Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays! I wish you all the best Christmas ever! And an amazing New Year!

A special night (short-story)

When Jane woke up that morning she immediately felt that that was going to be a special day: she had the feeling that something would happen. Like every morning, she got up to have her breakfast. Unfortunately, when she looked through the window, she saw a dark sky, filled by shining stars; it was night. That event was really strange, but she thought it would be tiresome, because her last week at school was extremelly hard. She tried to sleep again, but she couldn't and so she decided to keep looking at the stars, contemplating all the universe over the insignificant civilization.

Suddenly, the wind became stronger and she caught a glimpse of someone in the distance, a man walking through the clouds with a big beard and a bag which looked like a bunch of presents. Finally, she remembered that it was Christmas, realising only at that moment, the real meaning of life.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year!


José Rui 9ºB

Unforgettable "August Rush"

I know my students won't forget this film! Amazing isn't it? Truly unforgettable!





One of your favourite songs from the film!
Jonathan Rhys Meyers... Simply perfect! :)

My beloved chemistry! (short-story)

When Jane woke up that morning she immediately felt that that was going to be a special day.

It was Thursday! It was the only day that she had Chemistry and she simply loved it! Those atoms and pratical experiences made Jane extremely excited that she even dreamt about it. However, Chemistry was the second class on Thursday. First she had French and she didn't like it very much, but she was used to that anxiety.
She went to school. When the bell rang, she went into the French classroom, but for her own surprise, the Chemistry teacher was there! Her favourite teacher since her 7 th form! She was replacing the French teacher who was sick and stayed at home. That day couldn't be more perfect! The entire morning learning Chemistry! It could only be a dream! Jane wished those dreams were more frequent...

Ana Filipa Silva nº1 9ºB

A special day (short story)

When Jane woke up that morning she immediately felt that that was going to be a special day.

Maybe because she was going to a concert that she had been waiting for so long, or just because she felt very happy! So, she called her best friends to invite them to the concert and all accepted, so she felt even happier. Later that day, when she was going to the concert, she bought the new CD of her favourite band and a pin of that band too, and her friends though that probably that was her lucky day, because nothing bad has stopped her happiness! When she was in the concert, she met a guy, and he was very nice and they had the same musical tastes, so she felt a connection with him, and they danced all night long on the sound of Ska, their favourite type of music. When the concert was over, Jane and her friends went home, and they were all very happy because the concert was amazing!
Next day, Jane woke up very sad, because she wanted to turn back time and to be in the concert again with the guy she had met. Some minutes later, when Jane was having her breakfast, someone knocked, it was the guy Jane had met! When she opened the door, she felt happy again, because the guy was there to know how she was, and they spent all day together remembering the awsome night, the night they had met!

Lara Matos nº14 9ºB

Helena Ferreira wrote:

If I were the President of the United States I would...

...end wars; I would create organizations to help poor countries with the help of celebrities from Hollywood; I would create inventions in which people were doing sports while watching a concert and I would put an end to fast food because the number of obese people in the United States of America is quite worrying; I would create clubs of different sports to take children away from neighbourhoods where there are drugs and give them a future.

If I were the President of the United States I would create colleges for orphans so that if they weren't adopted they could go to the best universities in the country and have good jobs.

Helena Salomé Ferreira, nº 7, 9ºB

Vítor Pinto wrote:

If I were the President of the United States I would...



- attack Russia and China
- build twin towers to replace the old ones
- enjoy my new job and do something good for the population
- be the best president of the United States



Vítor Pinto, nº28, 9ºB

Miguel Sousa wrote:

If I were the president of the United States I would...

- change the world
- attack England by air
- borrow some money to Portugal
- join Kosovo to defeat Servia
- build houses in Antartida
- catch Bin Laden


Miguel Sousa, nº 17, 9ºB

Vítor Pacheco wrote:

If I were the President of the United States I would...

- stop racism in the the US and around the world
- reduce fast food to stop obesity
- help poor families
- try to stop bullying
- give money to poor countries.



Vitor Pacheco, nº 27, 9ºB

Helena Magalhães wrote:

If I were the President of the United States I would...

