"An attempt to integrate the teaching of the English language & ICT, using MUSIC as a mere pretext."


Monday, October 31, 2011

HAPPY HALLOWE'EN

                                                                                                (Photo from Facebook-Gratis.com

Who Am  I ?

Yes, I am orange and very round,
you can pick me from the patch.
I can even just sit on the ground
or with my friends in a big batch.

Have you ever picked me up?
I can be light or heavy.
I'll give you a pretty close up
just let me know when you are ready.

This time of year is so much fun.
You can give me many faces.
Sometimes I can even glow like the sun
and you can put me in many places.

Do you know my name? 


                                                                          by Connie Safford
                                                                                      at:  http://www.gourmetgiftsbyconnie.com/CPersonalizeThis/index.htm

Select ONE of the following words related to Halloween as the title of the poem:

MOON
VAMPIRE
CANDY
NIDNIGHT
ZOMBIE
HAUNTED
BAT
TOMBSTONE
MAKE-UP
WEREWOLF
PUMPKIN
CEMETERY

...
By the way, ...
Do you know that tonight is Halloween Night ??

Halloween ?!?!

Halloween is nowadays a very popular holiday in the United States and in Europe. We celebrate it every year on October 31st. It is primarily a holiday for children, who usually wear costumes and masks. The children, in their costumes, go from house to house. They knock on the doors and say: "Trick or Treat". The peole who don't want a "trick" give them some candy (sweets or fruit). People who haven't a "treat" to give the children might find a "trick" the next morning: Their windows might be covered with soap, the dustbin turned over, ...etc.

Schools have parties, especially for the younger children. The child whose costume is the best wins a prize. Houses are decorated for Hallowe'en with pumpkins, witches, ghosts and other frightening things.

Halloween is the night to frighten people.
So, ... Beware of ghosts and witches who are out to get you on Hallowe'en night!


SPANISH VERSION.-
Halloween es una fiesta celebrada el 31 de Octubre de cada año y tiene su origen en la celebración crristiana del Día de todos los Santos. La palabra Halloween proviene de la expresión inglesa All Hallows Eve, que se traduce como "Víspera de Todos los Santos". Originalmente era celebrada en países anglosajones como Estados Unidos, Canadá, Irlanda y Reino Unido, pero actualmente se ha popularizado en muchos países occidentales.

Los colores clásicos del Halloween son el naranja y el negro, asociados a la clásica calabaza denominada Jack-o'-lantem. En esa noche es común la realización de fiestas de disfraces, pedir dulces, encender hogueras, leer historias tenebrosas y ver películas de terror.
(From: Facebook-Gratis.com)


READING COMPREHENSION:
* Answer the following questions about Halloween , after reading both versions (English & Spanish):

1.- What is the origin of the word "Halloween"?
2.- When is "Halloween" celebrated?
3.- Where is "Halloween" celebrated?
4.- Name 2 examples of "tricks" carried out on Halloween  Night?
        (Do you know more examples? If so, mention them).
5.- How many words related to "Halloween" can you find in the English version?

Further Information:

MUSIC ... & ... HALLOWEEN
We have selected a music video for the Halloween Night.
Possibly... one of the best music videos ever !!

In fact, for most people, ...
The best Halloween song ever !!
and
The best Halloween video ever !!

The video was made almost 30 years ago, 
and it is still by far the best music / short film ever made
to be shown on Halloween Night.
Today it is considered ...
The Halloween Classic !

* Guess the title of the selected song, using the underlined letters from the following words:

SCARECROW
COSTUME
SKULL
SKELETON
WITCH
JACK-O-LANTERN
GHOST
TRICK-OR-TEAT
...
Any Idea?

...
R - E - L - L - I - R - H - T
...

Not yet?

...
... Put the given words in a list, starting by the last one:

                  TRICK-OR-TEAT
GHOST
                                                 JACK-O-LANTERN
WITCH
 SKELETON 
SKULL
                                                               COSTUME
   SCARECROW
...

Yes, you are right now!

A Music Video by Michael Jackson, performing "Thriller".
A Short-Film o to be seen during Halloween Night!
We Hope you enjoy it!


 

* After watching the video complete the following TASKS:


TASK 1.-  CONVERSATION ( Watch the video from  1:00 to 2:10 )

* Listen again to the conversation between Michael Jackson and the girl at the beginning of the short-film and Order the lines of the dialogue:


Girl:  I’m sorry I didin’t believe you.
Michael:  .....................................
Girl: .............................................
Michael:  .....................................
Girl:  Yes !
Michael:  …...............................…
Girl:  Yes !
Michael:  ......................................
Girl:  .............................................
Michael:  .....................................
Girl:  Yes, Michael !
MIchael:  ......................................
Girl:  .............................................
Michael:  .....................................
Girl:  What are you talking about?

