SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER

Tomorrow is our last day of school and I want to take this opportunity to say a few things I feel I need to say:

- First of all, I want to apologise for all my bad days (too many this year). I know that some of you may be a little to blame for those but also my mood wasn't great either: I've been frustrated with work and a bit depressed and that was a big part of the problem. So, sorry for not being up to the job. In spite of that, I can honestly say that the best part of this year has been you, the students: thank you for being so understanding and forgiving.

- I also want to wish you all the best for the next year: work hard for your dreams, whatever they may be. You are all intelligent, capable and really talented and you can achieve anything you aim to, you just need to try, do not forget that.

- For those of you who graduate this year, congratulations! See you on Wednesday! I'll be at the graduation ceremony to cheer you , I just wish it was everyone on stage that night...

Thank you and enjoy your summer!

I've updated the students' writings page. Please, check it out: Such talented and hardworking pupils deserve to be read. Nice comments will be appreciated.

May 22 International Day Of Biodiversity

The International Day for Biological Diversity (or World Biodiversity Day) is a United Nations–sanctioned international day for the promotion of biodiversity issues.

Recently, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA), indicated that climate change is likely to become the dominant direct driver of biodiversity loss by the end of the century. Current climate change estimates predict increases in temperatures of 1.4°C to 5.8°C by 2100. This will affect species in several ways such as: changes in distribution; increased extinction rates; changes in reproduction timings; and changes in length of growing seasons for plants.

The rich variety of life on Earth has always had to deal with a changing climate. However, the unprecedented pace of change we are presently experiencing is so rapid that a great number of species cannot adapt fast enough to the new conditions, or move to regions more suited for their survival due to habitat fragmentation. In fact, recent estimates show that up to a million species may become extinct as a result of climate change.

On the positive side, biodiversity can help to reduce the effects of climate change on the world’s population and ecosystems. Indeed, the links between biodiversity and climate change run both ways: biodiversity is threatened by climate change, but biodiversity resources can reduce the impacts of climate change. It is therefore crucial to conserve biodiversity that is especially sensitive to climate change, preserve habitats so as to facilitate the long-term adaptation of biodiversity, improve our understanding of climate change and biodiversity linkages, and fully integrate biodiversity considerations into mitigation and adaptation plans. If the threats of biodiversity loss and climate change are tackled together, the prospects for adapting successfully to the challenges of the coming decades will be very much improved. This constitutes the overall message for this year’s celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity.
Here's a nice video to celebrate this day, even if it is one day late.

Isabel Allende tells Tales of Passion

Enjoy this wonderful lecture about women, feminism, creativity and passion by the writer Isabel Allende:

THE WAVE

In 1967, at the Cubberley High School in Palo Alto, California, World History teacher Ron Jones was asked about the Holocaust by a student. "Could it happen here?". According to the press release accompanying the latest retelling of the events that followed, "Jones came up with an unusual answer. He decided to have a two week experiment in dictatorship. His idea was to explain fascism to his class through a game, nothing more. He never intended what resulted, where his class would be turned into a Fascist environment. Where students gave up their freedom for the prospect of being superior to their neighbors.

To his dismay and alarm, the experiment was so blindly embraced by the students, that he cut the project short. "Initially I just wanted to show my students how powerful the pressure to belong can be, but the exercise got out of control. A momentum began to build that I couldn't slow, or even deter. I became frightened by the day-to-day happenings in class, and was forced to call it off," recalls Jones.

Overnight, Jones became the subject of national controversy, sparking discussion on the appropriateness of exposing young adults to life's realities. To some, he was an innovative hero and teacher; to others he was a Communist. Many people were shocked and embarrassed that the same mentality which led to the Holocaust could develop so quickly, in 1967, in a pristine all-American setting, and an academic town no less, home to the well-known Stanford University.

(Text taken from www.thewave.tk, where you can read some more about the experiment and watch the original 1981 movie on line)

In the following  video, "The Wave," Jones' telling of his story is a vivid and riveting experience. Recounting his experiment in dictatorship, his meeting with Eva Mozes, and his presentation at Nuremberg. He warns of the destructive nature rooted in the pressure to belong or conform. Taped in San Francisco before a sold out Cowell Theatre whose audience included participants of the experiment and holocaust survivors, the one hour narrative reveals the events that led to the "experiment," and what happened to the class during and after The Wave. The "experiment" illustrates how individual freedoms can be quickly abandoned and willfully repressed for collective goals and racism as happened in the rise of Nazi Germany and the treatment of the Jews during World War II.

I'm sorry there are no subtitles available. I may give it a try and transcribe it myself. I'll let you know if I finally do it. In the meantime, see how much you can understand.

