3º British: Create your own case study

Here you have your new online task of the term! In groups, you have to create a case study activity about the primary sector. You can choose ONE of the following topics (Each one has some helpful links for stating, but you can find out your own online resources):

Option A. Vineyard cultivation in France (Global production, plantation’s needs and map)

Option B. Cocoa cultivation in Ghana (Sustanaible Cocoa farming and Ghana business news)

Option C. Is there a butter crisis in France? (BBC explanation and Solution from Asturias)
Option D. Tulip flowers cultivation in India (Plantation’s needs and Kashmiri case)
Option E. Cheese production in Asturias (Food & Drink sector, varieties and 2015 production)

Option F. Mussels cultivation in Kerala, India (Kerala case and Oyster Opera)

Remember that the best one will be selected to be part of this term exam (with a maximum value of 2 points) J Your activity MUST include:

- One question about vocabulary (0’25 points)

- Two short questions for working with maps, photos or diagrams (0’25 each)

- One question about description of maps or photos (0’25 points)

- One question about “suggestions” or “personal opinion” (0’5 points)

- One question “From a named country…” (0’5 points). Here you have also to include a link to a possible answer or example.

Obviously, you HAVE TO include also visual resources (maps, diagrams or photos) that will allowed to solve the questions.

When finish, send it as a attached file to blogeducativo08@gmail.com. This activity is mandatory and you will receive a mark for it. In case you fail to finish it, do it out of date (21  January) or just copy, the score will be 0.

Ready? Let’s go! J

1º British: The myth of Atlantis / the fall of the Minoans

More than two thousand years ago, the Greek historian Plato wrote about Atlantis, the fabled civilization that was swallowed by the sea. But the origins of Plato’s story have never been identified… until now?

Five thousand years ago, the Minoans, Europe’s first great civilization, flourished on Crete. The sophisticated inhabitants, named after the legendary King Minos, were the first Europeans to use a written language, known as Linear A, and the first to construct paved roads. They were an advanced society of highly-cultivated artisans and extremely skilled civic engineers. The Minoans were excellent ship builders and sailors, and their maritime empire was so vast, it rivaled that of the ancient Egyptians. But inexplicably, at the height of their power, the Minoans were wiped from the pages of history.

The island of Santorini, 70 miles north of Crete, was home to the wealthiest Minoan seaport... next to the volcano Thera. Around 1600, B.C., an eruption occurred. The Theran eruption was one of largest in human history — blasting more than 10 million tons of ash, gas, and rock 25 miles into the atmosphere. And it was followed by a tsunami...

The following documentary film from BBC (2011) is a good review of what happened in Thera: ATLANTIS: End of a World - Birth of a Legend. You can watch the trailer here.

1º British: How to mummify an apple!

Would you like to do a volunteer and terrific experiment at home? If yes, ask your parents for help and... good luck!

What you need:

• ·         Apple
• ·         Knife
• ·         40 grams baking soda
• ·         80 grams table salt
• ·         Two plastic cups

How to:

1. Cut the apple in half. Eat one half - you won't need it for the experiment J

2. Cut the remaining half in half again. Put each piece of apple into a separate cup.

3. Mix together the baking soda and salt. Pour this on top of one of the apple slices. Make sure the apple is completely covered.

4. Put the cups somewhere out of direct sunlight for one week... and wait!

5. After a week, pour the salt and baking soda mixture out of the cup. What has happened to the apple slices? Is there a difference between them?

6. You could make an apple mummy head! Draw a picture on an apple with felt tips or marker pens. Cover the apple completely with a baking soda and salt mixture and leave for a week. When you pour away the baking soda and salt mixture you're left with your very own apple mummy head!

What's happening?

You should see that one of your apple slices has rotted. The slice covered in the salt and baking soda mixture hasn't rotted. It's been mummified! Why?

Because salt and baking soda are desiccants. Desiccants remove water from any material it comes into contact with. Bacteria that cause rotting and decay need water to survive. Salt and baking soda remove the water from the apple, which makes it hard for bacteria to survive and cause decay.

Ancient Egyptians use a similar method to preserve human bodies after death. They used natron, a naturally occurring dessicant, to mummify bodies.

