X-Men: Meet the Real Mutants

      In 1963, the comic book legends Stan Lee and Jack Kirby first created the X-Men and I guess they could have had no idea what they were get into...much more than just a comic book story...a whole new world that would be part of millions and millions fans' life and the start point to a discussion that would intrigue us forever - are mutants real? 

     Unfortunately, according to the text in our booklet, they are real, but not so glamorous as we see them in Hollywood movies. Maybe it will be possible in a future (no so long) due to some researches that have been conducted around the world.

      According to The Telegraph, there are some mutants among us and they are quite special because on the contrary of the text that we've studied lately, these people are not sick, they are healthy and their "powers" are beyond the common human limitations. And the best part of it, these super powers can also be used to benefit others. For example, in 2006, scientists at Cambridge University discovered a Pakistani street performer who was able to cut himself with knives without experiencing pain. Upon investigation, they found that he was one of a handful of local people who had a defect in a gene called SCN9A meaning that pain did not flow from the nerves to the brain. Researchers are currently studying whether this may provide the key to treating chronic pain conditions.

Post Question: 

- Do you like the X-Man comic books, movies or cartoon? Which one is you favorite mutant Why?
- If you could have a "super mutant power", which one would you like to have? Why?

Tip: To read the article published on The Tegraph and read about the other "real mutants", just click here. 
To read more about how genetic mutations associated with disease may be beneficial for certain sports, just click here. (This article is in Portuguese).

Christmas in March, thanks to TUCCA!

          Last Tuesday was March 31^st, but just in our Gregorian calendar! But at night, I could swear it was Christmas time! My husband and I went to the Sala São Paulo to feel all the joy of this most festive holiday time of the year due to the presentation of The Ninth (and last) Symphony composed by Ludwig van Beethoven interpreted by the orchestra TUCCA Philharmonic – with the conductor João Maurício Galindo. It was the season opener of the Healing Music Series (Série Música pela Cura), an international music festival promoted by TUCCA (an Association for Children and Adolescents with Cancer. It’s a non-profit organization founded in 1998 by doctors, parents of patients and representatives of civil society, with the proposal to increase cure rates and improve the quality of life of disadvantaged youth with cancer).

       By November of this year, TUCCA has already invited highlights of classical music and world jazz to take the stage of one of the world's best concert halls. Among several attractions, some of them have already been confirmed: the first mandolin Grammy nominated, Avi Avital; and the guitarist Milo Karadaglic.

All proceeds from the sale of tickets are for the treatment of patients assisted by the Hospital Santa Marcelina in partnership with the Association. All proceeds from the sale of tickets are for the treatment of patients assisted by the Hospital Santa Marcelina in partnership with the Association.

“The art brings benefits to all parties involved, the partner, the employee and, in particular, to the patient," says the pediatric oncologist Dr. Sydney Epelman, president of TUCCA.

I couldn’t agree more! And I would add it brings benefits to anyone who is lucky enough to attend the concerts. At the end of the night, after the presentation, we went back home with our heart so glad and amazed, exactly how they feel at Christmas!

Post Question: 

-  Do you like classical music? Do you have a favorite composer? Who is he?

- Have you heard the Ninth Symphony completely? How do you feel when you are listening to it?

Tip: To know more about TUCCA and all the Healing Music Series, just click here.

"Twelve angry men" is in the theater!

           A group of high school students went to Jaraguá Theater (in Novotel Jaraguá, at 71, Martins Fontes street, São Paulo downtown) to see the play "Doze Homens e Uma Sentença". The play is a drama written by Sidney Lumet, an American director, producer and screenwriter with over 50 films to his credit.

The play is adapted from Lumet's film "12 Angry Men" (1957), It's the story of a dozen individuals, in a New York City courthouse, who are in charge of reaching a verdict. The defendant is a teenager boy who is accused of stabbing his father to death and the decision of convicting or absolving him must be unanimous. The conflict begins when one of the twelve jurors (this character is played by the actor Norival Rizzo) is not so sure about the defendant's guilt and it's exactly because of it that he is the dissonant vote of the group who has already decided by condemnation. Little by little, the juror number 08 presents convincing arguments that make all the other jurors rethink their position.

