In...English

Funny Picture

noreply@blogger.com (Isabel Silva) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:25:00 +0000

Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (Isabel Silva) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:40:00 +0000

Unlike many other festivals, the history of Halloween is also inspired through traditions that have transpired through ages from one generation to another. The name Halloween is Scottish in origin and is short for "All Hallow's Eve," the night before "All Hallow's Day," or All Saint's Day.

The basic traditions associated with Halloween are as follows :

JACK'O LANTERN : These are hollowed out pumpkins with a face cut into one side. People once carved out beets, potatoes and turnips to use as lanterns on Halloween. Nowadays we carve out pumpkins. According to an Irish legend, jack-o-lanterns were named for a man named Jack, who could not enter heaven because he was a miser. He could not enter hell either, because he had played jokes on the devil. So instead, he had to walk the earth with a lantern until Judgment Day. This was later brought into existence as one of the most popular halloween tradition.

Fire : Fire is an integral part of the halloween tradition. Fire was very important to the Celts as it was to all early people. In the old days people lit bonfires, to scare away evil spirits. They believed that light had power over darkness. In some places they used to jump over the fire to bring good luck. Today, we light candles in pumpkin lanterns and then put them outside our homes to frighten away witches and ghosts.

Dressing up :The tradition of dressing in costume for Halloween has both European and Celtic roots. On Halloween, when it was believed that ghosts came back to the earthly world, people thought that they would encounter ghosts if they left their homes. To avoid being recognized by these ghosts, people would wear masks when they left their homes after dark so that the ghosts would mistake them for fellow spirits. To keep ghosts away from their houses on Halloween, people would place bowls of food outside their homes to appease the ghosts and prevent them from attempting to enter. Halloween costumes is by far the most important and the most interesting customs of halloween.

Trick or Treat :Halloween was a time for making mischief - many parts of England still recognise Halloween as Mischief Night - when children would knock on doors demanding a treat (Trick or Treat) and people would disguise themselves as witches, ghosts, kelpies and spunkies, in order to obtain food and money from nervous householders. Till date on the halloween day children disguise themselves and go knocking from door to dorr shouting "Trick or Treat". The people usually entertain children by handing out candies to them.

Halloween Quiz ( British Council ;Learn English Kids )

noreply@blogger.com (Isabel Silva) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:01:00 +0000

Asterix: 50 YEARS OLD and he still has all his teeth!

noreply@blogger.com (Isabel Silva) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:56:00 +0000

As everyone knows, heroes never get old. But that does not mean that they don't want to have all their friends and family wish them a happy birthday!
And when the heroes are Asterix and Obelix (born the same day as we learn in the Asterix and the Class Act album), everybody and their brother wants to be invited to the banquet.

As part of the celebrations for Asterix's fiftieth birthday (born on 29 October 1959 in the pages of the first issue of the weekly magazine Pilote), Albert Uderzo has come up with an exceptional gift in tribute to his heroes and their millions of readers from around the world!

A date has been set for all fans: on 22 October 2009, a new album of Asterix short stories will be available throughout the world with 56 pages of brand-new, never-before-published cartoons!

http://www.asterix.com/birthday/

English is Fun!

noreply@blogger.com (Isabel Silva) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:14:00 +0000

Funny English mistakes from around the World

by InnocentEnglish.com

click : http://www.innocentenglish.com/for-kids/quizintroduction.html

International School Library Month

noreply@blogger.com (Isabel Silva) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:14:00 +0000

October is being celebrated as International School Library Month (previously International School Library Day held on the fourth Monday in October). School librarians around the world have a unique opportunity to share with each other, and perhaps more importantly, others in education and in our school communities.

Go to our school libray and enjoy the pleasure of reading!

World Food Day- 16th October

noreply@blogger.com (Isabel Silva) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:03:00 +0000

World Food Day was proclaimed in 1979 by the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It marks the date of the founding of FAO in 1945. The aim of the Day is to call public awareness of the world food problem and strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty. In 1980, the General Assembly endorsed observance of the Day in consideration of the fact that "food is a requisite for human survival and well-being and a fundamental human necessity"

At a time when the global economic crisis dominates the news, the world needs to be reminded that not everyone works in offices and factories.

With an estimated increase of 105 million hungry people in 2009, there are now 1.02 billion malnourished people in the world, meaning that almost one sixth of all humanity is suffering from hunger.

On the occasion of World Food Week and World Food Day 2009, let us reflect on those numbers and the human suffering behind them.

