MERRY CHRISTMAS

So, finally vacation! I think we were all wishing for this moment to come. And now that it's here, relax, rest, share happiness with your faimily and friends and forget a bit about school (those of you who can), but don't forget about your English with my blog, try games and watch videos and sing the lyrics at home. Try to watch "Last Christmas" video and sing along!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR FOR YOU ALL!!

BRAVEHEART

After reading and watching the film, I'm sure you want to find out about the real facts, what happened to Scotland after William's death and what was true about the film.

Click on the following links to answer the questions below:

A SHORT HISTORY OF SCOTLAND
BRAVEHEART - THE FILM

1. Who was the last Gaelic King?
2. Who was King of Scotland at the begining of 1300's?
3. When was Mary Queen of Scots killed?
4. Who was Adam Smith?
5. When was William Wallace's monument completed?
6. Write the names of the important Scottish people you know. At least three.
7. When did the Scottish vote "yes" for the Scottish Parliament?
8. Who was the director and the main actor?
9. An inaccuracy in a film is when something is not completely correct or exact. Write at least 2 inaccuracies in Braveheart.
10. Who is the actress that plays Princess Isabella?
11. How much money did the film make worldwide?
12. How many Oscars did it win? Name them.

If you even want to learn more about William's life check THIS SITE. And you can also check THE SCOTTISH WARS OF INDEPENDENCE .

GUY FAWKES NIGHT

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I see no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason Should ever be forgot.

Go to these sites to find the answers to the questions below; HISTORY, GUY FAWKES' LIFE, and BONEFIRE NIGHT IN ENGLAND WHEN YOU FINISH TRY THIS QUIZ TO CHECK YOUR KNOWLEDGE.

1. What do they celebrate on this night?
2. Who did they want to kill this night?
3. How many barrels of gunpowder did they have?
4. What is a "guy"? What do they do with the "guy"?How is the "guy" made? How much money do they ask for the "guy"?
5. When and where was Guy Fawkes born?
6. Did Guy Fawkes have any children?
7. Who were the other plotters that went with Guy Fawkes?
8. What was the colour of his hair?
9. What type of food do they eat?
10. Why do they have fireworks this day?

When you finish try this GAME, where you have to answer to difficult questions before they blow up the Parliament.

HALLOWEEN

On the October 31st Americans and British people celebrate Halloween. Nowadays it's a very famous festivity but lets find out more about its ORIGINS.

Try these GAMES.

Read HORROR STORIES if you dare!!

HAVE A SCARY HALLOWEEN!!!!!

THE SOLAR SYSTEM

How much do you know about the solar system?

Go to this site and click on each planet to know more things. Answer the following questions in your notebook:

1. What is the temperature of the Sun? What does the Sun contain?
2. Which are Mercury moons? Why is Mercury called this way?
3. Why do scientists call Venus the Earth's sister?
4. How big is the Earth? Why is the Earth called this way?
5. How many moons does Mars have? Write the names.
6. How long does it take to go from night to day in Jupiter?
7. How many rings does Saturn have?
8. How man moons does Uranus have?
9. What is the meaning of the word Neptune?
10. How many moons does Pluto have?

Want more? Click here and play some games.

ADJECTIVES!!

Adjectives are very important in English and any other language. With them we can express ourselves better. And they help you improve your vocabulary. This unit we are studying adjectives of description, but if you dare try these games about adjectives in general. Click here.

Don't forget that adjectives in English go before the noun (not after!!).

To get an extra point in your notebook, write down the adjectives and definitions (in English) you find in the games (10 adjectives and definitions or examples minimum).

A MESSAGE FROM SOCO

Yesterday I received an e-mail from Soco and she left a message for you:

Hi boys and girls!!! This is Soco speaking...You have to visit more often Sonia's blog...I found it really interesting. Well, you've found out that I'm no longer at Casvi...I'm really sorry but there are sometimes when you have to take a decission, even if it's hard. I'm going to try to go to see you at any break, because I can't interrumpt your classes, I imagine you are all working very hard and behaving properly. I'm going to miss you a lot and will remember you all for ever...Believe me! You'll always have teacher Soco for whatever in your life. Meanwhile, try to centre on your studies and don't forget the French, please!!! Lots of kisses from your teacher,

Soco.

She'll be probably visiting us this week. All the teachers here wish you the best!

BACK TO SCHOOL!

So, the summer is finally over and it's time to go back to school. Time to talk to your friends, meet the new classmates and the new teachers.

