RUNNING DICTATION

It was half past one, we were tired and hungry, so the "running dictation" was a great way to enliven the class.

The text was short and easy. Each group had their own sheet of paper but placed... on the other side of the room! To do the dictation a member of each group (the runner) had to go to the text, try to remember one sentence and then return to the group and dictate it to the writer. If the runners forgot the sentence they were allowed to go back and read it again.

We all had the opportunity to be runners and writers, so we could stretch our legs a bit. All the groups finished the dictation. We all won!

THE IDEAL TEACHER

Does the perfect teacher exist or is it science fiction? Click here and read information about what an ideal teacher should be like. Then add your comments with your own ideas.

DEBATE: ARE UNIFORMS A GOOD IDEA?

3rd year students were debating about the use of uniforms. Are uniforms more convenient? Are they boring? What would you do if Norba school decided to make students wear uniforms? Read an article about this issue and then give your own opinion adding a comment.

http://debatepedia.idebate.org/en/index.php/Debate:School_Uniform_(JUNIOR)


The question of whether children should wear a uniform to school always makes for a lively debate, and not only among students! In some countries school uniform is normal and most schools make their students wear one. Britain is the most obvious example of this, but in many other countries with strong links to Britain uniform often has to be worn to school - examples include Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and many other African countries. Uniform is also required at almost all schools in Japan. In other countries, particularly in continental Europe, the USA and Canada, uniform is very rare in state-funded schools, although private schools may have one. Debates about school uniform have been going on for decades in different countries and districts, but during the 1990s state schools in the USA began to adopt uniforms. At first uniform rules were seen as a way of stopping children dressing in gang colours in troubled urban areas. Later, claims that introducing uniform leads to better discipline and educational results encouraged other school districts and schools to make a change. Both the Clinton and Bush administrations have been in favour of school uniforms. Other countries have picked up on this trend.

whether=if (si)
should=deberían
lively=animado
state-funded school=escuelas públicas
claims=afirmaciones
encouraged=animó
have picked up on this trend=han seguido esta tendencia

THE STORY BEHIND YOUR NAME

Do you know the reason why your name is your name? Is there a story behind it? Did your parents almost name you something else? Do you know where your name comes from? What does you name mean in that language? Please, add a comment and share all this information with your classmates.

YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND IN ME

Complete the missing words and sing along...

YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND IN ME

see-friendship-road-folks-bigger-bed-troubles-smarter-love

You've got a friend in me,
You've got a friend in me
When the _________ looks rough ahead
And you're miles and miles from your nice warm __________
You just remember what your old pal said
Boy, you've got a friend in me,
you've got a friend in me.
You've got a friend in me,
You've got a friend in me

You've got ________, well I've got 'em too
There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you
We stick together and we ___________ it through
‘cause you've got a friend in me,
you've got a friend in me

Some other ___________ might be a little bit __________ than I am
Bigger and ___________ too. Maybe
But none of them will ever __________ you
the way I do It's me and you, boy.
And as the years go by,
our __________ will never die
You're gonna see it's our destiny
You've got a friend in me,
you've got a friend in me,
You've got a friend in me