2 Happy birthday, Eric!

Story summary
In this video, it’s Eric’s 20th birthday. But he’s away in Italy studying, so his family
makes him a birthday video. The family goes through a photo album of Eric and
compares his look and personality traits in the past to the present day. His family
misses him!

Language summary
Grammar Vocabulary
• be + adjective (+ noun) • Personality adjectives
• Order of adjectives • Appearance

Before you watch (page T-179)

• Follow-up Have Ss report to the class on their partner’s
birthday traditions.
A • Option Have a volunteer name something their friends
In this activity, Ss look at the picture and complete the and family do and have class members ask questions
sentences. for more information.

• Preview the activity Direct Ss’ attention to the picture

of the family. Explain that Ss will watch a video the While you watch (pages T-179–180)
family made for Eric’s birthday while he is studying
abroad. Go over the instructions.
A
• Do the activity Have Ss look at the picture and In this activity, Ss identify basic facts in the video.
complete the sentences with the characters’ names. • Preview the activity Explain that Ss will identify basic
• Check answers Have Ss compare answers with a facts about the video. Go over the instructions. Have Ss
partner. Go over the answers with the class. read the sentences.
• Play the video Have Ss circle the correct answers as
Answers
they watch the video. Play the video again, if necessary.
1. Dad 4. Grandpa Joe 7. Lizzy
• Check answers Go over the answers with the class.
2. Lizzy 5. Mom, Dad
3. Mom 6. Grandpa Joe Answers
1. c 2. a 3. b 4. c 5. b
B
Ss check their own true answers. B
• Preview the activity Direct Ss’ attention to the phrases. In this activity, Ss identify sentences about Eric and his
Go over the instructions. Explain that Ss will check the family as true or false.
birthday activities in the list that their own families and • Preview the activity Go over the instructions. Have Ss
friends do for them. read the sentences.
• Do the activity Have Ss check the phrases. • Play the video Have Ss write T for the true sentences
C and F for the false ones. Play the video again,
Groups share their answers to Part B. if necessary.
• Check answers Go over the answers with the class.
• Preview the activity Put Ss in small groups. Go over
Elicit the correct version of each false sentence.
the instructions. Model the dialogue with a volunteer.
• Do the activity Have Ss share their answers with their
Answers
group.
1. F 2. F 3. T 4. T 5. F

T-203 Video notes

• Option Have Ss answer the questions from memory. or family member.
Then play the video for Ss to check their answers. • Preview the activity Go over the instructions. Read
C the questions. Model the activity with a volunteer,
if helpful.
In this activity, Ss identify who said what.
• Do the activity Have Ss interview each other and
• Preview the activity Go over the instructions. Have Ss record the information in their charts.
read the list of adjectives. • Check answers Have Ss confirm with their partners that
• Play the video Have Ss check which people use each the information in their notes is correct.
word to describe Eric. C
• Check answers Go over the answers with the class.
In this activity, groups share what they’ve learned
Answers about their partner’s friends or family.
1. Mom 4. Grandpa Joe 7. Mom • Preview the activity Put Ss in groups of four. Go over
2. Lizzy 5. Grandpa Joe the instructions.
3. Mom, Grandpa Joe 6. Mom • Do the activity Have Ss talk about their classmates’
friends or family.
• Option Have Ss check off the names from memory.
• Follow-up Have a few volunteers tell the class about
Then play the video for them to check their answers.
their classmates’ friends or family members.
• Option Have Ss ask information questions about the
After you watch (page T-180) appearance and personality traits of a volunteer’s
friend or family.
A • Option Have a volunteer describe a classmate’s
In this activity, pairs talk with a partner about appearance and personality, without naming the
birthday videos. student. The rest of the class guesses who it is.
• Preview the activity Go over the questions. Model a
conversation with a volunteer, if helpful. Action video note
• Do the activity Have pairs share their opinions and Instruct Ss to make their own birthday video for a family
ideas. member or a friend. For further instructions, visit
• Follow-up Have Ss report to the class on their partner’s www.cambridge.org/fourcorners/teacher
responses.
B
In this activity, pairs interview each other about a friend

Video notes T-204