You know this course there have been some changes; conversation lessons, new students in our class, new books, new subjects and a new English teacher. We all will miss Soco, but we hope that she'll have a great time at her new job. And we have to welcome Ana, she's willing to teach you all!

We'll also miss the students that left from last year. We hope you enjoy the new school and friends. Keep in touch!

Please, don't forget to study a bit more this year and try to enjoy your English lessons, we'll try to make them fun! Use these tips to help you improve your English:

Speak English in class
Read in English
Ask the words you don’t understand
Use a dictionary
Use the Internet to learn English
Play games in English
Listen to English music, learn the lyrics and sing!

THE END

The end of the Olympic Games has arrived. I hope you have enjoyed as mush as I did. Probably these will be the first ones you remember, so keep it in your memory and in your heart.

I have enjoyed all the sports, but basketball has been the best. If you watched the game today, you have watched the best game ever! A pity Spain couldn't make it.

So the balance is good, 18 medals for Spain and the winners in the medal ranking: 1st China, 2nd USA and 3rd Russia. Spain ended in the 14th position, not bad.

Try to enjoy the last days of August, go swimming, cycling, play computer games and have fun. Remember after that school is round the corner. And get ready for a new course.

ONE WORLD ONE DREAM

After our "Olympic games" at the end of the course, we have now the REAL THING. From August 8th to 24th we will see the best sports celebration. More than 4.000 million people will follow this event.

And, which is your favourite sport? Mine? I think you all know, BASKETBALL. I hope you enjoyed the game today aginst China and tomorrow the girls will try to beat the Czech Republic, although it is a very hard team.

So, my recommendation is that you don't lose track (perderse) of any of the sports (all of them are interesting) and try to learn more about the sports, teams and athletes in Beijing 2008.

Answer these questions if you dare (si te atreves)!

1. How many sports are there?

2. Which are the three countries with more medals? Which is the Spanish position in the ranking?

3. Go to athletes and find your favourite one, write down all the important data: date of birth, height and weight.
4. Have a look at the map of the Olympic games and find out where they play each sport.
5. Find out more about the Olympic mascots and write down its colours and characteristics.

ENJOY YOURSELVES WITH THE GAMES!

SAVE WATER!

How ecological are you? Do you save water at home? And at school or anywhere else?

We are 78% water and we need it to survive. We are contaminating the rivers and oceans and in many countries there is drought (sequía). Try to use the tips below to save water.

TIPS TO SAVE WATER

1. Take shorter showers
2. Don't flush the toilet unnecessarily.
3. Put a bottle of water in the fridge. It's better than letting it run to get it cold.
4. Don't take a shower for more than 5 minutes. You can use a sand clock to measure.
5. Turn off the water while you wash your teeth.
6. Don't use a hose to wash your bike or your parent's house. Use a bucket and sponge.
7. Collect the water from cooking you don't use to water the plants.
8. Recycle as much as you can. All the rubbish you put wrong in the bin goes to the rivers and oceans.

Now go to Water Sense and read more tips. Then try the game to check your knowledge. Check these words before you go to the site:

• To flush: tirar de la cadena
• To leak: gotear
• Drop: gota
• Flo (flow): corriente
• Tap: grifo
• Bucket: cubo
• Sponge: esponja
• Lawn: césped (American English)
• Hose: manguera
• To water: regar
• Sand: arena

AND THE WINNER IS... SPAIN!!!

Yesterday the Spanish football team finally made it and won against Germany. It was a very exciting and emotional match.

To learn more and practice your English go to Euro2008 and answer these questions (To do so, on the right, you will find four links: matches, teams, players and statistics. Click on each of them to look for the specific information):

1. Who was the MVP in the Final?
2. Who is Germany's number 16 and when and where was he born?
3. Who is Spain's number 4 and when and where was he born?
4. Who are the coaches (entrenadores)?
5. Who is the tallest player in the Euro2008? How tall is he?
6. Which were the four teams in Semifinals?
7. Which countries scored (marcaron) more goals? (Name 3).
8. Who is the top scorer (máximo goleador)?
9. Which were the four countries in group D?
10. Name at least 4 official sponsors (patrocinadores) of the Euro2008?

WHAT ABOUT READING?

In summer you have extra time. It's good to relax, to play computer games, do some sport... and why not reading? You can read in the beach or in the swimming pool or inside your house with the air conditioner if you don't like the sun! Apart from reading in Spanish, try to read soemthing in English as well. Here comes my recommendation:

"Braveheart", Penguin readers, Level 3.

