Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Why this picture?
Well this is where we will be going next term. Guess!

As we are approaching the end of the term it's time to assess work done. So make sure you have your portfolios updated and bring them to class next week. Or be ready to present them to the class if you have online portfolios.

In the meanwhile, this week, we need to 'wrap up' our unit about CITY and CITY LIFE. Before we do so you might like to 'attend' this conference about How food shapes our cities by Carolyn Steel. This is a TED Talk, which you may have heard of before. These conferences are extremely informative and you can learn a lot from them.
This link leads you to the ones tagged with "city": http://www.ted.com/index.php/search?q=city

Progress Check

Here is the Progress Check for you to...  CHECK your answers.
Please make sure you do some more exercises about direct/indirect speech and focus on the reporting verbs.

More about the CITY ... and not only

Your project --> by the end of this week all groups should have devised appropriate research questions - questions that are clear and simple and actually guide your process of 'discovery'.

In the meanwhile there is a wealth of interesting texts and poems that we can read and discuss. More food for thought :-)    Here is one I find really interesting: a crowded bus by John Cage.

At the same time we should not forget that some language work is needed. So this might be a good pretext to refresh our memories and do some exercises about the direct/indirect speech, with emphasis on the REPORTING VERBS. 
Here is the KEY.
Check the British Council website for more information and exercises.Then follow the links > Practice > Fun & Games > Grammar Games > ...

The Importance of Being Earnest

I don't think this should be missed.
Still plenty of time to plan and arrange an outing together.

LISBON PLAYERS

On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from November 18th to December 11th.

Time to ask questions

MANIA OF DOUBT

All things unto me are queries

That from normalness depart,

And their ceaseless asking wearies

My heart.

Things are and seem, and nothing bears

The secret of the life it wears.

All things’ presence e’er is asking

Questions of disturbing pain

With dreadful hesitation tasking

My brain.

Obra essencial de Fernando Pessoa

POESIA INGLESA

Edição Richard Zenith
2007 / Assírio e Alvim

I hope you enjoyed the visit.
Here is my selection of pictures. I can't wait to hear from you and see your sketches and/or photos.

Lisbon - waking up

On Tuesday you'll bring the texts you wrote at home, describing what you saw and your impressions. This worksheet will help you improve your writing.

Monuments

Contrasts

Contrasts

Contrasts

Pawn shop

           

Constrasts

Renovating?

Os Gémeos... Door to?

Discover the city

We've already started the new unit about the CITY, about Lisbon.

I hope you liked the texts we've read to start the unit. Believe me, they may not be easy to read at first but they are worth reading.

This is a short entry because if you click here you'll find not only the texts but also the 'flyer' that will guide you around Lisbon and will help you start the next project.

Read it before the field trip on Thursday. I hope it won't rain.

What's in the news?

Keep in touch with the latest news. Listen to the BBC.
Improve your vocabulary and pronunciation on the way.

Remember our class feature 'What's in the news?' Who would like to be the first? Up to 10 minutes in the beginning of the class. We could start this term, why not?

Writing an essay ... CRITERIA

Next lesson you'll be writing your own essay suggesting solutions to problems.
You should refer to the general assessment criteria of written text  but these specific criteria should also be crystal clear:

Is the PROBLEM  clearly stated (its causes and consequences)?
Are TOPIC SENTENCES clear and relevant  according to the principle: 
-- 1 paragraph –> 1 problem  + expected results of proposed measure

Is there a suitable CONCLUSION?

Are ideas organised in a logical sequence?

Are  linking words used appropriately?

Is there clear evidence of recently acquired language/vocabulary?

Now, I'm sure you can self-asses your text.

Essay Suggesting Solutions to problems

Next lesson, Tuesday, 26, we'll be welcoming* our Hungarian friends :-) but besides that we'll also be doing some work. Learning how to write an essay suggesting solutions to problems. Print the worksheets and bring them to class. Please don't forget.
 * 11-8 only :-(

Connecting Worlds

Here is a project that might interest (at least some of) you. It's called CONNECTING WORLDS and this year's edition focuses on A CHANGING WORLD - A JIGSAW PUZZLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION which means, quoting the promoters,  "the construction of citizenship within an intercultural society, promoting individual and collective actions and attitudes for change to contribute to the creation of an equitable, diverse and fair world".
Take a look at the site. It might be interesting to join either as the whole class or as a small group. To be started in the Spring term, only, so we have time to think about it. It is useful to know that this is an international project so you'd be working with other schools, from a number of different countries.

