3º British: Searching a job in Europe

Before looking for a job oportunity abroad, we must begin with a basic rule: INFORMATION about the country, about its market and labor legislation and, of course, its language.

To facilitate this process, the European Union has an online application for jobs searching (EURES) and a curriculum template, called EUROPASS, which can be completed online and is accepted throughout the European Union (there are two different versions: for University students and for workers). The EURES website also offers information about life in the country of destination and on the labor market (for example, what areas need new workers, etc.).

Also, keep in mind that job interviews can change slightly from one country to another (eg.: interviewers in Germany greatly appreciate a digital or video CV; or if applying as designer or publicist, they will love something catchy and creative).

As students of British Council in a globalise world, you will probably study or work abroad in any moment. Therefore, it would be a good idea to get used to Eures, isn't it? Here is the new double-task activity you have to do:

Task 1. Choose a job offer from this EURES list that is attractive for you. and use the Europass template to create a CV, a Language Passport and a letter to suit the job. Keep in mind all the tips and advices to create a good CV. When done, turn them into PDF format and send all those pdfs to acarriles@educa.jcyl.es. 

Task 2. Performance a job interview in class! Of course, balance share of roles, cooperation and the use of appropiate vocabulary will be also keep in mind.  

As usual, this work is mandatory. If you failed to do it, it will mean a 0 on your score. 

Good luck! :)

2º British: Flipped class: Medieval times in the Iberian Península

People usually think that teaching is easy: you just stand up in front of students and talk. But is it really so simple? Do you think YOU could become good teachers? Let’s have a try!

 

In the following days you will have to prepare a FULL LESSON. Not a simple power point or 10 minutes oral speech... a full real class, 50 minutes explaing a topic, giving examples and solving doubts. Wow! That’s a real challenge! J

 

Some questions from this activity will be part of the next exam so take it seriously and pay attention to all your partner’s explanations!

 

 

Task 1: Prepare a complete lesson plan (individually or in groups of maximun 4 people) about ONE of the following territories from the Iberian Península:

1. Asturias (Tips from auladeadriana & lesson plann)
2. León and Castilla (Tips from auladeadriana & lesson plann)
3. Navarra (Video & Lesson plann)
4. Cataluña and Aragón (Video of Aragón & Lesson plann)
5. Al Andalus (Tips from auladeadriana & lesson plann)

 

No matter the chosen kingdom, all research would have to include the same items, so none will be shorter or easier than other:

-         Historical review (yes, you can use my theoretical notes, the useful videos provided at class or search from your onw sources)

-         Map of the kingdom and its maximun peak

-         Main character (portrait, bio and main events)

-         Art: comment of a masterpiece

-         Comment of an historical text

-         Activities for your “students”

In case you decide to include videos (in English) to help you or to illustrate your lesson, the maximun total lenght would be 10 minutes.

 

When finished, send all the materials created to acarriles@educa.jcyl.es. Remember that, if the files are too big or heavy for an email, you can use wetransfer.com (free, easy and safe). The deadline for this will be Friday 13 January.

We will dedicate several hours at class but it will be necessary to work at home to finish a complete, properly developed lesson and practice it.

 

 

Task 2: Turn yourself into teachers! As usual ALL members of the team MUST speak (and it will be NOT just reading from the screen but to be self-confident enough to TEACH).

 

 

This activity is mandatory and you will receive a mark for it; collaboration between menbers and teamwork would be also taken into consideration. If you fail to do it, do it out of time or just copy&paste from internet, you will receive a 0.

 

Ready? Steady?... GO! 

1º British: Shackleton and the exploration of the Antarctica (II_ArtBook)

Breaking news! On March, 2022 a group of scientists discovered into the deep blue the Endurance, the legendary ship that famous British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton lost in his last and tragic expedition, more than a century ago.

As you can imagine by this introduction, your new task this year is to do a work about it but… in a quite special and different way. Are you prepare for a bit of DIY? J

What do you have to do?

