CINEMA IN THE CLASSROOM!!!

Hi everybody!!!

As I have told you in class, I made a list of three movies to watch at the classroom and later do something related to some of the topics introduced at the film. Here you are my list and a brief summary of the plot. You should vote the one you like most.

1. THE SOCIAL NETWORK. This film deals with a real story about the invention of facebook.
2. MONEYBALL. This film focuses on a baseball team which earns less money than other teams in the league.
3. NANNY MCPHEE AND THE BIG BANG. This film is about a family who lives in a farm and they do not make ends meet how will they manage this situation??

Now guys, it is your turn to vote and give your opinions. GOOD CHOICE!!! 

AN INTERESTING PROJECT: A BIOGRAPHY

Hi guys!!!

Christmas holidays are getting closer and closer, however, we should take into consideration a new project, titled: A BIOGRAPHY.

Here you are some hints to deal with this project:

1. Choose an important person for you such as someone in your family, a friend or a celebrity. Someone that is still alive or someone who has died.
2. Make a comment on the blog telling the rest of your classmates why you chose this person.
3. Design a power-point presentation with some details, for example, where he/she was born, where he/she studied, if he/she has children etc.

In this project I will evaluate not only your oral skills but also your writing.

Good luck and good job guys!!!

NEW PROJECT: THE BEST RESTAURANT YOU´VE EVER BEEN

Hi guys!!!

After designing your own restaurant making a description of it, a slogan to give publicity to your restaurant and be ready for an interview...I would like to hear about your research about all this stuff.

I will record all your interviews and slogan next Tuesday 20th November.

Go ahead and I hope you all, get your best marks.

A NEW PROJECT: MY IDEAL SCHOOL

Hi everybody!!! As I have told you in class, we start a new project titled: MY IDEAL SCHOOL. This project involves different phases to follow. Read carefully the instructions and organise your time to achieve the objectives. Our deadline is October 5th.
1) Write an email to your teacher about the things you like most and least at your school IESO TOMÁS BRETÓN.
2) Surf on the Internet and find two web pages of famous foreign schools.
3) Make a comment on the blog writing these two pages and giving reasons or explaing why you chose these pages.
4) Work in groups of four people to make up a dialogue in which you describe a lesson with your ideal teacher and your ideal classroom.
5) You will show your classmates your dialogue and you will get your final mark.

Good luck guys!! I hope you do your best!!!

BACK TO SCHOOL!!!!

Hi guys!!!

It´s great to see you all again. This year is going to be a new English adventure because I have planned new activities to use real and authentic English in our daily life and in the classroom. To take advantage of this experience you should be ready to work hard and enjoy the subject.

In this brief introduction I want you all give me some tips of kind of activities you would like to develop. Make as many suggestions as you want and I will try to do my best Ok??

New surprises are coming guys!!! Let´s start right now!!!

Greetings from Chicago!!!!

Hi everyone!!!

I arrived safely in Chicago a few days ago. It was a long trip, about 9 hours on the airplane, but not horrible. Now I'm here in Chicago getting to see all my family and friends for the first time in many months. It's quite hot here the past few days, about 35 degrees. How is everything in Salamanca? What have you guys been doing? I miss everyone and the school a lot! I've told everyone about our class and how much I enjoyed the year there. I'm going to Seattle today for my uncle's wedding. Seattle is in the state of Washington, on the west coast, about a 4 hour plane trip. I'll post some pictures when I'm there. I'll keep posting on the blog and I hope to hear from you all too! My email address is: cara.hageman@gmail.com, so you can email me and tell me all about what you're doing and practice your English too!

Hope to hear from you. Miss everyone!

Cara

OUR LAST PROJECT: MY CHILDHOOD

Hi everybody!!!

The end of our academic course is getting closer and nowadays we are dealing with past tenses in the classroom, that is the reason why we are going to put in practise all we have learnt, making a presentation about our childhood.

To make it properly, take into account these rules:

1. Select pictures of you, when you were a child, up to now.
2. You can use as many slides as you want but remember you only have 3 minutes for your whole presentation.
3. In each slide you should write a sentence using the past tense describing the picture of your childhood.
4. When you present your powerpoint to the rest of the class you should explain what you did in the pictures you have chosen and they can ask you as many questions as they want.

Here you are a sample presentation about my childhood. Enjoy it and do your best!!!
http://www.scribd.com/AscenMartinR/d/95736559-Ascen-Childhood#fullscreen

A visitor to our class

On the last day of the term we had a special visitor in our class.  My mom, Linda, came from Chicago all the way to Villamayor!  During the hour with our bilingual group everyone had a great time getting to know each other.  The class began with the students welcoming my mom and giving her an introduction to the course.

Then each student came forward and told a little about themselves, what they like to do, how old they are.  The introduction was complete with a powerpoint filled with pictures for each student!  Then it was my mom's turn.  She told the class about her life and her family; and about different parts of the USA based on where we all live and have traveled!