In 1997 a remake of the film under the same title was released by MGM and in 2007 "12 Angry Men" was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being culturally and historically significant.

At the end of the play, the students had the opportunity of meeting the actors and they kindly talked and gave autographs to our group. Under the direction of Eduardo Tolentino Araújo the play debuted on November, 19th 2010 and based on our group's opinion, it's highly recommended!

Post Question: For the students (or anyone else), who saw the play, the movie or read the script:

- If you were one of the jurors, what would be your vote, in the beginning of the deliberation?

-  If you were one of the jurors, based on your personality, which one would you be? Why?

Tip: To watch the 1957 film (Portuguese subtitles ), just click here.

St. Patrick's Day - the happiest day of the year!

       According to Heineken, today is the happiest day of the year because it's St. Patrick's Day...Does anyone doubt it? 

Of course we have all the religious celebration that must be remembered and I really like St. Patrick very much. Indeed, I think that the St. Patrick's prayer (or at least the one which is assigned to him) is the most complete prayer ever written because it's about protection in all levels and gratitude. It's also a great day (as an excuse) to have a pint of Guinness or any other beer that's your favorite one. But what makes this day really happy for me are two very special reasons: 

- First -  it's my father's birthday. Today he turns 74 years old and he has been very active, healthy and became more relaxed and is enjoying life doing what he likes to do: travel to the countryside and fishing. Celebrating his birthday has been very funny because of the children. And it's a great opportunity to get the family together. 

- Second -  my husband and I have an agreement - doesn't matter what happens on this day, if it was a great day or a perfectly trouble and complicated one - we will get together at the end of the afternoon and go to the nearest pub to have my pint of Guinness (because it's my favorite one) and his Weissbier  (a beer made of wheat). But the idea here is get a moment only for us, to chat a little and drink...no matter what! We often meet some friends there, but even then it's our moment to have fun. If we don't get some moments like this one for us, all the must-do things can make us forget about ourselves and, in the long run, it's very chaotic and harmful. After indulging ourselves, we go home to celebrate my father's birthday. So, the party keeps going on!

So, St. Patrick's Day, for me, is and always will be one of the happiest day of the year.

Enjoy it! And...

MAY THE LUCKY (AND JOY) OF THE IRISH BE WITH YOU!

No place for racism in this world

          With the advancement of technology and all the progress that man has achieved, it is unbelievable that there is still room for racist acts as we are unfortunately forced to witness in our day to day.

- Students in the class of the 6th year of Medicine, at UNESP (São Paulo State University), held a party to receive the freshmen dressed in costumes similar to the Ku Klux Klan, a well-known American racist organization that advocated white supremacy and attacked black. What for? What on Earth were they thinking?

- Some football players are attacked on the field, during the match, by opposing fans and even by other players, who seem to have forgotten that a fair game is won by the skill of  the players involved and not for stupid and childish acts.

These people would benefit if they could do an internship with the people who appear in this video offering a free lesson on what it means to respect another human being. This nice video was made in Lithuania and it brings hope that maybe one day everyone will be civilized enough to do the same as they did.  

Respect, this is the most effective weapon to combat such ignorance.

Post Question: 

- Have you ever been exposed to any kind of prejudice?

- Do you think that people as the students who were dressed like Ku Klux Klan and the football players or team supports, who has offended other players should be punished? What kind of punishment should they get?

Cinema in 2015

    2015 will be a very exciting year for the movie fans. There will be all kinds of films to please everyone, people from all ages.