Important to notice: This apple is NOT meant to be eaten! Once you take a look at the final result you'll probably agree it isn't something you would consume. Besides, who would want to eat a mummy? J

4º British: Seven Samurai, by Akira Kurosawa

Now that we are studying Japan, maybe you would find useful the following link from the University of South Australia. It is a very complete and interesting video of the Meiji era (8 minutes). 

Besides, as we have mentioned in class, one of the greatest film directors of all times was the japanese Akira Kurosawa. You can watch the trailer of one of his most famous movies: “Sichinin no samurai” (“The seven samurai”). 

Believed or not, this film was adapted later by Hollywood as Western and even animation movie... Even the personality of their heroes are the same!

If you want to know more about Kurosawa, have this 20-minute documentary on youtube.

Finally, and if you are curious about the language, you can learn the basics of Japanese (alphabet, numbers, colors, ...) on the web digital dialects. J

Cover photo: illustration for "Ran", film  and drawing by Kurosawa

1º British: Everything about the Rosetta Stone

What is the Rosetta Stone? Why is it important? When was it found? Who cracked the Code? What does the inscription actually say? Where is it now? All these questions are answer by the British Museum blog. Have a look!

4º British: Comparative analysis of historical sources

It is time to start a comparaison practice before the exam... Look carefully the following images (all of them are linked to the Revolution of July 1830 in France) and them answer the questions as complete as possible:

• What is the political significance of Source A?
• Why do you think Source A is more important and famous than Source B? 
• What is the political significance of Source C? (Observe carefully the different elements: social groups represented (and how/where), decoration, symbols, etc.)
• What is the relationships between Source A and Source D? (Notice all the possible relationships: visual, ideological, cronological...) 

Source A. Eugene Delacroix: Liberty leading the people. 1830

Source B. Barricade at Louvre (engraving published in a French newspaper). 1830

Source C. Gerard: Proclamation of Louis Philippe, duc d'Orleans, as king of France. 1830

Source D. Jean Victor Schnetz: Fight at the Parisian Town Hall. 1833.

You have this week for doing the activity. When finish, send your answers to blogeducativo08@gmail.com

Good luck! 

4º British: Enlightment songs 2017

Here you have the links to the different songs you have chosen for illustrating the Enlightment ideas (freedom of speech, natural equality, civil rights, education, female vindications, etc.). Quite diverse and interesting elections. Some of them are in English, some others in Spanish, some were isolated elections, some have several votes... in any case, just enjoy! 

Imagine, by John Lennon
Ain't your momma, by Jennifer Lopez
White America, by Eminem
Can't hold us down, by Christina Aguilera
Same love, by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Run the world (girls), by Beyoncé
You don't own me, by Lesley Gore
Money (that's what I want), by The Beatles
We don't need no education, by Pink Floyd
Schools are prisons, by Sex Pistols
Freedom, by Jimmy Hendrix
This land is your land, by Woody Guthrie
Masters of war, by Bob Dylan
Africa unite, by Bob Marley
Seashore, by The regrettes
Born this way, by Lady Gaga
Stand on the shoulders (Women's rights suffrage song)

Where is the love?, by Black eyed peas

Beauty & the Beast

Three branches rap
Equality is coming around
Lilith, by Pedro Guerra
Mujer, by Rafa Gutierrez

Las que se ponen bien la falda, by Mª José

No dudaría, by Antonio Flores

Intenta respetar, by Carlos Baute
¿Por qué no ser amigos?, by Hombres G

3º British: Photos of your performances

As usual, here you have a link to download the file with several pictures of your political performances. As usual, you will need a password.

It was a very interesting experience, isn't it? ;-) 

3º British: Five key questions answered about China’s one-child policy

China has overturned its one child policy, a limit on childbirth introduced in 1979. Here's what you need to know about the controversial policy and its impact.

After reading the article, send an email to blogeducativo08@gmail.com answering the following question:

Do you think that the change on the natality policy will be 

a success or a failure? Why?