Here's the transcript:
I guess it started… yes, it all started with a question. I was teaching world history, Cubberley High School in Palo Alto… January 1967 might explain something…You remember 1967? I mean our universe was about to tilt upside down… but I’m with my favorite class… 2nd period world history and I’m a first year teacher and life could not be better…So how many of you wanna be against the war in Vietnam? Let me see your hands please… Eileen (sp.) and Wendy that’s two, and Doug, no no, basketball players do not go against the war in Vietnam. I’ll explain later. Alright, Jerry… yeah? James Brown nahnahnah Yes, I know, You’ve got a picture of James Brown above your head, Huey gave it to me, so? Haha, yes, a new school policy: every idea must be effaced with its opposite idea so who’s the opposite of James Brown’ peggy, … Laurence welk! Peggy you get a picture of Laurence Welk you put up for crying out loud… Yeah, Steve… did you hear that? Did you all put your ears to that question? Steve, Would you say that again for us all? That’s a history question, Steve! Thank you. How could the Germans behave as they did after the war? Claimed they knew they knew nothing about the Holocaust, did not take part… Steve, that’s a great question! … I’ll take it up on Monday.
Monday morning, I decide to give the class an experience in dictatorship. I clean the room: Now, that in itself is a marvel… organize the desks, darken the room, I’m ready for them. Some way(?) I’m gonna lecture you about discipline, DISCIPLINE, like a ballet dancer, an athlete, an artist, you have to have discipline. It really makes you go, it’s like working real hard, you know? work work work work, well it’s like basketball, Doug : When you’re shooting your shot you gotta have discipline… You can’t be looking around, focus focus focus boo bang to! discipline But look what kind of setting: this classroom is an unholy mess! Look at the way you’re sitting, legs all over the place, books all over your desk…what I want you to do is simply take everything off the top of your desks, clear them off, that’s right. Now good, sit with your feet flat, together… back straight, come on, back straight, back back back straight… hands up for a change… good. Can’t you breathe better?, can’t you listen better?...that’s discipline, that’s discipline.
Steve, where were we yesterday? What was I talking about? Strength through Discipline? Ok, let me add something to this thought here, strength through community. We’re us, a team, this is what…you give up yourself to be a part of something really great, that’s not so foreign, happens all the time in history, building a bond with your neighbors, yeah…
Lunch hour after day two I’m walking down the hall, I’m really excited, I’m giving salutes, books are finally all over the place, I’m feeling pretty good about myself…my class, they’re learning a lot more, and they’re quiet, this is really great, I mean , maybe I’ve discovered something here… oh sh…! bathroom’s on fire, bathroom’s always on fire at school, this is getting crazy…
I’m sure you’ve all heard about yesterday’s incident in the girls’ bathroom, there’s a lesson for us here, a principal cannot stand by and watch the fire… you have to do something, I mean You can be disciplined and have community but unless you’re willing to act, there’s nothing there, you have to act! So, what would we do to act? Tell me, tell me, you’re all passengers, what would you do to act, to change the school?
By the end of day three there are over 100 members of The Wave. Over half of them are telling me intimate detail about everyone else in the room. There’s rumors that The Wave now has initiation service(?) That I have not thought up (?)...it’s spreading to other schools…it has a power and an intensity all of its own… I mean, I can’t stop this thing…even if I wanted to stop it… I mean , what would happen to Robert, all these students that gave this allegiance and they’re really achieving something for a change… no, I can’t stop it.. something elemental about this movement of ours… order, discipline, we cannot go out that door and find the place on fire, no… The Wave is not just a classroom exercise… Teachers like myself have gone out throughout the country to find you, select students, a vanguard, an elite, to introduce this nation to the idea of order, discipline, community, action. Tomorrow, 12 o’clock, we’ll have a rally. We’ll stand up for a new leader that will announce themselves on television at 12. There’ll be television here, local television, yes, yes… I was afraid if I smiled in the slightest or quivered in the slightest the room would break like glass…

MONTY PYTHON'S FISH LICENSE SKETCH

I was going to publish this post on 4B's page but I've finally decided to do it here so everyone can enjoy it as much as I do:

Monty Python was a British comedy group that created the influential Monty Python's Flying Circus, a British television comedy sketch show that first aired on the BBC on 5 October 1969. Forty-five episodes were made over four series.

The Python phenomenon developed from the television series into something larger in scope and impact, spawning touring stage shows, films, numerous albums, several books and a stage musical as well as launching the members to individual stardom. The group's influence on comedy has been compared to The Beatles' influence on music.

The Fish Licence sketch, which you see here, is part one of a two-part segment of the popular British television series, Monty Python's Flying Circus.This sketch was not only shown in the Flying Circus TV Show - Episode 23, it appeared on their album - Another Monty Python's Previous Record'.
The cast:
PRALINE 
John Cleese 
CLERK 
Michael Palin 
SINGER 
Eric Idle 

In it Eric Praline, played by John Cleese, takes on the role of the put-upon customer who, when seeking to obtain a licence for his pet "'alibut" named Eric, has difficulty explaining to the clerk (Michael Palin) how all pets should be licensed. The pets he mentions are:
Eric the halibut
Eric the cat
Eric the dog
Eric the fruit-bat
Eric the half-a-bee
This is one of the three appearances by Eric Praline, along with the Dead Parrot sketch and a brief appearance as a link the 5th episode of the second series, "Live from the Grill-o-Mat".

The clerk repeatedly calls the customer a 'loony', to which the customer repeatedly replies by making reference to other people who kept odd pets. When the customer tells the clerk that he has a cat license the clerk requests to see it and the customer produces a dog license form with the word dog crossed out and cat written in crayon, when the clerk points this out the customer replies that the men from the cat detector van (a parody of the TV detector van), which comes from the Ministry of Housinge (That’s how it is spelt on the van). The man said he paid 60 quid for the cat license and 8 guineas for the fruit bat (Eric the fruit bat).

Enjoy!

This next song followed the routine called the Fish Licence. One such pet is half a bee. The song relates a tragic yet heartwarming tale, stemming from an accident on one summer's afternoon.

The lyrics raise philosophical questions as to the existence or not of half a bee: "Half a bee, philosophically, must ipso facto half not be. But half the bee has got to be, vis-à-vis its entity - d'you see? But can a bee be said to be or not to be an entire bee when half the bee is not a bee, due to some ancient injury?". The piece ends with a reference to the distinguished English philosopher Cyril Connolly.

