World Peace Day : vocabulary

Dear students,
If you want to learn some vocabulary about The World Peace Day, here yo uhave the link to my personal blog. I recommend you visit this site. Have a nice weekend ! 

Is this art ? Surprising works of art

Dear students, 
We start a new unit called Smart Art. It is going to be fun. I will be presenting some strange works of art in this canvas. Pay it a visit, because soon you will be creating a work of art and will have to upload it here. 
http://linoit.com/users/miguelanheal/canvases/Art

New inventions ? : 4º ESO AB

Hello students,
I have already corrected your compositions and I decided to post some of the best inventions that you thought. Maybe it would be a good idea for you to patent them. Who knows, maybe you become great inventors yourselves ! 

The Smart pen / The Magic Pen by Raquel Sanz Martín and Gonzalo García Hernández

Are you a lazy student ? Have you ever thought about writing with a magic pen ? Here's the solution. WE have designed this special pen to help students to write faster, for example, in the exams. This useful pen is like a regular pen, but it has a tiny microcamera and a memory card to store pictures you take from your class notes and it immediately writes it itself. You can also dictate and it will identify your words and will put it on your paper ! Another of its multiple functions is to check the spelling and grammar of the words and sentences you write.  Amazing ! 

From : https://teachmark.wordpress.com/2015/05/31/smartpens-in-the-classroom/

The Flying Car : by Víctor Gurrionero García and Sergio Carabias. The flying car is really comfortable and makes your life easier. This revolutionary car isn't propelled by gasoline, but by solar energy thanks to the solar panels that it has. It has some microchips that allow it to levitate in the air. This car doesn't pollute and will reduce the number of accidents. Roads and traffic lights will be unnecessary. So what are you waiting for ? Buy this modern invention. 

From : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2784298/Finally-The-flying-car-really-coming-road-sky-near-you.html

What do you think about your classmates' (future ?) inventions. Post a comment ! 

World Peace Day

As you know, on the thirtieth f January, the World Peace Day is celebrated all around the world. Here you have some interesting songs that you can listen to and sing for this day. The songs are ordered according to your level : the first one is for students of 1º ESO, the second one for students of 3º and 4º ESO, and the last one for students of Bachillerato. I include some gap-filling exercises. Listen to the video and try to fill in the gaps. Then down below you have the links to the lyrics of the three songs. 

Level 1: What a wonderful World by Armstrong

I see ______ (1) are green, red ________ (2) too

I see them bloom for me and you

And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

I see ________(3) are blue and _________ (4) are white

The bright blessed day, the dark sacred ________ (5)

And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

The colours of the __________ (6) so pretty in the sky

Are also on the faces of people going by.

I see _________ (7) shaking hands saying how do you do

But they're really saying I ________ (8) you.

I hear ________ (9)  cry, and I watched them grow

They'll learn much more than I'll ever _______ (10)

And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

Yes, I think to myself what a wonderful world.

              Level 2 Imagine by John Lennon

Imagine there's no heaven

It's  ________ (1) if you try 

No hell below us 

Above us only __________(2)

Imagine all the people 

Living for _________ (3)

Imagine there's no___________ (4)

It isn't hard to do 

Nothing to kill or _______ (5) for 

And no __________ (6) too 

Imagine all the people 

Living life in _________ (7)

You may say I'm a_________ (8)

But I'm not the only one 

I hope someday you'll join us 

And the _____ (9) will be as one 

Imagine no __________ (10)

I wonder if you can 

No need for greed or ________ (11)

A _________ (12) of man 

Imagine all the people 

_________ (13) all the world 

You may say that I'm a ________ 

But I'm not the only one 

I hope someday you'll______ us 

And the _________ will live as one.

Level 3 : "Heal the world"(Michael Jackson)

There's a place in your _______ (1)
and I know that it is ________(2)
and this place could
be much brighter than tomorrow
and if you really try
you'll find there's no need to _____ (3)
in this place you'll feel
there's no hurt or sorrow.

There are ways to get there
if you care enough for the ________ (4)
make a little space make a better place...

