A Tribute to Nelson Mandela

I can't remember how often I have talked about Nelson Mandela in my English classes about the topic "Freedom". This is my humble tribute to a man who has inspired so many young people around the world.

Learn more about his life:

http://www.cbsnews.com/elements/2005/03/17/in_depth_world/interactivehomemenu681366.shtml

http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312702/nelsonmandela.htm

http://library.thinkquest.org/07aug/00117/mandela.html

Dear students,
Here's the test structure. In case you can't download it, please email me.
keep up the good work!

  3rd test structure by  

Grammar Lesson - Conjunctions

Dear students,

As promised, here is the ppt on the conjunctions we studied last lesson.
Have a great week /weekend.
Your teacher

Grammar lesson - conjunctions from Isabel Santos

Project Work

Project work is not a new methodology. A lot of teachers have been using it in their English language lessons as an effective of teaching both the target language and its culture. However, for some teachers it is still a a new methodology.
So, why project work?

• Projects can motivate students, especially teenagers.
• Shy students have the opportunity to do great work in a group, as students with otherwise lower grades.
• Projects can teach students to work together, to be part of a group, to share.
• Projects can link to the lives of learners; they are meaningful, not just prescriptive or pedagogic.
• Projects offer an opportunity for students who are keen to move ahead. 
• Projects encourage creativity.
• Projects can intregate the 4 skills.
• Projects involve students in language learning.

Well, these are just a few reasons why project work is such a important activity. As a famous Chinese proverb says "Tell me and I forget. Show and I remember. Involve me and I understand".

The following is an example of a project work on "Human Rigths" for level 5 students:

Some of the students' projects:

Have a wonderful week!

Earth Day Activities

Earth Day is approaching. To celebrate it, here are some ideas. Happy Earth Day!

Earth Day Plan

Black History Month

February is Black History Month in the U.S. and Canada. It is a time to remember some of the greatest leaders in African-American history, who fought for racial equality and civil rights. As studying a foreign language means also studying its culture, I celebrated Martin Luther King Day with my students. I used the material and activities below, practising student's reading, listening and writing skills.

Martin Luther King Reading

HUMAN RIGHTS PROJECT WORK.docx

I also used this M.L.K. biography from Biography Channel as a listening exercise.

Happy Black History month!

The Story of Thanksgiving

This is a lesson on Thanksgiving for 8th graders. Before watching the film, students are asked to refer what they know about this festivity. Then they watch the follwing video.



QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FILM “The First Thanksgiving”

Food vocabulary in the video: duck, geese, turkey, deer, clam, corn, peas, wheat, barley

• Which king ruled in England around 400 year ago?

• Why were some people unhappy?

• Where did they first go?

• Why did they leave Holland?

• How did they go to America?

• What was the ship called?

• How long did it take to get to America?

• What was the sea journey like?

• What was the weather like when they arrived in America?

• They did they survive winter?

• Who helped them?

• What did the Indians teach them?

• Why did they decide to give a Thanksgiving party?

• Who did they invite?

• Which food did they prepare?

To find out more about Thanksgiving, click here