The full script:

Praline: (whistles a bit, then) Hello. I would like to buy a fish license, please. 

Postal clerk: A what?

Praline: A license for my pet fish, Eric.

Clerk: How did you know my name was Eric?

Praline: No, no, no! My fish's name is Eric. Eric fish. He's an halibut.

Clerk: What?

Praline: He is an halibut.

Clerk: You've got a pet halibut?

Praline: Yes, I chose him out of thousands. I didn't like the others, they were all too flat.

Clerk: You must be a loony.

Praline: I am not a loony. Why should I be tarred with the epithet 'loony' merely because I have a pet halibut? I've heard tell that Sir Gerald Nabarro has a pet prawn called Simon - you wouldn't call him a loony! Furthermore Dawn Pathorpe, the lady show jumper, had a clam called Stafford, after the late chancellor. Alan Bullock has two pikes, both called Chris, and Marcel Proust had an 'addock! So if you're calling the author of 'A la recherche de temps perdu' a loony, I shall have to ask you to step outside!

Clerk: All right, all right, all right. A license?

Praline: Yes!

Clerk: For a fish.

Praline: Yes!

Clerk: You *are* a loony.

Praline: Look, it's a bleeding pet, isn't it? I've got a license for me pet dog Eric, I've got a license for me pet cat Eric.

Clerk: You don't need a license for your cat.

Praline: I bleedin' well do and I've got one! Can't be caught out there!

Clerk: There is no such thing as a bloody Cat license.

Praline: Yes there is.

Clerk: No there isn't.

Praline: Is!

Clerk: Isn't!

Praline: Is!

Clerk: Isn't!

Praline: Is!

Clerk: Isn't!

Praline: Is!

Clerk: Isn't!

Praline: Is!

Clerk: Isn't!

Praline: Is!

Clerk: Isn't!

Praline: What's that then?

Clerk: This is a dog license with the word 'dog' crossed out and 'cat' written in, in crayon.

Praline: Man didn't have the right form.

Clerk: What man?

Praline: The man from the cat detector van.

Clerk: The loony detector van, you mean.

Praline: Look, it's people like you what cause unrest.

Clerk: What cat detector van?

Praline: The cat detector van from the Ministry of Housinge.

Clerk: Housinge?

Praline: It was spelt like that on the van. I'm very observant. I never seen so many bleedin' aerials. The man said their equipment could pinpoint a purr at four hundred yards, and Eric being such a happy cat was a piece of cake.

Clerk: How much did you pay for this?

Praline: Sixty quid and eight for the fruit-bat.

Clerk: What fruit-bat?

Praline: Eric the fruit-bat.

Clerk: Are all your pets called Eric?

Praline: There's nothing so odd about that. Kemel Attaturk had an entire menagerie called Abdul.

Clerk: No he didn't.

Praline: Did!

Clerk: Didn't!

Praline: Did, did, did, did, did and did!

Clerk: Oh all right.

Praline: Spoken like a gentleman, sir. Now, are you going to give me a fish license?

Clerk: I promise you that there is no such thing. You don't need one.

NB: The TV Version continues.....the album version continues below 

Praline: Then I would like a statement to that effect signed by the Lord Mayor. 


(This next part is not on the youtube video because it belongs to the album version)

Praline: In that case give me a bee license.

Clerk: A license for your pet bee.

Praline: Correct.

Clerk: Called Eric? Eric the bee?

Praline: No.

Clerk: No?

Praline: No, Eric the half bee. He had an accident.

Clerk: You're off your chump.

Praline: Look, if you intend by that utilization of an obscure colloquialism to imply that my sanity is not up to scratch, or even to deny the semi-existence of my little chum Eric the half bee, I shall have to ask you to listen to this. Take it away, Eric the orchestra-leader.

(The song:)

Singer: A one, two, a one two three four!

Praline (sings): 
  Half a bee, philosophically,
  Must, ipso facto, half not be.
  But half the bee has got to be
  Vis a vis, its entity. D'you see?
 
  But can a bee be said to be
  Or not to be an entire bee
  When half the bee is not a bee
  Due to some ancient injury?
 
Chorus: La dee dee, one two three,
  Eric the half a bee.
  A B C D E F G,
  Eric the half a bee.
 
Praline: Is this wretched demi-bee,
  Half-asleep upon my knee,
  Some freak from a menagerie?
  No! It's Eric the half a bee!
 
Chorus: Fiddle de dum, Fiddle de dee,
  Eric the half a bee.
  Ho ho ho, tee hee hee,
  Eric the half a bee.
 
Praline: I love this hive, implore ye-ee,
  Bisected accidentally,
  One summer afternoon by me,
  I love him carnally.
 
Chorus: He loves him carnally,
  Semi-carnally.
 

Praline: The end.

Clerk: Cyril Connolly?

Praline: No, semi-carnally!

Clerk: Oh.

Chorus: Cyril Connolly. (Whistle end of tune.)

If you liked this, you'll find more sketches here,  Monty Python's Youtube Channel.

23 APRIL, WORLD BOOK DAY

23 April: a symbolic date for world literature for on this date and in the same year of 1616, Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died. It is also the date of birth or death of other prominent authors such as Maurice Druon, K.Laxness, Vladimir Nabokov, Josep Pla and Manuel Mejía Vallejo. It was a natural choice for UNESCO's General Conference to pay a world-wide tribute to books and authors on this date, encouraging everyone, and in particular young people, to discover the pleasure of reading and gain a renewed respect for the irreplaceable contributions of those who have furthered the social and cultural progress of humanity.