Relax!

noreply@blogger.com (Isabel Silva) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:51:00 +0000

Obama, the Nobel Prize 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Isabel Silva) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:11:00 +0000

The US president Barack Obama has won the Nobel Peace Prize 2009 for his work in giving the world citizens a hope for the better future. According to the Nobel Prize Committee, he has won for its humanitarian efforts in improving the quality of life for all the citizens of the world. He is giving a good signal to the world that the educational institutions and the international relations need to be strengthened.

Congratulations, Mr President!

Ardi - The Human's oldest relative

noreply@blogger.com (Isabel Silva) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:30:00 +0000

She lived at the dawn of a new era, when chimps and people began walking (or climbing) along their own evolutionary trails. This is Ardi - the oldest member of the human family tree we've found so far.

Short, hairy and with long arms, she roamed the forests of Africa 4.4million years ago.

Her discovery, reported in detail for the first time today, sheds light on a crucial period when we were just leaving the trees. Some scientists said she could provide evidence that our ancestors first started walking upright in the pursuit of sex.

Watch this video and learn more about this fantastic discovery!

noreply@blogger.com (Isabel Silva) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:52:00 +0000

This Cat Caught a Mouse!

Music

noreply@blogger.com (Isabel Silva) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:39:00 +0000

The word ‘music’ means a series of sounds made from various instruments or voices in a way that sounds pleasant and exciting. Music plays and continues to play an important role in our daily lives and is a form of communication. People of different times and cultures have contributed significantly towards the development, promotion and preservation of the spirit of music throughout the world.

What's your favourite type of music?

It's school time again!

noreply@blogger.com (Isabel Silva) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:38:00 +0000

It's school time again! You're probably feeling excited and maybe a little sad that summer is over. But don't worry you are going to meet new friends, new teachers and learn new a lot of new topics.

I wish all the students and teachers a good school year!

Time to Relax

noreply@blogger.com (Isabel Silva) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:40:00 +0000

I wish all my sudents, teachers and bloggers a very relaxing Summer!

Apolo 11: 40 years later

noreply@blogger.com (Isabel Silva) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:45:00 +0000

Forty years ago today Apollo 11 blasted off to the moon. You can see a good deal of video, pictures and interviews on NASA's website.

July 20, 1969 is a date that will always live in the minds and dreams of people all over the Earth. That was the day two men became the first ever to step foot on the surface of the moon. July 2009 marks the 40th anniversary of that historic mission.

Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin and Michael Collins flew Apollo 11 to the moon. Armstrong and Aldrin set foot on the moon while Collins orbited the moon in the spacecraft's command module.

Ronaldo in Madrid

noreply@blogger.com (Isabel Silva) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:38:00 +0000

Ronaldo has signed a six year deal to play with top European football club Real Madrid. He used to play for Manchester United and he will be paid 131 million dollars to play with other football stars such as Kaka.

The Santiago Bernabau is the home of the Real Madrid team. It is one of the cities major attractions. The stadium can host up to 75,000 people, and besides the domestic league games, other national games have been played. It has also hosted the 1982 World Cup finals when the event was held in Spain.

A Tribute to : Michael Jackson

noreply@blogger.com (Isabel Silva) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:37:00 +0000

Michael Jackson, one of the biggest pop icons in modern history, has passed away at the age of 50. Although Jackson’s music career hit its peak in the 80’s, his influence on music, and especially music videos, has persisted throughout.

Saint Jonh's Day- "São João"

noreply@blogger.com (Isabel Silva) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 22:00:00 +0000

The typical Festivities of Porto take place in June and reach the highest point on the night of the 23^rd to the 24^th(Saint John’s Day – “São João” in Portuguese). The festivity of Saint John is one of the most important cultural expressions of the Portuguese people. On the 23^rdJune, the city “descends upon the Baixa (downtown) and its River” until dawn. The main streets are dotted by small stands selling basils and there is a Saint John cascade every where and there to celebrate the tradition that remains since the 19^th century. Everyone is out in the streets, taking part in lively “rusgas”, striking each other with small and big plastic hammers or making other people smell the famous “alho porro” (leek). Jumping the bonfire, tasting the roasted sardines and the potato and cabbage broth is also part of the festivity. The hot-air balloons, and the fireworks at midnight are the highest point of the festivities of Saint John. This popular festivity is also celebrated in Braga, my hometown.

