Peter Horton - Educator

Mission Statement 

This unit encourages beginner ESL students to explore family activities on the beach through reading, speaking, and writing. Students will engage with vocabulary and dialogues related to the beach, practice language in meaningful contexts, and build confidence in using English to describe everyday experiences. 

Language Objectives 

By the end of this unit, students will be able to: 

• Use common English vocabulary to describe beach activities and family interactions. 

• Construct simple sentences using present tense and descriptive adjectives. 

• Participate in guided dialogues about family events. 

• Identify and use 20 high-frequency English words (81–100) in speaking and writing. 

 Learning Outcomes 

Students will be able to: 

• Describe a day at the beach using at least 10 target vocabulary words. 

• Participate in a short dialogue with a partner about family activities. 

• Write simple sentences using SCS/SMS scaffolding lines. 

• Recognize and correctly use high-frequency English words in context. 

Prompts / Discussion Questions 

• What do you like to do at the beach? 

• Who do you go to the beach with? 

• What foods do you eat when you have a picnic? 

• How do you keep safe near water? 

1. Can you name three things you can build in the sand? 

Day at the Beach Dialogue 

Characters: Mom, Dad, Brother (Tommy), Sister (Lily) 

Mom: “Good morning, everyone! Are you ready for a fun day at the beach?” 
Tommy: “Yes! I can’t wait to build a sandcastle!” 
Lily: “And I want to swim in the ocean! Look at the big waves!” 
Dad: “Remember to stay close to the lifeguard stand. The lifeguard is there to keep us safe.” 
Mom: “That’s right! If you need help, just look for the lifeguard or the life preservers.” 
Tommy: “I see the lifeguard! He is watching the swimmers.” 
Lily: “Can I go in the water now?” 
Dad: “Yes, but wait for the waves to calm down. Let’s set up our beach chairs first.” 
Mom: “I brought the best towel for us to sit on. It’s big and soft!” 
Tommy: “I want to sit in the chair and watch the surfers!” 
Lily: “Look at that surfer! He is riding the wave!” 
Dad: “He’s really good! Maybe we can try boogie boarding later.” 
Tommy: “Yes! I want to ride the waves on my boogie board!” 
Lily: “Can we get snacks first? I’m hungry!” 
Mom: “Let’s go to the snack bar and get some food. We can also stop by the refreshment stand for drinks.” 
Dad: “Good idea! What do you want to eat, Tommy?” 
Tommy: “I want a hot dog and some chips!” 
Lily: “I want ice cream! Can I have ice cream, please?” 
Mom: “Of course! Let’s get our snacks and then we can play in the water.” 
Tommy: “Yum! This hot dog is delicious!” 
Lily: “And my ice cream is so cold and sweet!” 
Dad: “Now that we’re full, let’s go swimming! Remember to stay near the lifeguard.” 
Tommy: “I’m ready! Let’s go!” 
Lily: “I can’t wait to splash in the waves!” 
Mom: “Have fun, but be safe! We’ll be right here on the beach chairs.” 
All Together: “Yay! Beach time!” 

A Day at the Beach Story 

One sunny morning, the Johnson family decided to go to the beach. Peter, Marrian, Shane, Tony, Anthony, Michelle, and Alisa packed their bags with everything they needed for a fun-filled day. They were excited to spend time swimming, boating, fishing, and having a picnic. 

When they arrived at the beach, the sun was shining brightly, and the waves were crashing gently on the shore. They set up their picnic area under a big umbrella. Marrian laid out a colorful blanket, and everyone helped unpack the delicious food they had brought: sandwiches, fruits, and snacks. 

After their picnic, it was time to go swimming! The kids ran to the water, splashing and laughing as they jumped into the waves. Meanwhile, Peter and Tony prepared the boating equipment. They had rented a small boat for the day. 

Once the boat was ready, the family climbed in, excited for their adventure on the water. Peter started the motor, and they zoomed across the sparkling sea. “Look at the beautiful view!” said Michelle, pointing at the horizon. They felt the wind in their hair and the sun on their faces. 

After a while, they decided to try fishing. They took out their fishing equipment and cast their lines into the water. Alisa was the first to catch a fish! “I did it!” she exclaimed, holding up her catch for everyone to see. They all cheered and took turns fishing, enjoying the thrill of the catch. 

As the sun began to set, they returned to the shore, tired but happy. They spent the last moments of the day building sandcastles and collecting seashells along the beach. “This was the best day ever!” said Anthony, as they packed up to go home. 

The Johnson family left the beach with smiles on their faces and wonderful memories in their hearts, already planning their next adventure.