Your duty is to CREATE AN ART BOOK. And what is that? An artbook is a special book edition about a topic or concept, generally interactive, portable and easily shared; these special, unique editions are Works of Art by themshelves (not just a conventional book for reading) and can be made from a variety of materials, even become sculptural objects. These photo-collage will show you some inspirational examples:

Your new task (individual or in groups of maximum 4 people) is to create an artbook about the explorations on Antarctica. Of course, proper explanations about the topic will be provided at class and so you them put all that information in an artistical book-shape.

It is not necessary to write by your own all the information (exceptionally, this time you can copy&paste from internet, but  of course it would be necessary to do a previous good selection of the information and a good choice of typography and format!) because this work is about information management, edition technology and creativity, so… enjoy! J

 

Contents that MUST appear on your artbook (of course you MUST include images and maps):

• Phisical map of Antarctica
• Antarctica natural enviroment: climate (do not forget to include a climate graph), landscapes and animals.
• Predecessors: Scott and Amundsen expeditions (brief biographies, portraits, basic info about their expeditions and comparative map)
• Shackleton (short biography, portrait)
• Shackleton’s team
• Shackleton’s ship (Endurance). Photos, itinery and map.
• Antarctica today, a brief summary (Questions that you have to answer here: What is the Treaty of Anstarctica? What are the basic rules for international cooperation there? What are the Spanish projects?)
• Your opinión about the explorers and the activity.
• Colophon (What is a colophon?)

 

Extra ITC’s tip! You can also add web links or… even convert them into QR codes by using free online apps such as monkey or bitly generator! After the conversion, just print and add the QR image into your artbook J

When finish, give handly your artbook to your teacher. As usual, this work is mandatory and you will receive a mark for it; if you do not do it, or do it out of time, your mark will be 0.

 

Ok, now we know what to do but… what about the theory? Read HERE!

1º British: Shackleton and the exploration of the Antarctica (I_Theory)

Let’s start! What do you know about Antarctica? Antarctica is the continent surrounding the South Pole, almost entirely covered by an ice sheet. Here you have a detailed phisical map of it:

 

Antarctica is the coldest, highest, windiest, driest continent on Earth, as you can discover in this link about its environment and it is home of animals such as penguins, seals, whales… as you can watch in this Nationalgeographic video.

Antarctica was always an atractive dream for explorers, adventurers and scientists. Among History, there have been many travels, starting as soon as  the 18th century! On January 1774 James Cook (UK) crossed the Antarctica Polar Sea Circle but could not even see the continente due to the bad weather conditions (he was just 75 miles away from it!).

On November, 1820 Andrés MacFarlane (Chile) was the first person that disembarked in Antarctica (Expedition “Dragón de Valparaíso”).

Nevertheless, the most famous and hazardous Antarctica stories were the explorations of Scott (UK), Amundsen (Norway) and Shackleton (UK), al lof them at the beginning of the 20th century. These are their portraits:

Captain Scott and Roald Amundsen both aimed to be the first to reach the South Pole in 1911. That was nicknamed “The race to the South Pole” (Link to video and map).

Who won? Amundsen! On 14 December, 1911 he reached the center of the continent; When Scott arrived few weeks later, on 17 January 1912, the Norwegian flag was already there…

The journey back (on foot!) was not only sad for Scott and his men, but also terrible due to heavy snow storms and lack of food: they died before reaching back their ship in the coast. A posterior expedition managed to reach their last refugee, buried their bodies and recovered their diaries, that were published when back in London and become best-sellers.

But let’s focus on Shackleton’s last atempt: the Endurance voyage; although the expedition failed and the ship sunked, the adventure of the Endurance was probably one of the most remarckable historical hits in Geographical expeditions. And, spoiler, despite the difficulties all members of the team survived and went back to UK thanks to the determination and effort of the captain, Sir Ernest Shackleton!

Thanks to the NOVAproject website you would find a lot of information and visual resources for your work, such as the timeline and the team. Additionally, you can revise the National Geographic summary.

A real adventure, isn’t it? But what about now a days situation? Currently, Antarctica is a continente for international cooperation in science, where Spain is also collaborating.

2º British: How to organise an art exhibition “I’m a curator of Museo del Prado”

 

Before starting, we need a definition... What does an ART CURATOR do?