The idea for this celebration originated in Catalonia where on 23 April, Saint George's Day, a rose is traditionally given as a gift for each book sold. 

To celebrate books and reading on this day I want to share a poem with you:

IF: A FATHER'S ADVICE TO HIS SON by Rudyard Kipling

What makes a boy into a man? ( and may I add, What makes a girl into a woman?)

Courage.

Confidence.

Patience.

Integrity...

For more than one hundred years, this classic poem has inspired readers to reach for the best in themselves.

Here's a video of the poem read by Tom O'Bedlam, taken from his  Youtube Channel: SpokenVerse.  I hope he doesn't mind my using it here now. I strongly recommend his channel to everyone who's learning English and likes good literature. It's a pleasure to listen to him.

And now, for those who need a little bit more motivation, the same poem read by Federer and Nadal:

The Spanish translation  

Si (Rudyard Kipling)--------------------


Si puedes conservar la cabeza cuando a tu alrededor
todos la pierden y te echan la culpa;
si puedes confiar en tí mismo cuando los demás dudan de tí,
pero al mismo tiempo tienes en cuenta su duda;
si puedes esperar y no cansarte de la espera,
o siendo engañado por los que te rodean, no pagar con mentiras,
o siendo odiado no dar cabida al odio,
y no obstante no parecer demasiado bueno, ni hablar con demasiada sabiduria...

Si puedes soñar y no dejar que los sueños te dominen;
si puedes pensar y no hacer de los pensamientos tu objetivo;
si puedes encontrarte con el triunfo y el fracaso (desastre)
y tratar a estos dos impostores de la misma manera;
si puedes soportar el escuchar la verdad que has dicho:
tergiversada por bribones para hacer una trampa para los necios,
o contemplar destrozadas las cosas a las que habías dedicado tu vida
y agacharte y reconstruirlas con las herramientas desgastadas...

Si puedes hacer un hato con todos tus triunfos
y arriesgarlo todo de una vez a una sola carta,
y perder, y comenzar de nuevo por el principio
y no dejar de escapar nunca una palabra sobre tu pérdida;
y si puedes obligar a tu corazón, a tus nervios y a tus músculos
a servirte en tu camino mucho después de que hayan perdido su fuerza,
excepto La Voluntad que les dice "!Continuad!".

Si puedes hablar con la multitud y perseverar en la virtud 
o caminar entre Reyes y no cambiar tu manera de ser;
si ni los enemigos ni los buenos amigos pueden dañarte,
si todos los hombres cuentan contigo pero ninguno demasiado;
si puedes emplear el inexorable minuto
recorriendo una distancia que valga los sesenta segundos
tuya es la Tierra y todo lo que hay en ella,
y lo que es más, serás un hombre, hijo mío.

HAPPY EARTH DAY, APRIL 22!

I've been feeling so down lately that I almost forgot about Earth day! How could I? In this day and age Earth Day should be the most important, most celebrated day of the year.

Actually, every day should be Earth Day:  We need to look after our planet every day if we are to survive the next 20 years(?).

So this is just a little reminder:

Don't waste, recycle, walk or cycle, reuse, think twice before you buy something (Do I really need it?)...

Go to the official Earth Day website to make your contribution and add your Act of Green.

Be Green!

STUPID LAWS AROUND THE WORLD

This is a link to a website where you can find all sorts of stupid laws from all over the world. If you think such laws only exist in the USA, think again: People are stupid regardless of their nationality. But even though these laws are real and on the books, people are also intelligent enough not to make them effective. Enjoy them and don't take them seriously.

 In Missouri, It is Illegal To Drive With An Uncaged Bear (Caged Bears Are OK).    

In North Dakota, Beer And Pretzels Cannot Be Served At The Same Time In Any Bar Or Restaurant

In Connecticut, A Pickle Is Not Officially A Pickle Unless It Bounces

NURSERY RHYMES

Nursery Rhymes are traditional songs for children in many English speaking countries. All British and American children learned their mother tongue singing  London Bridge Is Falling Down, Baa Baa Black Sheep, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Humpty Dumpty... to name a few. I don't think there is anything similar in our language: We do have El Patio De Mi Casa, El Corro De la Patata and other traditional songs but I don't think we have as many and they aren't nearly as important as Nursery Rhymes.

These songs belong to their popular culture and we find many references to them in films, literature and music. Shrek is full of them: Remember  the three blind mice? They  have their own nursery rhyme:

Alice in Wonderland has also references to Nursery Rhymes (that you can also find in the soon to be released film by Tim Burton): Humpty Dumpty is there.

Learning Nursery Rhymes is a great way of not only learning the language but also learning about their culture. If you want to know more, you can find loads of songs for you to learn on this website.

I'll leave you with a Nursery Rhyme Full of Relatives ( for those in 4th year):

This is the house that Jack built.
This is the malt that lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the cat that killed the rat
That ate the malt that lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the maiden all forlorn
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the man all tattered and torn
That kissed the maiden all forlorn
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the priest all shaven and shorn
That married the man all tattered and torn
That kissed the maiden all forlorn
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the cock that crowed in the morn
That waked the priest all shaven and shorn
That married the man all tattered and torn
That kissed the maiden all forlorn
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the farmer sowing his corn
That kept the cock that crowed in the morn
That waked the priest all shaven and shorn
That married the man all tattered and torn
That kissed the maiden all forlorn
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the horse and the hound and the horn
That belonged to the farmer sowing his corn
That kept the cock that crowed in the morn
That waked the priest all shaven and shorn
That married the man all tattered and torn
That kissed the maiden all forlorn
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.

