In Scotland during Hogmanay (is the Scots word for the last day of the year and is synonymous with the celebration of the New Year in the Scottish manner)they use to sing this traditional song. Hope you like it...and sing along.
Auld Lang Syne!
Welcome to the English Club Blog of Maia Secondary School! We invite you to join our blog and to go on this journey with us. Together, we can learn, share ideas and have some fun too. So, wherever you are from, please feel free to make comments. We'd love to read them. The video below portrays what we have accomplished in one year and a half. Let's keep up with the enthusiasm we've had so far!
Our Club!
Friday, 31 December 2010
Thursday, 30 December 2010
Saturday, 25 December 2010
Saturday, 18 December 2010
karaoke casting
Our first karaoke casting was a great success. We really have wonderful voices at our school. We hope all the participants enjoyed the experience. We loved it. Congratulations to all!
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
Monday, 6 December 2010
Saint Nicholas Day
The tradition of Saint Nicholas Day, usually on 6 December, is a festival for children in many countries in Europe related to surviving legends of the saint, and particularly his reputation as a bringer of gifts. The American Santa Claus, as well as the Anglo-Canadian and British Father Christmas, derive from these legends. "Santa Claus" is itself derived from the Dutch Sinterklaas.
Saint Nicholas
Today is the 6th of December. In Germany people celebrate "Nikolaus". It is a special day, mainly for children. On Nicholas Eve, they leave plates outside, so that Nikolaus can offer them candies, fruit and sweets.
Sunday, 5 December 2010
Friday, 3 December 2010
Thursday, 2 December 2010
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
Monday, 29 November 2010
St. Andrew, the Patron Saint of Scotland
Saint Andrew is the Patron Saint of Scotland, and St. Andrew's Day is celebrated by Scots around the world on the 30th November. The flag of Scotland is the Cross of St. Andrew, and this is widely displayed as a symbol of national identity. Very little is really known about St. Andrew himself. He was thought to have been a fisherman in Galilee (now part of Israel), along with his elder brother Simon Peter (Saint Peter). Both became followers (apostles) of Jesus Christ, founder of the Christian religion. Tradition suggests that St. Andrew was put to death by the Romans in Patras, Southern Greece by being pinned to a cross (crucified). The diagonal shape of this cross is said to be the basis for the Cross of St. Andrew which appears on the Scottish Flag.
Saturday, 27 November 2010
TODAY is BUY NOTHING DAY!
Eleventh form students have been challenged to call people's attention to consumerism and to inform them about the aims of Buy Nothing Day.
Their creativity and commitment are evident in the videos they´ve made.
Some of them are here below, but there are many more you may watch, if you just click on the link of the page under the name- students' videos about Buy Nothing Day 2010- which is on the right side of this page.
made by Barbara, Catarina and Mafalda (11th A)
Friday, 26 November 2010
What's Buy Nothing Day?
Lock up your wallets and purses, Saturday November 27th 2010 is Buy Nothing Day (UK). It's a day where you challenge yourself, your family and friends to switch off from shopping and tune into life. The rules are simple, for 24 hours you will detox from shopping and anyone can take part provided they spend a day without spending!
Everything we buy has an impact on the environment, Buy Nothing Day highlights the environmental and ethical consequences of consumerism. The developed countries - only 20% of the world population are consuming over 80% of the earth's natural resources, causing a disproportionate level of environmental damage, and an unfair distribution of wealth.
As consumers we need to question the products we buy and challenge the companies who produce them. What are the true risks to the environment and developing countries? We all know recycling is OK for the environment, but consuming less is better and Buy Nothing Day is a great way to start.
Participate by not participating!
Of course, Buy Nothing Day isn't about changing your lifestyle for just one day - we want it to be a lasting relationship with you consumer conscience - maybe a life changing experience? We want people to make a commitment to consuming less, recycling more and challenging companies to clean up and be fair. The supermarket or shopping mall might offer great choice, but this shouldn't be at the cost of the environment or developing countries.