 

In the art world, the title of "curator" identifies a person who selects and often interprets different works of art, whether they be paintings, statues, tapestries, or video art. In addition to selecting works, the curator is often responsible for writing labels, catalog essays, and other content supporting art exhibitions.

Art curators (in Spanish: “Comisario de la exposición”) have an eye for a variety of art forms and a passion for staging artwork in a way that creates interest in the exhibition space, whether it is small or large, contained within four walls, or staged outdoors.

 

What is your new task them?

Being a curator of an exhibition in Museo del Prado is a really beautiful but quite demanding job, there is a lot of pressure and responsability over your soulders... that is, precisely, why this activity can be done individually or in groups (maximum 3 people).

 

The activity is divided in 3 stages, all of them mandatory. You will have in your email the basics but pay attention to the detailed explanations the teacher will provide at class:

 

Stage 1. Preparation. Choose a topic/theme and 12 art masterpieces that fit that topic. They should be mostly paintings but you can also include one sculpture or another artifact (such as furniture or jewellery). From that total of 12 artworks, 2 of them MUST be from outside Museo del Prado; therefore, you will have to prepare requests forms for museum loans, transportation and insurance. Of course, such as ambitious plann will costs money, take care with the budget provided! If you can “find” a sponsor, you will “receive” some extra useful funds... When finish, send all the documents (in pdf format) to acarriles@educa.jcyl.es

 

Stage 2. Working on! Settle an exhibition takes time as it includes the distribution of the artworks in the exhibition room, and the design of the advertising poster and catalogue. Again, when finish, send all the documents and updated budget (in pdf format) to acarriles@educa.jcyl.es

 

Stage 3. Ready to open. The artworks are ready but... have you think in all the complementary activities needed in a museum? Educational workshops for schools, guided visits, etc. Be creative with this part but stick to the plan and budget! Again, when finish, send all the documents and updated final budget (in pdf format) to acarriles@educa.jcyl.es

 

 

What a deal! Do not panic, it looks difficult but not impossible. Remember: Check your email and you will find the instructions and documents for dealing with the first stage; pay attention to the explanations and clarifications provide at class (and to the delivery date for it!). Ready? Steady? Go!

 

You can start by, of course the official websiteof Museo del Prado, where you can see its complete online catalogue, with all the technical and historical information, and even a very useful clasification by topics... Another good link is the online universal catalogue Art&Culture by Google.

As usual, this activity is mandatory and you will receive a mark for it. If you failed to do it, do it out of time or just copy&paste, your mark will be zero (0).

2º British: Your own guided visit to Ávila

As promised, it is your turn to become professional touristical guides. In groups (maximun 4 people) you will several days to prepare a guided visit to ONE of the following historical monuments of Ávila:

• Medieval Wall
• Cathedral
• Basilica of San Vicente
• Convento La Encarnación
• San Pedro (El Grande)
• San Andrés

The guided visit will be ONLY about the exterior area but there are several parts you MUST talk about (historical context, architectural plan, author, main gate, decoration, etc.). It would be also interesting and positive if you can add a legend or historical anecdote linked to your chosen monument. In any case, be aware that you should be able to talk 8-12 minutes! 

You can use the official website of Avila Tourism to study the monuments and there are also some tips for speaking as professional guides (both webs in Spanish). Prepare your speech/draft (pdf format) and 3 high-resolution images and send them to acarriles@educa.jcyl.es. 

The oral explanation of your choosen monument will take place LIVE. Of course, all members of the team HAVE TO talk. Collaboration and team effort would be important.

As usual, this work is mandatory and will be part of your final score this term. If you fail to do it, you will receive a 0.

3º British: Experts committee about Global Warming

What is an “Experts committee”?

