Reading Recommendation, Maria Beatriz

Even though I already have other synopsis and reading recommendations in store, this one, by Maria Beatriz, had been promised after this blogpost back in May in which I challenged you to read John Green's bestseller The Fault In Our Stars.
Summer holidays always provide a great reading opportunity, which has been well used not only by Maria but also by other boys and girls.
Unlike what we've done in the past, once we've been apart, there was no way I could possibly record her voice to enrich this presentation... but there is background music!
As always, Maria sent me her synopsis and some pics and I gave her my feedback. After that, I used the familiar Web 2.0 tool utellstory to put everything together.
Maria and myself hope you enjoy the result. Feedback is welcome - as are more reading recommendations by my outstanding students ;)

Hangman

Well? Still enjoying a relaxing summer break? I only have a week left while you still have a fortnight. Slowly though we have to get used to the idea of getting ready for another (very creative) school year, with some new teachers and classmates. Excited? I am!
As you're wondering how, let's make learning as fun as going to the swimming pool or the beach with games and playful activities ;)
How about playing Hangman??? I've played it already for a while and it's quite addicting. Have a go!


englishflashgames.blogspot.com Hope you enjoy playing |(not necessarily commenting ;)|

CR7 CISSÉ - Holidays

The best vacations I've ever had!!
In these photos, I'm with my friends at the pool in a very hot day.
I hope to have other holidays as funny as these.
Enjoy these last weeks, my friends. Good holidays!

Guess where!

I have also been enjoying some days off and following João's post, I've made a photo collage with 4 pics of the one thousand we took :)
The question is... where was I???
Other questions come up, though: How do you know? What info can you add about the place I've been to? Have you ever been there?
Below you have the collage but to listen and see what I've drawn, you'll have to click on the link below . Do listen and enjoy; I'll be waiting for your answers:

http://www.clarisketch.com/sketch/7Y5Fla3i0h56U9N2yQXJ8N

PS: Some time ago, I challenged you here to use Vine and those who had compatible Android versions shared their creative Vines here and here; why don't you try now Clarisketch, this free Android app?

Honour Board for JOÃO CARECHO

It's official!!!
Back in June, class teachers had nominated João Carecho to be included on the Students' Honour Board and the results have just been published by the schoolboard.
It is full of pride that I'm sharing here João's excellent school performance in 2013/2014:

I'm sure you all agree João is not only a top student but also a top blogger and, for all those who have met him, a top boy, too!
Hopefully this celebration and recognition of his accomplishments will inspire more students to improve their school results and achieve their full potential in 2014/2015.
Congratulations to João and his supportive parents, and the best of luck for all.

More photos from Mira d'Aire

João, look at these photos - they are also from there...
I hope you enjoyed the visit as much as I did.

Guess!

Does anyone know what this is??????

A walk in Saint Germain-Paris

Saint Germain is one of the administrative districts of a wonderful city - Paris -  which has with many clothing stores (HiHiHi), but also has a beautiful cathedral  (not in the photos).
And because the walk was long (as the french say "après le fort réconfort"), at the end, we were rewarded with a chocolate crepe. Want a bit? :)

CR7 CISSÉ

Me and my friend at the swimming-pool, in Soure. It was very hot that day and we had a great time there. We've met many girls and boys these summer holidays :)
Good holidays, friends, wherever you are!!!

A walk in Paris

Another wonderful day in Paris!
A walk along the river Seine that finished at Notre Dame Cathedral.

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