New Year's Resolutions 2012

Hi folks!

here comes the day when we all decide to make New Year's Resolutions (AGAIN!)

You can opt to make serious ones or to joke with this issue.

I'l leave some good examples for you. Do you like this one?

Or do you prefer this?

I am more a humourous kind of woman, so I really prefer the third option.

Although...having second thoughts...I've just decided right now: this is definitely my favourite one.

HAVE AN EXCELLENT NEW YEAR OF 2012!

The Christmas Story

Hi guys!
I know that I'm late this year but I've been deadly tired doing lots of stuff lately!
Anyway, I couldn´t resist sharing this Christmas Story with you. It was told by the children of St Paul's Church, who were also the actors, cameramen, musicians and directors. Jesus Christ! - seems to me the appropriate expression! You must see this! Really!

Exactly the same - only different

Have you thought about what life could be if you were born different? Let's say: without arms ou legs or both?


Would you pray to die?
Would you hide and feel sorry about yourself?
Would you envy the other "normal people"?


Or 
would you try to overcome your disability and be the best you can be?

Watch this video about a magnificient person and think that perhaps your daily problems aren't so big as you had thought in the first place.

We are already 7 Billion on the Planet Earth!

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The world population is the total number of living humans on the planet Earth. As of today, it is estimated to be 6.974 billion by the United States Census Bureau. According to a separate estimate by the United Nations, it has already exceeded 7 billion.

World population estimates from 1800 to 2100, based on UN 2004 projections (red, orange, green) and US Census Bureau historical estimates (black).

The world population has experienced continuous growth since the end of the Great Famine and Black Death in 1350, when it stood at around 370 million.The highest rates of growth—increases above 1.8% per year—were seen briefly during the 1950s, and for a longer period during the 1960s and 1970s. The growth rate peaked at 2.2% in 1963, and had declined to 1.1% by 2009. Annual births peaked at 173 million in the late 1990s, and are now expected to remain constant at their 2011 level of 134 million, while deaths number 56 million per year, and are expected to increase to 80 million per year by 2040. Current projections show a continued increase in population (but a steady decline in the population growth rate), with the global population expected to reach between 7.5 and 10.5 billion by 2050.

A world of 7 billion people poses many challenges, and countless opportunities to make a positive difference.
7 Billion Actions, established by the United Nations Population Fund, inspires change that will make a difference by highlighting positive action by individuals and organizations around the world. Everyone has an opportunity and a responsibility to make a world of 7 billion a better place for all of us. Share your story of how you're making a difference, and inspire others to take action.

in http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/7-billion

For more detailed information go to these sites:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2011-10-30/world-population-hits-seven-billion/51007670/1

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15449959

Watch these videos and think about the measures that must be taken in order to tackle this world probem.

http://youtu.be/4B2xOvKFFz4

http://youtu.be/sc4HxPxNrZ0

Kelly Slater

Do you know Kelly Slater? He is one of the best surfers of the world and is currently in Portugal to participate in the RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL 2011. http://www.ripcurl.com/index.php?id=703,0,0,1,0,0

Kelly Slater's Life

Kelly Slater (Robert Kelly Slater) was born on February 11, 1972 in Cocoa Beach in Florida.

Kelly has two brothers - older Sean Slater and younger Stephen Slater.

He started surfing when he was in kindergarten. At first he only rode bodyboards (standing up). He entered his first surfing competition in 1980 when he was eight years old. Kelly won his division on his bodyboard.

Kelly got his first real surfboard in 1980. Together with his brother Sean they entered a few contest and also 1981 ESA Championships in Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Kelly was there first faced with bigger waves and finished last in his category.

Surfing

He is today the most successful professional surfer in the history of the sport.

Surfing records

Kelly Slater is a current eight time world champion which is a record number of world title victories. He also has the most heat wins of all times and is equal with Tom Curren for the most victories. In the 2005 Billabong Tahiti Pro contest at Teahupoo, Kelly Slater also became the first surfer who scored two perfect 10. This is the maximum possible amount of points in a surfing heat.