Heal the world, make it a better place
for you and for me, and the entire human

______ (5) . There are people dying
if you care enough for the ______
make a better place for you and for me.

(Chorus)

If you want to know why
there's a love that cannot lie
love is ________ (6), it only cares for
joyful giving. If we try
we shall see in this bliss
we cannot feel fear or dread
we stop _________ (7) and start living
Then it feels that always love's enough for
us growing so make a better world
make a better world...
Chorus
And the dream we were conceived in
will reveal a joyful _______ (8)
and the world we once believed in
will shine again in grace then why do we keep
strangling life wound this earth

crucify its soul though it's plain to _______ (9)

this world is heavenly, be god's glow

We could fly so high,
let our spirits never _______ (10) in my heart
I feel you are all my ________ (11)
create a world with no fear, together we'll cry
happy tears see the _______ (12) turn their swords
into plowshares

We could really get there
if you cared enough for the ______
make a little space to make a better place...
Chorus x3
for you and for me (repeated x10)

Heal the world we live in, save it for our children (x4).

Here you have the answers to Imagine and the answers to What a Wonderful World and the answers to Heal the World.

The best composition of the month : Ed's frightening adventure

Hello folks,
Here we are again with another remarkable composition written by one of your classmates, in this case, by Pedro Cañabate Sánchez. As you know, I asked you to write an invented narrative with the title : Ed's frightening adventure. Here you have Pedro's composition. I hope you like it.

Ed's frightening adventure

Ed Williams, a zoo keeper, was used to feeding the sharks when, suddenly, one morning the sharks were not in their aquarium. This had already happened before, but this time all the sharks had escaped, which was really dangerous for the rest of the fish.

Ed ran quickly to the control centre but it was too late : sharks had spread and disseminated all over the aquarium. Unfortunately, he was the only one who knew how  sharks behave. He put on the swimsuit and started desperately looking for the group of sharks. As he moved, he was watching the damage caused.

Three hours later, Ed managed to find the sharks before the group had reached the aquarium seals. In spite of the danger, he locked the gate with his own body. Amazingly, a little shark headed for the exit and bit his leg. At that moment, other workers rescued him and locked the exit. Fortunately/luckily, the shark only broke his leg and nowadays Ed is fully recovered and he walks perfectly well. 

Image taken from Reutersmedia.net

By Pedro Cañabate Sánchez, 2º Bachillerato A.

Quite an outstanding composition. As you will see, Pedro has used a lot of adverbs of opinion and linkers suitable for a narrative and his story is both interesting and appealing. Come on ! Why don't you post a comment ?

All About Britain : Link to audios

Here you can find the links to listen to the chapters in the book All About Britain. Remember you will have an exam this unit and you need to pass the exam...

https://www.burlingtonbooks.com/Spain/Page.aspx?PageID=1720

The best composition of the month : my hometown. 1º ESO AB

I've been correcting and revising your compositions all day and I took the best one and put them here for you to see. Come on, stop by and post a comment to your classmate Sara Barrientos ! 

The city of Salamanca : my hometown

"Salamanca, that bewitches the will to return to her to all those who the pleasantness of his housing have pleased"  (by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra in his book : "El Licenciado Vidriera."

Salamanca is a Spanish city and province, located in the community of Castilla y Leon . It is located in the quadrant north-west of the Iberian Peninsula. In the year 2014, it has a population of of 148042 inhabitants.

The origins of the city go back to approximately 2700 years, when the first settlers settled on San Vicente Hill, near the bank of the river Tormes. Since then, the metropolis has been the witness of the steps of various peoples : the Vacceai, the Vetons, the Romans, the Visigoths and the Muslims.

The university of Salamanca is the most ancient in Spain. Created in 1218 by King Alfonso IX of León, it was the first university who showed the title for Royal bond and by Papal license. 