Last month we could watch The Theory of Everything (A teoria de tudo), that is the incredible story of Jane and Stephen Hawking. A very nice movie that reminded me of Dilza (she’s the Physics teacher in our school and a huge fan of him). My 12-year-old niece wants me to go to the cinema with her to see Insurgent (it is a 2012 science fiction young adult novel by American novelist Veronica Roth and the second book in the Divergent trilogy) and The Hunger Games – part II. As I went with her to see the first ones, I guess it makes sense. My husband has already chosen Furious 7 (not only by the cars but also due to the “retirement” of Brian O'Connor)  and Jurassic World (a new dinosaur park is always very interesting).  My little niece will have a lot of fun with Hotel Transylvania 2 (there is a game in the tablet which was inspired in the first movie that she really enjoys playing) and Minions (who wouldn’t like them?). In October, to get the Halloween mood, Crimson Peak (with a good cast and a haunted house) is a nice choice. My students have already invited me to go to the premiere of "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and of course I said "yes". As we did last year, we will talk about the movie after watching it, in a cafe, and that's a very nice, funny and meaningful moment. I myself am very curious to see Mogli (because I’ve always enjoyed this story), Frankenstein (because it will bring another perspective about the story from the point of view of Victor’s friend, Igor), Star Wars (the premiere will be on my birthday), Cake (because it shows how life can take us to the most unimagined places and actions) and Boyhood (my favorite actor is in it). But besides all that, there will be many good movies to enjoy, to think about and to keep on amazing us!

Post Question: 

- How often do you go to the cinema? Do you enjoy watching movies? What is your favorite kind of movie?

- Is there a movie that you are particularly interested in watch it? Which one? Why?

Tip: To see the trailers of these movies and the other options for 2015, just click here.

The start of a New Year

Another New Year has started and with it lots of promises, but the most important one is the possibility of change what not pleased us or to keep (and even improve) what make us happy! It's a time to set new goals (or renew some old ones) and indulges this idea of a "fresh start" that is

given to us once more. To celebrate that, I'd like to share a poem (written by David Boyce on 30 December 2006) that could express what I really think about this period. I do hope that this opportunity can bring people together, not only to the celebration, but also to all the days of 2015.

The Start of a New Year

The start of a New Year
Sees the beginning of change
You can start a fresh life
Or just even rearrange

The start of a New Year
To change so much to your life
You can make promises to yourself
Or vows to your husband or wife

The start of a New Year
Can block out things of old
Search forward in the year ahead
For the Pot of Gold

The start of a New Year
Can revitalise your soul
Think what you want out of life
To meet your special goals.

Post Question: 

-  What are your special goals for 2015?

Merry Christmas!

          It's Christmas! The most magical and festive time of the year! As this video has showed us, it can be a very stressful time because there are so many things to take care, like choosing and buying presents, writing cards, cooking food, getting together with many people, following some traditions and so on.

But it depends on us to have a really pleasant time and even if we have done it over the past years, we still can find a new perspective that could make us feel that this year is a very special one. Some people are not here among us anymore and new family members are just waiting to be welcomed - and that's the way we see how life is renewed through the years. Being part of it is a blessing and a great privilege.

I do enjoy Christmas and I got very happy to see that a young guy (video) can feel the same. Although all the rush, he could offer us his nice point of view and show us how to go through it keeping our good mood and having fun! Thanks a lot Renan for sharing that. I really couldn't agree more!

MERRY CHRISTMAS for you, your family and everybody who has read the posts in this blog. God bless all of you!

Boko Haram, Fuvest e o conhecimento!

Dear Students

What else can I say?
Ao ler essa questão da Fuvest, a primeira coisa que me veio a mente foi a nossa foto no pátio e a participação na campanha #Bring Back Our Girls.
Para quem participou da campanha, responder essa questão foi "brincadeira de criança". Detalhe: a questão NÃO é de inglês, mas quem disse que a gente estuda inglês na aula de inglês? Uma língua estrangeira (seja ela qual for) é apenas uma ferramenta para que possamos ter acesso a uma gama maior de informações e principalmente, a uma escala maior de qualidade da informação, pois me permite ir buscar na fonte!
A questão é da prova de geografia, mas cá entre nós...quem separa? Física, química, matemática,

português, história, filosofia, literatura, biologia, inglês, filosofia, espanhol, geografia, artes, sociologia, sempre estiveram "intimamente" conectados. Quem separa o conhecimento não é a natureza, mas o ser humano. E a pessoa / profissional / professor / educador (whoever) que ainda não entendeu isso está a anos luz...lá atrás!

