Picture description (B1A/B)

Remember the three steps when talking about a picture:
-Description (use prepositions, in the background/foreground, at the top/bottom left/right hand corner...)
-Speculation (what the picture could be, where it may have been taken...)
-Personal opinion (your feelings about it)

Have a go with these:

Toadaroo vs Kangaroad (E1A, E1C)

Do you remember the beginning of the poem about the toad and the kangaroo by Shel Silverstein?


Said the Toad to the Kangaroo,
"I can hop and so can you,
So if we marry we'll have a child
Who can jump a mountain or hop a mile
And we can call it a Toadaroo"
Said the hopeful Toad to the Kangaroo.
Said the Kangaroo, "My dear,
What a perfectly lovely idea.
I would most gladly marry you,
But as for having a Toadaroo,
I'd rather we call it a Kangaroad",
Said the Kangaroo to the frowning Toad.

These are some of the endings you have made up for the poem:

"One day they promised a "forever"
But now they aren´t together.
The girl was sick of helping him with all
While he was using her as a doll.
The girl has a broken heart
Cause the boy has left her apart.
Nowadays the girl misses
all the boy´s wishes,
dreaming their love not to be fake,
But they may have made a mistake.
The ending is not happy
Cause finally they don´t marry.
The girl couldn´t forget him,
She had chicken skin.
Before they were best friends,
But we can see that all that starts, ends." (by Inés Arenas)

"The poor toad answered: 'If we don´t decide soon
We won´t have our honeymoon'.
Quickly the kangaroo said: 'I think it´s my obligation
To put an end to this situation'.
The kangaroo continued: 'it´s a shame
That we don´t agree on the name
But we´re far of being a perfect match,
And I don´t want to fix your heartpatch'.
The Toad and the Kangaroo reached the conclusion
That their marriage was just an ilusion". (by Noelia Parra)

"At the end they married and had a baby,
But they didn´t agree with the name of the lady,
His parents gave her when she was born
In a hospital in Washington.
She finally changed her name
Because she wasn´t the one to blame
Just her parents that wanted to have,
All the importance instead of love". (by Ángela Abad)

They wanted to agree,
so the child will be green.
They tried to call him Pink,
but they ran out of ink.
They went to bed,
and painted all in red.

The toad put jewellery,
he said he liked berries,
the kangaroo was sad,
he wanted to have a dad.
The story won´t work,
if there aren´t enough words.

The kangaroo said it was annoying,
not like this story´s ending.
The toad wanted to have a baby,
the kangaroo said maybe.
Finally they didn´t have a child,
so the day will be mild". (by Lucia Fernandez).


The ending by the author, Shel Silverstein, is...: 
 

"So they argued but couldn't agree
On Rangatoo or Kangaree
And finally the Toad said, "I don't give a dang
If it's Rootakoad or Toadakang--
I really don't feel like marrying you!"
"Fine with me," said the Kangaroo.

And the Toad had no more to say,
And the Kangaroo just hopped away.
And they never married or had a child
That could jump a mountain or hop a mile.
What a loss--what a shame--
Just 'cause they couldn't agree on a name". 




And now, your best titles for the poem:

-"The Impossible Love" (by Yadira Morales)
-"False Love" (by Noelia Mora)
-"The Jumping Pair" (by Silvia González)
-"Proudness of a toad and a kangaroo" (by Sofia Bozzo)
-"The fight of names"(by Razvan Bucurica)

Silverstein´s title is... "The Toad and the Kangaroo" (not very original).

The meaning of the origami unicorn in Blade Runner

Explained by the director (Ridley Scott) himself:

But Harrison Ford (Deckard, the Blade Runner) didn´t agree with Ridley Scott at all... (actually he still doesn´t):

So which version do you prefer?

"My region is the best" presentation (B1A/B)

This is the role-play you have to act out: you are the local authorities of a region/city in a country of your choice (e.g. Cornwall, Wales, Coslada, etc). The rest of the students in the class are important investors who want to build a huge hotel and leisure centre somewhere in the world. You want your region/city to be chosen, of course! So you have to "sell" it to them and convince them that yours is the best alternative.

-Rules:

-You must work in groups (4-5 people).

-You must choose an area/city in a country and research about it.

-You must give a presentation (in powerpoint) showing the most interesting features of the region you represent and explaining why it is the best place for the investors to put their money.

-The powerpoint presentation must be based on pictures, the slides must NOT include texts (just isolated names, dates or figures), like in PechaKucha presentations (a very fashionable format you can use: 20 slides, explained in 20 seconds each, if the group has four members that means each person is supposed to explain 5 slides). You can´t read anything.

-The presentations will be given the first week of June.

-Evaluation: 2.5 points (this is your speaking exam). One point will go for the powerpoint presentation, so that mark will be shared by the members of the group, and the rest (1.5 p.) for the oral presentation of each member of the group (that mark will be individual).