Of course, Buy Nothing Day isn't about changing your lifestyle for just one day - we want it to be a lasting relationship with you consumer conscience - maybe a life changing experience? We want people to make a commitment to consuming less, recycling more and challenging companies to clean up and be fair. The supermarket or shopping mall might offer great choice, but this shouldn't be at the cost of the environment or developing countries.
Thursday, 25 November 2010
Wednesday, 24 November 2010
Tomorrow watch Thanksgiving Day Parade live online
Tomorrow- Thanksgiving Day - you can watch the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Parade online live from the streets of New York. The Earthcam website provides a view of the Parade. Visit http://www.earthcam.com/
In the meanwhile, have a look at some moments of last year's parade:
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day
Here am I
With such a need to thank
But, what to thank for?
The sweet rain
The blowing wind
The solid Earth
The blazing Sun
I thank you all.
I thank the farmers
The animals
The great harvest
And God.
I give thanks to all the helpers
To the corn
The pumpkins
And carrots.
I thank the feast on my table
The family around me
The life I have
The turkey I am eating.
Here am I
On Thanksgiving Day.
Bárbara Nanim
12ºJ
Monday, 22 November 2010
Thanksgiving thoughts
When you sit down with your loved ones for your Thanksgiving dinner, be thankful for everyone and everything that makes it possible. Look your family and friends in the eye and express to them your gratitude for sharing this wonderful time together.
Thanksgiving is a very special holiday. Embrace those around you and your ability to give thanks to those you love.
Thanksgiving is a very special holiday. Embrace those around you and your ability to give thanks to those you love.
Barton Goldsmith
How To Cook Turkey For Thanksgiving & Christmas That Is Always Moist & Juicy...
We don't have Thanksgiving roast turkey in Portugal, but we do have Christmas turkey. Portuguese moms always complain about the meat - either too dry or too juicy. Would you (or your moms) like to surprise your guests this coming Christmas and cook a wonderfully crispy, roast, golden turkey? Then watch this video, learn, practise and enjoy!
Sunday, 21 November 2010
Thanksgiving Parade
Just check out this Thanksgiving Parade!
This one shows the Pilgrims, the turkey...but you can watch the other videos on YouTube and be delighted with floating characters, musicals and much more!
This one shows the Pilgrims, the turkey...but you can watch the other videos on YouTube and be delighted with floating characters, musicals and much more!
Friday, 19 November 2010
"Freedom from Want" by Norman Rockwell
Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) is one of the most important American painters and illustraters. He became famous for the cover illustrations of everyday life scenarios that he created for The Saturday Evening Post magazine over more than four decades. Among the best-known of Rockwell's works are the Four Freedom Series which include this Thanksgiving portrait.
Thanksgiving Recipes
Marshmallows Pilgrims Hats
Ingredients
• 24 chocolate-striped shortbread cookies
• 12-ounce package of chocolate chips
• 24 marshmallows
• tube of yellow decorators' frosting
Instructions
1. Set the chocolate-striped cookies stripes down on a wax-paper-covered tray, spacing them well apart.
2. Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave or double boiler.
3. One at a time, stick a wooden toothpick into a marshmallow, dip the marshmallow into the melted chocolate, and promptly center it atop a cookie.
4. Using a second toothpick to lightly hold down the marshmallow, carefully pull out the first toothpick.
5. Chill the hats until the chocolate sets, then pipe a yellow decorators' frosting buckle on the front of each hat
Gobble me up
Ingredients
• Apple
• Clementine or navel orange
• Pear
• Dried apricot
• Peanut butter or cream cheese
• Mini chocolate chips
• Nut (we used a cashew)
• Dried cranberry
Instructions
1. Arrange apple and clementine or navel orange slices on a plate as shown, and lay a cored pear half on top.
2. Use scissors to halve a dried apricot, then snip small triangles from each half and tuck them under the pear to form the feet.