- give money to poor countries
- help everyone
- change the world
- and most of all I would be kind and generous.


Helena Magalhães, nº6, 9ºB

Helena Lopes wrote:

If I were the President of the United States I would...



- build new houses for poor people
- build new schools
- listen to other people's opinions
- change the world...
...and I would be someone generous to everyone!



Helena Lopes, 9ºB, nº8

Ana Beatriz Teixeira wrote:

I think Obama was a great choice for President, so if I were president of the United States of America I would try to stop polluting the environment with the help of other countries; try to put an end to racial discrimination because I think that everyone should be treated the same way; improve the economc crisis and try to fight terrorism.

Ana Beatriz Teixeira D2

João Luís wrote:

If I were the President of the United States I would...

- have a new white house in Washington DC;
- have a five stars hotel in Miami;
- have a new airport in Philadelphia;
- have a new stadium for the most important matches;
- have new skyscrapers with one hundred and eighty floors;
- have new museums about history, nature and the human evolution.

João Luís, D2

João Paulo wrote:

If I were the President of the United States I would...

... stop all the wars in the world. It's not the moment for wars. There are important issues to worry about like pollution, the global warming, the economic crisis. War only makes it worse.

I would give more money to the poor countries. If the USA is a powerful country why do they need so much money? To make more wars? There are many people in the USA and in the world who don't have food, clothes, a house, a life.. And politicians only think of earning more money, building more buldings like stadiums and oil pipes. They only think about money, money, money. But being the President of the United States gives me the chance to do funny things!

João Paulo 10º G

Lara wrote:

If I were the President of the United States I would...

... stop war in every country and I would help and hear everyone who needed my help. I would give money to the poor people and States without wanting anything back. I would help for free. I would go to other countries and I would give money to help endangered animals and to free the animals that are locked in cages and are used to do some experimental science tests. I would put an end to racism and discrimination and I would create a football team with people from all the countries in the world. And I would accept the opinions and ideas of everyone, respecting their ideals.

Lara Matos

nº 14, 9ºB

Edgar Filipe wrote:

If I were the president of the United States I would...

...make the USA the best country in the world, without wars, poverty or injustice. The US would be a dream country! As I would be very powerful I could make my country a country of richness, education, peace and power!

As Obama said: "Yes, we can!"

Edgar Filipe Moreira
nº 15, 7º C

José Rui wrote:

If I were the President of the United States...

The President of the United States is the most powerful person on Earth. He can decide the future of the entire world. So, if I took that responsibility I would try to make the world a better place to live, a place where poverty wouldn't exist, neither famine nor war because those phenomena can influence all the people who live in our planet. In spite of the social contrasts, we are all different and all the same...

José Rui Coelho Ribeiro

nº 13, 9ºB

Ana Filipa wrote:

If I were the President of the United states...

I would make the world a better place, without poverty, hunger and pollution. I would write to all the countries in the world to put an end to the global war and make the countries help each other, without greed. I would also try to eliminate racism from the United States. I would do everything to help not only my country, but also the entire world. We can be divided but we all live in the same place: the Earth!

Ana Filipa Silva

nº1, 9ºB

Teachers fight for a better Education in Portugal

LAST SATURDAY, NOV 8

Portugal is mentioned abroad, but not for the best reasons.

Portugal’s teachers have descended on Lisbon en masse. More than 100,000 staff from all over the country gathered for a rally in the centre of the Portuguese capital.
They are furious at the socialist government’s education policies in general, and a new method of assessing teachers’ performance in particular – introduced for the first time this year.
Although they do not question the need for evaluation, they argue that the system as it stands is too bureaucratic, and difficult to operate fairly. But that is not the only issue which sparked such a huge turnout.
They are also unhappy with their work timetable, the way jobs are distributed, and the status of teachers in Portugal.

You can read this on the site:

http://www.euronews.net/en/article/08/11/2008/teachers-portuguese-government-must-do-better/

HOPE!

"That's what hope is - that thing inside that insists, despite all evidence to the contrary, that there are better days ahead. If we're willing to work for it. If we're willing to shed our fears. If we're willing to reach deep inside ourselves when we're tired, and come back fighting harder."