Making Notes

Some of you read a text about the Greenhouse Effect, the others a text about the Ozone Layer. Click here to read both texts.
Your task was to share and explain the newly acquired information with your colleagues, since you read different texts. To do so you needed to rely on your notes. Note taking, or note making, though, is not such an easy task. That's why I first showed you some examples of good notes. Click here to view this document.

I hope that the distinction between these two concepts is now clear for everyone. It should now be clear what we talk about when we talk about Global Warming.

Lisbon Players

Who would like to organise an evening out?

 
The Lisbon Players have a programme that is hard to ignore: A FESTIVAL OF ONE-ACT PLAYS.
What do you reckon?

Plastic Pollution

For the next two weeks or so we'll be building up vocabulary and brushing up our grammar so we can start a new project. Yes, the one that will take us to get to know Lisbon a little bit better.
We'll cover all 4 topics in our syllabus. One of our first activities will be to listen to BBC Learning English - 6 Minute English about Plastic Pollution.
Here is the link:

Remember the advice: listen to it again, and repeat after them ... in the quiet of your home. You'll be amazed how quickly you'll pick up native-like pronunciation (both stress and intonation). Give it a try.
Active listening is the buzzword this week.

By the way, here is another BBC listening activity you might like to try. You're right, it's about FLUENCY.

You can listen, read the script and ... repeat after them.

Your portfolio

Here is a reminder as far as your portfolio is concerned. By now you should have: 
-- LEARNING JOURNAL
#1 Your expectations
#2 The field trip to CCB - Os Gémeos
#3 Comments on GW and poster
 -- WORK PLAN (see self-assessment/European grid, Diagnostic test and any corrections so far)

-- POSTER

-- Selection of YEAR 10

 -- VOCABULARY Section (organise by topics) and GRAMMAR Section (optional)
Note: optional does not mean that you don't have to do it! Just that you may choose between having it on your exercise book or in your portfolio.

Follow this LINK on a regular basis to check Wrap Ups and Portfolio

Wrap up of Unit 1 - Making sense of the syllabus

Well, the unit is over and all presentations done. To wrap up this unit there are 3 things I have to say:

First of all,  I hope you enjoyed working in your new group. In my view, no changes are needed. Of course, there are a number of points to improve, namely how the 'organiser' can fully carry out his/her role, and perhaps how to make the most of the time available. But that's what we are here for, right?

Secondly, I must say that you did quite well and I think most objectives were achieved. All of you have, by now, a fairly good idea of what our syllabus is about, regarding the key topics. What's more you raised some questions and issues that will help organise classwork in the future. Last but not the least, you actually practised your reading,  listening, writing, and communication/collaboration skills.

Finally, here are your posters, which are evidence of what I have just said :-)
(Sorry, I'll post them later.)

Unit 1 - Making sense of the syllabus

This is the unit we have already started and which is meant to give you a say and enhance your partcipation. Here is an overview.
You'll be working in groups of 4 and here you can find the specific set of instructions for each group. You'll be preparing posters (all groups) and a role-play (a group of volunteers!).

Still our first week - OS GÉMEOS

Our study visit to the CCB went very well, in my opinion.
We had some time together outside school after the long! summer holiday to make a smoother transition and we learned quite a few things about Public art and Street/Urban art as we were quite literally immersed in this dream world created by Os Gémeos.
"The painted doors of these houses are metaphors of the different passages into the imagination" Eric Corne, Curator - Os Gémeos - Para quem mora lá, o céu é lá

I'm looking forward to reading your comments which, I recall, are due on Tuesday, 21 (11-8) and Thursday, 23 (11-5). Click here to see the guidelines/worksheet, if you need. View some of the photos here.

Egg...cersise

I hope you enjoyed our start... I'm sure you didn't see it coming. As we discussed after the game, this is a fun way of reflecting on key issues such as the role of cooperation and creativity and I hope it does help us create and keep a friendly and working atmosphere in class throughout the year.
The observers played their role extermely well. All of you should take a look at the Observer's checklist.

A broken egg is all I can show here...

Welcome back

Hello everybody. I'm looking forward to meeting you.
I know you are counting down to school's start, too. Now, honest, I know you are saying  'oh no, school again', but deep inside you're looking forward to meeting your colleagues again and even to resuming work! Our little brain cells got a bit lazy during summertime and they're begging for some activity...


In short, yes, I'm counting on your enthusiasm and fresh ideas and I must say I have some ideas of my own... I hope you enjoy your new school year. It's up to us, actually, so let's do it.

To help the transition between holiday and school I keep this photo on my desktop. Guess where I spent the best part of my holiday :-)

Avalon Theatre Day-Camp

You may be just past the age but it still might be worth trying. Check it yourself.

