SIX-WORD MEMOIRS

Shared by Shawn Redwood:

"Six-Word Memoirs® is a simple way to engage and inspire anyone and everyone to get to the essence of who they are and what matters most."

https://www.sixwordmemoirs.com/

You can use this as a lesson in your English Classroom. There are plenty of examples and prompts on the website. It is best to start out with examples to model what is expected of your students.

Show your students a picture or a work of art and have them describe it in six words. Give them a minute to write their sentence. You can even use a prompt.

Students will be challenged by this because they are used to writing long sentences. I have placed examples below from a PowerPoint I used in my teacher training sessions. I wrote the sentences for each picture.

I normally give them the art or photo. I use it as a way to start class and get students thinking about the topic. 

You can use it any way you wish. The beauty about this is that you can adapt it in class and put a spin on it. It also works with prompts. Look at the example below.

POEM STORE PROJECT

Shared by Eva Mª Díaz:

Afrose Fatima Ahmed is a traveling poet who, along with her trusty typewriter, has traveled across the contiguous United States in pursuit of an idea of home. 

Born out of grief after a personal tragedy, Afrose’s project—”Poem Store” impromptu typewritten poetry for strangers—is an opportunity to connect with other people in a common quest for belonging. 

 Subscribe for more videos like this:   https://trib.al/GD9qhdX 

 At Atlas Obscura, our mission is to inspire wonder and curiosity about the incredible world we all share. 

See where we’re exploring here: https://www.atlasobscura.com 

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atlasobscura 

Tweet us: https://www.twitter.com/atlasobscura

Kamchatka Street Theatre

 

Shared by EvaMª Díaz: 

In Galway, Ireland, GAF TV talks to the Kamchatka street theatre group - the Spanish collective of quirky immigrants, who wander the streets wide-eyed and curious, coaxing members of the public into their performance as they reclaim the urban space. 

"Kiss Me, I'm Irish" on the West Coast, USA

 Shared and curated by Mary Marsell:

Saint Patrick's Day is a BIG DEAL in the USA. In Chicago they even turn the rivers green! We celebrate March 17th in a rotundly green and glorious way!

But, I'm digressing. Getting back to the West Coast, my four children and I practiced Irish dancing with the Kennelly School of Irish Dance for almost a year before the Irish Parade date arrived and we could reel and jig through the the downtown Sacramento, California streets.

For the Saint Patrick's Day Parade and more, take a look at the venue. 
https://www.sactownmag.com/six-spirited-ways-to-celebrate-st-patricks-day-in-sacramento/

My father-in-law was the son of Irish immigrants, born in New York, and he was the leprauchaun that sparked a true Irish identity in the children. They grew up hearing Irish songs, Irish brogue and ate corn beef and cabbage every St. Patties Day, to be sure.

http://dichossuaves.blogspot.com/2013/03/kiss-me-im-irish.html
An old post about a timeless tradition in California, Saint Patrick's Day Celebration! (btw, I haven't blogged in years so an alert may show, but the site is mine and authentic, no worries. ENJOY!).

Have a grand day today and don't forget to wear green!

NYC Subway Banned Dogs

 Shared by Mary Marsell:

New York City banned dogs from traveling the subway, unless they fit inside a bag. This, of course, was a bit of a problem for large dog owners. 
But, it didn't take long until they found a loophole. Can you guess what that was? The loophole was that the rules only said the dog had to fit inside a bag, not that the bag had to be small. 
So, what did they do? You guessed it! They found bigger bags!

What do YOU think about this rule, and about the loophole the travelers found? 

LYRICS TRAINING

 

Music is a great way of encouraging our students in the learning of a language. There is a very well known tool that allows us to play using gamification with songs. My students love it.

https://es.lyricstraining.com/

Shared by Fernando Hidalgo

MUSIC THERAPY

 Shared by Fernando Hidalgo:

There's no doubt that our lives wouldn't be the same without music. Watching this touchy video, we realise about the importance of music as a therapy.

2023 TV SERIES: RECOMMENDATIONS

 

Shared by Fernando Hidalgo:

Last summer I travelled to Cambridge in the UK. During the weekend, I could go to beautiful places. One of them was a tiny village, GRANTCHESTER, with  a church and a place called The Orchard where I could drink tea and scones. Somebody told me that there was a TV series based on the book "The Grantchester Mysteries" by James Runcie.

_________________________

In spite of a considerable rural background, I cannot but recommend this funny, witty and deeper than it looks series. Is is a show, a documenary,

I love Jeremy Clarkson's selfdeprecating humour, his wonderful accent. Also, specially the 2nd season, they way he feels about Brexit, institutions, meaningless and unsesible laws...Perhaps you know him after many years of Top Gear tv programs all over the world.

The rest of cast of this show have become celebrities after the first season, but they are authentic -or so they seem-: “I’m absolutely delighted that, once again you’ll be able to spend some time with Cheerful Charlie, Gerald, Lisa and of course, Kaleb". 

it is also a great series to get to know vocabulary related to agriculture: machinery, seeds, farm work, 

if you want to know more about this series I can also recommend you this great review from The Spectator: https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/first-rate-tv-clarksons-farm-on-amazon-prime-reviewed/

MOCKUMENTARIES

 

Philomena Cunk ((played by Diane Morgan)  explores the history of the world through her notorious Cunkian lens. She is a fake British TV host who has appeared in a number of specials over the last decade. After making her debut in Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker. 