Portugal Day- 10th June

noreply@blogger.com (Isabel Silva) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:01:00 +0000

Portugal Day (Portuguese: Dia de Portugal), officially Dia de Camões, de Portugal e das Comunidades Portuguesas ("Day of Camões, Portugal, and the Portuguese Communities"), marks the date of Luís de Camões' death in June 10, 1580 and is Portugal's National Day. Camões wrote the Lusiads, Portugal's national epic poem celebrating Portuguese history and achievements. Although it is only officially celebrated in Portugal, Portuguese citizens and also Portuguese immigrants throughout the world celebrate this holiday.
The poem is mainly about the 16th century Portuguese explorations, which brought fame and fortune to Portugal. Camões' poem, considered one of the finest and most important works in Portuguese literature, became a symbol for the greatness of the Portuguese nation. Camões was an adventurer, lost one eye fighting in Ceuta, wrote the Portuguese epic poem Os Lusíadas while travelling, and survived a shipwreck in Cochinchina (present-day Vietnam). According to popular lore, Camões saved his epic poem by swimming with one arm while keeping the other arm above water. Camões became a national symbol. Yet, in the year of his death, Portugal lost its independence to Spain and was ruled by three generations of Spanish kings. Sixty years later, in December 1, 1640, the country regained its independence. Since then, because Camões' date of birth is not known, the date of his death is celebrated as Portugal's national day.

Wikipedia

International Children's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Isabel Silva) — Thu, 28 May 2009 21:54:00 +0000

Children's Day is an event celebrated on various days in many places around the world. International Children's Day is celebrated on June 1. On Children’s Day tribute is payed to all children in the world. Children are loved by one and all. They win over our hearts with their angelic eyes and innocent smiles. They make us forget the bad moments and give us courage to face difficult days.

Let's protect our children and give them a happy life. They are our future!

International Museum Day- 18th May

noreply@blogger.com (Isabel Silva) — Fri, 15 May 2009 22:55:00 +0000

International Museum Day has been celebrated all over the world since 1977. Each year, a theme is decided on by the Advisory Committee. The event provides the opportunity for museum professionals to meet the public and alert them to the challenges that museums face if they are to be - as in the ICOM definition of museums - "an institution in the service of society and of its development". The chosen topic is also discussed in ICOM News, a review of the related activities is produced and made available to members of ICOM.

It has been recommended that this celebration be held each year on 18 May (Given that each country has its own specific traditions and conditions, we recommend that members organise their events around 18 May), in the spirit of the motto:
« Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, co-operation and peace among peoples »

Europe Day- 9th May

noreply@blogger.com (Isabel Silva) — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:36:00 +0000

On the 9th of May 1950, Robert Schuman presented his proposal on the creation of an organised Europe, indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations.

This proposal, known as the "Schuman declaration", is considered to be the beginning of the creation of what is now the European Union.

Today, the 9th of May has become a European symbol (Europe Day) which, along with the flag, the anthem, the motto and the single currency (the euro), identifies the political entity of the European Union. Europe Day is the occasion for activities and festivities that bring Europe closer to its citizens and peoples of the Union closer to one another.

Every country which democratically chooses to accede to the European Union endorses its fundamental values of peace and solidarity.

These values find expression through economic and social development embracing environmental and regional dimensions which are the guarantees of a decent standard of living for all citizens.

( click here ) European Quizzes

noreply@blogger.com (Isabel Silva) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:18:00 +0000

Earth Day - April 22

noreply@blogger.com (Isabel Silva) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:12:00 +0000

Earth Day is celebrated on April 22. Although the idea for Earth Day came about in the early 1960s, the first official Earth Day wasn’t held until 1970.

The purpose was to draw attention to environmental issues :

air and water pollution;
dumping of toxic chemicals;
destruction of natural habitat

Earth day Quiz

World Book Day - April 23

noreply@blogger.com (Isabel Silva) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:43:00 +0000

This international event organised by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) got its start in Spain in 1923, where the commemoration of Miguel de Cervantes' death by local booksellers combined with the celebration of St. George's Day to create a new traditional exchange of flowers and... books." In 1995, UNESCO decided that the World Book would be celebrated on this date because of the Catalonian festival and because the date is also the anniversary of the birth and death of William Shakespeare.

Poem

I like books

I really do.

Books with stories
And pictures, too.

Books of birds
And things that grow.
Books of people
We should know.

Books of animals
And places, too.
I like books
I really do!

Author Unknown

Enjoy the pleasure of reading. Read a book!