Um abraço a todos!

PS.: Eu nem vou comentar o texto da prova de inglês sobre o cérebro porque esse tema foi tópico da nossa prova no ano passado (com direito a post no blog)...ou seja, em relação a nós, a Fuvest está atrasada um ano...desculpa aí!

Reel Bad Arabs - documentary

 

          During these week, we have been watching and talking about the documentary Reel Bad Arabs.

          According to the documentary official site, it is based on Dr. Jack Shaheen’s book. It dissects a slanderous aspect of cinematic history that has run virtually unchallenged from the earliest days of silent film to today's biggest Hollywood blockbusters. Dr. Shaheen watched thousands of movies and unfortunately they have always portrayed  the Arabian people in a mixture of incompetents, buffoons, terrorists and with no sense of reality when it comes to money. By inspiring critical thinking about the social, political, and basic human consequences of leaving these Hollywood caricatures unexamined, the film challenges viewers to recognize the urgent need for counter-narratives that do justice to the diversity and humanity of Arab people and the reality and richness of Arab history and culture.

Post Question: How do you like the documentary? What did you like most about it? What didn't you like about it? Do you agree to Dr. J. Shaheen when he says that hollywood has vilified the  Arabian people? Do you think the "Ali Babá" kit is still in the mind of people around the world? Is it in yours?

Tip: To donwload your vocabulary activity, just click here.

Hamlet Facing Death

          Sometimes life can be so generous and offer us some singular moments and of a unique beauty that you know they will be forever part of whom you are! Last night was one of those moments! What a nice night! The GRVPO TEMPO, a theater group, presented us with the play "Hamlet face à morte" (Hamlet facing death). I can't say anything about the story because I love it (I'm an English teacher who is absolutely anglophile, I can't help being it! It's Shakespeare, for God's sake!).

           But I can say that the costumes, the lighting, the scenery and the stage presence of the actors were so well connected, so well linked that all the factors involved in the presentation could complement one another and the overall result really fulfilled not only the physical space of the theater but also our minds and our hearts.

           If I had to pick up just one word to define it (which is a very hard job) I would dare to say "touching". I knew the story but I really feel moved by the way the group presented it. The introduction led us to reflect on the brevity of life compared with the here and now. As wisely stated, the awareness of death interferes with the quality of our actions and from time to time it is salutary to be reminded that nothing is forever. Consciously we know that, but we act as if this was not part of our reality.

We see and feel ourselves "invincible", but the finitude of life (as we conceive it here) is a fact that is independent of how we see and how we feel.

Thanks GRUPO TEMPO for reminding us about that with such kindness, poetry and refinement!

Besides all that, no words to describe how proud I was to see two former students (Roger Campanhari and Giuliano Bonesso)from our school doing what they do best: enchant us with their talent.

"If now is not then!
If then, it will not be now!"

For now that is. Go, see the play and indulge yourself to a moment of pleasure!

 

Post Question: For the students who saw the play, answer these questions:
- What's your opinion about the play? What did you like most about it? Why? What you didn't enjoy at all? Why?

Tip: To get more information about GRVPO TEMPO, visit their website, just click here.

 

SCRAPCARD - English work 3°E

How to make a scrapcard:

- choose your partners (group of 4 people)

- each member of the group must bring one photo of his/her childhood

- bring a card (half size of the common card, as the one used in your History work).

- choose one theme for your scrapcard (such as Autumn, friendship, celebration, etc)

- separate pictures, stickers, images from magazines and any other material the group think it's necessary to be used in the scrapcard to make it exactly according to the chosen theme.