-The powerpoint presentation must have a minimum of 20 slides plus a cover page. Include a map of the region you have chosen so that we can follow your presentation.

-Finally the best project will be chosen by the whole class.

Blade Runner (B1A/B)

You have to prepare the following questions for a class quiz contest next Thursday about the film we are going to watch next week, Blade Runner.


1. Instructions to prepare the quiz:


-You can find the answers to the questions and loads of extra info on the film in the internet. You can begin here: http://www.brmovie.com/



2.The Questions:


a)When was this film released?

b)Who is its director? Say the names of three famous films he has directed.

c)When and where is the film set?

e)Which book is the film based on?

f)Say the name of another film based on a novel by this author.

g)What is the name of the actress who performed the role of Rachael?

h)What is "Cityspeak"?

i)Who made the score of the film? Where is he from?

j)How old was Harrison Ford when he played this role?

k)Where is the actor who plays Roy´s role from?

l)Watch this trailer of the film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_hYs1jBy8Y

Now, answer the question: What is the only animal you can watch in it?

m)What is the "Final Cut" of Blade Runner?

n)What is a "spinner"?

o)Who are the "replicants"?





Good search!

Questions (E1A/C)

You know you have a problem with questions. But here you are the solution: 20 sentences you must turn into the interrogative form! You know, ask about the underlined part and use the same tense you have in the answer. Let´s face it, this is not going to be the most exciting exercise you´ve ever done, but that´s the way it is. Have it ready for Thursday.

1. They have been to Paris many times.

2. He began to study in this school in 1990.

3. He phoned Jane yesterday.

4. Peter broke his leg last Tuesday.

5. John has studied here since May.

6. They always give Karen a present for his birthday.

7. She´ll work as a teacher next year.

8. They often go to Torrevieja.

9. Yes, she´s working as a hairdresser.

10. I bought a moped last week.

11. She is going to work in the evenings.

12. Bob has written seventeen e-mails today.

13. No, I have never had a car accident . I´m lucky.

14.  Peter came to visit us yesterday.

15. Jane was waiting for Peter when it started to rain.

16. I enjoy Wes Magee´s poems so much

17. No, she shouldn´t  smoke!

18. She has to study very hard to pass her exams.

19. She used to go to the cinema when she was younger.

20. She was driving very fast when I saw her yesterday.

Finished! Congratulations. Now check them!

The Maoris and the sun (E1A/C)

Talking about the sun metaphors, I remembered a Maori legend that has to do with the sun (and is really poetic). Watch the video and answer the questions:

 

1.Why did the days become too short?

2.How many brothers did Maui have?

3.What did Maui want to do?

4.How is he going to do that?

5.Why did they walk where the sun rose during the night?

6.Why did they make a wall?

7.What did they do with the ropes?

8.Why were they magic?

9.What did Maui do when the sun rose?

10.What happened in the end?

Rick and his revolting rumours (by Wes Magee)

-Listen to Wes Magee´s poem Rick´s Revolting Rumours

-Have a look at an interview to him HERE.

Adele - Someone like you

More metaphors (E1C)

More metaphors (now by E1C) on the sun and the moon!

The sun is….

The galaxy´s heart.

A powerful flashlight (torch).

The fever that never ends.

A flame in the distance (sky)

A giant who evaporates a puddle.

A giant star of fire.

The beginning of a pretty day.

A huge amount of volcanoes.

The reason of my beautiful life.

The light that creates shadow.

Is the power to see.

The symbol of summer.

The earth´s furnace.

A smile in the morning.

A dry day in summer.

A glittering yellow rose.

An everlasting bulb.

An orange stain in the galaxy.

The enemy of nightmares.

Is the ball the gods use to play with.

Is an angry father whose face turns red with rage.

A giant molten planet.

Is everyday´s hope.

A free light bulb

Our winter dream.

The moon is …

A wolf´s temple.

A white snowflake in the dark sky.

Is the sun in the night.

The most beautiful rock in the sky.

Is sometimes shy (especially when it disappears)

A giant white pearl.

The calmness of our thoughts.

A baby´s bum that needs to sunbathe.

A huge tipex correction.

The night´s princess.

Is the death of the day.

A crystal ball full of milk.

Great work!!

Metaphors (E1A)

Metaphors about the sun and the moon by the students of E1ºA (an incredible bunch of poets, btw)…:

The sun is …

A big house where you can have a party with all the planets

A yellow dot.

The origin of life.

The fire that glows out of my heart.

A big lamp in the sky.

My brain in an exam.

An enormous firefly.

The lamp that shines on the earth.

A yellow coin that is worth a lot.

A circle that encloses my thoughts. Its rays are my tears when I feel sad.

A big volcano in Space.

The beginning of hope.

The moon´s brother.

The sea´s best friend.

A spatial canvas with bright red paint drops.

A golden coin in the middle of the street.

The light that shows me the way.