Image taken from : http://noticias.universia.es/portada/noticia/2015/07/29/1129026/10-universidades-antiguas-mundo.html 

The economy of Salamanca is linked mainly to the University and tourism. This marvelous city is tied to the universal history with names such as Antonia de Nebrija, Fernando de Rojas, Cervantes and Miguel de Unamuno, among others. At present, it is considered the greatest  example of education  in the teaching of Spanish in the whole world.It possesses an important historical, architectural heritage, between which we can stand out its two Cathedrals : the Old one and the New one, the Main Square, St. Esteban's Convent, the Shell's House, the Gardens of Calisto and Melibea, the Sky of Salamanca, and several noble palaces, churches, convents and Mayor schools. 

From : http://www.placesonline.es/europa/espana/castilla_y_leon/salamanca/barrios/plaza_mayor.asp

We can also find the Institute for the Investigation of Cancer and Neuroscience in Castilla y León (INCYL) In 2002, it was named the European Capital of Culture. 

Image taken from : http://www.poemas-del-alma.com/miguel-de-unamuno.htm

The main celebrations of Salamanca are on the twelfth of June (San Juan de Sahagún) and on the eighth of September (Santa María de la Vega). There are fireworks, concerts, activities, fun fairs, horse shows, bullfights, circus exhibitions ... There are two important yet particular days in Salamanca : "El Lunes de Aguas" (Water Monday),  when families and friends will go to the countryside to eat "hornazo", a typical Salmantinian pie. the ascension to the vane of the Tower of the Cathedral by "the Mariquelo" to commemorate the earthquake in Lisbon in  1755.

From Diarium.usal.es

From LaGacetadeSalamanca

In Salamanca, there are several festivals that take place concerning its university, culture, theatre, music, poetry ,... the most important ones being "the Nights of Fonseca", "Jazz in the Streets" and the International Festival of the Arts of Castilla y León." Salamanca is perfect at dawn and sunset: the best moment to visit the monuments.

To conclude, Salamanca is the most beautiful city to live.

From www.elrincondeltrotamundos.com

"In the light of its tiny hollows, in the solemnity of pillars and walls or in the shell of humanity, there still remains the spirit of what these spaces once were and continue to be. Venues to pray, meet and come together."

By Sara Barrientos Rodríguez, 1º ESO A.

Wow ! Sarah ! This composition was impressive. If you continue like this, by the end of the year you will certainly get A+ ! Come on, folks ! Post a comment !

My hometown: Salamanca

Dear students,
Here you have my presentation about my beautiful hometown, Salamanca. I hope you like it.

Sports brainstorming

Dear students,
We start a new lesson ! Bye bye places in town ! Hello sports ! To start on the right foot, I though t it would be a good idea for you to write the names of the sports that you know. Remember,just your ideas. DO NOT LOOK ANYTHING ON THE INTERNET. WRITE SPORTS TAHT YOU KNOW.

Here you have the link to the activity. You can also post comments.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e-VbZYsY3hbJFUaoUUE5HG9ZqvF7nNz9UnOj0IGVoP8/edit?usp=sharing

Exam units 0-4 (2º ESO A)

Dear students, 
Here you have the contents and dates for the next English exam. Click on the link below to download it. Good luck ! 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OQO2nlHgZ41CnO0uPzZw-lf23SKFr55Q2ry8L-STjWU/edit?usp=sharing

Exam units 0-4 (4º ESO)

Dear students, 
in the link below, you can find the dates and contents for the next English exam. Please, stop by and download it as it may be interesting for you.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/19vMNDgNt2ZKQXpgotM5Y1IfO5Nyv__V3yHkk7js2Fvc/edit?usp=sharing

Exam Units 0-4 : 1º ESO AB

Dear students,
Here you have the exam dates and the contents for next week's exams.
Tuesday, 26th January (Writing and Listening)
Wednesday, 27th January (Speaking)
Thursday, 28th January (Grammar, Reading and Vocabulary)

And in this  link you can find access to the contents. Please revise the contents and good luck !

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rbvYRcMPH7KkSbGpxKjbS9KrFDfF5JfKcqIJ-j0KYFI/edit?usp=sharing

Interesting inventions

Here you have some interesting inventions. What does each invention do in your own words ?