4º British DEBATE: Liberty, Equality and Fraternity

It is May, 1789. Your king, Louis XVI, has called the Estates Generals in order to approve a tax reform to solve the deficit crisis:

“His Majesty has decided to provide for an immediate convocation of the Estates General of his kingdom. His Majesty has not yet decided where the Estates General are to meet, but is able to announce to his subjects that their assembly is fixed for May 1st 1789 [...]”

The people that would attempt the meeting are:

• A group of members of the Aristocracy and a group of members of the Clergy. Both groups worried about their priviledges
• A group of members of the Third Estate, demanding a fair treatment and National Sovereignty. This group would include important thinkers and future revolutionary politicians (both girondins and jacobins), each one with their demands (Enlightment, Education, Equality, Abolition of Feudalism, etc.)

You have a two-part task:

First, prepare a small report that tells the King what is best for France and why (obviously, the idea of what is “best” is different depending on the group you are in!). Make sure that you justify your position with evidence. Remember, come to your decision based on facts, not emotion. Meanwhile, the King should prepare a draft of a possible tax reform, with different options. 

When finish (BEFORE Monday 30 October), send those reports, send it as an attached file to blogeducativo08@gmail.com. You can also print it and bring to class.

Second: Great Debate at class on 2 November! Now you have your arguments and data prepared, you have to defend your point of view in class, and try to convince the King (that will be also the moderator) for legislating in your own side. At the end, the King MUST take a decission (Would him support the Priviledges or change his mind in favour of the Third State?).

All the members of the group MUST speak (minimun: two interventions each), giving rational and coherent, well-argumented answers. The use of appropiate vocabulary and historical backgrounds will be also kept in mind. You will have the full hour if needed, so take your time and do your best!

Resources you can use:

Alpha History (including the King’s call)

French Rev. Legacy (Fordham University)

French Rev. Digital Archive (Stanford University)

Liberty, Equality and Fraternity (including songs!)

This work is mandatory and will be part of the score at the end of the term. If you fail to finish it or do it out of date, the mark will be a 0 for this work.

Ready, steady... go! 

British: Academic information 2017-2018

We are back! In the following links you can read the academic information for this year: 

1º E.S.O. British

3º E.S.O. British

4º E.S.O. British

You can also read the Assesment Criteria (Criterios de Evaluación y Calificación) and the ring-binder criteria (Normas para la elaboración del cuaderno).

And, as usual, you can donwload the "text book" and the weekly works (homework) in the tab "APUNTES". 

Are you ready? 3... 2... 1... Let's go!

1º British: Weekly Works for 2017-18

Welcome to your new High School! Here you have the weekly works (homework) for this academic year. Remember that you will need to enter a password for opening them:

1. Prehistory, Mesopotamia & Egypt

2. Classic world: Greece & Rome

3. Ancient Britain

4. Planet Earth & Maps

5. Climates

Take a deep breath... Let's go and good luck!

3º British: Weekly Works for 2017-18

Did you enjoy your holidays? Because it is time to start working... Here you have the weekly works (monthly, in fact) for this new academic year. Let's go! 

1. Population & Settlement

2. Primary sector

3. Secondary sector

4. Tertiary sector

5. Maps reading & Map (Barwick State)

6. VOLUNTEER: Natural environment

Take a deep breathe and good luck! 

4º British: Weekly Works for 2017-18

Are you ready? Here you have the weekly works (monthly works, better said) for this new academic year. Good luck and... go to work!

1. Enlightment

2. Crisis of the "Ancien Règime"

3. USA & Japan

4. Industrial Revolution

5. I World War & Russian Revolution

6. Interwar period & II World War

7. VOLUNTEER: Cold War & Decolonization

4º British: Films about The Cold War

As usual at the end of the academic year, here you have a list of films related to our subject. Because of your interest on the topic (that is, the number of "What if...?" questions that you have done during the last weeks), this year is about the so called Cold War. Maybe incomplete but a it is good collection of movies.

Enjoy it and... Happy Holidays! 

British: End-of-year evaluation

As usual, now you have the opportunity of giving your own opinion about this year's activities and even giving me a mark! Just click on the correct link and answer 10 easy questions (you can also add comments in the boxes provided); Remember that this test is anonymous and it will not have any kind of repercusion on your final mark ;-)

3º British (Geography)

4º British (History)

2º British (History)

Thanks for your participation!

