LITTLE MOON

Every year the programme of Novadors is even better. Here you are the info about this summer course celebrated in Gandia in July.  Info:  http://novadors.org/jornades2014/ http://www.novadors.org/ I had created a video about 'GAME OF NOVADORS' I hope you like it.

Every year I try to include new items of history about English spoken countries in my teaching programme. That's why I leave you this interesting post of the UK history about the origin of the most common Nursery Rhymes we use at a Primary school. My intention is to recreate a native environment in my classes. How? Reproducing some anecdotes of English history. It is a funny and real way of preparing children for listening to culture and put in context nursery rhymes. First I ask them about a picture of an egg. What is it? Then I say, What's the relation between an egg and English history? Next we discuss a little about it, even if they say in Spanish some silly things I don't mind because they are understanding and communicating. Finally I show them some slides with pictures of the link and we review the relation with English culture. Finally I told them to record their voices saying a nursery rhyme as fastest as possible. In the end we review pronunciation and the stude...

My students asked me to publish their photos working in the English Classroom. Today one of them told me: 'Thank you for teaching me!'...and I have to say Thanks to all of you! I wish you only the best! CEIP RAFAEL ALTAMIRA (Callosa de Segura)

This last days of classes we are working with PIRATES, we extend our vocabulary, create different faces and bodies of the models. Even more we are reading books of adventures, which matches with the Reading Project of the School this year. Enjoy! HA HA HA All the material is available in the corridor, together with our WALL OF FAME.

This month our students have been working hard with theatre plays and the current work. Here I leave you some example of the organisation of an adaptation, the transcript of the teacher (Fran) of the Second level of First Cycle of Primary Education. The adaptation of the Odyssey is called "The adventures of Ulysses". Good job!

This month we have presented in Valencia our book of Boreal Editions called "ARTS, CRAFTS & FUN." It is printed in Valencia and you can buy it at Casa del Libro , in Paseo Ruzafa 11 , Valencia . Click on here:  Buy one book! I am one of the co-authors of the book, it has been created with love by professionals of teaching English in the Valencian Community. If you need more info please contact us. The main idea is to have a book written in English language to work Art in the first cicle of Primary education, from 6 to 8 years old. The most important characteristic is that it includes much more words in English to work than other Art Books but less than a text book. I hope you enjoy it! If you are a teacher in Valencia, you can ask for a copy for free! Thanks to all the rest of co-authors! I am nobody without you!

This week I have attended to a course about creating materials for digital board. I share here some tips for teachers who want to initiate in this from zero. It is easy and fast, in a few hours you will be able to create activities ready to use. TIPS 1. Follow the material about HOW TO USE A PDI?  Ateneu project  My tip is to select some sections, if you already know how to use a PDI you will leave aside some basic notions. Part 3 (Mòdul 3 called in Catalan) is the one we are interested in for the creation of materials. Source:  http://www.touchboards.com/polyvision/ts600.asp 2. Differentiate the kind of Interactive whiteboard you have got at your classroom. Depending on the system we could have: touch based (using fingers and pens), electromagnetic (only with special pen), infrared, interactive projector (with static board). You should have installed the software and a good Internet connection. The first step is to 'orient' it with the software, means to lim...

Today is a special day in Callosa de Segura. Other cities around Alicante, like Elche, celebrate today the "partir la vieja" day. The meaning is to celebrate the middle part of the Lent ( "Cuaresma" in Spanish) that's the middle of a period of a Christian festivity. The literal meaning is "to divide" ( partir) "the old woman" ( la vieja"). During this day people or schools from the town show a pair of old fainted people dressed as old people, called "viejotes". In a big poster people write some critic saying about society, related to education, council fails, etc.  Look at our "viejotes" and the poster. 

This is a useful extra-material, the minicards or miniflashcards. It is a sheet which includes all the vocabulary of each unit (7-8 words).  How can we use it?  - Memory game - Different cards game: odd one out, for instance. - Copying the vocabulary on the other face and repeating the words. - Making pairs. - The teacher says a word and the students raise their hands showing the corresponding card How can we adapt it? This material is inclusive by itself, but just in case we need to personalise it for students with special needs, as it is my case, here you are some ways to do it. - Give students new ways of writing: filling the blanks in the same face of the picture; copy the name of the object in capital letters and below that draw lines enough to copy the full word. - Ask the student to repeat with you: some students need your help more than others. Meanwhile the group-class is playing with the cards, ask him or her to come to your table and repeat what you say, showing the...

If you want to prepare an easy but suggestive activity for your school on the Valentine's day, here I've got an idea.  You can prepare in large white paper a photocall with the title "I ❤ ENGLISH" and some handmade decorations around. But the most interesting of this game is that you are going to involve the whole school community including parents.  Display the photocall at the hall or in a place where everyone can see it.  Then ask other teachers to advice their students about the schedule for taking photographs, depending on your school timetable and previous organization. Another point is to ask students to wear for a day, that's the 14th February, a T-shirt with a message written in English. It will be very funny to see lots of pictures with your students wearing English language messages and some of them even will have amusing comments.  I will show you mine in the next days! Have a good time!