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The Garden on Pine Street · Tutor Plan

The learner finds facts and the main idea in a simple local feature and describes a real place with there is, there are, and adverbs of frequency.

6 curriculum stages115 curriculum topics · 115 available nowA0–C1 one coherent path
Open learner reading

Lesson aim

Evidence to collect

The learner finds facts and the main idea in a simple local feature and describes a real place with there is, there are, and adverbs of frequency.

Language lens

Describe a place with there is and there are

The article uses there is and there are to tell the reader what is in the garden. Use there is with one thing and there are with two or more things.

Suggested sequence

Timing

  1. 2–3 min · Discuss gardens, parks, and neighbors near the learner’s home.
  2. 4 min · Read once for the main idea and once for facts about the garden.
  3. 5 min · Complete comprehension and point to the sentence with the answer.
  4. 3 min · Notice there is versus there are and complete the language check.
  5. 2 min · Look at how the scene and the final quote frame the article.
  6. 3–5 min · Describe a real local place aloud or in writing.

Anticipated problems

Watch and respond

  • The learner may choose there is for a list because the last item, a long table, is singular.
  • The learner may put the adverb of frequency after the main verb, as in She visits always the garden.
  • The learner may confuse the free shelf with the $20 member fee.

Short lesson

If time is limited

Read the article once, answer questions one, three, and six, complete the first two language checks, and give a four-sentence description of a local place.

Extended lesson

If the learner needs more

Interview the learner as a garden member using six questions with is there, are there, and how often, then write a short quote for the article from the answers.

Controlled practice

Answer key and teaching evidence

  1. empty-lot · Ten years ago, the place was an empty lot.
  2. year · Members pay $20 a year.
  3. before-work · Hoa always visits the garden before work.
  4. mother · The herbs smell like her mother’s kitchen.
  5. take-free · Gardeners put extra vegetables on the shelf, and neighbors can take them for free.
  6. food-and-people · The garden gives people vegetables, and it also helps neighbors meet each other.
  7. there-are · Say There are two apple trees.
  8. there-is · Say There is a free shelf by the gate.
  9. are-there · Ask Are there any vegetables on the shelf?

Review status

Tutor review required

This original reading and its generated pedagogy require tutor review and learner piloting before they can be described as formally reviewed.