correct and meaningful responses.

you will have to read the paragraph aloud.you will have to ask helping question, you will have to present the answers by yourself.you will have to the content of the main ideas on the board.The last ten minutes of each period should be allotted to writing a meaningful paragraph with the help of a few content ideas written on the board. A few students will be selected at random to make meaningful sentences using the hints given.Then training must be given to make a paragraph using   these sentences.

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comments received through whatsapp
Wow great support sr👏👏👏👍🏻....I ll plan lessons nd tell u😊
Using a seminar report is a new idea for me..
That's so easy to get them to the sense of the tense. 👌👌👍🏻😃 -

INDULEKHA,HSST ,KANNUR DISTRICT
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11 improvement -possible questions

1.Fill in the blanks with appropriate forms of the verb / conjunctions / relative pronouns
2.Writing character sketches
3.use if if clauses
4.interpreting a data and preparing a  report
5.precis writing
6.appreciation of poetry
7.narration of an event
8.writing the arguments  possible in a debate / your opinion on a given topic
9. writing letters to VIP s
10.reading a paragraph and answering comprehension questions
11.preparing a profile with given hints
12.drafting a live TV report
13.Rewriting conversations in reported speech.
14.preparing the script of a speech
15.identifying errors in a given paragraph
16.preparing a travel essay
17.A letter to the editor of a news paper  on topics discussed in our plus one classes.
18.an essay on topics like disaster management or disasters common in India
19.writing the live commentary of an event
20 script of an interview with  a well known personality.
21. Writing an  e- mail to a well known personality.

Appreciation of poems 11

will be continued and updated every day. Keep browsing for more.-CKR

Newsdigestckr 18/06/2019 on CONFIDENCE AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

DOOR TO EXCELLENCE

Let me suggest  that the following  items from the newpapers today which will be useful for intiating the discussion of topics prescribed in our higher secondary classes - CKR


11 topics
Importance of confidence and the willpower to face the challenges of life

(credit to https://www.quora.com/ .Used for educational purpose only.No copyright infringement is intended ]

1.Who is described in the picture ?

2. What is special about him ?

3.CAN YOU NOTE DOWN A FEW GREAT QUALITIES HE HAS HAD ?

( YOU MAY READ THE NOTES GIVEN BELOW)

4.What are the qualities required for a successful life ?

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( credits to wiki pedia)

Yuvraj was a member of the Indian cricket team in One Day Internationals (O D Is) between 2000 and 2017 and played his first Test match in October 2003. He was the vice-captain of the Indian O D I team between 2007–2008. He was the Man of the Tournament in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, and one of the top performers at the 2007 ICC World Twenty 20, both of which India won. In a match against England at the 2007 World Twenty 20, he famously hit six sixes in one over bowled by Stuart Broad — a feat performed only three times previously in any form of senior cricket, and never in an international match between two Test cricket teams. In the same match, he set the record for the fastest fifty in Twenty 20 Internationals and in all Twenty 20 cricket, reaching 50 runs in 12 balls. During the 2011 World Cup, he became the first player to take a 5-wicket haul and score a 50 in the same World Cup match.

In 2011, Yuvraj was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his left lung and underwent chemotherapy treatment in Boston and Indianapolis. In March 2012, he was discharged from the hospital after completing the third and final cycle of chemotherapy and returned to India in April. He made his international comeback in a Twenty20 match in September against New Zealand shortly before the 2012 World Twenty20.

In 2012, Yuvraj was conferred with the Arjuna Award, India's second highest sporting award by the Government of India. In 2014, he was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honour. At the 2014 IPL auction Royal Challengers Bangalore bought Yuvraj for an all-time high price of ₹14 crore and, in 2015, the Delhi Daredevils bought him for ₹16 crore making him the most expensive player ever to be sold in the IPL.

On 10 June 2019, Yuvraj announced his retirement from International cricket. He last represented India in June 2017, against the West Indies.( credits to wiki pedia)
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Yuvaraj hitting six sixes -video link (click here )

OTHER TOPICS DISCUSSED IN 11

power of better communication
seeking the adventures and understanding the virtues
managing disasters
pursuing happiness different ways
the influence of the cyber world

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12 topics
Women Empowerment
ASSIGNMENT  1 :


( click on the image to get it enlarged on screen )

1.Tell us something about Gloria Vanderbuilt. Was she a successful ........politician /  designer /  homemaker / a singer ? .....

2. Do you think she was an empowered woman ?

3. What qualities helped her to be empowered ? learning ? labour  ? leadership ? all these qualities / some of these qualities ?