3. Finally, use peanut butter or softened cream cheese to attach mini chocolate chip eyes, a nut beak, and a dried cranberry snood.
Research done by Elisabete Carvalho in http://familyfun.go.com/thanksgiving/18-classic-thanksgiving-desserts
Ingredients
• 24 chocolate-striped shortbread cookies
• 12-ounce package of chocolate chips
• 24 marshmallows
• tube of yellow decorators' frosting
Instructions
1. Set the chocolate-striped cookies stripes down on a wax-paper-covered tray, spacing them well apart.
2. Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave or double boiler.
3. One at a time, stick a wooden toothpick into a marshmallow, dip the marshmallow into the melted chocolate, and promptly center it atop a cookie.
4. Using a second toothpick to lightly hold down the marshmallow, carefully pull out the first toothpick.
5. Chill the hats until the chocolate sets, then pipe a yellow decorators' frosting buckle on the front of each hat
Gobble me up
Ingredients
• Apple
• Clementine or navel orange
• Pear
• Dried apricot
• Peanut butter or cream cheese
• Mini chocolate chips
• Nut (we used a cashew)
• Dried cranberry
Instructions
1. Arrange apple and clementine or navel orange slices on a plate as shown, and lay a cored pear half on top.
2. Use scissors to halve a dried apricot, then snip small triangles from each half and tuck them under the pear to form the feet.
3. Finally, use peanut butter or softened cream cheese to attach mini chocolate chip eyes, a nut beak, and a dried cranberry snood.
Research done by Elisabete Carvalho in http://familyfun.go.com/thanksgiving/18-classic-thanksgiving-desserts
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
One week before Thanksgiving - America prepares for the big Festivity!
Thanksgiving is one of the most important national holidays in the United States. It is celebrated each year on the fourth Thursday in November. On this day, families gather together, and many people say prayers of thanks for the year’s blessings. In many homes, a big dinner of roast turkey and dressing is served. Thanksgiving is traditionally a harvest festival. Similar festivals are celebrated in many parts of the world to give thanks after the year’s crops have been safely harvested.
Watch History of Thanksgiving — History.com Video
and learn about the historical origins of Thanksgiving
Saturday, 13 November 2010
My first everything in the USA
I have been an "Alien" in Savannah, state of Georgia, for three months and half now. Around here weekends are to relax, socialize and spend money.
In October the city spruced up for the fall and with it pumpkins and scarecrows. Halloween was crazy: candies, costumes, parties...
Nov. 9, 2010
In October the city spruced up for the fall and with it pumpkins and scarecrows. Halloween was crazy: candies, costumes, parties...
November is time for Thanksgiving (Thursday) and Black Friday.
For Thanksgiving, Americans travel to meet their loved ones. The majority of them do not return for Christmas. They say it is family time...
In stores, books for children speak about the Pilgrims that were starving and the Indians who helped them learning how to survive in a new land. But in the 21st century what are they giving thanks for?
The newspapers of the weekend before Black Friday advertise 50% or more off in all products. It’s the bargain of the year!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At dawn of the next day family values are replaced by consumers. Black Friday begins, they go shopping until they drop.
Elisabete Carvalho, a Portuguese living in the USANov. 9, 2010
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
International day against ...
9th November
International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism
International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism
After the Nazis came to power in Germany in 1933, Jews were subjected to increasingly discriminatory treatment accompanied by organised violence. On November 9th 1938, the Nazis started a program against the Jews.
Synagogues were set on fire.
Jewish shops had their windows smashed across the country, which gave rise to the name "Kristallnacht", which freely translated means the Night of Broken Glass. Many Jews were physically attacked too. The "Kristallnacht" is usually seen as the symbolic beginning of the Holocaust.
