Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Station Day

Today we work in a little bit of a different way.

You will need a pen- nothing else

Friday, March 18, 2016

The environment- The tragedy of Flint

Today we continue our look at the environment-

Last time we looked at two things that affect us DIRECTLY-
buying t-shirts and chocolate.
Remember?

Check out these websites:
http://www.ekologiskatshirts.se/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=87_148

http://www.divinechocolate.com/uk/

But now we turn to people who are living in a dangerous environment because of the greed of their leaders. On 6th March it was the reason for a heated debate between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders as a focus for the Michigan Primary election.
The film tells its own story..
 




The water crisis that is currently gripping residents of Flint, Michigan is one of the most tragic predicaments of recent times. 

It is all the more tragic for being entirely preventable. 

The hot-off-the-press documentary Here's to Flint explores the events which lead to this catastrophy, and offers an urgent and rousing portrait of ordinary citizens who are fearless in standing up to power.


It all began as a cost-cutting measure enacted by the city's emergency management department. By switching the city's water supply from the bountiful Lake Huron and Detroit River to the highly polluted Flint River, officials set in motion a series of calamatous health hazards to which much of the public was largely unaware. 
When residents did complain about the quality of the dirty water, their protests fell on deaf ears. That all changed when mysterious illnesses began to grip the people of Flint, much of them children, in the form of rashes, hair loss, nervous system disorders and cancer. 

Flint's water contained alarmingly elevated levels of lead, a chemical that poses disastrous health implications when consumed in even the smallest quantities.
The film rightfully sheds a harsh light on the cuplrits behind this crisis - the officials who placed the lives of their poverty-stricken, largely African American community members at risk in an attempt to save five million dollars - and places us inside the public hearings where these enraged citizens demand meaningful corrective action. 

Their future, and the lives of their children, depend on it.
Produced with great insight and humanity by the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, Here's to Flint is a profoundly sad statement on a government which is blinded by greed to the plight of its people. 


The water crisis in Flint has become a hot button political issue this campaign season, and the ultimate outcome may not be determined for some time. After all, contaminated water supplies are rampant throughout many parts of the United States. For those communities, the story of Flint should serve as both a precautionary tale, and an inspiring blueprint for how to take back our power from ruthless and apathetic leaders.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

No visit sadly. We start on our theme of the environment

Today we were supposed to have a visit from the group from Uganda and see the start of a film together about the environmental effects of fishing in Lake Victoria.

The film is called "Darwin's Nightmare"





We will see it in week 14 after Easter..

Today we will start our theme of the environment by looking at two things we take for granted- T-shirts and chocolate..

The idea is to waken up a bit and realise the effects our consumenr society has on the environment.

Afterwards I want you to record a comment on one of the films using the video recorder on the message function in Vklass.


Friday, March 11, 2016

Writing Assignment

Today we will use the whole lesson to finish off the writing assignment which you started last time..

Remember that you should write at least 250 words ( that is, for example, 5 paragraphs with 50 words in each)

I want to get around and talk to all the students during the lesson about their assignments.


When you've completed your assignmnet and I have seen your work you may go.


Have a good week-end!

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Back on track, Jaffa Cakes and writing assignment

Today we start off by doing a short interview about the half-term break.

Here it is:
Half-Term holidays
Interview

Interviewer………………… Interviewed……………………….


1. Where did you spend your holidays Did you travel anywhere?


2. Which sports, if any, did you practise?


3. What else did you do? Choose 6  activities and say them in the past tense
Watch TV                                                    Buy clothes
Go to the cinema                                        go to the hairdresser’s
Visit Stockholm                                          lose something
Eat meatballs                                              swim
Speak English                                            Study…..
Earn money                                                Take photos
Ski (Downhill/ cross country)                  Drink coffee
Write a letter                                               Go to a party


4. How does it feel like to be back at school ?


5. Do you think the holidays were too short / just right / too long ?



6. How much time did you spend sleeping during the holidays ?
(An awful lot, a lot, as normal, less tan normal)

During the holidays I was in the land of the Jaffa Cakes. So I bought a packet and took it back so that you might, at least, taste one!

Finally today we are turning to writing as a skill.

Here is an excellent presentation which I have borrowed from Pernilla

At the beginning of the term you gave some suggestions for possible topics:

Here are three of them:


These are:
1. A big event

2. School and education

3. My future


Afterwards I want you to start planning your writing for today and Friday.

Which title?

What is the format?

Key- words

Structure

Linking words

Here is some help:-
Which title?

1. a) My ideal school   or  b) Compulsory schooling until 18

/  2. a)  My future  or  b) A future scenario


  3.  A big event  (Concert/ exhibition/ sporting event/ celebration / LAN )

What is the format?
Report  ( 1b/ 2b)
http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Report

Essay (1a/ 2a)
http://www.wikihow.com/Write-an-Essay

Article  (3)
http://www.wikihow.com/Write-Articles

Keywords (key words)
 1. Education, schooling classroom, resources, teacher, pupil, learning etc.

2. Plans, expectations. status, dreams, education, training, employment, etc.

3. Planning, marketing, participants, audience, spectators, venue etc

Structure
Introduction

paragraphing

 Conclusion

Linking Words
http://www.english-at-home.com/grammar/linking-words/   

Now choose your title, start planning and begin writing.


Your work should be mailed to me before the Tuesday lesson week 11