A work technique in which a group of students discuss as experts (Each one specialize in some aspect of the issue) an issue in dialogue or conversation with the group. The conversation can be casuak but it has to be rational, without discussions and exhibitions lead away from the topic

Who is involved? In groups (maximum, 6 people), you will have to share the following roles:

• Experts: 3 experts who deal with all aspects of the issue for the group is reported. Experts MUST prepared with anticipation at least 3 accurate and professional resources (graphics, short videos, scientifical articles, etc.) that can support their explanations. Resources have to be well identify (title, author, university, details of publication, etc.)
• 
  
• Moderator: Introduce the committee members, organizes time, directs the conversation, introduce clarifying questions. This person must prepare a detailed script and a complete list of potential questions.
• 
  
• Journalist. 1 journalist, writting a scientical report for National Geographic, asking the experts all the questions that should be known: what is Global Warming? Why is it dangerous? What can we do for stop it? etc. / on the other hand, 1 denialist blogger trying to create controversy. In both cases, they must prepared with anticipation at least 3 resources that can support their explanations.

All those sources and documents MUST be sent by email on the 11 May to blogeducativo08@gmail.com. The debate will take place on 18 May.

How to do it?

1. How to performance the debate? You are special guests in a university conference ;) The moderator presented to the committee’s members (besides name, some special item you want the public to know about their knowledge of the subject). Asks the first question on the subject.

2. One member of the committee initiates the conversation with his/her colleagues.

3. The moderator has to intervene to ask new questions, if you see that there are aspects that have not been touched or if someone deviates from the topic. The moderator will be encouraged if the dialogue lapses, but without giving his/her opinion. When possible, the moderator also invites the journalists to contribute with his/her questions, ideas or doubts (or stops the blogger if too much controversy or violence).

4. The debate must last 25-30 minutes. After that, the moderator will invite each panel member to briefly summarize their ideas (briefly means one minute only).

As students of 3ºBritish and already veterans on this particular issue, you are expected to performance much greater and elaborated roles, and you will be evaluated accordingly.

Tips and Helps

You can have a look in the following webpages: Worldwatch Institute and also BBC Newsround. And here there is a list of questions that can be done during the debate:

• What is Global Warming?
• What are the causes of Global Warming?
• Does everybody agree with the theory of Global Warming, or is there some kind of controversy? Why?
• In science, what is the difference between “Theory” and “Hypothesis”?
• What is “Carboon footprint”?
• What can WE do?
• What can the Governments do?
• What is the Kyoto Protocol?

Ready? Watch, read… go on!

2ºBritish: Magellan & Elcano. First circumnavigation of the Globe

As required, here you have our second gamification experience of the academic year. We will conmemorate the 5th anniversary of the First circumnavigation of the Globe (1519-1522). 

In the first term we studied the most famous travellers of Medieval Age (Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta and Zheng He). Modern Age was the time of the Great Explorations: the discovering of America (Juan de la Cosa made the first map of the new continent in 1500) and the circumnavigation of the Globe. Let’s study it by playing!

This learning-game can be done individually or in pairs but it is mandatory. All missions and activities has to be done on the specifical date. If you fail to do it, do it out of time or just copy&paste from internet, you will be penalised and will loose marks (with the repercussion that it will have for reaching the highest rank in the navy and its benefits...). In case someone does not reach the minimun score required (50 marks), he/she will have to do a conventional, written exam.

But I am sure that you will do your best to have fun... and to learn!

How does it work? 

First of all, you will need a player card. You can use this free-online-creator: https://www.mtgcardmaker.com/. This part is mandatory and will give you your first 2 marks for the game. Send your player card, in PDF format, before Monday, 25 January to acarriles@educa.jcyl.es. 

Basic things you HAVE TO include in your Player-card:

Your nick-name and your photo (real one!)

Your city and kingdom (real ones from Medieval Iberian Peninsula)

Languages you speak 

Two strong point (This is really important, as it can gives you extra marks in certain missions... Think carefully about that!).

One weak point (Again, think carefully as you can loose a couple of marks in a mission... This is a game and sometimes you have to take risks!)

Both strong and weak points have to be chosen from the following list:

- Learning new languages
- Map reading
- Diplomacy
- Militar strategy
- Negociation and sale skills
- Astronomy and sailing skills
- Calligraphy
- Music and fine arts
- Drawing
- Medicine
- Mathematics
- Biology and Botany

Secondly, each player (or team) will need a small notebook. Why? Because the missions of this game will have the form of a ON BOARD DIARY, that is, as mariners, you will have to write a full chronicle of everything than happen during the expedition. That was exactly what Antonio Pigafetta did during the real circumnavigation.