Braveheart tells the story of Willian Wallace, a Scottish hero who in the year 1280 fought against the English for the Scottish independence. The book narrates his life, so you will find war, love, history and adventure.

After reading the book you can try to watch the film. It was broadcast in 1995 and it was a big success (one of my favourite films, as well).

And after this, if you want to know more about this story try to answer these questions on the Internet about the film:

• Write a summary of the plot (story in a film)?
• Who was the director and the main actor?
• An inaccuracy in a film is when something is not completely correct or exact. Write at least 2 inaccuracies in Braveheart.
• Who is the actress that plays Princess Isabelle?
• How much money did the film make worldwide?
• How many Oscars did it win? Name them.
• The word braveheart is a compound word: brave-heart. What's the meaning of the word? Use the dictionary.

If you still want to know more and find the truth about William Wallace check this site.

WE MADE IT!!!

We have finally finished school this year. Only some of you still have to take retake tests this week and then you have two and a half months to rest and have fun (in my case I still have to work a bit more...). It's been a hard year (my first at this school) but I think it's been a good one. We have all learned something and I hope you don't forget some of our classmates that will not continue here: Konstantina, Elisabet and Kostas are going back to Greece. I'm sure they're happy and at the same time sad to leave Spain behind. Also, Amador and Javier will change school. So, good luck for everyone and I hope you keep in touch.

My advice for the summer is to rest and at the same time don't forget your English. You can continue visiting my blog and try the activities I'll post and also practice with the on-line games you can find here. To do so, click on the "Other interesting sites" section and choose the one you prefer, you can find plenty of games and exercises here.

Keep visiting and post messages if you like. Good luck and see you in September!!!

ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE

PHIL COLLINS – ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE

She calls out to the man on the street

'Sir, can you help me?

It's cold and I've nowhere to sleep,

Is there somewhere you can tell me?

'He walks on, doesn't look back

He pretends he can't hear her

Starts to whistle as he crosses the street

Seems embarrassed to be there

Oh think twice, it's another day for

You and me in paradise

Oh think twice, it's just another day for you,

You and me in paradise

She calls out to the man on the street

He can see she's been crying

She's got blisters on the soles of her feet

Can't walk but she's trying

Chorus

Oh lord, is there nothing more anybody can do

Oh lord, there must be something you can say

You can tell from the lines on her face

You can see that she's been there

Probably been moved on from every place

'Cause she didn't fit in there

Chorus

What do you think about the lyrics? The song talks about homeless people and hunger. It makes us think about the way we live our lives and to realize how lucky we all are to have a roof over our heads and food on a plate every day. There are many more people in the world having problems like these than what you can imagine. Let's now do some research and find out more about homeless people and hunger in the world. Use the links below to answer the questions (write them in your notebooks):

Homeless (Wikipedia)

1. What is the definition of the word "homeless"? Use the dictionary.
2. Write at least the causes of homelessness. Which one do you think is the worst? Why?
3. How many people are homeless in the world? How many are there in Europe?
4. The word homeless has different cultural perceptions depending on the country. In Spanish we have the word "sin techo" (person without a roof above). Write other 3 definitions and write the country they correspond to.
5. How many people were homeless in England in the 1930s?
6. Which is the last film made about homelessness? Name it and write the year.
7. Who wrote the song "Man on the street" about homeless people?

EXTRA EXERCISE: Now find out more about Phil Collins and the song. Answer these questions:

1. When was Phil Collins born? Where is he from?
2. When was the song published? What was its position in the hit lists of the U.K and U.S.A?
3. Watch the video here and write a short paragraph about your opinion and thoughts. What is the image that impacts you the most? Why?

OLYMPIC GAMES

Next May 31st we will celebrate our yearly Verbena to raise money for Piura. We hope you colaborate as much as you can. As well, it's very important to decorate our school as beautiful as we can. This year the topic is The Olympic Games, so let's find out more about the most important sports event in the world. Click here.

Don't forget that the students in 1st ESO will be learning and drawing about Gymnastics. Here you can find some links to learn more about this sport and to get ideas for your drawings:

General stuff

Spanish Gymnasts

Events (aparatos)

See you soon there and good luck with your dances (girls) BUT don't forget about studying. WE HAVE ALMOST FINISHED!