Remarks of Senator Barack Obama (Jacksonville, Florida)
November 03, 2008

"Change we need"! A wind of change has come to America and to the world! With tearful eyes we have watched this man saying "I'm asking you to believe!" and "Yes, we can!" Quite inspiring...

Martin Luther King may well be smiling right now from up above!

The whole world is breathing this new air of hope and change!...

Because now there is a President who believes that it's time to change America and to change the world!... And the world believes in this President and his dream!...

How important is friendship to you?

Everybody knows that friendship is essential to have a happy life. Teenagers love being with their friends and they usually count on them when they have problems and when they want to share experiences and happy moments.

Tell us about the importance of having friends in your life!

Is it possible to live without friendship?

European Day of Languages, 26 september

At the initiative of the Council of Europe, Strasbourg, the European Day of Languages is celebrated since 2001 on 26 September.

800 million Europeans throughout the Council of Europe 47 member states are encouraged to learn more languages, at any age, in and out of school. Being convinced that linguistic diversity is a tool for more intercultural understanding, the Council of Europe promotes cultural richness and plurilingualism in whole Europe.
On the occasion of the day, a range of events are organised across Europe: happenings for children, television and radio programmes, language classes, conferences, etc. Member states and potential partners, in particular schools, are given a free hand to organise activities.

(click here to read more http://www.ecml.at/edl/)

Our school is preparing some activities to celebrate this European Day! Don't forget to give your contribution if your teachers ask for it! Participate and... Have Fun!

Crazy ones! The genius...

This post is dedicated to all the students in this new schoolyear who want to make a difference in their way to knowledge and reach excellence! GOOD LUCK to you all!

Happy to be back?

How do you feel after the Summer holidays? Happy to be back? Anxious to meet your old schoolmates and friends? I am sure that you are already tired of being at home, am I right? Well, enjoy your last days of fun and get ready to another schoolyear full of excitement and opportunities of learning! These may well be the best times of your life!... At least, that's what old people use to say when they recall their times of adolescents!...

Summer love...

Is it true that young people live true love stories during Summer? Have you ever fallen in love during Summer holidays and later on everything ended when you had to go back home? Is there a type of Summer kind of love that is simply unforgettable and irresistible? Or is love something that has no season to catch your heart?

A big kiss to my Princess Mariana who is always falling in love and who simply adores the song above!

Have fun and enjoy your holidays!
And by the way: love is all around you, no matter if it is sunny or rainy!...

Relax!

I know... Times have been hard for some of you! But now it's time to enjoy your holidays! Have fun and RELAX!...

That's not my name, The ting tings

I like the rhythm! Can this be a song for this Summer? At least it can be a song to relax between exams!... Have fun!

Exams and more exams...

I know!...For many of you this is a time of stress and hardwork! Exams are about to start and you have been preparing yourselves to do your best in the final track to the end of school! GOOD LUCK FOR YOU ALL! Keep up with the good work!

3 R's, Jack Johnson

Watch the video and learn some things you can do to help the environment!
This is a classroom song that made you think a little bit about the importance of personal attitudes that make of you an environmentally conscious person!

Now... The environment...

We have been talking about the environment in class and all the assaults of man to the planet Earth... What do you think we should do to protect the Earth?

Will Smith is my favourite actor

Will Smith

• Born In:25/09/1968
• Name:Willard Christopher Smith Jr.
• Country:USA
• City:Filadélfia
• Age:40

Filmography

· Seven Pounds (2008)
· Hancock (2008)
· I Am Legend (2007)
· The Pursuit For Happiness (2006)
· Hitch (2005)
· Shark Tale (2004)
· I Robot (2004)
· Jersey Girl (2004)
· Bad Boys II (2003)
· Tupac: Resurrection (2003)
· MIB II (2002)
· The 59th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2002)
· Ali (2001)
· Bagger Vance (2000)
· Wild Wild West (1999)
· Enemy of The State (1998)
· MIB (1997)
· Independence Day (1996)
· The Bad Boys (1995)
· Six Degrees of Separation (1993)
· The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990)