The angel of the dark.

A bomb about to explode.

An egg in the middle of my dinner plate.

The beginning and the end.

And the moon is…

A silver coin.

The sky´s smile.

A cheese ball.

A big ball of cheese with craters that explode with cheese.

A shiny pearl in the depth of the ocean.

The earth´s little brother.

A speck of dust in a mansion.

A honeydrop in the middle of the universe.

A baby´s cradle (when crescent).

The one who tells me stories when I go to sleep.

Cheshire cat´s smile.

A pearl of your necklace.

The queen of the night.

A spot of white paint on a black ceiling.

The Earth´s pet.

A dream protector.

The Earth´s football.

Happiness at night.

The ghost of day time (because you can´t see it then).

Your "whatifs" (E1A/C)

Here are your poems in Shel Silverstein´s "Whatif" style:

"Whatif I don´t buy more jeans?
Whatif I start eating beans?
Whatif we become bald?
Whatif I forget how I´m called?" (by Aroa M.)
 
"Whatif I´m getting crazy?
Whatif I´m a little lazy?
Whatif the sun ceases to shine?
Whatif the moon can be mine?
Whatif I cry laughing?
Whatif I laugh crying?" (by Paula N.)

"Whatif I fall from a skyscraper?
Whatif in the toilet there´s not paper?
What if Martin doesn´t come?
Whatif he leaves us without fun?
(...)Whatif we all become Supermen?
Whatif Samuel puts me a ten?" (by Álvaro de B.)

"Whatif they throw me into prison?
Whatif they do that without a reason?
Whatif the crisis never ends?
Whatif I lose all my friends?
(...)What if Bárcenas stole more money?
What if someone ate all the honey?
(...)What if North Korea starts a war?
Whatif I don´t see my mother anymore?
Whatif videogames disappear?
Whatif I lose my left ear?
(...)Whatif I lose my inspiration?
Whatif Madrid becomes a nation?".(by Alejandro Z.)

"Whatif I don´t know what to do?
Whatif I get as silly as you?
Whatif I don´t go to school?
Whatif Samuel gets cool?" (by Lucía F.)

(I´ll try to get cool, Lucía. Anyway, don´t expect too much).

"Whatif there´s life in Mars?
Whatif they steal my father´s cars?
(...)Whatif the war is chaotic?
Whatif my parents become gothic?" (by Pablo M.)

"Whatif I have stomachache?
because I eat too much cake?
 Whatif my brain goes out of my head
because I fall off my bed?" (by Alejandra S.)

"Whatif someone punishes me?
Whatif I´m not who I should be?
Whatif I can´t speak?
Whatif a bird hits me with its beak?" (by Raquel L.)

"Whatif one of my best friends leaves me alone?
Whatif I´m less important than a smartphone?
Whatif I become unemployed?
Whatif the world gets destroyed?" (by Inés A.)

"Whatif water stops being blue?
Whatif I die because of the flu?
Whatif I stop loving you?
Whatif I don´t have anything to do?" (by Águeda A.)

"Whatif I see a ghost?
Whatif I get a burning toast?
Whatif I get lost in a lonely coast? (by Carlos E.)

"Whatif you don´t hear my voice again?
Whatif my breath stops when the clock strikes ten?
Whatif suddenly I lose my sense of touch?
Whatif everybody trusts me, but not too much?
Whatif I can´t tell you something you should know?
Whatif in a winter I can´t see the snow?
Whatif my eyes can no longer see?
Whatif death surprises me by the sea?". (by Noelia P.)



I´m really impressed! Good work!

A dream

Today, working in groups of 3 to 5 you are going to write the story of a dream by completing the following text. Each student has to choose 2 pictures out of the set I´ve given to you, turn them over and include them in the dream. (You must use Past Simple and Past Continuous). The dream begins like this:

"I was sitting in front of the television late one evening, when I fell asleep and had a strange dream. In the dream I was........... (where were you? What were you doing?)

Suddenly........ (What happened?)

Then, to my surprise..... (What happened next?)

Unfortunately..... (Something terrible happened. What was it?)

Finally............ (What happened in the end?)

Now read your dreams and decide which one is the funniest or strangest.

(activity adapted from Reward, Macmillan Heinemann).

The Christmas Presents (E2A/B)

Explain the relation of the objects in the pictures and The Christmas Presents story by O. Henry:

Paradise Lost (E2A/B)

1.Look at the picture and describe it. Would you like to be there? Why?

2.Now watch a videoclip using this link. Answer these questions:
-What can you see in the videoclip?
-What is the topic in the song?

3.Work now with the lyrics (fill the gaps on the lyrics sheet). Then answer the following questions:
-Who is the protagonist of the song?
-Where does she live?
-Do you think she is happy?
-Why do you think the title of the song is “Another day in paradise”?

4.The song is related to one of the stories by O. Henry in New Yorkers, which story is it? How are they related?