BOIS DE BOULOGNE, PARIS-FRANCE

Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful parks I have ever visited in Paris. I advise you to visit this wonderful park if you ever have the chance.
Happy holidays to all.
Kisses.

Ramadan explained simply

Cissé's post on Ramadan triggered this new blogpost in order to try and help you understand not only what Ramadan is but also what dear Cissé is going through.

I found many different sources, but most were too complex. I therefore chose to link you to the fantastic BBC website for schools here and rather than just reading, why don't you check your knowledge on this topic with this worksheet ? I'll be glad to correct it for you, but Cissé can be helpful, too ;)

There is also this video but, for copyright reasons, I'll only leave you the link and won't embed it - so, please, check it as it clearly explains Ramadan. 

Here you can listen to a chant and here to a short story.

While Cissé is undergoing this monthlong observance and strict restraints are placed on all youngsters, adult and healthy Muslims, I have been reading a great book called “The Thread” by Victoria Hislop (in Portuguese you can find it here and under the title "A Arca").

And why am I telling you this? Well, on the one hand, I loved the characters and the plot and, on the other hand, it’s another book that points out the physical and cultural scars left by a sequence of many dramatic events.  According to the author’s own words, “This story is about Thessaloniki, Greece’s second city. In 1917, the population comprised an even mixture of Christians, Muslims and Jews. Within three decades, only Christians remained…. The characters and many of the streets and places they inhabit are entirely fictional, but the historical events all took place.”

Religious persecutions, mass killings, anti-Semitism… have always taken a toll not only in those living in a place but, above all, on those forced to leave and all these unfair situations are to be found in the book  "The Thread". It’s therefore never too much to refer to these situations and to diversity and of the utmost importance to deal and live with difference around us.

Multicultural, multilingual and multiracial environments can only enrich and colour our lives. Understanding and tolerance are of vital importance for peace keeping and one is never too young or too old to learn about it.

This post is already getting too long but let me introduce you to a dub poet, Levi Tafari, and to an extract from a lovely poem about inclusion and diversity called "CELEBR8"
In what concerns religion he says...

People embrace religion

but still they fuss and fight

many believe in one God

so why on earth don’t they unite

there are many different faiths

we have lots of beliefs

so let’s celebr8 our differences

instead of crying out in grief.

And the repeated lines are...

WE SHOULD CELEBR8

NOT DISCRIMIN8

LEARN TO APPRECIATE

DON’T PLAYER HATE

BECAUSE THERE’S ROOM FOR YOU

AND THERE’S SPACE FOR ME

LIVING IN THIS WORLD OF DIVERSITY

LET’S CELEBR8 DIVERSITY

Ramadan

The most difficult moment for Muslims has come: we are in Ramadan, it began a few days ago. The month of Ramadan is the holy month for us, Muslims. We can not eat, nor drink water from sunrise until sunset, one can not have sex during the month of Ramadan either.
I hope that all Muslims are always reading the Quran and wish a good Ramadan for all Muslims.  http://www.islamismo.org/ramadan_jejum.htm

Summer Reading Suggestions

This is not the first time that students recommend books to their peers - indeed, I would like to make it common practice once I believe we can all benefit from that.

Following Joana, Maria Beatriz, Verónica... now we have a group of more readers suggesting books for the summer.

Hope you enjoy your classmates' reading tips and follow their example ;)

Do READ and ENJOY your summer holidays!

Summer Reading Suggestions

Publish at Calameo or read more publications.

SUMMER DAYS!!!

After so much rain.....HEAT

Enjoy and Play with the World Cup

Who is this???

With the World Cup in motion and you already enjoying your summer break, it's time for fun, don’t you agree?

I’ve collected some resources / links with stuff connected to football and the World Cup – why don’t you have a look?

1. Let's start with books!

Fever Pitch, by Nick Hornby, is an award winning football classic.

If you check here you'll find a Portuguese version of "Febre no Estádio".

Horrid Henry and the Football Fiend, by Francesca Simon, has a low level of English and is therefore great for newly confident readers.