Pipe Dreams - A Surfers Journey

If you want to know more about Kelly Slater you should :

- read his biography book called Pipe Dreams - A Surfers Journey.

- read his biography in the websites

http://www.kelly-slater.info/biography/kelly-slaters-life/

http://kellyslater.com/



You can also watch some videos on Youtube.com


http://youtu.be/u4AkzvxMKKg

http://youtu.be/NV2emEuZQNY

The boy does nothing

Alesha Dixon - The Boy Does Nothing

http://youtu.be/6Pigw0qtAl4

After listening to and watching this video, identify the Present Tense forms in the lyrics (underline them).

I got a man with two left feet
And when he dances down to the beat
I really think that he should know
That his rhythms go go go

I got a man with two left feet
And when he dances down to the beat
I really think that he should know
That his rhythms go go go

CHORUS
Does he wash up? Never wash up
Does he clean up? No, he never cleans up
Does he brush up? Never brushed up
He does nothing the boy does nothing
(Repeat chorus)

Hey boy how you been?
I got a thousand lines
Where do I begin?
And II been here, been there
Traveling
I saw you at the corner
My vibe kicked in

And
Two fields
I clock you
Wearing tight jeans
A real nice suit
He was smiling like you
Was just seventeen
I asked him for a dance
He said 'yes please'

Take a sip of dancing juice
Everybody's onto you
Through the left and to the right
Everybody hit the rhythm
It's on tonight
I'm gonna feel the heat within my soul
I need a man to take control
Let the melody blow you all away

CHORUS
Does he wash up? Never wash up
Does he clean up? No, he never cleans up
Does he brush up? Never brushed up
He does nothing the boy does nothing
(Repeat chorus)

Work it out now
Work it, Work it out now

Do the mumbo
Shake it all around now

Everybody on the floor
Let me see you clap your hands

I wanna see you work
I wanna see you move your body in turn
I wanna see you shake your hips and learn

I wanna see you work it, work it, work it out now

I wanna see you work
I wanna see you move your body in turn
I wanna see you shake your hips and learn

The European Day of Languages

Hi people!

Today we celebrate the European Day of Languages.

But what exactly is the European Day of Languages?

As explained last year in this blog (see last year's publication), this day aims to celebrate linguistic diversity in Europe and promoted language learning.

At the initiative of the Council of Europe, Strasbourg, the European Day of Languages has been celebrated every year since 2001 on 26 September.

Throughout Europe, 800 million Europeans represented in the Council of Europe's 47 member states are encouraged to learn more languages, at any age, in and out of school. Being convinced that linguistic diversity is a tool for achieving greater intercultural understanding and a key element in the rich cultural heritage of our continent, the Council of Europe promotes plurilingualism in the whole of Europe

One good way to celebrate this day is having fun, using the English language. You can play some games, solve quizzes and practise memory games. Just simply go to:
http://edl.ecml.at/LanguageFun/tabid/1516/language/en-GB/Default.aspx

Have fun!

9/11 - New York 10 years later

Hi folks!
Long time, no see!

After a period of holidays (well deserved), we are all coming back to our routines.

As you all know, 10 years have passed after an event that has schocked the entire world: the attack on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, in New York and the Pentagon, in Virginia and crash of an airplane in Pennsylvania.




It was something that changed the way we face life in general. As consequences we have a never ending war in Afghanistan and in Iraq, a thorough search of our body and luggage any time we travel by plane and a global fear in certain places and dates. Our trust has been shattered beyond recovery and the feeling that we are never safe anywhere invaded our lives.

It is not only the death of thousands of innocent victims we have to mourn but the end of a way of life.

The destruction caused serious damage to the economy of Lower Manhattan. Cleanup of the World Trade Center site was completed in May 2002. The National September 11 Memorial & Museum is scheduled to open on September 11, 2011. Adjacent to the memorial the 1,776 feet (541 m) One World Trade Center is estimated for completion by 2013.