All the tests have been created by free version of Survey Monkey.

2º British: Medieval Heraldry

In your last weekly work of the year, you have a funny activity about the creation of your own heraldry’s symbol! Your shield must have at least 1 charge, geometric pattern and a minimum of 3 colours. You can see a selection of options (and their meaning) in this very complete link.

Enjoy! 

2º British: YOUR historical comics

Here you have your masterpieces... Sometimes you can be too creative, ahem. Enjoy the reading!:

El Dorado

The Black Death (Option I)

The Black Death (Option II)

The Black Death (Option III)

The Black Death (Option IV)

The Black Death (Option V)

John the legend

Queen Isabel

Inquisition

Magellan (Page 1 and page 2)

A roman story

A thief

Napoleon

4º British: Crack of 1929 and The Great Depression

As we are learning about the Interwar Period in class, it is a good moment for watching this great and brief explanation from AcademiaPlay about the causes of the Wall Street Crack of 1929 (8 minutes video, in Spanish), that would led into dangerous repercussions... 

3º British: For a named country that you have studied…

As you already known, you will be asked to give a real and detailed example of any topic in the IGCSE exams. As these questions are the most valuable in the exam (7 marks!), you have to be sure to prepare a good revision. 

Because of that, here you have a summary of examples and cases studies that we have studied in class during this academic year and you might be able to use in your IGCSE. I have also include a 6º part with the natural environment cases that we will study after Easter holydays (eg. Volcanoes, earthquakes, etc.). Have a look... GOOD LUCK!

In the meantime, remeber also the structure and rules of IGCSE.

1. POPULATION

Odd population pyramids due to migration (Qatar)

Aeging (elderly) population: Puebla de Almenara (Spain) and  Japan

Anti-natalist: China and the one-child policy (Before and after 2013)

Pro-natalist: Finland and France

Migration’ management: The points system in Canada

2. SETTLEMENT

Sustanaibility (definition and case of Abu Dhabi)

Sustanaibility (Curitiba and Whitehill Bordon)

Sustanaibility & Gender (Safety women’s program)

Gentrification (redevelopment of city centers): Chueca

Shanty towns: “Favelas” of Rio de Janeiro

Shanty towns: Kibera (Nairobi) and sources

Rural areas and modernity: Asiego de Cabrales (from an exam)

3. PRIMARY SECTOR

Market gardering and Hydroponic cultivation (Tomatoes in Netherlands)

CAP and diversification (Changes in farming in East Anglia, UK)

Green Revolution (India)

Energy (Changing energy in UK, Progranm 2020 & Brexit)

Farming in Mezzogiorno (Italy)

Oil explotation in Madagascar

Energy and pollution: Exxon Valdez oil spill (exam question)

Vineyard cultivation, France (Global production, plantation’s needs and map)

Cocoa cultivation, Ghana (Sustanaible Cocoa farming, Ghana business news)

Cheese production in Asturias (Food & Drink sector, varieties)

Mussels cultivation in Kerala, India (Kerala case and Oyster Opera)

Tulip flowers cultivation in India (Plantation’s needs and Kashmiri case)

4. SECONDARY SECTOR

Changing location of industry in UK (M4 corridor)

Worldwide location (Twinnings Tea and Cadbury chocolates)

TNCs: Ford in Chennai (India)

Industry in LEDCs: Intermediate Tech Development Group (Northern Kenya)

Industry in MEDCs: Panasonic in Osaka

Industry in MEDCs: Playmobil in Malta (from an exam)

Industry in MEDCs: Bayern in Asturias (from an exam)

5. TERCIARY SECTOR

Tourism and natural environment: Lake District National Park

Tourism and natural environment: Serengeti (Kenya)

 Ecotourism

6. PLATE TECTONICS & VOLCANOES / CLIMATE ISSUES

Ruapehu volcanic eruption (New Zealand)

Etna (Sicily, Italy)

Kobe’s earthquake (1995)

Coastal management in Holderness (Coastal erosion)

Hurricane Katrina (2005)

Global warming: Greenhouse effect, carbon footprints and effects.

Britain’s weather and climate
The impact of drought in the UK (2004)