For some of your missions you will need to read some extracts from the orginal Pigafetta’s on board diary. It is a word document of a hundred pages but do not panic! You will NOT have to read it complete, just some lines... The index (page nº3) works with hyperlinks so you can click on the one you need (the most relevants are marked in bold) and go directly to it.

The teacher will release the pertinent worksheet of each mission/stage and you will have to solve the activities in your ON BOARD DIARY and give it to the teacher for the correction. Sometimes you will need to draw something or stick a photo in it, please have colour pencils and glue prepared in advance: this is what is called “scrap-notebook”, as it would be a mixture of hand-writting and collage items.

Besides, as sailors you must be prepared to take quick decissions and fix problems with limited material resources. It means that this is a very problem-solving oriented activity: can you find out on internet the information or imagens required fast enough? 

As you can imagine, an adventure like this is not easy: getting marks to upgrade your condition will be slightly more difficult. Your laboral progress will be the following:

Start. You are a cabin boy 

20 marks. Mariner

40 marks. Naval oficer. As now member of the high rank staff, in the next mission you will receive 2 extra points as bonus!

50 marks. Captain. Congratulations! You have triumphed: your exam is convalidated by 9. Hooray!

60 marks. Almirant. This is the highest ranks possible in the navy so... you have a 10. Congrats! :)

Ready for the adventure? Let’s watch carefully the following TED-ed video about Magellan’s adventure (about 6 minutes, in English) and a good revision from Diálogos-AcademiaPlay (17 minutes).

These are the stages and obstacles you will find on your way:

1. Preparation for the adventure (Sevilla)
2. The travels throught America
3. Patagonia and the Land of Fire
4. Molucas: the land of Spices
5. Back home
6. New Zealand: a Spanish discovery?

Ready? Steady? ... go! :)

4º British: BBC History Reporters

As promised, today we have a new task: turn yourselves into BBC-History channel reporters! :)  Besides funny, it could be a great educational activity, don’t you think so?

You have to choose ONE of the following (and already mentioned) topics:

• Irish War of Independence (1919-21) (NAM, Irish History Web & Irish War Web) and Irish Civil War (1922-23) (National Museum of Ireland, Irish War Web & BBC)
• Spaniards prisioners in Mauthaussen (trailer & newspaper article)
• Garbo, the spy (last week trailer, MI5 info & History channel)
• La Nueve and the battle of Paris (last week video & newspaper article)

Of course, you will need to do some previous research to prepare the script and the images you will use (photos or videos). It can be done individually or in groups (maximum 4 people).

These are the basic requirements:

• You should open your "TV news/reporter" with a definition of the chosen topic, explaining it as completely as possible. It is mandatory that the explanation provided includes, at least, 2 original images (eg. portraits, maps, etc.), 1 written primary source (eg. excerpt from a legal text, a speech, etc.) and 1 exterior scene. 
• It woould be also highly valorated if you also include an "interview with an historical character". Would you dare to performance one of the participants of your chosen topic? 
• The final product should last between 6 and 10 minutes
• After those minutes, you should include the author’s credits and webgraphy (sources of information you used)
• The video must be in .avi or .mp4 format 

When finish, send the file via wetransfer.com to acarriles@educa.jcyl.es. As usual, this activity is mandatory; if you don’t do it, or you do it out of time, the mark for this activity will be 0.

Be creative and enjoy the activity. Good luck!

3º British: Flipped class - Review for natural environment

People usually think that teaching is easy: you just stand up in front of students and talk. But is it really so simple? Do you think YOU could become good teachers? Let’s have a try!

In the following days you will have to prepare a FULL LESSON. Not a simple power point or 10 minutes oral speech... a full real class, 45 minutes explaing a topic, giving examples and solving doubts. Wow! That’s a real challenge! :)

This activity will also help you and your partners to revise the natural environment topics for your IGCSE exams so take it seriously.

