Happy Saint Patrick's Day 2010

International Women's Day 2010

Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all.

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Gibraltar: a school trip

One year later, on March 5, we are going to Gibraltar on a school trip. You will do a series of activities related to the Rock. The activities will include Maths and English tasks!!! You'll have to do these activities by asking native people, in English, of course! I hope you enjoy the trip and get the most of it. I write the link to three of my previous entries in order for you to read and get some information about Gibraltar:

Our trip to Gibraltar (last year's trip)
School trip to Gibraltar (previous information for last year's trip)
Gibraltar

Classroom rules

Can you add some more classroom rules?

We Are the World - 25 for Haiti

A few days ago I wrote an entry about "We Are the World" and I swear I didn't know it was going to be re-made. I love this song, I find it touching and I think the artists are or were all incredible! We played the song during the commemoration of the School Day of Non-Violence and Peace at our school and some of my students told me yesterday that it is being re-made to raise funds for Haiti. I haven't listened to the new version yet, it is not possible until February, 12, but the initiative is for a good cause again, and this is what really matters. Watch this video and read below for more information on the new version of the song:

Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie have arranged the re-make of the 1985 group song "We Are The World". The new version is titled "We Are the World - 25 for Haiti". It has been recorded to raise money to help the victims of the January 12 earthquake in Haiti that killed 170,000 people and devastated the poorest country in America. The new song was recorded on February 1, 2010, at Henson Recording Studios in Hollywood, California.

Richie and Jones have recruited 81 performers for the 2010 remake of "We are the World". Some of them are Celine Dion, Pink, the Jonas Brothers, Justin Beiber, Jeff Bridges, Vince Vaughn, Nicole Richie, Carlos Santana, Akon, Usher, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Josh Groban, Jennifer Hudson, Barbra Streisand, Miley Cyrus, Kanye West, Mya, Tony Bennett and Haiti activist Wyclef Jean, amongst many others.

The We are the World 25 for Haiti video will be produced in 3D and will be broadcast during the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Main source: http://www.mahalo.com/we-are-the-world-haiti

We weren't born to follow, Bon Jovi

You gotta stand up for what you
believe!!!

I just love this song, it has a great message. Click on the video to enlarge. It is worthwhile!

Lyrics | Bon Jovi lyrics - We Weren't Born To Follow lyrics

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American clergyman, activist and prominent leader in the African-American civil rights movement. His main legacy was to secure progress on civil rights in the United States, and he has become a human rights icon. He led the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott and helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957, serving as its first president. King's efforts led to the 1963 March on Washington, where King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech. There, he raised public consciousness of the civil rights movement and established himself as one of the greatest orators in U.S. history.

In 1964, King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end racial segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other non-violent means. His non-violent protests met with success as Congress passed civil rights laws (1964) and voting rights laws (1965). King’s friendship with President John F. Kennedy also helped his cause. By the time of his death in 1968, he had refocused his efforts on ending poverty and opposing the Vietnam War. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established as a U.S. national holiday in 1986. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, near the time of King's birthday. (Source: Wikipedia).

In this video you can watch a summary of Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech. For the full speech, click on this link, and for the Spanish subtitled version, click here.


Online activities on Martin Luther King.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Crossword Puzzle. Answer Key.
Martin Luter King, Jr. Quiz.
Martin Luther King Jr. Resources for Teachers.

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Saint Valentine's Card Contest 2010

Make Your Own Saint Valentine's Day Cards

As you know, on February 14 we celebrate Saint Valentine's Day. I want you, my students, to express your feelings to your friends, boyfriends, girlfriends or even teachers. You are encouraged to make a Saint Valentine's card and hand it in before February 9. Remember to do it in English, you can include a poem, a quote, a drawing, etc.

The easiest way to make a Saint Valentine's Day card is to fold a sheet of paper in half and decorate it. Does it sound boring? Well, it doesn't have to be. There are several fun options for decorating cards.

Use your imagination to create fancy St. Valentine's Day cards and win the contest for the most loving, touching, shocking, fabulous, and above all, original Saint Valentine’s Card!

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Saint Valentine's Day Love Letters

Valentine's Day Facts

Activities, Crafts and Cards for Saint Valentine's Day

Saint Valentine's E-cards

Last year's pictures

Last year's entry on Saint Valentine's Day

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PLAGIARISM IN BLOGS

Plagiarism: the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work. (Definition provided by Dictionary.com).

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Plagiarism is the act of presenting other people's work or ideas as your own. Sadly, this is very common nowadays, because of the bad use that some people make of the Internet. Many people take other people's writings and simply "copy and paste", without making reference to the source. When I create a post in my blog and use other people's information, I write the source and add a link to his or her site.

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Recently, I have found that one person keeps on copying and pasting from my blog to hers, but not only from my blog, from many others as well. This shows that she lacks originality and is unable to create anything on her own. I wrote a comment on her blog and asked her not to copy and paste without making reference to the source, and she not only did NOT answer, but she deleted it and eliminated from her blog the possibility of writing comments!!! I encourage people not to act like that, to accept advice and try to improve from their mistakes. In blogger, you can report this kind of behaviour.

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Aid for Haiti quake relief

I am still shocked after seeing the terrible images of the effects of the earthquake in Haiti, which is said to be the most devastating in 200 years. Fortunately, if this word can be used in a situation like this, the response of the different institutions and organizations all over the world is being focused and swift. Organizations are requesting monetary donations; agencies have set up phone lines, Web pages and texting for donations, which will go toward medical and basic supplies.

"...We are trying to save as many lives as possible. A major
humanitarian effort is now well underway... the international community’s response has been generous and robust, and we are gearing up rapidly and effectively despite the challenging circumstances."

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in remarks to the press in New York, 15 Jan. '10

My thoughts are with the people and families of Haiti, and I really hope governments all over the world contribute to alleviate their suffering. Every little bit helps.
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