The Story of Football, by Rob Jones, takes a look at football through the ages, from the Roman Army to the modern day.

The Story of The World Cup, by Richard Brassey, is definitely a book for all ages and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

FIFA World Football Facts & Records, unlike the previous books, is packed with info and stats on football.

2. Vocabulary - so that you can understand what you're listening ;)

Here you'll find basic football vocabulary and the British Council also has a phrasebook on football vocabulary.

3. Games, Yuppi!!!! Finally, yes!

Start by checking FIFA where you'll find plenty of good games :)

At ESOL Courses you can also find nice games, and the most appropriate for you are the ones here under the heading "Activities for English Beginners and Elementary Students". Why don't you have a go with this or this???

Again, the British Council has fantastic games for all to play here.

There are also movies... an example is "Bend it like Beckham", a 2003 comedy about bending the rules to reach one's goals and explores the world of female football (I'm sure you can find it if you look for it ;))

As a curiosity, I'm including a video about the introduction of QR Codes on the pavements in Brazil made with Portuguese cobblestone in order to guide and provide tourists with relevant information. Technology also at the service of the World Cup!

World Cup 2014 - Collaborative Effort

Dear students,

Our school year is coming to an end but, as learning can and should always take place, let's prevent summer learning loss by getting involved in different and fun activities, shall we?
The first idea was to get your help (and your parents, too) in identifying all the Portuguese team members for the World Cup in the picture below - can you please collaborate? You know I am not a football fan, but most of you are! I've done what I know and would like you to do the rest. Feel free to add any extra info / resources you find appropriate to introduce our amazing football team to the world ;)
Now, how do you do that?
1. Please click on the picture and then on the top right corner, click on edit.
2. To tag the picture, just place your cursor wherever you wish to leave your pin. Then you can choose the colour and size of your tag (below, left hand corner).
3. Add the name of the team member (as well as your own in the end!) and a link (URL) for a video, for a website, FB...
4. In the end, always click SAVE!!!

Here are our heroes! Let's work in a team to achieve our goals just like we expect our players to do, right? Please tag them :)   

Thank you for your collaborative work, folks!

Congrats!

I've just heard the good news!!!
Cissé, João and Verónica have all achieved good results in their Delf Scolaire Exam - congratulations! I'm really proud of you, kiddos ;)
Verónica had already won a prize in the English Spelling Contest and now, in French, she also had one of the best results. How good for you, sweetie!
Languages are a vehicle of communication and though English is largely acknowledged as the international language of communication, French - as any other foreign language - opens many doors, also to multiculturalism, respect, tolerance.
Here is our trio, with a round of applause :)

ALFRED WEGENER, by Verónica and Telma

The last but not the least! Two learners, Verónica and Telma, chose the same scientist, Alfred Lothar Wegener.

Alfred Lothar Wegener, by Verónica from Alexandra Duarte

Alfred Wegener, by Telma from Alexandra Duarte

RICHARD OLDHAM, by Gonçalo

This time it is Gonçalo who brings us a British geologist, Richard Oldham.

Richard Oldham, by Gonçalo from Alexandra Duarte

Today for them, tomorrow for us

Walking in Soure to Raise Awareness for Cancer.

Myself and my amazing mom <3

COPERNICUS, by Diogo

A Polish scientist, Nicolaus Copernicus, brought to us today by Diogo.

Nicolaus Copernicus, by Diogo from Alexandra Duarte

HUBBLE, by Joana

Hubble, yes, as I'm sure you recognise the name of the first space telescope, is the name of an American Astrophysicist. Let's learn something more about Edwin Powell Hubble with Joana.

Edwin Powell Hubble, by Joana from Alexandra Duarte

GALILEU, by Maria

Another great scientist, Galileu Galilei, by Maria Beatriz.

Galileu Galilei, by Maria from Alexandra Duarte

ROBERT KOCH, by João

A German Microbiologist, Robert Koch, by João.

Robert Koch, by João from Alexandra Duarte