Millie's writing talent

There's a student at this school, Amelia Jane Davis-Goodwin (2E), whose talent I have just discovered. In fact, I liked what she showed me so much that I asked for her permission to include it in this blog so all of you can enjoy it.
I also want to encourage those of you who like reading and writing to continue with it, to share it with others, to let us enjoy your talents too.
I'm setting up a page right now so I can post all the pieces of writing you are willing to share with the rest of us. Please, do! Just give them to me and I'll publish them as soon as I can.

So Here's Millie's text:



The seagulls screaming above me.
The heavy, grey rocks looked as if they were about to slide into the leaden sea.
the wind lifted my hair and I felt sudden gusts sting my face.
The spray from the waves hit my face and I could taste the salty water on my lips.
The damp, warm scent of the seaweed rose gently.

ABOUT EASTER

How did Easter get its name?

One belief is that Easter got its name from the Goddess of Spring called Eostre who some people worshipped long before Jesus was born. At that time it was thought that the sun died in winter and was born again in spring when days would lengthen and the sun’s power would return. In Europe, Eostre was honoured as the bringer of spring.

 When and how long is Easter?

Easter Day is always on a Sunday, but the date varies from year to year unlike Christmas which is always on December 25. Many years ago Christians decided that Easter Day should be always be on the Sunday following the first full moon after the first day of Spring on March 21. This means that Easter can be as early as 22 March or as late as 25 April. For this reason Easter is called a movable feast. 

In fact not only is Easter a movable feast but it happens on different dates depending on where in the world you live. In western churches such as in the United Kingdom, Easter was celebrated on April 16, 2006 whereas in Eastern Orthodox churches the date was April 23. The reason for this is that in the west the date is calculated using the Gregorian calendar which is different to the Julian calendar which is used in the east.

For more interesting facts about Easter, as well as customs, activities and recipes, go here

MARCH 22: WORLD WATER DAY

International World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day.

I know that after the recent floods in Chiclana water is not something we want right now, but remember that  there are lots of people out there in the world who have no clean water: waterborne diseases cause the death of more than 1.5 million children each year.

For  information on what You can do, You can  visit www.worldwaterday2010.info

Poll Results

The results from my last poll (What do you find most difficult about learning English?) are the following:

Of 34 votes:

Grammar 8 (23%)
 
Listening 13 (38%)
 
Reading 6 (17%)
 
Writing 13 (38%)
 
Speaking 7 (20%)
 

So, What's my take on this? Well, I was a bit surprised at the results. I always thought speaking was the most difficult skill (at least, it's the one most people have a problem with at school). I sure have to work hard for you to speak up in class! 

Writing is really useful for communication in a foreign language when you don't speak the language well because you don't really need to use correct grammar and punctuation: Just using basic structures (or no structure at all) and the right words is enough to convey the right idea. Writing to a high standard is really hard though and it is usually the most difficult skill for a native speaker.

I understand about listening, very difficult indeed.

English grammar, on the other hand, can't be easier. How can you even vote for it? Though I must say that being good at grammar doesn't mean you speak English well.

to those who voted, thank you. 

HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY!

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated by the Irish and Irish at Heart in big cities and small towns alike with parades, "wearing of the green," music and songs, Irish food and drink, and activities for kids such as crafts, coloring and games. It’s a time for fun. Some communities even go so far as to dye rivers or streams green!

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig is the Gaelic way of expressing a wish that you have all the blessings of St Patrick's Day and the "luck of the Irish" to go with it. There are many humorous explanations for this expression. One comes from the legend of the 'Little People' of the land, know as leprechauns. Finding or catching a leprechaun (who would then give you gold) was a lucky event that could only take place in Ireland ! The Irish are descendants of great Celtic and Viking fighters and invaders. Their natural fighting skills often ensured survival & hence they became known as the 'lucky' people, a classic case of making your own luck ! But then "The Luck of the Irish" may all be legend. 

Saint Patricks Day Parades Worldwide, Irish Pubs all around the globe, Fun Runs, Irish Associations, Irish Music Festivals, Irish Names, Irish Dancing Schools,Irish Music Irish Roots, Irish Festivals,Scottish Highland Games USA & Canada, as well as, Scottish Pipes & Drum Bands. 

St Patricks Day is for thinking about our Saint as well as a time to think of loved ones across the water.

So, why is it celebrated on March 17th? One theory is that that is the day that St. Patrick died. Since the holiday began in Ireland, it is believed that as the Irish spread out around the world, they took with them their history and celebrations. The biggest observance of all is, of course, in Ireland. With the exception of restaurants and pubs, almost all businesses close on March 17th. Being a religious holiday as well, many Irish attend mass, where March 17th is the traditional day for offering prayers for missionaries worldwide before the serious celebrating begins.

For more information go here.

And here's a good video lesson about St Patrick's Day by JenniferESL :

TWO SONGS CELEBRATING WOMEN

There are many songs celebrating women that I could have chosen for women's day. It was hard to make a decision but finally these are the two songs I've chosen:

You gotta be fortunate
You gotta be lucky now
I was just sitting here
Thinking good and bad
But I'm the kinda woman
That was built to last
They tried erasing me
But they couldn't wipe out my past
To save my child
I'd rather go hungry
I got all of Ethiopia
Inside of me
And my blood flows
Through every man
In this godless land
That delivered me
I've cried so many tears even the blind can see
Chorus:
This is a woman's world.
This is my world.
This is a woman's world
For this man's girl.
There ain't a woman in this world,
Not a woman or a little girl,
That can't deliver love
In a man's world.
I've born and I've bred.
I've cleaned and I've fed.
And for my healing wits
I've been called a witch.
I've crackled in the fire
And been called a liar.
I've died so many times
I'm only just coming to life.
Chorus
My blood flows
Through every man and every child
In this godless land
That delivered me
I cried so many tears even the blind can see
Chorus