Poems and poems

For those of you who would like to select a poem to read expressively next week here are two sites in which we have plenty to choose from:
- http://www.poetryarchive.org/poetryarchive/home.do
- http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/58

On YouTube you can listen to the poets reading their own poems which is reaaally good practice:-)
Here are two of my favourite:
- http://www.rogermcgough.org.uk/ (this is actually Roger McGough's site where you find the link to Bad Bad Cats)
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqOqo50LSZ0&feature=related - Maya Angelou reads her poem Still I Rise

As you can imagine Roger McGough and Maya Angelou are two of my favourite poets. But I have many more..
Enjoy your poems.

PORTFOLIOS

By now your portfolios are a showcase of all activities we have done during this school year. And I should say you worked really well :-)
I've just been reading some of your news reports and the short stories and they are amazing. With your permision, I'll post (some of) them here, together with the videos of your presentations. Unless, of course, you  already have an e-portfolio, in which case you can post them yourselves.

Well, back to the portfolios. Click here to find an overview of what you did and the skills involved. Your portfolio should contain all the items listed here. But...
It's now time to make a selection of your best work. You should also prepare a final Learning Journal entry with your self-assessment.In class we'll discuss how you can do this but you can start right away. Here are the guidelines for your self-assessment.


Be ready to bring your portfolio to class (or have it posted) by the end of May.

Social Media in Plain English

Our next unit will be about the MEDIA.
To start with we should think and discuss what this concept really means. See the introductory powerpoint to get you started. The guidelines for this unit are here, but you'll be given a photocopy too :-)


We'll be watching two videos.
One about the words in the media (BBC). Listen to it and then, only then, check the script.
We'll also talk about the so-called new media . Watch this video:

Write your OWN short story

Start like this:

Oh, it was to be so jolly! What a game! Such excitement thy hadn't known in years. The children catapulted this way and that across the green lawns, shouting at each other, holding hands, flying in circles, climbing trees, laughing. Overhead the rockets flew, and beetle cars whispered by on the streets, but the children played on. Such fun, such tremulous joy, such tumbling and hearty screaming.

Now you go on. Here are some questions to get you started:
When does all this take place? What do these children look like? Is there a leader in the group?  What is the name of the game? Who are they playing with?  Will it have any sort of consequence? Could it somehow spell danger? What about their parents? Are they paying any attention to their game? What happened in the end?


Note:
What I did not tell in class is that this is the beginning of a short story called ZERO HOUR by Ray Bradbury, a well-known American science fiction writer. It was published in 1951 and you can listen to it, if you like, as it was broadcast in 1955.
By the way check the meaning of ZERO HOUR here.

THE FUN THEY HAD

Now that each of you has read an extract of the short story THE FUN THEY HAD take some time to read the whole story. Check the real ending and the one you wrote. Which do you like best?

Back to School

I hope you had a very nice holiday. Actually,  I reckon you enjoy being back even if everybody complains a lot...
To start with,  check this term's planning (10-5 and 10-8) so you know what we'll be doing and can prepare in advance.
We'll do some work to improve accuracy and fluency, that is, by the end of this term everybody will speak and write better and more easily :-) 
Our topics will be THE MEDIA and TECHNOLOGIES. We'll start with a short story, then we'll read some new texts. On the way you'll learn how to explain and discuss your points of view.
You're going to write a short story on your own. I'm curious :-)

HOLIDAYS

I wouldn't like you to feel idle or lost on your holiday because you miss school so much... so here are some suggestions to keep you busy :-)

READ a BOOK! For instance Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol 
For short stories try this site. 


If you have nothing better to do try these quizzes:

MAKE or DO?

IDIOMS

PROVERBS
Remember you can find many more activities on BBC Learning English. Search the site.

Finally:
Our first BIG QUESTION next term will be: CAN MACHINES THINK?
Yes, I'm taking the challenge from Tuesday conference so you might like to read/listen to this BBC report about Alan Turing .

There you are. Plenty to do:-)

HAVE A NICE HOLIDAY.

Debating (4)

Today, there are two points I'd like to make...
For starters, take a look at these useful expressions you'll need for the debate.
Then, check these sentences that will help you review the Passive, hopefully :-)
There you are. Now you can interrupt me. Excuse me!!!

Debating (3)

Some of you have done some interesting research.
Susana R. (10-5) found out more about what the world will/would be like with all the new technologies and what the new gadgets can do to our health...

Joana (10-8) brought this video about the MEDIA, present and future. Good for listening practice :-)

Debate (2)

Now that we have just started preparing the debates I'm sure you are curious and want to know the rules and the assessment criteria.

As for the Overview of the UNIT and the guidelines for your work, click:

The MEDIA and the TEENS

The ENGLISH language

The WRITTEN PRESS

DEBATE (1)

After the test we'll start a new unit and we'll have to prepare the DEBATE which is, remember, the SPEAKING component of the test. It means we'll have to prepare it VERY WELL.