Questionnaire : Conditionals

Hello students,
Conditionals as you know may be difficult. That is why I propose you this little and easy questionnaire that will halp you work and reflect on them. Do it ! Remember to write your name and surnames so that I know who you are.

Fly on the Wall

Remember when we saw in class the Cybug ? This invention that allows you to spy on others and know all their secrets ? In the book, they mentioned Miley Cirus's song Fly on the Wall. Here you have it in case you would like to listen to it. 

Have a nice weekend.

Paradise

Here you have the song Paradise that we listened to in class. Remember to fill in the blanks with the verbs in brackets in the past tense. We will correct it tomorrow in class.

Complete the song using the verbs in the box in the SIMPLE PAST AFFIRMATIVE

be    can     close    dream   expect fly    run   say

Coldplay’s Paradise

When she ______ (1)  just a girl
She __expected__ (0) the world
But it _______ (2)  away from her reach
So she ______ (3) away in her sleep
________ (4) of para- para- paradise
Para- para- paradise
Para- para- paradise
Every time she ________ (5) her eyes
Whoa-oh-oh oh-oooh oh-oh-oh

When she ______ (1)  just a girl
She expected the world
But it _____ (2)  away from her reach
And the bullets catch in her teeth

Life goes on
It gets so heavy
The wheel breaks the butterfly
Every tear, a waterfall
In the night, the stormy night
She _____ (5) her eyes
In the night, the stormy night
Away she'd fly.

And _______ (4)of para- para- paradise
Para- para- paradise
Para- para- paradise
Whoa-oh-oh oh-oooh oh-oh-oh (repeat)

La lalaLa
Lalala

So lyingunderneaththosestormyskies.
She ________(6) oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh.
I know the sun must set to rise.

This _______(7) be para- para- paradise
Para- para- paradiseWhoa-oh-oh oh-ooohohoh-oh. (repeat x5) 

The Tower of London and its ravens

Dear students,
Here you can watch the video about the Tower of London. As you know, it was a prison where people who commit treason stayed before, you know, being killed. Ravens cannot leave, because if they do, 'Britain will fall.' The Tower of London is guarded and watched by Beefeaters. I hope you enjoy the video.

Videos about crimes : stupid laws and The Real Hustle

Dear students,
Now that we are seeing crimes in class, I thought it would be a good idea to watch these videos about stupid crimes. Watch them and say which stupid laws are broken.

Here you have some videos about The Real Hustle. It's a programme where thieves show how they trick people to get their money while they are filmed by some hidden cameras. Here you have three short videos about the programme : the laptop scam, the speeding fine scam and the credit card switch. 

Watch the videos and answer the questions : 

1) Where does the scam take place ?

2) How many people are involved in the scam ?

3) What crime is committed ?

4) Can you explain the scam with your own words ?

5) What do the thieves get ? 

Did you enjoy the video ? Why don't you watch the rest of the videos and post a comment ?

Fact or fiction ?

Hello students,
Here you can find the activity we did in class today with some true and false statements about America.

Decide if the following statements are fact or fiction. Comment with your classmates

1. Arizona is known as the sunshine state.

2.  Sorry by Justin Bieber is the 2nd most popular song in the US this week.

3.  The state of Texas was once a monarchy.

4.  President Obama's favorite sport is golf.

5. "Subs", "Po Boys" and "Hoagies" are all words for sandwiches.

6. The Statue of Liberty is located in Washington, DC.

7. The stars on the US flag are a symbol of each US president.

8. May 28th is National Hamburger Day in the US.

9. Baseball is the national sport of the US.

10. "Soda" and "Pop" are both words for soft drinks.