Take this pink ribbon off my eyes 
I'm exposed 
And it's no big surprise 
Don't you think I know 
Exactly where I stand 
This world is forcing me 
To hold your hand 
'Cause I'm just a girl, little 'ol me 
Don't let me out of your sight 
I'm just a girl, all pretty and petite 
So don't let me have any rights 

Oh...I've had it up to here! 
The moment that I step outside 
So many reasons 
For me to run and hide 
I can't do the little things I hold so dear 
'Cause it's all those little things 
That I fear 

'Cause I'm just a girl I'd rather not be 
'Cause they won't let me drive 
Late at night I'm just a girl, 
Guess I'm some kind of freak 
'Cause they all sit and stare
With their eyes 

I'm just a girl, 
Take a good look at me 
Just your typical prototype 

Oh...I've had it up to here! 
Oh...am I making myself clear? 
I'm just a girl 
I'm just a girl in the world... 
That's all that you'll let me be! 
I'm just a girl, living in captivity 
Your rule of thumb 
Makes me worry some 

I'm just a girl, what's my destiny? 
What I've succumbed to Is making me numb 
I'm just a girl, my apologies 
What I've become is so burdensome
I'm just a girl, lucky me 
Twiddle-dum there's no comparison 

Oh...I've had it up to! 
Oh...I've had it up to!! 
Oh...I've had it up to here!

WHAT IS FEMINISM TO YOU?

To celebrate International Women's day (March 8) I think we can comment -honestly- what feminism means to us. It goes without saying that both men and women can comment: I don't think you have to be a woman to be a feminist, nor you need to be one to have an opinion about it.

Wikipedia defines feminism as the belief that women should have equal political, social, sexual, intellectual and economic rights to men.

For me feminism equals independence, self-confidence, strength and self-assertion. It is what makes me believe in women as intelligent, capable and valuable human beings. I'm a feminist because I believe in myself and all women and I'm not ashamed to say it; because I want every woman to feel the same way.

And you, what do you think?

i carry your heart with me by ee cummings

So I feel like sharing with you a beautiful poem by an American poet, ee cummings. I know you don't usually read poetry, much less in English, but I think you may like this. Like Emily Dickinson, he wrote simple poems, easy to understand. He experimented with syntax, punctuation and spelling (no, I made no mistakes: He never used capital letters). I really enjoy poets like him, I hope you do too.

So this is it:


i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate, my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

ee cummings

SURPRISING RESULTS SO FAR!

I'm really surprised at how the new poll is going and at the results so far. I can't believe so few people voted speaking as the most difficult thing about learning English yet most of you keep your mouths shut when it comes to speaking in class. Why? Is it because you think it is not as important? Please, I beg you to comment! and please, speaking a language is essential for communication! You need to try harder.
So, my question is this:
What have you voted? Why?

EVERYBODY HURTS

Searching for a video of the song to use on my blog I came across this recently released cover by many artists.
Some of the biggest names in UK and American music have joined forces to record a cover of the REM classic "Everybody Hurts", to raise money for charities supporting the relief efforts in Haiti. The final lineup of artists includes Mariah Carey, Jon Bon Jovi, Robbie Williams, Kylie, Rod Stewart, Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke, Miley Cyrus, Take That, Susan Boyle, Joe McElderry, Cheryl Cole, JLS, Mika, Michael Bublé, James Blunt, James Morrison and Westlife. The single will split all proceeds 50/50 between DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee) and The Sun newspaper's "Helping Haiti' appeal.
It will make us think.

HELLO EVERYBODY!

While I'm preparing my next classes, I'm listening to some "good" music and thinking of you ;). And just because I'm in a good mood now (unlike this morning) I'm posting a song for you to listen to and learn a bit of vocabulary at the same time.
There have been lots (and I mean a lot)of covers of this song, the most popular by The Blues Brothers but this is the true original by the great (in every sense) Solomon Burke.

It goes something like this (because the song changes every time):
[introduction]
Everybody needs somebody
Everybody needs somebody to love (someone to love)
Sweetheart to miss (sweetheart to miss)
Sugar to kiss (sugar to kiss)
I need you you you
I need you you you
I need you you you in the morning
I need you you you when my souls on fire

Sometimes I feel
I feel a little sad inside
When my baby mistreats me
I never never never have a place to hide
I need you

Sometimes I feel
I feel a little sad inside
When my baby mistreats me
I never never never have a place to hide
I need you you you
I need you you you
I need you you you
I need you you you
I need you

You know people when you do find that somebody
Hold that woman, hold that man
Love him, hold him, squeeze her, please her, hold her
Squeeze and please that person, give em all your love
Signify your feelings with every gentle caress
Because its so important to have that special somebody
To hold, kiss, miss, squeeze and please

Everybody needs somebody
Everybody needs somebody to love
Someone to love
Sweetheart to miss
Sugar to kiss
I need you you you
I need you you you
I need you you you...

Enjoy!

MARDI GRAS (FAT TUESDAY)

Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, is one of the most famous Carnival celebrations in the world.

Celebrations are concentrated for about two weeks before and through Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras in French), the day before Ash Wednesday. Usually there is one major parade each day (weather permitting); many days have several large parades. The largest and most elaborate parades take place the last five days of the season. In the final week of Carnival, many events large and small occur throughout New Orleans and surrounding communities

The parades in New Orleans are organized by Carnival krewes. Krewe float riders toss throws to the crowds; the most common throws are strings of plastic colorful beads, doubloons (aluminum or wooden dollar-sized coins usually impressed with a krewe logo), decorated plastic throw cups, and small inexpensive toys.