The Philomena Cunk character went on to star in a number of drily hilarious, documentary-style BBC specials of her own, like Cunk Britain. For her big streaming debut, Cunk’s now hosting a new satirical docuseries that showcases her sardonic humor and deadpan naïveté, while taking on a much larger subject: all of human history.

Despite getting little promotion and publicity, Cunk on Earth is a deeply funny, unexpectedly informative mockumentary that delivers as many laughs as fun little facts and tidbits about human history. It is, in short, the best show you’re not watching right now.

This one is great: it's called Life Is Toff and had me in stitches! Please forgive the language......

COOKING FROM THE BRITISH ISLES

 Content curated and shared by: Simon Griggs, Fátima López and Julio F. Hidalgo

Cooking might not be at the top of the list when you think of things associated with the UK but........

Bangers and mash with onion gravy recipe | BBC Good Food

Cullen skink recipe | BBC Good Food

Golden beer-battered fish with chips recipe | BBC Good Food

No-fuss shepherd's pie recipe | BBC Good Food

Family meals: Easy fish pie recipe | BBC Good Food

A good steak & kidney pie recipe | BBC Good Food

How to make roast beef Gravy:

Another one that I like is scotch eggs. I share with all of you this recipe: 

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/scotch-eggs-0

I'm going to add two more recipes that I ate last summer when I visited Cambridge.

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/sams-toad-hole

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/classic-jacket-potatoes

TASTE ATLAS: locate food, meals and recipes all over the world

 

TasteAtlas is an encyclopedia of flavors, a world atlas of traditional dishes, local ingredients, and authentic restaurants.

This is one of the entries in Western Australia:

There are over 10,000 foods and drinks cataloged , and The popular ones, as well as the forgotten tastes and aromas of every city, region, and village in the world. Travel, explore, eat, and drink. Discover and appreciate local foods, respect the people making it.

Their mission, in their own words, is "to catalog the world’s dishes and ingredients, to save our grandmothers’ traditional recipes from oblivion, and to encourage travelers to familiarize themselves with different cultures through high-quality, authentic, local food."  You can join  in this exciting adventure through the authentic tastes of the world, because here are dozens of thousands yet to be researched and mapped: Explore the above World Map here: https://www.tasteatlas.com/search

You can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 

facebook.com/TasteAtlas
instagram.com/thetasteatlas
twitter.com/TasteAtlas

Website: https://www.tasteatlas.com 

Celebrating St Patrick: Shamrock Shake recipe

 

Good morning!

I loved doing mocktails at school for festivities. Actually it's them who prepare them and I use the whole thing as a classroom activity.
I leave you this one: https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/shamrock-shake-recipe/

This Shamrock Shake recipe is a copy of the McDonald’s favorite! It’s a St. Patrick’s Day treat where ice cream, milk and mint are all blended to creamy perfection.

Make the most of your St. Patrick’s Day and enjoy your Shamrock Shake with a slice of Irish soda bread or some crispy Irish nachos.

McDonald’s has served Shamrock Shakes since the 1970s. McDonald’s makes theirs with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and their Shamrock Shake syrup. My copycat recipe keeps the ice cream and whipped cream and recreates the syrup with simple ingredients from the grocery store.

At McDonald’s these shakes are a limited time treat. They usually show up in late February and last until March 17. However, with this recipe, there’s no need to wait. Now you can make a mint-flavored milkshake at home all year round!

SHAMROCK SHAKE INGREDIENTS

To make your Shamrock Shake you will need vanilla ice cream, whole milk, mint extract, green food coloring, whipped cream, sprinkles and maraschino cherries.

HOW DO YOU MAKE A SHAMROCK SHAKE?

You can make a Shamrock Shake by placing vanilla ice cream, whole milk, mint extract and green food coloring in a blender. Blend the ingredients together until the milkshake is a smooth and creamy consistency. Pour the milkshake into a glass and top it with whipped cream, sprinkles and maraschino cherries. Serve it to friends and family and enjoy!

TIPS FOR THE PERFECT SHAMROCK SHAKE

• It’s best to use mint extract for this recipe rather than the more common peppermint extract. The extracts actually have two different flavors, and the plain mint extract will get you closer to the taste of the McDonald’s shake.
• Use whole milk in this shake for the creamiest result. You can use other types of milk, but the shakes may be a little thinner.
• I use 10 drops of green food coloring to get a very vibrant green color. If you’re using a gel food coloring rather than the liquid, you’ll need 3-4 drops to achieve the same result. If your green coloring is a little too blue, try adding a couple of drops of yellow food coloring.
• The best way to top a Shamrock Shake is with a swirl of whipped cream, some festive sprinkles and a cherry! If you can find some green straws, that’s even better!

FLAVOR VARIATIONS

Although I love the Shamrock Shake, you can customize your shake with these fun ideas!

• Oreo Shamrock McFlurry: You can make your own version of this McDonald’s favorite by adding 5 Oreo cookies to your blender and reducing the milk to two tablespoons.
• Christmas: Make a Christmas version of a Shamrock Shake by substituting peppermint extract for mint extract and topping the drink with crushed candy canes.
• Chocolate: Make a chocolatey version by blending all the ingredients together and and then pour a little chocolate syrup in the blender. Blend it again for about 2 seconds until you get chocolate streaks in the shake. Pour the drink into a glass and drizzle chocolate syrup over the top.

Enjoy and happy St. Patrick's Day!