 The Pentagon was repaired within a year, and the Pentagon Memorial opened, adjacent to the building, in 2008. Ground was broken for the Flight 93 National Memorial in November 2009, and the memorial is to be formally dedicated on September 10, 2011.

The memory of this attack is much alive in the minds of people and in video and audio recordings, as well as in many songs just like this one by Green Day.

Wake me up when september ends

European Capitals of Culture

Dear Pupils and collegues,

During the week from 13th to 17th June, the European Club from Escola Secundária Fernando Namora, organized its last exhibition of this schoolyear.
The theme was the European Capitals of Culture, with special emphasis on the Capitals of 2011: Turku in Finland and Tallin, in Estonia.
The exhibition used cardboards to illustrate the scope, tradition and recent history behind the creation of this european event and had also the contribution of the 7th grade classes with the result of their research of some European capitals of the past.
Here is a slideshow so that you can have a look at our exhibition.

Read some piece of information about the European Capitals of Culture, taken from the site of the European Commission.

Each year, cities chosen as European Capitals of Culture – in 2011 Tallinn, and Turku – provide living proof of the richness and diversity of European cultures. Started in 1985, the initiative has become one of the most prestigious and high-profile cultural events in Europe.
More than 40 cities have been designated European Capitals of Culture so far, from Stockholm to Genoa, Athens to Glasgow, and Cracow to Porto.

A city is not chosen as a European Capital of Culture solely for what it is, but mainly for what it plans to do for a year that has to be exceptional. Its programme for the year must meet some specific criteria.

http://youtu.be/zQxcEwynZ4w (watch some images of Turku)

http://youtu.be/Xwztbuw__hU (watch some images of Tallin)

Purpose

The European Capitals of Culture initiative was set up to:

- highlight the richness and diversity of European cultures

- celebrate the cultural ties that link Europeans together

- bring people from different European countries into contact with each other's culture and promote mutual understanding

- foster a feeling of European citizenship.

In addition, studies have shown that the event is a valuable opportunity to:


- regenerate cities

-raise their international profile and enhance their image in the eyes of their own inhabitants

- give new vitality to their cultural life

- raise their international profile, boost tourism and enhance their image in the eyes of their own inhabitants.

Find more:
http://ec.europa.eu/culture/our-programmes-and-actions/doc413_en.htm
http://www.tallinn2011.ee/eng
http://www.turku2011.fi/en/turku-2011/turku-european-capital-culture-2011
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Capital_of_Culture
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sonidoargento/5557873475/
http://www.tourism.tallinn.ee/fpage/experience/tallinn_2011
http://www.turku.fi/public/default.aspx?nodeid=14281&culture=en-us&contentlan=2

Wheat ear day 2011 - Pancake race

Dear pupils and colleagues,
last year we began celebrating the Wheat Ear Day with a class (former 7th A) and we liked it so much that we have decided to repeat the celebration this year.You all can have a look at some info and photos from last year in this very same blog:http://teacheranaamaro.blogspot.com/2010/05/dia-da-espiga-wheat-ear-day.html.

 

The afternoon began in Parque Verde in Condeixa-a-Nova, on the 1st June 2011. We arrived, prepared the snacks and the drinks and then began the presentation of an English tradition: Pancake Day and Pancake Race. The pupils read some cards with the explanation of this historical tradition while the audience listened to it carefully.

Then the pupils, dressed properly, spend a few moments training for the race, trying to toss the pancakes up in the air. The pancakes were real, baked by me in the very same morning. Everything was prepared accordingly because we wanted to make it as closer to the real tradition as possible.

Then the pancake race began! Up your marks, ready, set, go!!!! There were two races: one for the girls and one for the boys.

At the end there was the traditional kiss from the bell-ringer.

And these were our winers!



After the race there was still time to sing a song, read somes poems, play a football match and have lunch.