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Other topics discussed  in the text

coexisting with others
new job opportunities and perspectives
living in harmony with Nature
humour as the spice of life

-with best wishes from   CKR 18/06/2019

Improvement exam 12 english 2019

Improvement exam 12 English 2019 question and Answers

Answers :( not official )

1.The poet wanted to convey the neighbour a message that there are gaps in the wall made somehow by some hunters.They would have to mend them soon.
2.The poetic device used here is alliteration (other possible answers -kinesthetic imagery ;visual image  of a friendly match;pun in using the word "wall" for "ball" ; irony )
3.I think a fence is necessary because it is good for a better relationship between two neighbours.( any similar answer)
4. Environment means the surroundings on(in) which we all live.it include(includes) all living and non living thing on mother Earth.One of the major issues we face are ( is ) environmental issue.Harmful pollutants contaminates (contaminate)  and pose serious threats to  biotic and abiotic factors.

......will be updated soon-CKR














answers :

A Debate on Nipah - Send your opinion to seakeyare@gmail.com.

I think the state government has acted fast enough to contain the virus.As precautionary measures, isolation wards have been set up in three districts - Ernakulam, Thrissur and Kozhikode. "We are prepared with all precautionary measures, especially because we have trained staff from the last outbreak in 2018," said Ms Shailaja. The wildlife department has been told to catch bats to test for the presence of virus. The central government has  also sent a six-member team to Kerala.

Why Nipa has surfaced again is a mind boggling issue. The question what steps  we can take  to ensure that the virus does not rear its head once again must be rephrased. Viruses can not be destroyed . We can take various steps to contain a particular virus. We can think about abstaining from the circumstance where there is a larger possibility to get the disease.Experts say the source of Nipah may be bats , pigs or such mammals. Nipah virus is transmitted from animals to humans and then spreads through people to people contact. Research is needed in this area to confirm the real source of the outbreak .  

Yes. We have learnt from the lessons last year.The government and the health staff are doing all what they can do and they are working according to  a newly devised protocol  which has succeeded in containing the Virus.According to the World Health Organisation, 18 Nipah cases were reported in Kerala last year; 17 of them died. The first death was reported on May 19, 2018. Since then, more than 2,600 contacts were identified and followed up with during the outbreak.This year there is no fatality till this day.Only one person is affected but he is recovering soon according to the recent medical reports.Four more people, including two nurses, are down with fever and two of them had come in contact with the 23-year-old man. 311 people, among them 22 students, are under surveillance.It has been confirmed officially that none of these people have been affected by Nipah. Still we must be alert in handling the situation though there is no need to panic.

 Care must be taken to keep a  vigil in our food habits until the source of the outbreak is confirmed. Awareness programmes must be designed so as to keep our school children out of unhygienic eating habits.

What do you think about the various measures to be taken to contain the outbreak of  Nipah in India. ?
Please send your opinion to  seakeyare@gmail.com.

The first three responses by e mail will be rewarded.-CKR 
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CAREER ADVICE

Dear Sir/Madam,

Greetings from Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology (CIPET) - Kochi .

Sub: Admission for Diploma Courses in CIPET - Kochi.

CIPET is a premier National Institution under the aegis of Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Govt. of India. We are offering two NSQF aligned AICTE approved Diploma Courses in 2019-20.

Course Details ;

            1) Diploma in Plastics Technology (DPT)

            2) Diploma in Plastics Mould Technology (DPMT)

• Duration: 3 years (6 semesters), Minimum age: 15 years.

• Entry qualification: 10^th std. pass    (+2 passed or failed can also apply)

Students seeking admission into Diploma programs should apply online https://eadmission.cipet.gov.in or through Akshaya Centres.

Placement assistance will be provided after completion of courses.

Brochure with all the details regarding last date for applying to the above academic programs is enclosed here with for your kind information. We request you to kindly display our Admission Brochure in your school notice board and encourage more students to apply for the above academic programs. Further, we request you kindly provide contact details of students / parents which will help in mobilisation of candidates. We assure that the details will be kept confidential.

Institute video can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8QiceOCPd4

Thanking You,

Yours Sincerely,

Joint Director & Head

Encl: The admission Brochure

-- 

Training Department,

CIPET: Institute of Plastics Technology

( Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers , Govt. of India),

Eloor, Udyogamandal.P.O.,

Kochi - 683501.

Ph : ( 0484) 2541750 / 2555750./

8129497183