JOSÉ PEREIRA, Nº14, 8ºD

Alan Rickman is my favourite actor

Alan Sydney Patrick Rickman was born in February 21th, in 1946. He is perhaps best known to American film audiences for his roles as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films and Hans Gruber in Die Hard. He also featured prominently as the Sheriff of Nottingham in the Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. More recently, Rickman portrayed Judge Turpin in Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.He is a versatile actor, because he can play many types of roles, such as dangerous and romantic roles. In his role in Harry Potter films, Rickman seems to be a very strict teacher and one of the worst characters in Harry Potter's film. His role is played with an unbelievable naturalness. In my opinion, nowadays there aren´t many actors like him. Do you agree? Tell me your opinions about this issue.

ANA FILIPA SILVA nº2 8ºB

Russell Crowe is my favourite actor

Russell Ira Crowe was born on 7th April 1964, New Zealand. Son of movie set caterers, early cinema was in his blood. Beginning as a child star on a local Australian TV show, Russell's first big break came with two films : the first, «Romper Stomper» (1992) and the second, «The Sum of Us» (1994), that helped put him on the American map. After initial success in Australia, Russell Crowe began acting in American films. He first co-starred with Denzel Washington in "Virtuosity" in 1995. He went on to become a three-time Oscar nominee, winning the Academy Award as Best Actor in 2001 for "Gladiator" (2000). He also has a good performance in "A Beautiful Mind" (2001), where Russell performed the role of John Forbes Nash, a great mathematician who had schizophrenia.

Presently, Russell is married to Danielle Spencer and they have two sons
(Charles and Tennyson). Russell performs his roles with a big reality, as if he was the person that he has to create. That amazing ability conciliated with his strength of will make him one of the best actors in the world.


JOSÉ RUI 8ºB

I like cinema!

Everyone loves cinema! A big screen, a dark room, a powerful sound and a new world right in front of you!...

I love cinema! Some of my favourite films are: The pursuit of happiness, Dead Poets' Society, Chocolate, City of Angels, etc...

What type of films do you like?

What is your favourite film?

Have you got a favourite actor / actress?

I love my computer - Bad Religion

This is a perfect song for the Internet age! Young people nowadays can't live without computers, mobile phones, mp3 players or ipods...
Tell us what you think about this topic! We have been discussing this in class, but now you can write here YOUR honest opinion!

Bad Religion - I Love My Computer

I love my computer
you make me feel alright
every waking hour
and every lonely night

I love my computer
for all you give to me
predictable errors and no identity
and it's never been quite so easy
I've never been quite so happy

all I need to do is click on you
and we'll be joined
in the most soul-less way
and we'll never
ever ruin each other's day
cuz when I'm through I just click
and you just go away

I love my computer
you're always in the mood
I get so turned on
when I turn on you
I love my computer
you never ask for more
you can be a princess
or you can be my whore
and it's never been quite so easy
I've never been quite so happy

all I need to do is click on you
and we'll be joined
in the most soul-less way
and we'll never
ever ruin each other's day
cuz when I'm through I just click
and you just go away

the world outside is so big
but it's safe in my domain
because to you
I'm just a number
and a clever screen name

all I need to do is click on you
and we'll be together for eternity
and no one is ever gonna take my love
from me because I've got security,
her password and a key

go away....

[I Love My Computer Lyrics on
http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ]

For teachers!

Top 10 Tips for Classroom Discipline and Management

From Melissa Kelly,
Your Guide to Secondary Education.

Classroom discipline and management causes the most fear and consternation in new teachers. However, classroom management is a skill that is not only learned but practiced daily. Here are ten tips that can lead to successful classroom management and discipline. These tips can help you cut down on discipline problems and leave you with fewer interruptions and disruptions.

