Let's talk about the UK (still with Scotland)

At the beginning of the new school year teachers usually explain to their students what they are going to study. Sometimes efl teachers not only teach grammar but also British culture, so one of the first cultural topics they discuss with their students are the geography of the UK and its form of government. Here you can find an interactive mindmap, a digital poster and a  collection of useful websites, just to simplify the work.

Click on the Glogster digital poster below, you will find general information about the United Kingdom and some videos.

Now take a look at my Cacoo mindmap below about the UK form of government. I have edited it with Thinglink to make it interactive. Pass your cursor over the image, you will see that some links will appear.

You can also click on the following link to enlarge the above image:

http://www.thinglink.com/scene/568385850161758208

SCOTTISH REFERENDUM

Last September, 18th Scottish people voted for Scotland independence. The question they were asked to answer was "“Should Scotland be an independent country?” The majority of voters answered "NO". Click on the following link to learn more about the referendum: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/scottish-independence-referendum/about; 

then watch the video below from The Guardian.

Scottish referendum explained for non-Brits

Here you can see the referendum results.

If you want more general information about the Uk government, the Queen and the Royal Family, open my Blendspace lesson.

STUDENTS' TASK

Use Cacoo or some other mindmapping tool to draw your own mindmap about the Scottish referendum (what the referendum process was; what "yes"  and "no" voters wanted, etc.)

I introduce myself to my new students

A new school year is starting...
I can't be with you for the first lessons but 
I want to introduce myself to all of you!

 Watch the video!

If you move the cursor over the image below you will see some links. Click on them and watch what I ususally do in my classes.

Another example of English activities in my previous school. 

Click on the image below.

And now some rules you have to follow!

I am looking forward to starting my lessons!

Roald Dahl Day - September, 13

"Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."

Roald Dahl

Visit the fantastic Roald Dahl website! You can find an interesting Roald Dahl timeline biography, great quizzes and lesson plans, you can search for information by stories or by characters and a lot of other amazing things.

In 2014 we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, as well. It is maybe Roald Dahl’s best-known story.  

Below you can read an extract from my presentation about a Cineforum on movies drawn from children's novels.

"Charlie and the chocolate factory" trailer

Let's sing along!  

Augustus Gloop song

Veruca Salt song

Violet Beauregarde Song

 The Oompa Loompa Song 

Students' task

Answer the following questions.

What is the moral of the story? 

Which character did you like the most? Why? 

Invent a new type of sweet for Willy Wonka's factory that has got a particular magical power, describe its features and explain what happens to those who eat it. Choose a friend or a member of your family and explain why you would give your sweet to him/her.

US Constitution Day - September, 17

ConstitutionDay commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787

Here you can find some resources to easily understand the American form of government and its Constitution.

What is the Constitution of the USA?

Click on the two images below to get information

The Preamble

Now let's try to understand the USA form of government. Move your cursor over the image by Kids.gov below. I have edited it with Thinglink so now it's interactive!

And now take a look at my Blendspace lesson. You can find more information, games, quizzes and videos.

Some more materials for teachers

Worksheets, printables, games, quizzes and activities:

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/constitution-day/printables/

http://www.abcteach.com/directory/holidays-months-and-seasons-holidays-constitution-day--4304-2-1

http://themes.atozteacherstuff.com/182/constitution-day-constitution-week-activities/

http://www.softschools.com/themes/constitution_day/

http://government.mrdonn.org/constitution.html

STUDENTS' TASK

Now you have got a lot of information! 

You need to rearrange ideas, so try Popplet to create your own mindmap. You can add images, links and videos! Have fun!

Happy...

Why should we use blogs in our classroom?

An educational blog can change our students' way of expressing themselves. Learners are asked to leave their comments. In fact, being published is an incentive and motivation for many students. Even the most shy students might feel empowered by being able to express themselves better in a written discussion than in front of a class.

Blogs support writing, reading, listening and speaking skills . Students can enter reflections on posted questions, publish essays or questions and share opinions. 

You can also reach some important goals concerning technology. Students can understand the ethical, cultural, and societal issues related to technology; they can use technology tools to increase productivity and creativity; they can improve their knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language; they can use the language both within and beyond the school and, in the end, they can start becoming life-long learners by using the foreign language for personal enjoyment and enrichment. 

In the following Blendspace lesson I've put together some useful resources about blogs in education:

Now take a look at my Popplet presentation.

Click below to open the mindmap, then zoom and scroll around.