Here are the 3 topics - the BIG QUESTIONS:

1 - Do the media, and advertising, convey a stereotyped/negative image of young people?
Research hints: newspaper/magazine clippings(news reports ans ads), TV commercials, interviews

2 - Is English 'disappearing' Is it losing its status as a Lingua Franca?
Research hints: Englishes vs Standard English; next economic superpower ... China? Interviews

3- Will the written press eventually disappear? What next?
Research hints: technologies -- YouTube, kindle, blogging, twittering... Interviews

As you see these topics make the link to our topics (Young People, Communication, the Media, Language and Culture, Techonologies).

Take next week to find out more about these subjects. Find texts, images that we may read and study in class. Find out what people think about this (young people - 15-30 AND/OR older people - 35-55 AND/OR even older people... > 55). Carry out the interviews in ENGLISH, so just pick people who can speak English. You wouldn't want to translate...

Enjoy. This will be a very proper debate.... (if you know what I mean:-)

TEST PLAN and SAMPLE

Take your time to check the TEST PLAN and a sample test/exam. This is a test from last year (Year 11) so yours will be easier. Don't worry. But it still provides an opportunity for further practice.
The test is divided in READING, LISTENING, WRITING and USE of ENGLISH.

Languages

Languages are just like a living organism ... they evolve. How they evolve, well, that is rather complex but for me, the way new words come into existence is always fascinating. Take a look at (some) of the different processes of WORD FORMATION.

Chinglish

Can you guess what the word Chinglish might mean? Look at these photos. Not difficult :-)

 

Do you think there is such a thing as Portenglish? 

We'll be starting a new unit about LANGUAGE and COMMUNICATION. For starters, listen to this conversation about Chinglish. 

Check the classroom presentation to help you out with vocabulary.

Writing a REVIEW

I hope you enjoyed preparing and performing your rehearsed readings. You did well. Your scripts were good, and so were the performances, even if some could do with a few more rehearsals :-)

I insist... you should make your work visible and prepare a performance for a broader audience. Let's say... next week :-)

In the meanwhile here is the WRAP UP of this unit, as well as some hints for your PORTFOLIO.
As a follow up of this unit you'll also learn how to write a REVIEW.Click here.

Fables for our Time

I'm looking forward to seeing your rehearsed readings of the fables. The scripts you wrote are excellent so I'm sure dramatisations will be very lively:-)

Now it's time that all of you read all the FABLES. So here they are.

Into the Wild...

Today we had two very interesting presentations.
Patrícia P. (10-8) shared with us her passion for Cristopher McCandless and the film INTO THE WILD. She explained how we can get emotional when we see the life of someone who pursued an ideal and went all the way to live his freedom. See her presentation.

The second presentation may not be so appealing, but it was very helpful... Rita, Marta, Ricardo and Carolina (10-8) explained (almost) all there is to know about the REPORTED SPEECH. Check their presentation and don't forget to do the Workbook exercises.

The Ant and the Grasshopper

Do you remember we were in class and no one seemed to remember how the story goes? So here it is. You can read and download all Aesop's fables from Project Gutenberg.

Can YOU imagine what James Thurber's version of this tale might be like?
Try and write it :-)

The Ant and the Grasshopper
In a field one summer's day a Grasshopper was hopping about,
chirping and singing to its heart's content.  An Ant passed by,
bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the
nest.

"Why not come and chat with me," said the Grasshopper,
"instead of toiling and moiling in that way?"

"I am helping to lay up food for the winter," said the Ant,
"and recommend you to do the same."

"Why bother about winter?" said the Grasshopper; we have got
plenty of food at present."  But the Ant went on its way and
continued its toil.  When the winter came the Grasshopper had no
food and found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the ants
distributing every day corn and grain from the stores they had
collected in the summer.  Then the Grasshopper knew:

It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.

Tongue-tied? Forget it!

Practise your pronunciation and intonation. The better you read and are able to match spelling and sound the better understanding you'll have of the English language.
BBC learning can help you. Follow the link

7 FABLES for our time

So we are starting 2010 reading FABLES... I hope you are curious:-)
Read about the author, James Thurber.
Each group will be reading a different fable in class so I don't want to spoil it for you, and I won't publish the stories and the guidelines yet. You'll get to SEE all the fables once all the groups perform their own versions, in class.That will be in 2 weeks' time.
Enjoy. They are fun but they also have a lot to think about. Food for thought.
Check here the vocabulary that was introduced in class.

So this is 2010...

Happy New Year ... Hope all your wishes come true :-)