It was a wonderful afternoon.One we are sure we will repeat next year.

Women only at world's oldest pancake race

For more than 500 years, the English town of Olney has held its traditional Shrove Tuesday pancake race, a dash by local women from the market square to the church -- all while holding a pan and pancake. For the winner, a place in the history books and for local children, a chance to dream of one day competing in the oldest pancake race in the world.

Watch these amusing videos and have fun!!!!!


http://youtu.be/Ngal2tQ17fA

http://youtu.be/T8Uhcf-TmZw

Pancake Day and Pancake race

Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday (also known as Pancake Day, Pancake Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, and Mardi Gras) is a term used in English-speaking countries, especially the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, and parts of the United States for the day preceding Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of fasting and prayer called Lent.

The word shrove is the past tense of the English verb to shrive, which means to obtain absolution for one's sins by way of confession and doing penance. During the week before Lent, sometimes called Shrovetide in English, Christians were expected to go to confession in preparation for the penitential season of turning to God. Shrove Tuesday was the last day before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, and noted in histories dating back to 1000 AD.

In the United Kingdom and many other countries, the day is often known as Pancake Day. Making and eating such foods was considered a last feast with ingredients such as sugar, fat and eggs, whose consumption was traditionally restricted during the ritual fasting associated with Lent.

A pancake race

On Pancake Day, pancake races are held in villages and towns across the United Kingdom. The tradition is said to have originated when a housewife from Olney was so busy making pancakes that she forgot the time until she heard the church bells ringing for the service. She raced out of the house to church while still carrying her frying pan and pancake. The pancake race remains a relatively common festive tradition in the UK, and England in particular, even today. Participants with frying pans race through the streets tossing pancakes into the air, catching them in the pan whilst running.

Pancakes are closely related to French crepes and are very easy to make. Why don't you try the pancake recipe?



Ingredients:


• 2 cups all-purpose flour, stirred or sifted before measuring

• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 2 large eggs

• 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups milk

• 2 tablespoons melted butter

Preparation:

Sift together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and 1 1/2 cups of milk; add to flour mixture, stirring only until smooth. Blend in melted butter. If the batter seems too thick to pour, add a little more milk. Cook on a hot, greased griddle, using about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake. Cook until bubbly, a little dry around the edges, and lightly browned on the bottom; turn and brown the other side. Recipe for pancakes serves 4.

To find more information about Pancake recipes go to:

 - http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/good-old-fashioned-pancakes/Detail.aspx
- http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/breakfast-and-brunch/pancakes/Main.aspx
- http://www.thepancakerecipe.com/
- http://southernfood.about.com/od/pancakesandwaffles/r/bl30320v.htm


- http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/basicpancakeswithsuga_66226

Pancake race

The most famous pancake race at Olney in Buckinghamshire, has been held since 1445. The contestants, traditionally women, carry a frying pan and race to the finishing line while tossing the pancakes as they go. The winner is the first to cross the line having tossed the pancake a certain number of times. Traditionally, when men want to participate, they must dress up as a housewife (usually an apron and a bandanna).

Nowadays these events are often held to raise money for charity.

To find more about PANCAKE DAY:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/8369203/Parliamentary-pancake-race.html

http://www.digitalnewsagency.com/stories/2361-learn-how-to-create-the-perfect-pancake-with-help-from-celebrity-chef-phil-vickery
http://www.learnenglish.de/Temp/March/ShroveTuesday.htm

Asking for and giving directions

Many times when you meet some tourists you need to know how to give directions. It's not always easy to remember how to say things. Let's watch and listen to the video below and learn or recall how to ask for and give directions.

You can also practise, by using this map and answering the questions.

1- Excuse me, can you tell me the way to the British Museum? (You are at the Buckingham Palace) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2- Excuse me, where is Madame Tussauds? (You are at the British Museum) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3- Excuse me, how can I go to the Buckingham Palace? (You are at the Planetarium) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________