After, there were questions about life in the USA and the visit to Spain and even some authentic Easter treats for the class.  It was a great visit and I know my mom loved meeting all of you!  You made her feel very welcome and she was really impressed with all the questions you asked and how well you speak and understand English!  Great job guys!!

Sports Video Project

Hi everyone-

I wanted to make sure everyone was clear about our newest project.  You're working with your partner to make a video about an uncommon or unusual sport.  Everyone has selected a sport and you should have already started to look for some information with your partner.  Tomorrow we will be in the computer lab again and you will have more time to work. 

Here is some of the important information you need to know:

1. No words in the video.  Only video clips, pictures and music.
2. If you want to record your voice talking about the sport you should do that AT HOME and bring in what you're going to say so that we can correct mistakes BEFORE you record it.
3. Follow the "Sport Fact File."  This means you need to tell us about:
       -why you chose this sport
       -basic information (number of players, equipment used)
       -where and when it's played (season, countries, championships)
       -the history of the sport
       -rules of the sport

***remember that you're telling us this information by recording your voice and adding it to the video or speaking when you present the video in class (similar to the "Strange Animal" powerpoint presentation you did)

Bring you pen drive with you every class!!! You can't save the video unless you have your pen drive!  If you want music, you can bring the songs you want on the pen drive.

Let us know if you have any questions.  We're excited to see the finished videos!!
     

Sports Origins

Here's the link that we looked at in class on Monday about the origins of different sports.

http://www.kidzworld.com/article/1967-sports-origins#

NEW TOPIC: SPORTS

Hi guys!!! We start a new and motivating topic: SPORTS. I would like to know lots of things about you and your interests in terms of sports....
In order to introduce this topic, last Wednesday we watched a video about SILLY SPORTS IN THE UK, didn´t we?? Now it is your turn to comment and post your opinions on this video. I would like to know things such as, the sport you liked most, the one you liked least and the one you´d like to try.
New oral project will come in this new topic to know if you are good or bad at sports. Be ready for a challenging week.

READY FOR THE AMERICANS!!!

Hi everybody!!! This is the song We told you in class. Listen to it and be ready to dance next Monday Ok???

Don´t forget to post questions you are interested in asking our American students, at least two or three. In one week 15 students from New York City are coming to our High School. We hope you all, take part in this amazing experience!!!

BFN!!!

Brochures

All of your brochures turned out fantastic!  Here are two examples of the work some of your classmates did.



Homework for Monday

Hi everyone-
I want to make sure that everyone is clear on the homework for Monday.  You need to have two things.

1. The name of the monument, place or attraction in Britain that you have selected.
2. At least one sheet of information about your place.  This can be information you've found online or in books.  It needs to be in ENGLISH!

Remember: You DO NOT need to have started making your brochure yet.  Right now all you need to have is some of the basic information---start learning about your monument.

Post if you have any questions or concerns.  Otherwise, we will see you Monday.

Places in London

Here is the link to the website that we looked at in class today:

http://www.aviewoncities.com/maps/london.htm

Look at a few of the different monuments and attractions that there are in London.  Which would you most like to go to?  Why?

Monuments and Attractions

The next chapters that we are going to read in "All About Britain" are going to be about the monuments and attractions there are to see in Britain.  Here is a link with a list of many of the landmarks.

http://www.aboutbritain.com/landmarksallregions.htm

Look up a few of the monuments and tell us which you would most like to see!

YOUR FIRST PRESENTATIONS!!!!

Hi guys!!!

How is it going??? Last term you did a really good job. Congratulations!!! I hope this term will be much more better. I keep my fingers crossed!!!
Just a few things to take into account when you create a new presentation:

1. You should face the audience.
2. Body language is also important.
3. You can use a guideline as a helpful tool but don´t read it while presenting.
4. Try to improve your pronunciation.
5. Use easy expressions, those you know and manage better.
6. Be as natural as you can.

Here you are your video presentations. Enjoy watching them and comment away!!!

That´s all folks!! Good Luck!!! And in a couple of weeks I will be there with you, all. Take care of Cara and do your best ok?? I miss you guys!!!

With all my love,

Ascen.

Ideas for 2012!

Today in class you came up with suggestions for things that you would want to do in English class.  Here are some of the ideas that you had:

-watch a film
-watch an American football match
-listen to music in English---at the beginning of class or while working
-watch a basketball match


If you think of other ideas post them in the comments!

Don't Forget...

Hope everyone is having a great break!  Don't forget about your homework for tomorrow.

1. Complete page 46 of the "Student's Book"---Grammar Check
2. Post on the blog something about your break, Christmas, the movie, what you're looking forward to in 2012, etc.
3. Bring your "All About Britain" book on Monday.

See you all tomorrow.