1973

SimonaYou're getting older

Your journey's beenEtched on your skin

SimonaWish I had known that

What seemed so strong has been and gone

[Chorus:]

I would call you up every Saturday night

And we both stayed out 'til the morning light

And we sang, "Here we go again"

And though time goes by

I will always be

In a club with you

In 1973 Singing "Here we go again"

Simona Wish I was sober

So I could see clearly now the rain has gone

SimonaI guess it's over

My memory plays our tune

The same old song

[Chorus x3]

And though time goes by

I will always be

In a club with you

In 1973

After listening to the song in class and working with the lyrics find out more about the year 1973. Look here the songs that were important. Answer these questions in your notebook:

1. What happened in your birthday month?
2. Was anyone born on the day of your birthday? Who? (If not choose one and write it down). Do you know who this person is. If not, find out.
3. Did anyone die the day of your birthday? Who? (If not choose one and write it down). Do you know who this person is. If not, find out.
4. Who won the Nobel prize in Literature and in Medicine?
5. Which song was number one in the Billboard chart (pop, R&B and country)? Do you know these artists?

SPORTS WEEKEND

This weekend there were two important sport events: Real Madrid finally won the league (sorry for Atletico supporters) against Osasuna winning 1-2. Read the chronicle here.

And the Euroleague Final Four took place in Madrid. The winner was CSKA Moscow beating Maccabi Tel-Aviv (77-91). Find out here who was the MVP and which teams were 3rd and 4th.

Now if you're not tired about football yet, go to this site and try the "Back of the net game" or, only for the bravest, go to this football quiz (difficult).

BOOK DAY - APRIL, 23rd

On April, 23rd the Book Day is celebrated. Why is this day so important? Do you like reading?How many books do you read a year? Have you ever read Shakespeare? Have you ever seen any of his plays in a film? Here we're going to find out more data about the most important English writer of all times:

Shakespeare's biograhy

Shakespeare's films

The Globe

1. When and where was he born?
2. What was his father's name?
3. How many plays did he write? Name 5 tragedies, 5 comedies and 5 histories.
4. Apart from being a playwright, what else did Shakespeare do?
5. Who were the monarchs in the years Shakespeare lived?
6. How many sonnets did he write?
7. How old was Shakespeare when he got married?
8. When was The Globe built? Where is it?
9. How many films of Hamlet are there?
10. When did he die?

When you finish you can try this quiz to check your knowledge
Have a look at Hamlet's most famous monologue; "To be or not to be"


This idea has been modified from http://www.isabelperez.com/

ALICIA KEYS - NO ONE

After working with the song in class have a look at the video and see if you can find more information about this American artist:

Watch the video here
Find out more about Alicia here:

Official website and Encyclopedia

Aswer the questions below:

1.How old is she?

2. Where was she born?

3. How many Grammy awards dos she have?

4. What's the name of her first album?

5. How many albums does she have?

6. Which instruments can she play?

SCOTLAND

What do you know about the country of the bagpipes? Why do they wear the typical kilt? Do they have underwear underneath? Find out many things about this wonderful country. Visit these sites and answer the questions below:

Encyclopedia and Scottish official site

Questions:

1. What's the capital?

2. How many regions are there? Name them.

3. Which are most important sports?

4. Can you name any of the Scottish festivals?

5. How many people live in Scotland?

6. What is the currency they use? The Euro or the Pound?

April Fool's Day

Today is April 1st and in many countries it is a special day: April Fool's Day. A day when people make jokes and hoaxes (playing a trick on someone). The origin is not sure, but if you want to know more about this check the links below:

For an explanation and origin

Top 100 funniest hoaxes Which is your favourite? Tell the class.

Underground or subway?

The London underground is one of the world's biggest. After reading the text in your Students's book find out more about this outstanding transport! Click here and try to answer these questions:

How many lines are there?
Does the London underground run 24 hours a day?
What was the first line that operated?
What's the colour in the Central Line?

History and Map

Now let's have a look at New York's subway. How is it different from London's? Answer the questions:

Who built the subway in New York and when did he do it?
How many lines (or services) are there?
Does the New York subway run 24 hours a day?
What's the route letter for Eighth Avenue Express?

History and Map

Now find 3 differences and similarities between both of them.