1. It's Easier to Get Easier
Many teachers make the mistake of starting the school year with a poor discipline plan. Students quickly assess the situation in each class and realize what they will be allowed to get away with. Once you set a precedent of allowing a lot of disruptions, it can be very hard to start better classroom management and discipline techniques. However, it is never tough to get easier as the year goes on. While you don't have to follow the adage, "Never smile until Christmas," it does have its merits.
2. Fairness is Key
Students have a distinct sense of what is and what is not fair. You must act fairly for all students if you expect to be respected. If you do not treat all students equitably, you will be labelled as unfair students will not be keen to follow your rules. Make sure that if your best student does something wrong, they too get punished for it.
3. Deal with Disruptions with as Little Interruption as Possible
When you have classroom disruptions, it is imperative that you deal with them immediately and with as little interruption of your class momentum as possible. If students are talking amongst themselves and you are having a classroom discussion, ask one of them a question to try to get them back on track. If you have to stop the flow of your lesson to deal with disruptions, then you are robbing students who want to learn of their precious in-class time.
4. Avoid Confrontations in Front of Students
Whenever there is a confrontation in class there is a winner and a loser. Obviously as the teacher, you need to keep order and discipline in your class. However, it is much better to deal with discipline issues privately than cause a student to 'lose face' in front of their friends. It is not a good idea to make an example out of a disciplinary issue. Even though other students might get the point, you might have lost any chance of actually teaching that student anything in your class.
5. Stop Disruptions with a Little Humor
Sometimes all it takes is for everyone to have a good laugh to get things back on track in a classroom. Many times, however, teachers confuse good humor with sarcasm. While humor can quickly diffuse a situation, sarcasm may harm your relationship with the students involved. Use your best judgment but realize that what some people think as funny others find to be offensive.
6. Keep High Expectations in Your Class
Expect that your students will behave, not that they will disrupt. Reinforce this with the way you speak to your students. When you begin the day, tell your students your expectations. For example, you might say, "During this whole group session, I expect you to raise your hands and be recognized before you start speaking. I also expect you to respect each other's opinions and listen to what each person has to say."
7. Overplan
Free time is something teachers should avoid. By allowing students time just to talk each day, you are setting a precedent about how you view academics and your subject. To avoid this, overplan. When you have too much to cover, you'll never run out of lessons and you will avoid free time. You can also fill up any left over time with mini-lessons as described elsewhere on this site.
8. Be Consistent
One of the worst things you can do as a teacher is to not enforce your rules consistently. If one day you ignore misbehaviors and the next day you jump on someone for the smallest infraction, your students will quickly lose respect for you. Your students have the right to expect you to basically be the same everyday. Moodiness is not allowed. Once your lose your student's respect, you also lose their attention and their desire to please you.
9. Make Rules Understandable
You need to be selective in your rules (no one can follow 180 rules consistently). You also need to make them clear. Students should understand what is and what is not acceptable. Further, you should make sure that the consequences for breaking your rules are also clear and known beforehand.
10. Start Fresh Everyday
This tip does not mean that you discount all previous infractions, i.e. if they have three tardies then today means four. However, it does mean that you should start teaching your class each day with the expectation that students will behave. Don't assume that because Julie has disrupted your class everyday for a week, she will disrupt it today. By doing this, you will not be treating Julie any differently and thereby setting her up to disrupt again (like a self-fulfilling prophecy).

Drugs, alcohol, cigarettes - Addictions

"'Cause we all just wanna be big rockstars
And live in hilltop houses driving fifteen cars
The girls come easy and the drugs come cheap
We'll all stay skinny 'cause we just won't eat
And we'll hang out in the coolest bars
In the VIP with the movie stars" - Nickelback, Rockstar

What is your opinion about addictions? Why do young people sometimes feel attracted to dangerous situations that involve the use of drugs and alcohol? Is it the need to be accepted by the group, is it because they have problems and they believe drugs are a way to solve them, is it because they have a weak character?

Rockstar

NICKELBACK - "Rockstar"


I'm through with standing in line
To clubs we'll never get in
It's like the bottom of the ninth
And I'm never gonna win
This life hasn't turned out
Quite the way I want it to be

(Tell me what you want)

I want a brand new house
On an episode of Cribs
And a bathroom I can play baseball in
And a king size tub big enough
For ten plus me

(So what you need?)