Mardi Gras throws

To New Orleanians, "Mardi Gras" specifically refers to the Tuesday before lent, the highlight of the season. The term can also be used less specifically the whole Carnival season, sometimes as "the Mardi Gras season". The term "Fat Tuesday" or "Mardi Gras Day" always refers only to that single day.

Here's a video of Mardi Gras 2oo6(150th anniversary of Mardi Gras in New Orleans.) It includes footage of Fat Tuesday, the French Quarter and the Rex, Zulu and Bacchus parades.

St Valentine's story (as told by himself)

Let me introduce myself. My name is Valentine. I lived in Rome during the third century. That was long, long ago! At that time, Rome was ruled by an emperor named Claudius. I didn't like Emperor Claudius, and I wasn't the only one! A lot of people shared my feelings.

Claudius wanted to have a big army. He expected men to volunteer to join. Many men just did not want to fight in wars. They did not want to leave their wives and families. As you might have guessed, not many men signed up. This made Claudius furious. So what happened? He had a crazy idea. He thought that if men were not married, they would not mind joining the army. So Claudius decided not to allow any more marriages. Young people thought his new law was cruel. I thought it was preposterous! I certainly wasn't going to support that law!

Did I mention that I was a priest? One of my favourite activities was to marry couples. Even after Emperor Claudius passed his law, I kept on performing marriage ceremonies -- secretly, of course. It was really quite exciting. Imagine a small candlelit room with only the bride and groom and myself. We would whisper the words of the ceremony, listening all the while for the steps of soldiers.

One night, we did hear footsteps. It was scary! Thank goodness the couple I was marrying escaped in time. I was caught. (Not quite as light on my feet as I used to be, I guess.) I was thrown in jail and told that my punishment was death.

I tried to stay cheerful. And do you know what? Wonderful things happened. Many young people came to the jail to visit me. They threw flowers and notes up to my window. They wanted me to know that they, too, believed in love.

One of these young people was the daughter of the prison guard. Her father allowed her to visit me in the cell. Sometimes we would sit and talk for hours. She helped me to keep my spirits up. She agreed that I did the right thing by ignoring the Emperor and going ahead with the secret marriages. On the day I was to die, I left my friend a little note thanking her for her friendship and loyalty. I signed it, "Love from your Valentine."

I believe that note started the custom of exchanging love messages on Valentine's Day. It was written on the day I died, February 14, 269 A.D. Now, every year on this day, people remember. But most importantly, they think about love and friendship. And when they think of Emperor Claudius, they remember how he tried to stand in the way of love, and they laugh -- because they know that love can't be beaten!

ABOUT YOUR CLASS PRESENTATIONS

I want to write a few lines about your presentations and how I’m going to evaluate and grade them. I think I need to do this as some of you aren’t taking this assignment seriously enough and are either clearly improvising or taking too little time to prepare it. Whether it is because you are too lazy or too confident in your capability, I don’t know.

However, bear in mind that I will take into account not only how well you deliver your message, i.e. how accurately and clearly, and how you engage your audience but also the amount of time and effort you put into it.

Remember that I know you and I know what you are capable of: I will grade you accordingly.

Let me remind you that when your classmates are presenting in front of the class I will not tolerate any of the following:

- Talking during their presentation.

- Not listening attentively.

- Showing no interest.

Good luck to all of you!

MY WEEKEND IS ALREADY HERE (ALMOST)

So this week is almost over and I know I've been a little impatient with you and maybe a bit disappointed too. Perhaps it's because I would have liked more support from some of you. Well, We haven't been our best but I'll try to be more understanding next week.
In the meantime, for those of you who read my posts, I want to share a song I love with you.
It's called Use Somebody by The Kings Of Leon and it won the record of the year award at this year's grammys. I hope you like it.



The lyrics:

I've been roaming around, I was looking down at all I see
Painted faces fill the places I can't reach
You know that I could use somebody
You know that I could use somebody

Someone like you and all you know and how you speak
Countless lovers under cover of the street
You know that I could use somebody
You know that I could use somebody
Someone like you

Off in the night while you live it up I'm off to sleep
Waging wars to shake the poet and the beat
I hope it's gonna make you notice
I hope it's gonna make you notice

Someone like me, someone like me
Someone like me, somebody

I'm ready now, I'm ready now
I'm ready now, I'm ready now
I'm ready now, I'm ready now
I'm ready now

Someone like you, somebody
Someone like you, somebody
Someone like you, somebody

I've been roaming around, I was looking down at all I see

beautiful animations

There is a teacher in the USA called Tony Dusko who has created such amazing animations that I have to share them with you.
His website (notebookbabies.com) is worth a visit. We have subscribed to his youtube channel so you can look them up there too.
Some people have all the talent...

Here's a really sweet clip about friendship, enjoy:

I WISH YOU A HAPPY AND PEACEFUL PEACE DAY

On January 30, schools celebrate the day of Peace and Nonviolence.
To celebrate it in class we're going to work with the song Where Is The Love? by the Black Eyed Peas.
In this anti-war pacifist anthem, The Black Eyed Peas lament on various worldwide problems. Many issues are discussed: terrorism,U.S. government, hypocrisy, racism, war, intolerance, greed...
Some view this song as an anthem against the War on Terror and the 2003 invasion of Iraq since it was released shortly after the invasion began.