Task 1: Prepare a complete lesson plan (in groups of maximun 4 people) about ONE of the following topics:

1. Earthquakes and volcanoes
2. Rivers
3. Coast
4. Weather
5. Equatorial climate
6. Hot desert climate

When finished, send all the materials created to acarriles@educa.jcyl.es  (remember that you can freely and easily use wetransfer.com).

Of course, you can also include materials that help or illustrate the explanation (those materials can be based on both my notes or the BBC website. You can also try revision world altough it is quite hazy and old-fashion web). In case you decide to use short videos (in English) the maximun total lenght would be 10 minutes. You can also prepare some photocopies for your “students” if you like. Remember that you HAVE TO include one case study as example.

Remember not to wait until the very last day, and send me from time to time your materials, in order to revise them and offer you orientations and advices. 

Task 2: Turn yourself into teachers! After the deadline, you will do your masterclass. As usual ALL members of the team MUST speak (and it will be NOT just reading from the screen but to be self-confident enough to TEACH).

This activity is mandatory and you will receive a mark for it; collaboration between menbers and teamwork would be also taken into consideration. If you fail to do it, do it out of time or just copy&paste from internet, you will receive a 0.

Ready? Steady?... GO! 

2ºBritish: Spanish America TV News

Here we go with another special task: filming an historical TV News programme! Today, with the daily-use technology is quite easy to do, and that could be a great educational activity, don’t you think so? 

This work should be done in groups. Cooperation and the use of appropriate vocabulary would be also keep in mind.

It’s 8th June 1494. Yesterday, Queen Isabella I of Castilla and King Joao II of Portugal signed the “Treaty of Tordesillas”, with an agreement about the division of the newly discovered lands of America between both kingdoms.

News that you HAVE TO include:

• Opening with the “International News section”: explaining what is the “Treaty of Tordesillas”. Besides the theoretical explanation, you have to include a picture of the authentic document and a map with the division line. It would be also a great idea to include an image of Queen Isabella I giving a brief speech about how happy she is because this positive agreement… Even more, Pope Alexander VI Borgia awarded Isabella and Ferdinand with the official title of “Catholic Monarchs”.

• More news about America: the first European city (under the name of “La Isabella”) was created in the island of “La Española” (now a days, Dominican Republic). And Columbus discovered a new island: Jamaica (name that, in the native language means: “blessed gold”). You can mention both things, including the image of a map and a quote from Columbus.

• Interview with an historical character: one of the members of the team has to impersonate a real historical character (eg. Queen Isabella or Columbus) and answer 3 questions to a journalist

• Culture: Antonio de Nebrija, professor of University of Salamanca and author of the first “Gramática del español” published a complete dictionary of Spanish-Latin. If you want, you can also mention that the German writer Ieronimus Munzer published the first part of his book “Travel through Iberian Peninsula”

• If possible, try to film ONE exterior scene, filmed in front of Avila’s medieval wall.

• The final product should last between 4 and 8 minutes. After those minutes, you should include the author’s credits

• The video MUST be in .avi or .mp4 format.

Besides all those things, you can also include some other things (in the appropriate section), such as the result of the last Mayan ball game; the end of the Medina del Campo commercial fair (with important economical benefits this year) or the new painting of  Hieronymus Bosch for the Isabella’s royal collection (“Jardín de las Delicias”). Do you need more ideas and info? Here you have a full list of usefull links:

• Find out: Facts about the Mayans
• The Maya writting system
• Find out: Facts about the Aztecs
• The Aztec pictogramns (writting system)
• Aztec food (including chocolate & recipes!)
• Find out: Facts about the Incas

Let’s start with some help... In the following document you can learn about the steps of filming a movie and its technical aspects, such as types of shoots (planos) and camera’s angles.

When finish, send the video (and any extra material that you have created) to acarriles@educa.jcyl.es (if the file is too big, remember that you can use wetransfer.com).

As usual, this activity is mandatory; remember that if you don’t do it, or you do it out of time, the mark for this activity will be 0.

Be creative and enjoy the activity. Good luck! :)