Review grammar with this Underground site

InterRail

After watching the play answer these questions:

1. Name the characters in the play. Who is your favourite? Why?

2. Did you like the play? Why? Why not?

3. Continue Brad and Jennifer's story (write 100 words).

EXTRA EXERCISE: Look for information in these links and write about the routes you can do. Which one is the most interesting for you? Why? How much is the ticket?

http://www.interrailnet.com/?gclid=CLm8hqfW1ZECFQdIMAodvBIrZg

http://www.interrail.net/index2.php?language=en

SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY

14th February again! Find out more about this festivity

Read the text and answer the questions here

Now try this word game You have to be very quick!

HAMLET

To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;
No more; and, by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to, ’tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish’d. To die, to sleep;
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there’s the rub;
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause. There’s the respect
That makes calamity of so long life;
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
The oppressor’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely,
The pangs of dispriz’d love, the law’s delay,
The insolence of office, and the spurns
That patient merit of the unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin? who would fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscover’d country from whose bourn
No traveller returns, puzzles the will,
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pith and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry,
And lose the name of action. Soft you now!
The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons
Be all my sins remember’d.

¡Ser, o no ser, es la cuestión! -¿Qué debe
más dignamente optar el alma noble
entre sufrir de la fortuna impía
el porfiador rigor, o rebelarse
contra un mar de desdichas, y afrontándolo
desaparecer con ellas?
Morir, dormir, no despertar más nunca,
poder decir todo acabó; en un sueño
sepultar para siempre los dolores
del corazón, los mil y mil quebrantos
que heredó nuestra carne, ¡quién no ansiara
concluir así!
¡Morir... quedar dormidos...
Dormir... tal vez soñar! -¡Ay! allí hay algo
que detiene al mejor. Cuando del mundo
no percibamos ni un rumor, ¡qué sueños
vendrán en ese sueño de la muerte!
Eso es, eso es lo que hace el infortunio
planta de larga vida. ¿Quién querría
sufrir del tiempo el implacable azote,
del fuerte la injusticia, del soberbio
el áspero desdén, las amarguras
del amor despreciado, las demoras
de la ley, del empleado la insolencia,
la hostilidad que los mezquinos juran
al mérito pacífico, pudiendo
de tanto mal librarse él mismo, alzando
una punta de acero? ¿quién querría
seguir cargando en la cansada vida
su fardo abrumador?...
Pero hay espanto
¡allá del otro lado de la tumba!
La muerte, aquel país que todavía
está por descubrirse,
país de cuya lóbrega frontera
ningún viajero regresó, perturba
la voluntad, y a todos nos decide
a soportar los males que sabemos
más bien que ir a buscar lo que ignoramos.
Así, ¡oh conciencia!, de nosotros todos
haces unos cobardes, y la ardiente
resolución original decae
al pálido mirar del pensamiento.
Así también enérgicas empresas,
de trascendencia inmensa, a esa mirada
torcieron rumbo, y sin acción murieron.

SPORTS!

BASKETBALL
Have a look at the NBA site www.nba.com, don't forget the girls site: www.wnba.com

European basketball is great! Have a look at the Euroleague site, which is your favourite team and player? Look for information: www.euroleague.net

FOOTBALL
Bored with the Spanish league? Have look at the Premier League site and learn from the country that invented football! www.premierleague.com

OTHER SPORTS
There are many sports which are very popular in the English speaking countries. Learn more about them and choose your favourire:

Hockey
American Football
Rugby and Australian rugby
Cricket
Netball
Baseball
Wrestling (probably the boy's favourite site!)

If you don't know the rules and want to know the basics go to this site and enter the name of the sport in the search box.

NOW HAVE FUN WITH THIS VOCABULARY GAME

Lecturas recomendadas para alumnos

This book is a story about a nine year old boy trying to understand what is happening around him in (Out-With) Auschwitz during World War II.
The main character, a nine year-old boy called Bruno, is the son of a strict commander of a Nazi concentration camp. He has a strong headed sister, Gretel (the Hopeless Case). They live in a five story mansion, but are one day suddenly moved to a place called Out-With (Auschwitz). Bruno, outraged by his father's decision to move to Out-With, and desperate to go home, spends his time in his room with no friends...

A wonderful book, easy to read. Good for 12 year-olds onwards.

Mejora tu inglés divirtiéndote

Prueba el ahorcado de la BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/flash/wordmaster/

Revisa tu vocabulario sobre los ordenadores
http://www.britishcouncil.org/kids-games-hangman-computers.htm

Prueba la sopa de letras (sólo para valientes)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/quizzes/crosswords/crosswords_archive.shtml