- Choose the 5 sentences to be included in your scrap card. The sentences must be chosen from the Madonna's song "This Used To Be My Playground", the one we listened in our class and one sentence must be written using the verb "wish", expressing the desire of the group or of just the desire of one member of the group. You also can add sentences of your own.

- decide in which place all the components of your card must be displayed, organize the photos and all the material to be used in it (including the sentences).

- do the gluing  and writing work. Use all your creativity! Enjoy it!

- remember to write the group's name, number and class in your card

Have a nice job! And any doubt, just contact me by e-mail or during our class.

Post Question: Why do you think this is our 3rd quarter (3º trimestre) English work?

Tip: Some of our class Scrapcards will be posted here, in the blog.

A Cinematic Test

Read the text from your test again. Check the vocabulary.

Why do we love to go to the cinema?

So why do we love to go to the cinema? What is it about sitting in a darkened hall, with a bunch of thoughtless, noisy people, watching other people's stories on the screen, that so inspires us? Moves us? Why is the box office ever larger, in spite of the onslaught of DVD, cable TV and console gaming? Going to the cinema is unlike any other form of art. Depending on your mood, you can choose to be angered, heartened, amused, bemused and pretty much any emotion you can think of. Often within the same film. You can identify with characters, fall in love, and go home alone. There is a whole range of experience available in most any film you care to name.

          Beyond the magic of not knowing how you will be moved, and whose life you will enter and inhabit for two hours, perhaps it is the definition of the time that allows watching a movie in a cinema to be so good. The determination that for the next little while you will let yourself forget all your day to day issues, and enjoy someone else's experience.

          Watching a DVD on the couch doesn't bring such peaceful freedom - the positive action of paying for a movie, entering a cinema, turning off your phone and sitting back to allow it all wash over you means you're in a more receptive frame of mind. You've allowed yourself this time.
(from the article: cinema experience, an opinion on hoopla website)

Post Question: Do you agree with the arguments of the text? Which one do you like most - watching a movie in the movie theater or in your living room (DVD)? Why? What kind of movie do you enjoy most?  What's your favorite movie? Why is it your favorite movie?

 

Tip: This is the 100 favorite movies chosen by the cinematic city Hollywood. Click here and check it. Is your favorite movie in this list? How many movies of the list have you already seen?

 

Right-brained than left-brained? Both.

    Our test could raise an interesting question: Am I left-brained or right-brained? How do I think? And it's always a good reflection when we have the opportunity of thinking about the way we think!

And the best of all, there are no right answers. One of the two hemispheres of our brain usually is stronger or dominant, but as we read in our test, both work together and that's just fantastic. We all use both sides but are you curious to know each one is stronger in your way of thinking? There are many tests that can be done to try to find out this answer, but one point must be emphasized - our attitudes, where we live, what we do, people we meet, even the food we eat and a lot of other factors can influence the chemical process that occurs in the human brain. As all these factors change

throughout our lives, chances are that the way we think and how our brain works will probably change too! Although it's not an official-scientific-medical-test, you can test yourself following the tip below.

Post Question: Justify the answer in your test. Is there an ability that you would like to have but you think you don't have it? Is it in the other side of the dominant area of your brain?

 

Tip: How about getting a test to know if you are more right-brained than left-brained? Click here and find out. After that, write down your opinion about the result and if you think it's right.

Stressed...what's stress?!

 Although some people think that tests are very stressful, our test was made

to not let you feel stressed. The introduction was made with a very short text. The second one was even shorter and the third one was a text that we had already been discussed about it during our class. The last one required a little bit more of your vocabulary knowledge and your comprehension ability, but the questions about it were simple and it wasn't necessary any special/magic ability to accomplish the task. Besides all that, some say that a test will always make people feel nervous, no matter what. Some will get more nervous than others, but it will happen. The most important in a situation like that is trying to calm down, take a deep breath and do the best you can with all you have. (And I hope you have studied a lot to have enough to offer and to count on!)