Answers

1. FICTION. Florida is the sunshine state. Arizona is the Grand Canyon State.

  

2. FACT. 'Hello' by Adele is the first one :

3. FICTION. The state of Hawaii was once a monarchy.

4. FICTION. President Obama's favourite sport is basketball

5. FACT.

6. FICTION. The Statue of Liberty is in Manhattan, New York. There are some replicas in Las Vegas and Paris.

7. FICTION. Each star represents a state. There are 50 stars, hence 50 states. 

8. FACT. 

9. FACT. Pitchers, catchers, strikes and home runs are common words in America.

10. FACT. Pop, soda, fizzy drink, or soda-pop, and soft drink refer to refreshments alcohol-free and with bubbles. 

Did you enjoy the game ? I'm sure you have learnt something today. 

See you around.

The Dubai mall and Kidzania

Hiya my students of 1º ESO,
Now that we're seeing places in town, I have to decided to start with a video of the largest (biggest) shopping centre (or mall) in the world, the Dubai Mall. This shopping centre has got more than a thousand shops and much more: a theme park, an enormous ice rink, an Aquarium and Underwater Zoo and even, a city for kids, where children can work. 

I hope you enjoy the video about  the different types of food that this shopping centre offers. 

Now, let's do some exercises. Watch this video about the Kidzania you can find in the Dubai Mall, and answer the following questions:

1. What shops or places in the town can you watch in the video ?

2. What activities can children do in Kidzania ? 

Did you enjoy the video ? Then, post a comment ! 

Crimes and TV (revision unit 3)

Dear students,
Here you can find the PowerPoint presentation revising the vocabulary we say in unit 3 back in December. Have a look at it to revise vocabulary :

Places in town

Hello students,
To start a fresh new year of opportunity, I include here the revision presentation that we saw in class today. By the way, you remembered a lot of the vocabulary ! Congrats ! Here you have it. Why don't you go over it again to start revising for next exam ?

Christmas hangover. The best videos about Christmas

Hello fellow bloggers,
Lately my blog seems more like the Quirks of Christmas rather than the Quirks of English, so I promise this will be but my last post about Christmas. Last week I wrote several blog entries (one about Christmas carols that included some exercises and videos; and another about Christmas vocabulary (I think it is pretty clear that I love the Christmas season). This time I would like to compile the funniest videos about Christmas. 

1. Do you like my decorations ?
As I mentioned in my post about the different Christmas traditions, one typically American tradition is to go to a farm to cut down your own real Christmas tree (or have it cut down). This video perfectly reflects that tradition in a funny, engaging and surprisingly humorous way. It also includes a pun with the word 'saw'. Simply hilarious. 

2. I gave my children a horrible Christmas present 

Jimmy Kimmel has a very famous late-show program in America. He likes pulling pranks and asking others to pull pranks too. One of his most famous and well-known pranks is to ask parents to tell their children that they ate all their Halloween candy. However, at Christmas, he also asks parents to give their children terrible presents. Watch the children's reaction. It's priceless ! :

3. The singing Christmas hedgehogs

This is an interactive video about some cute hedgehogs eager to sing a Christmas carol, but... you know... accidents always happen. Enjoy : 

4. Christmas clumsiness compilation 
This video shows a lot of clumsy people doing their best at Christmas...

5. The scary snowman
A spooky snowman terrifying pedestrian as they go past the street...

6. Christmas lights : Gangham Style 
Some people at Christmas go crazy and decorate their houses with tons and tons of lights. By contrast, other people go even crazier and use the lights to reproduce the song : Gangham Style...

7. Christmas pranks
A compilation of some very funny Christmas pranks. 

8. Santa's adventure to catch some Christmas cookies 
This Santa is a decoration on a Christmas tree trying by all means to eat some delicious Christmas cookies. But how will he go down the tree in the first place ?

9. John Lewis's advertisement

In this lovely ad, a young child eagerly awaits Christmas to get a special present...Really touching !

Did you like my selection of videos ? Would you like to share some more videos with me ? Well, Christmas is almost over. The Three Wise Men are about pop up with your presents. Have you been good or naughty ? We'll see, hehe. Remember, on the Twelfth Night (5th January), it is believed that you must remove all your Christmas decorations and ornaments to avoid bad luck and start the year on the right foot. I hope this Christmas has been fun and welcoming for you all. 
See you on Friday.
Enjoy the rest of the holidays.