lunes, 29 de abril de 2013

Canadian Project: Galicia and Alberta Cultural Bites. Skype Date. 2nd. Part.

Today we had our second Skype session with the Dalhousie School of Calgary in Alberta, Canada and our Grade 4, 5 and 6 participating. After greeting one another and talking about the weather, we began our exposition on Galicia in English talking about the Languages spoken in Galicia, Geography of Galicia, its Architecture, The Way of ST. James, Galician Traditions and Festivals, Galician Music, animals and food.
We also had a surprise for the Canadian students! Two of our students, a boy and a girl, dressed in Galician traditional clothing and some of our students played a traditional Galician song and danced "The Muñeira".
Afterwards, we exchanged questions and sang together. This time the Canadian students surprised us by singing in Spanish "La Tarara sí. La Tarara no". They did it wonderful. It was awesome!
We also agreed it was a great experience and hope to stay in contact.
I'd like to thank Brenna Eileen Eaton, Paula Campos Caldas and Juan CarlosVázquez Vázquez for their collaboration.
Ana Isabel Ferreirós Rey.

Here is one video that exemplifies one section of the students´ exposition, when a student is telling the story of the Way of St. James Pilgrimage:



Since the Canadian students were interested in the games our students play in the school playground, we´d like to share this video with them, in which some of our students are playing petanque or as we say "petanca". This game consists on throwing balls. First of all, one student throws a small red ball. Later on, they take turns throwing big black balls. The winner is the one that throws the black ball closest to the red ball.


Next, you can see some pictures of the skype date:










We´d also like to share this quick video with the canadian students, so that they can watch our lovely views from the English class to the Ría de Vigo and the Cíes Islands:

lunes, 22 de abril de 2013

Canadian Projects: Galicia and Alberta Cultural Bites. Skype Date 1st. Part

Today we began the first of two Skype presentations with the 4th. Grade Bilingual International Dalhousie School of Calgary in Alberta, Canada.
Because of the 8 hour time difference, we collaborated with the parents and our students came into school this evening at five. It was 9 in the morning in Calgary!
This evening we spoke only in Spanish, but next week we will speak only in English. First of all, the Galician students said good morning to the Canadian students and the Canadian students said good afternoon to the Galician students. Next, they talked about the weather. Then, the Canadian students showed and explained to us some pictures of Alberta including animals, rivers, lakes, mountains, skiing and more.
Afterwards, our students asked some questions about the city, the province and all of Canada!
Finally, our students ended by singing the Galician song "Ondiñas veñen" and the Dalhousie students sang us "O Canada".
We are looking forward to next week a lot when we present our pictures, drawings and information about Galicia to the Canadian students in English. We have already started practising a lot and we are very excited to share so much of our culture.
Ana Isabel Ferreirós Rey.
Brenna Eileen Eaton.






lunes, 15 de abril de 2013

Dealing with American Dialects.

As far as dialects are concerned, in English like in Spanish there are many variants.  Among others, we can either talk of  British or American English as the most commonly used. However, both variants include different dialects with particular accents and pronunciation; as well as special words in each one.
Here is an interesting link (aschman.net "Full-Scale Dialect Map—American English Dialect"; also shared with Interlingua Events), which explains all American Accents. It's worth reading to improve our understanding  of American English through learning the dialects that are spoken in each area:
http://aschmann.net/AmEng/#LargeMap
Ana Isabel Ferreirós Rey.

jueves, 11 de abril de 2013

CEIP RÍA DE VIGO School Description by Grade 3 students.

Within the Canadian Projects with the Dalhousie Bilingual School of Calgary in Alberta, Canada, one is related to the school description. Both schools have been described by our students in their respective foreign languages. We´d like to show you the description of our school that we are sending to Canada, which was made in English by Grade 3 students working cooperatively and following a CLIL Approach.
Ana Isabel Ferreirós Rey.

lunes, 8 de abril de 2013

Native Americans. History of the United States. Part II

The United States is a very big country. Like Spain we have different customs and traditions in different Regions. The Native Americans also have unique customs, cultures and languages in different Regions. They eat different food, wear different clothes and live in different homes depending on their Region.
This presentation will show examples from each major Region, but it is still important to remember that each tribe has their own unique culture. Later we will study a very specific area in the Southwest and see how they live there! Brenna Eileen Eaton. Ana Isabel Ferreirós Rey.