1. You know I like you, don't you ?
2. Ooohh Michael !!… It’s beautiful !
3. What?
4. I’m not like the other guys…
5. No, I mean I’m different!
6. Can I ask you something ?
7. … and I hope you like me the way I like you
8. I am just wondering .. if you would be my girl
9. Now it's official.I have something I wanna tell ya!
10. Of course not… That’s why I love you !



TASK 2.-  LYRICS OF THE SONG ( Watch the video from  4:40 to 6:30 )

* Order the 3 Verses of the Lyrics of the Song: 
1st Verse,  2nd Verse and  3rd Verse:


They're Out To Get You, There's Demons Closing In On Every Side
They Will Possess You Unless You Change The Number On Your Dial
Now Is The Time For You And I To Cuddle Close Together
All Thru The Night I'll Save You From The Terror On The Screen,
I'll Make You See



….. Verse

It's Close To Midnight And Something Evil's Lurking In The Dark
Under The Moonlight You See A Sight That Almost Stops Your Heart
You Try To Scream But Terror Takes The Sound Before You Make It
You Start To Freeze As Horror Looks You Right Between The Eyes,
You're Paralyzed



..... Verse

You Hear The Door Slam And Realize There's Nowhere Left To Run
You Feel The Cold Hand And Wonder If You'll Ever See The Sun
You Close Your Eyes And Hope That This Is Just Imagination
But All The While You Hear The Creature Creepin' Up Behind
You're Out Of Time



….. Verse






















(Check your answers at: "Thriller" )
 
TASK 3.- CHORUS OF THE SONG  ( Watch the video from  9:40 to 10:30 )

* Order the lines of the Chorus:

..... Thriller Here Tonight
..... So Let Me Hold You Tight And Share A Killer, Diller, Chiller
..... Girl, This Is Thriller, Thriller Night
..... 'Cause I Can Thrill You More Than Any Ghost Would Dare To Try
..... That This Is Thriller, Thriller Night
..... You're Fighting For Your Life Inside A Killer, Thriller Tonight
..... You Know It's Thriller, Thriller Night
..... And No One's Gonna Save You From The Beast About Strike
..... 'Cause This Is Thriller, Thriller Night


( Check your answers at: "Thriller" )

TASK 4.- RHYMING WORDS

* Underline the 3 words from the Chorus that rhymes with "THRILLER":
.........................  /  .........................  /  ..........................

TASK 5.- USING ON-LINE DICTIONARIES

5.1. Look up 2 more words that rhyme with "THRILLER"at  Merriam-Webster :

........................................   /   ...............................................

5.2. Synonym & Antonym:
* Which word is a synonym/antonym of "THRILLER"?

 PRETENDER / BOTTLE-OPENER  / YAWNER / SUSPENSER / DEFENDER

Synonym: .......................................
Antonym: .......................................
( Check your answers at   Merriam-Webster  )

5.3. Definitions
* Look up the word "THRILLER" at the 3 following on-line dictionaries:


... and Match the definitions with its Dictionary:



A novel, play or film with an exciting plot, typically involving crime or espionage.



One that thrills; especially a work of fiction or drama designed to hold the interest by the use of a high degree of intrigue, adventure or suspense.



A person or thing that thrills.
An exciting, suspenseful play or story, especially a mystery  story.


* * * * *

Happy Halloween to everybody !

Monday, October 10, 2011

THANK YOU, STEVE !

In Memoriam
1955 - 2011
                                                                                                                        Photo by Luciano Veronezi



Steve Jobs was an extraordinary man.
He has left his mark on different industries:

- personal computers with Apple and Macintosh,
- music with iPod and iTunes
- phone with iPhone
- and animation with Pixar
(films: "Toy Story 2" & "Finding Nemo")



Steve Jobs has changed millions of lives
by making technology easy-to-use, exciting and beautiful ...

Thank You, Steve !




FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
In Spanish: "La muerte de Steve Jobs" en rtve.es


A CURIOUS  PIECE OF NEWS:
(In Spanish)

*************************************

Today, in times of crisis,
Some people already miss him ...


                                                                                                                                   Photo by Roberto Lanotte
                                                                                                                                                TASK.-