 

Sometimes we get so nervous that we can't even realize that the answer of the question is exactly in the question, simple like that. It happened in our test (exercise 06) when it was asked how "stressed" could be related to "desserts". Lots of people wrote many complex and elaborate answers and all it was expected (according to the text and the picture on your test) was the spelling factor. It was very nice to have the opportunity of correcting it in our class because I do have the feeling that you guys could understand what it really takes to answer a comprehension task based on texts: facts and not your opinion!

Post Question: How do you cope with stress? What are your "relaxing" activities? Do you get nervous when you are answering a test? Did you get nervous answering this one, our test? Is it clear to you the difference when you are writing a fact or your opinion?

 

Tip: There are some very good tips to help us to cope with stress. Some are even easy and very quickly, like this one presented by Andy Puddicombe, a mindfulness expert who wants to make meditation accessible to everybody: for a happier, healthier you. Watch the video here. You can download the transcript (in English) or you can add subtitles in Portuguese.
 

Let's learn how to make delicious (and beautiful) cupcakes?

Cupcakes are a cultural icon and my students know how much I love them. Every time I find a place that also shares this “cupcake passion”, I like to comment about it.
So, this post is to inform you about this charming site that offers courses about how to make cakes and cupcakes. It could be like any other place, but it is not. There is some points that I loved about their courses. The course for the Christmas cupcakes will be held in September, October and December, which give us plenty of time to be prepared for the most festive period of the year.
On the course about Naked Cake, you will be able to set you own cake and guess what? You can take it home with you and impress friends and family. It is a good reason to throw a family party! This course will be held once a month, from August to December.
Keep on talking about Christmas, there is a third option, the Panettone Decoration course, held on October and November. It will be a great opportunity to learn the basics of fondant, besides the design and the 3D modeling. You will decorate three models of mini panettone and take them home to enjoy them later! Maybe it is not enough for a party but it will be nice enough to have an afternoon tea with you a good company and your cooking creation! It is cooking with new perspectives! I myself want to participate at least in one of them; in fact, I’d like to attend all the courses. Maybe we can meet there! See you.

 

Post Question: What's your favorite cupcake? Do you know how to make a delicious cupcake? Would you like to learn it? If you don't have time to bake your cupcakes, where do you usually eat/buy them?

 

Tip: If you would like to learn the art of baking cupcakes, don't miss this opportunity! Check the courses and the dates on the website "the cake is on the table". They have already programmed the dates of their courses untill the end of this year. Enjoy it!



Translation is a "Problemation"!

      Language is the very important instrument we use to communicate to each other. Gestures, facial expressions and other factors also influence the way we communicate. However if you are in a situation where only language can be used, it must be the most accurate possible, or there will be the risk that a miscommunication will lead to troubles which could have been avoided.                  '

      A good example of that can be found at the departure area of Brasília, International Airport. The signposts confuse foreigners with poorly prepared translations.
The traveler who does not understand Portuguese at all and want to find the gates B, C, D, E, F and G wing domestic shipment may get confused. The signage indicates: "The gates A and H", (OK...where are the gates B to G?) It should be written: "The gates A to H", according to its translation in Portuguese.

      July is a period of vacation and not only many people from Brazil get the opportunity to visit and know the country capital but also many foreigners come to visit us. In this case, such mistake can be considered even a lack of respect to these people. Tourist must be the most welcomed possible because it is exactly that we do when we receive visitors in our home. And our country is our home. Let’s hope some good souls can be there to help the tourist when they approached them to ask for information…because unfortunately, they will!

Post Question: Have you ever been misled due to a misunderstanding? When and where were you? Have you ever helped some foreigners to get around the city? Where were they from? Where would they like to go?

 

Tip: If you don't want to be misunderstood, get some minutes and take a look at these 100 words most commonly misspelled, just click here and do the right thing. 