The Lyrics:

"Where Is The Love?"

What's wrong with the world, mama
People livin' like they ain't got no mamas
I think the whole world addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma
Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin'
In the USA, the big CIA
The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeah
Madness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and operates
Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love

It just ain't the same, always unchanged
New days are strange, is the world insane
If love and peace is so strong
Why are there pieces of love that don't belong
Nations droppin' bombs
Chemical gasses fillin' lungs of little ones
With ongoin' sufferin' as the youth die young
So ask yourself is the lovin' really gone
So I could ask myself really what is goin' wrong
In this world that we livin' in people keep on givin'
in
Makin' wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
Not respectin' each other, deny thy brother
A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover
The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug
If you never know truth then you never know love
Where's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the love, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love, the love, the love?

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I'm gettin' older, y'all, people gets colder
Most of us only care about money makin'
Selfishness got us followin' our wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema
Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness in equality
Instead of spreading love we're spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down
There's no wonder why sometimes I'm feelin' under
Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found
Now ask yourself

Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?

Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love?

Sing wit me y'all:
One world, one world (We only got)
One world, one world (That's all we got)
One world, one world
And something's wrong wit it (Yeah)
Something's wrong wit it (Yeah)
Something's wrong wit the wo-wo-world, yeah
We only got
(One world, one world)
That's all we got
(One world, one world)

The song with Spanish subtitles:




Unfortunately, these words still ring true today. A lot has changed since Martin Luther King jr delivered his speech "I have a Dream" but unfortunately not enough.
I have a dream too: I dream that our children will get to see the change complete. I dream of the day when people everywhere are treated equally; when it won't matter where you are born or who you are born to. A day when every child has the same opportunities and the same rights wherever they are and when they have a chance to grow into happy citizens of the world.


Martin Luther King's dream:



WHAT IS YOUR DREAM? Please comment.

TO BE OR NOT TO BE by Ernst Lubitsch

As we talked in class (4B) about this film and how I think it is one of the funniest films ever, I've thought I'll give you a sneak peek.
The movie is about a troupe of actors in Nazi-occupied Warsaw who use their abilities at disguise and acting to fool the occupying troops.
If I get a copy of the film in English we may see it in class.

New Poll: voting ends next Thursday, January 28

I have added a poll to know which song you would like to listen to (and sing) for Peace day.

The “School Day of Non-violence and Peace” (DENIP), founded in 1964 and also known as World or International Day of Non-violence and Peace, is a pioneering, non-state, non-governmental, non-official, independent, free and voluntary initiative of Non-violent and Pacifying Education, which is now practised in schools all over the world and in which centres of education, teachers and students of all levels and from all countries are invited to take part.

It advocates a permanent education in and for harmony, tolerance, solidarity, respect for human rights, non-violence and peace.
It is observed on January 30 or thereabouts every year, on the anniversary of the death of Mahatma Gandhi. In countries with a Southern Hemisphere school calendar, it can be observed on March 30 or thereabouts.
Its basic message is: “Universal Love, Non-violence and Peace. Universal Love is better than egoism, Non-violence is better than violence, and Peace is better than war”.

You can listen to the songs on youtube by clicking on the titles:

Seven Seconds

One Love

Where is the love

Heal the world

Give Peace a Chance

What's going on

Why can't we be friends?

Conditionals: a poem

As we are learning the conditional sentences in 4 year, I thought I would share with you a beautiful poem by Emily Dickinson, one of my favourite poets in the English Language.
Dickinson's poems are unique for the era in which she wrote (19th century); they contain short lines, have no titles, and often use unconventional capitalization and punctuation. I think that because of that they're not too difficult to understand.

So, here it is:

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

Emily Dickinson

If you like this poem, I encourage you to read more: you can find lots of poems by Dickinson and others (with the Spanish translation) in this great blog

Funny letters

For all of you 4 year students who are practising your letter writing, these are some funny letters I stumbled across yesterday while doing some "research" on the internet (where else?)
I know they're long but you'll enjoy reading them.
See you on Monday!

Grab a Graphic from pYzam.com

So here I am,keeping this blog alive. I'm adding some more things : Dates of tests and other assignments. I'll keep updating with more links I want to share with you. I must say I'm really excited about this. I hope you find this useful and interesting. Please, don't forget to tell me what you think. Remember that you need to write all your comments in English but don't worry about mistakes, I make them too.
Take care and have a great weekend!

As my first post I'm going to recommend a song I'm listening to at this very moment (Spotify is such a great invention.) There is a new version by Florence and the Machine in this week's British charts but I prefer this older one: You got the love by The source and Candi Staton.

Here's the lyrics to the song:

Sometimes I feel like
Throwing my hands up in the air
I know I can count on you
Sometimes I feel like saying
Lord I just don't care
But you've got the love I need
To see me through

Sometimes it seems that
The going is just too rough
And things go wrong
No matter what I do
Now and then I feel
That life is just too much
But you've got the love
I need to see me through

When food is gone
You are my daily meal
When friends are gone I know
My saviour's love is real
Your love is real

Every once in a while
I say Lord I can't go on
Every once in a while
I get to feeling blue
Every once in a while
it seems like I am all alone
But you got the love
I need to see me through

Occasionally
my thoughts are brave and friends are few
Occasionally
I cry out Lord what must I do
Occasionally
I call up Master make me new
You've got the love
I need to see me through

Sometimes I feel like
Throwing my hands up in the air
I know I can count on you
Sometimes I feel like saying
Lord I just don't care
But you've got the love I need
To see me through

And here's a video of the song on youtube, enjoy!