Scrapbooking

My favorite hobby is scrapbooking, which is a special way of adding one's touch to photo albums. Scrapbooking is so much fun and an excellent way to channel my creativity. Scrapbooking requires lots of patience and extreme focus on detail. First, I start by figuring out what theme I will devote an album to; for example, summer favorites, winter snowboarding, or birthdays. Then, I search for memorabilia and embellishments related to that theme that I can add to my album. Next, I print out pictures that express that theme. This is my favorite part, because I am able to revisit memories with friends and family. After doing this, I shop for special paper; this paper is called cardstock. Cardstock comes in different colors, shapes and prints; they add a nice touch as a mount for photos. Lastly, I piece everything together with a little adhesive. Sometimes I like to include a small piece of writing that explains the picture or gives some detail about the picture. Scrapbooking can be fun for everyone and they are great gifts, too!



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Vocabulary

• embellishments (noun) decoration
• hobby (noun) an activity or interest pursued for pleasure
• memorabilia (noun) souvenirs
• photo albums (noun) a collection of photos in a book
• scrapbooking (noun) a book with blank pages used for the mounting and preserving of pictures, clippings, or mementos.
• theme (noun) a subject or topic

Fill in the blanks with the correct word:

• The ______ of the book was about the power of words.
• My favorite _________ is reading children's books.
• I like to add lots of ________ to my albums.
• When I went to Hawaii I brought back tons of _________.
• My friend has _____ _______ from her trip to Spain.
• There are great ____________ websites online.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Grammar Point
In the paragraph above there are discourse markers that allow us to understand the sequence of how I scrapbook. In this particular usage they are known as textual markers. Idenitfy these markers and then write about your favorite hobby. Explain your hobby and use at least four discourse markers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Link

Create your own scrapbook, visit this link for ideas and supplies:http://www.scrapbook.com/

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday that is celebrated in many different places around the world. On May 5, 1862, Mexico won the war against France in the Battle of Puebla. Originally, this day was observed in Mexico to honor the Army, but now it is a day in which Mexican pride and culture are demonstrated. May 5th is a day in which people treat themselves to everything that is Mexican. People from many different ethnicities and backgrounds go out and celebrate this day. Many things are associated with this tradition, some of which include: pinatas, maracas, tacos, and margaritas. Although I am not Mexican, I look forward to celebrating this holiday. I always go to a Mexican restaurant and indulge in all the yummy food and drinks that they serve.
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Vocabulary

• celebrate (verb) to commemorate with festivities
• honor (noun) give respect to
• maracas (noun) a rattle that serves musical purpose
• margaritas (noun) a cocktail beverage
• observed (noun) to celebrate
• pinatas (noun) a figure intended to fill with candy or toys

Fill in the blanks with the correct word:

• __________ are very popular at birthday parties, because it is so much fun to hit.
• I ____________ Cinco de Mayo by throwing a party.
• __________ make beautiful instruments and can be very noisy.
• My favorite cocktail is a ____________.
• It is important to ________ those whom have brought good change to our world.
• Many holidays ________ in the Unites States originated somewhere else.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Grammar Point

Verbs are needed to form sentences; they also show action. Can you find all the verbs used in the paragraph above. What are some of your favorite holidays? Write a list and come up with three verbs for each holiday.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Link

If you need Cinco de Mayo party ideas, visit this site:http://www.chiff.com/home_life/holiday/cinco-de-mayo.htm