Tea - for all occasions!

              When do you like to have a cup of tea? Or better asking, when do you need a cup of tea?

I would say anytime, anywhere! Mainly from now on, as we are about to have our winter season (from June 21st to September 20th). How delicious it is! So many flavours to enjoy...and also the possibility of a nice gourmet combination with cakes, pies, bread (I prefer the sweet ones), cookies, etc. 

Ok, you may say that it's because I do love tea so much, but apparently, it's not only me. In a more poetic way, literally, Mr. William Ewart Gladstone, the Britain's oldest Prime Minister, agrees with me:

"If you are cold, tea will warm you,
If you are too heated, it will cool you,
If you are depressed, it will cheer you,
If you are exhausted, it will calm you."
I couldn't agree more!

However, as anything that someone does with all their heart and passion, make a cup of tea (as simple as it sounds) can be a piece of art.

To learn more about that exquisite art, take a look at the link below (tip). You will find two different ways to make your cup of tea, a very nice video from Cindy Bigelow herself (I loved that), useful tips and warnings, a checklist of all you need for your tea moment, related articles about it, sources, citations and article information.

Why don't you get your favorite cup of tea, browse the website and enjoy it! It's Always a good time to pamper yourself!

Post Question: What's your favorite tea flavour? What's your favorite tea brand? What's the most popular t4a brand in your state/country? (Answer the two questions on the post too)

 

Tip: Here you are, a nice website about tea- learn how to make a good cup of tea. You can even add some extra information you may think it's relevant.

"The Allegory of the Cave" got English, Literature and Philosophy together!

      According to our successful experience during the first quarter of the year, using two subjects in the same test, we have decided not only  keep doing it but also improve it by inviting another teacher to share it with us. And we got very thankful to our Philosophy teacher that promptly accept our proposal and contributed to a meaningful work. The test involved concepts of Philosophy that are also presented in Literature, displayed in a foreign language (in this case, English) and the result was a test whose subject just flows through it.

You learned that for a philosopher it is much more important to know oneself than to know the Works of others.

You could also learn that Philosophy is everywhere, including the Harry Potter books collection. According to Dumbledore, "it's our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

As we wrote on the test, teachers Ingrid, Renato and I wish that your learning could be effectively. May it be the light that guides you and that will guide you throughout your life. May you can learn what pleases you most and mainly what you really need to.

Post Question: What's your opinion about the test? Was it more difficult or easier than a split version (separated test)? What subjects do you think it would be a good combination to participate in this Project? What theme would you like to have in your next test? Would like to be a philosopher? Do you think you know yourself?

 

Tip: To consolidate the discussion and all the work done about this theme, take a few minutes to watch this video. You can add English subtitles to it.

It's a dog day! The guide dog day!

Human beings and dogs have made one of the most memorable partnership in history.
Dogs are loyal, friendly and a very good company.
Besides all that, they are wonderful to help us in many different ways, from the high altitude in the Swiss Alps to the subways stations. They are true lifesavers!
And we dedicate one day to honor these dogs, which work all days to assure you know exactly where you are going to: the guide dogs. And according to the poster, if you see one guide dog in any subway station, do not play or cherish it. They are cute and adorable, but they are working. If you play or cherish it, you may distract it and at that moment, do not forget, it must conduct blind or visually impaired people around obstacles safely.
The first guide dog training schools were established in Germany during World War I, to enhance the mobility of returning veterans who were blinded in combat and the first guide dogs in Great Britain were German shepherds. Today, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, and German Shepherds are most likely to be chosen by guide dog facilities. Even with more and more electronic gadgets and technology, nothing can replace the efficiency of a guide dog. And the most important detail, hug them is much more nice than any gadgets.

Post Question: Do you have a pet? What's its name? How old is it? How did you get it? Have you ever seen a guide dog around our city?

Tip: If you want to know how to help the institutions that trained the guide dogs, just click here. Let's help who has always helped us!