9th November, 1989 - Germany Berlin Wall Opens Up
East Germany opened its borders today, allowing its citizens to freely cross into the West for the first time since the Berlin Wall was built in 1961. Some Germans used hammers to chip away at the Berlin Wall for keepsakes or in their own small way try to destroy the infamous symbol of East-West division.
Monday, 8 November 2010
Martin Luther King, Jr. - " I have a dream"
"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. "
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. "
"I have a dream today!"
Saturday, 6 November 2010
Bonfire Fireworks
Friday, 5 November 2010
Remember, Remember the 5th of November
5th of November - Today Maia Secondary School saw not one, not two, but three Guy Fawkes "burning on a bonfire" for having tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament!!!
Thursday, 4 November 2010
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot
Guy Fawkes Nursery Rhyme
Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I see no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t'was his intent
To blow up the King and Parli'ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below
To prove old England's overthrow;
By God's providence he was catch'd (or by God's mercy*)
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holla boys, Holla boys, let the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!
And what should we do with him? Burn him!
If you want to learn more about this English festivity click on the following video and you will watch a BBC documentary on this historical moment.
Monday, 1 November 2010
Sunday, 31 October 2010
Friday, 29 October 2010
Thursday, 28 October 2010
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
Monday, 25 October 2010
Halloween Pumpkin Carving Creativity
Enjoy this Halloween song and ... sing along!
Lyrics - Monster Mash
I was working in the lab late one night
When my eyes beheld an eerie sight
For my monster from his slab began to rise
And suddenly to my surprise
CHORUS - (change pronouns (he, they, she) as needed)
He did the mash
He did the monster mash
The monster mash
It was a graveyard smash
He did the mash
It caught on in a flash
He did the mash
He did the monster mash
From my laboratory in the castle east
To the master bedroom where the vampires feast
The ghouls all came from their humble abodes
To get a jolt from my electrodes
REPEAT CHORUS HERE
The zombies were having fun
The party had just begun
The guests included Wolf Man
Dracula and his son
The scene was rockin', all were digging the sounds
Igor on chains, backed by his baying hounds
The coffin-bangers were about to arrive
With their vocal group, "The Crypt-Kicker Five"
REPEAT CHORUS
Out from his coffin, Drac's voice did ring
Seems he was troubled by just one thing
He opened the lid and shook his fist
And said, "Whatever happened to my Transylvania twist?"
REPEAT CHORUS
Now everything's cool, Drac's a part of the band
And my monster mash is the hit of the land
For you, the living, this mash was meant too
When you get to my door, tell them Boris sent you
REPEAT CHORUS
When my eyes beheld an eerie sight
For my monster from his slab began to rise
And suddenly to my surprise
CHORUS - (change pronouns (he, they, she) as needed)
He did the mash
He did the monster mash
The monster mash
It was a graveyard smash
He did the mash
It caught on in a flash
He did the mash
He did the monster mash
From my laboratory in the castle east
To the master bedroom where the vampires feast
The ghouls all came from their humble abodes
To get a jolt from my electrodes
REPEAT CHORUS HERE
The zombies were having fun
The party had just begun
The guests included Wolf Man
Dracula and his son
The scene was rockin', all were digging the sounds
Igor on chains, backed by his baying hounds
The coffin-bangers were about to arrive
With their vocal group, "The Crypt-Kicker Five"
REPEAT CHORUS
Out from his coffin, Drac's voice did ring
Seems he was troubled by just one thing
He opened the lid and shook his fist
And said, "Whatever happened to my Transylvania twist?"
REPEAT CHORUS
Now everything's cool, Drac's a part of the band
And my monster mash is the hit of the land
For you, the living, this mash was meant too
When you get to my door, tell them Boris sent you
REPEAT CHORUS
Saturday, 23 October 2010
Thursday, 21 October 2010
Let's celebrate Halloween!
BEWARE of WITCHES and LITTLE DEVILS!
They may show up at School on Friday, 29 , and put a spell on YOU!
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
Saturday, 16 October 2010
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