I'll need a credit card that's got no limit
And a big black jet with a bedroom in it
Gonna join the mile high club
At thirty-seven thousand feet

(Been there, done that)

I want a new tour bus full of old guitars
My own star on Hollywood Boulevard
Somewhere between Cher and
James Dean is fine for me

(So how you gonna do it?)

I'm gonna trade this life for fortune and fame
I'd even cut my hair and change my name

[Chorus:]
'Cause we all just wanna be big rockstars
And live in hilltop houses driving fifteen cars
The girls come easy and the drugs come cheap
We'll all stay skinny 'cause we just won't eat
And we'll hang out in the coolest bars
In the VIP with the movie stars
Every good gold digger's
Gonna wind up there
Every Playboy bunny
With her bleach blond hair

Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar

I wanna be great like Elvis without the tassels
Hire eight body guards that love to beat up assholes
Sign a couple autographs
So I can eat my meals for free
(I'll have the quesadilla on the house)
I'm gonna dress my ass
With the latest fashion
Get a front door key to the Playboy mansion
Gonna date a centerfold that loves to
Blow my money for me
(So how you gonna do it?)
I'm gonna trade this life for fortune and fame
I'd even cut my hair and change my name

[Chorus]

And we'll hide out in the private rooms
With the latest dictionary and today's who's who
They'll get you anything with that evil smile
Everybody's got a drug dealer on speed dial, well

Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar

I'm gonna sing those songs
That offend the censors
Gonna pop my pills from a pez dispenser

I'll get washed-up singers writing all my songs
lip sync 'em every night so I don't get 'em wrong

[Chorus]

And we'll hide out in the private rooms
With the latest dictionary and today's who's who
They'll get you anything with that evil smile
Everybody's got a drug dealer on speed dial

Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar

Indiscipline, school violence...

(picture taken from the internet, news.bbc.co.uk)

In the United States of America, between 1996 and 2000, 599,000 violent crimes against teachers at school were reported.

Teachers also face threats of violence and intimidation. In the 1999-2000 school year, 9 percent of all teachers were threatened with injury by a student from their school, and 4 percent were physically attacked by a student.

In the UK,teachers are warning that pupils' violent behaviour is causing staff to leave the profession.

A third of teachers in the UK have faced physical aggression from pupils and more than half have known of colleagues who had left teaching because of poor pupil behaviour.


What is your opinion about this topic? Why is there lack of discipline in the classroom? Why do students disrespect teachers so often? What are the reasons for pupil misbehaviour?

Perfect Body, perfect person?

Crazy diets, crazy thoughts, the wish to be perfect and have a perfect body... This is one of some teenagers' problems. Do we have to be perfect to be successful? Is our body image important?



"Perfect" by Alanis Morissette

Sometimes is never quite enough
If you're flawless, then you'll win my love
Don't forget to win first place
Don't forget to keep that smile on your face

Be a good boy
Try a little harder
You've got to measure up
And make me prouder

How long before you screw it up
How many times do I have to tell you to hurry up
With everything I do for you
The least you can do is keep quiet

Be a good girl
You've gotta try a little harder
That simply wasn't good enough
To make us proud

I'll live through you
I'll make you what I never was
If you're the best, then maybe so am I
Compared to him compared to her
I'm doing this for your own damn good
You'll make up for what I blew
What's the problem...why are you crying

Be a good boy
Push a little farther now
That wasn't fast enough
To make us happy
We'll love you just the way you are
If you're perfect

MEN VS WOMEN

(picture from the internet)

What is your opinion about the changes in the role of women in the family and in the world of work? Does discrimination still exist nowadays in the modern western societies? What do you think about the status of women in muslim countries like Iran, for example?

Is Communication an Addiction?

(picture from the internet - unknown author)


Why do people in general and especially young people have a growing need to be in touch, to communicate, to send messages and be in chat rooms in the internet all the time? When I ask my students about their hobbies, chatting and sending text messages on mobile phones are always on the list! Even the well-known hi5s are a way of being in touch with friends, meeting new people and sending messages. Why do we have such a need, nowadays? What would we do if we didn't have mobile phones or internet anymore? How do you think you would feel?...