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Middle Grade Learner Reading Courses

ESL Lesson: Camp Somerset Part 8

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Photo by Mohamed Hamdi on Unsplash

ESL Lesson: Camp Somerset Part 8

Objective:

Students will continue to improve their reading comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills through the story “Camp Somerset.”

Duration:

45 minutes

Photo by Brian Urso on Unsplash

Prereading Activity (10 minutes)

Key Vocabulary:

  1. Bittersweet (adjective): Evoking a mix of sadness and happiness. * "The ending of the school year was a bittersweet experience for the graduating students."

  2. Nostalgia (noun): A sentimental longing for the past. * "A wave of nostalgia washed over her as she looked through old photo albums."

  3. Lingering (adjective): Slow to disappear; lasting for a long time. * "They exchanged lingering glances before saying goodbye."

  4. Unbreakable (adjective): Not able to be broken; indestructible. * "Their friendship formed an unbreakable bond."

  5. Huddled (verb): Crowded together closely. * "The campers huddled together for warmth around the campfire."

  6. Streaked (adjective): Marked with long, thin lines. * "Their faces were streaked with tears of joy."

  7. Sentimental (adjective): Showing or causing a lot of emotion. * "She felt sentimental as she packed away her childhood toys."

  8. Solemnly (adverb): In a serious and dignified manner. * "They solemnly promised to return to the camp every year."

Reading Activity (20 minutes)

Chapter 8: Departure and Lasting Memories:

The final days of camp were bittersweet. As the campers packed their bags and said their goodbyes, a wave of nostalgia washed over them. They had experienced so much together - laughter, tears, triumphs, and failures.

Molly stood by the lake, a lump forming in her throat. She and Charles had shared countless moments together, from late-night chats by the campfire to daring adventures in the woods. As they exchanged a lingering gaze, a bittersweet smile played on her lips.

"I'll miss you," she confessed, her voice barely a whisper.

Charles nodded, his eyes filled with a mix of sadness and hope. "I'll miss you too. But we can still write, right?"

Molly smiled. "Of course. And maybe we'll see each other next summer."

As they embraced, Molly couldn't help but feel a sense of optimism. She knew that their friendship would endure, no matter the distance.

Meanwhile, Max, Joey, and Jaime were huddled together, their faces streaked with tears. They had formed an unbreakable bond, one forged in the fires of friendship and the crucible of mischief.

"I'll never forget this summer," Max said, his voice thick with emotion. "The mud fights, the pranks, the Great Race... it was the best summer ever."

Joey and Jaime nodded in agreement. "We'll have to do this again next year," Joey declared. "Maybe we can even plan a secret mission."

Max grinned. "I'm in."

Mindy and her friends were equally sentimental. They had spent countless hours lost in their own magical world, battling evil warlocks and rescuing damsels in distress.

"We promise to return to Camp Somerset every year," Mindy declared, her voice filled with determination. "To protect it from darkness and evil."

Her friends nodded solemnly, their eyes sparkling with mischief. They knew that their adventures were far from over.

As the bus pulled away from Camp Somerset, the campers waved goodbye, their hearts heavy with nostalgia. But they also felt a sense of hope and excitement. They had grown, they had learned, and they had made lifelong friends. And they knew that their journey, both together and apart, was just beginning.


Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Post Reading Activity (15 minutes)

Warm-up Questions (True or False):

  1. True or False? Molly and Charles promise to write to each other.

  2. True or False? Mindy and her friends plan to return to Camp Somerset next year.

Short Answer Questions:

  1. What were some of the activities that Max, Joey, and Jaime did together at camp?

  2. How did Mindy and her friends spend their time at Camp Somerset?

  3. What emotions did the campers feel as they left Camp Somerset?

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you think the friendships formed at Camp Somerset will change the campers' lives?

  2. What is the significance of the last line of the chapter: "They knew that their journey, both together and apart, was just beginning"?

Answer Key:

Warm-up Questions:

  1. True

  2. True

Short Answer Questions:

  1. Max, Joey, and Jaime engaged in mud fights, pranks, and participated in the Great Race.

  2. Mindy and her friends played imaginative games, pretending to battle evil warlocks and rescue damsels in distress.

  3. The campers felt a mix of nostalgia, sadness, hope, and excitement as they left Camp Somerset.

Discussion Questions:

  1. The friendships formed at Camp Somerset will likely provide the campers with support, companionship, and happy memories throughout their lives. They may also inspire the campers to be more adventurous, compassionate, and confident.

  2. The last line signifies that the campers are leaving Camp Somerset with new experiences and friendships that will shape their futures. While they may be physically separated, they will continue to grow and learn, both individually and as a group. The camp experience has marked a significant beginning in their lives.

Credits:

Story and lesson material by… Tyler Golec

Mandarin Translations by… Rosy Lien

Media contributions by… Annie Spratt, Andrej Lišakov, Brian Urso, and Mohamed Hamdi