...and a little something for the boys.

As we await the big night..

OOOPS...

Talking about Natives these days, and how to address people in a respectful manner, I just came across this article about the Victoria's secret show. This may be an interesting read for you. What do you think?

Read the article here.

Native Peoples

To kickstart you on the Natives, I want to recommend you a couple of films related to the topic. Films are a great way to inspire you and give you different angles. It may be a great way for you to want to find out more about specific topics! Here they are:

On Inuits:

Read more about it here.

On Native Americans:

Read more about it here.

On Aborigines:

Read about it here.

On Maoris:

More about it here.

Something for the ladies.

Okay, as much as we teachers would like to ignore it (since you obviously can't), Christmas prom is right around the corner. I do remember the excitement of walking into the the gymnastics room in my finest gown to date. If I was really brave, I would have posted a photo of me in my prom dress. But I won't. The important thing is that you feel amazing, and that you know that style and class has nothing to do with an expensive dress.

I wanted to show you this link, as a small contribution to making the prom cheaper (and maybe even cooler, because if you learn to do this yourself you do not need a hair dresser - ever) for you, and maybe more fun.

Here is a link to HAIR TUTORIALS you should all be able to do with some practice. If it is difficult, you'll get by with a little help from your friends.

Amazing Dubstep

So I should show you something really scary today, but then I came across this video, and it is not scary at all. It is, however, completely and utterly fascinating! I know many of you like to dance, so this video should thrill you all. Enjoy! (This post has nothing to do with English, but it deals with an even more universal language: DANCE!)

If Money Was No Object

Doing the conversations with you and your parents these days, makes me think about how lucky we all are to live in a part of the world that hands us choices. Choices of studies, jobs, friends and many other things. Still, all of these possibilities come with a lot of worries of choosing the right thing for you, and I can see that many of you worry about not being good enough or about closing doors too early in your lives. If you did not have to think about money in the future, what would you choose to do?

Take a look at this very smart lecture.

Brainy Babies

I just came across this article about kindergartens that test the kids to find out if they are smart enough to attend their school. This is SO different from the policy we have in Norway, where everyone should attend the same school no matter how high their IQ is. Still, I find it interesting that other countries do it differently. Here are some of the tests the children have to answer correctly! How well do you do?

Anglocreep?

In Norway we are constantly debating if we use too many English words when we speak. (I am terrible at this by the way). Who knew, that this is a debate in America as well, that they are using too many British words! How funny!! Alex Williams, the husband of one of my favorite bloggers Joanna Goddard, wrote a really funny article about this in the NY Times. Read it here!

Pic from here.

America From The Air

I have not forgotten about you! But you know how busy our days are, and sometimes I just cannot find the time to update. I will try to continue this blog, if you want me to! But I cannot promise daily updates... Today I am sharing with you a lovely video, that takes you from coast to coast of the USA. Any places you recognize? Enjoy!

Wheels of Change

In 1895 The New York World posted an article on the do's and don'ts for women in bikes. Many people claim that riding a bike was a big part of the women's liberation, it allowed them to move freely around, and it finally made an excuse for woman to get out of the corsets and skirts and wear pants.

The list is amazing, can somebody please tell me what a "bicycle-face" is??? And what has chewing gum got to do with anything? (BTW this was my last female-related post for now.)

Anti Suffragette Postcards

As expected, some people (and not only men) thought the idea of women voting was absolute nonsense. The Suffragettes were portrayed as angry, unattractive women. Many of the women protesting were arrested. Once arrested the women often went on hunger strikes, refusing to eat anything at all. Many of them were force-fed by the prison, as you can see it is made fun of in the card above. To see more of the postcards, go here! It is quite fascinating!

The Suffragettes

Throughout this year we will talk about freedom fighters, and oppressed groups fighting for their civil rights. The following days, I'll show you some articles and pics from the Suffragettes movement, who fought for the women's right to vote. To start it off, I think it's a good idea that you read this article in BBC news. Try to keep in mind what you know about history in the English speaking world at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. Colonies? Slavery? Make a historical mind map, it will be useful later!

Remember, when talking about "freedom fighters" we often forget to include the people fighting for the rights of women!

Vampire Stories

I know many of you love vampire stories, so when I came across this article and though it would be good to share with you! The author of this book, Abbie Gibbs, is only 18 years old. Her book is supposedly really good (I have not read it myself, but they sell really well), and best of all: you can read a bit before you decide to buy the book.

Read an article about the book here.

Read the first pages here!

The History of English in 10 minutes

A while ago I posted a part of this in connection to Shakespeare. The whole film is quite amusing, and very useful for you! Watch it several times if you do not get it all.

Very Useful!

Okay, maybe not the catchiest headline, but I am showing you a really useful website today. This will be useful in many subjects! It is an overview of British history, and is quite simple to navigate and read. It gives you the highlights! ENJOY!

Pic from here

Don't Judge a Book by It's Cover...

Many of you may have seen this. I find it so facinating, I keep returning to it. This is, of course, an excellent commercial for make-up, but more importantly, I think it is a story about a young man finding his identity in trying to be as different from other people as you possibly can, unlike many people who do everything they can to fit in. What do you think? A desperate call for attention, or a brave expression of a true self?

PS. I do not recommend this for ANYONE. There are SO many other ways to express yourselves without going to these extremes.

Nothing Good Gets Away.

Many of you have probably not (yet) heard about John Steinbeck, but trust me: you will. He is a very famous author. However, the letter he has written that I'm about to show you, has nothing to do with fame. Steinbeck's teenage son, going to school away from home, has fallen in love and told his father. In a letter, Steinbeck gives his advice on love.

This is his reply.

I love this, because he takes his son so seriously. People tend to write off teenager's relationships as "puppy love" even though we all know that you are capable of falling just as hard in love as an adult is. Have your parents given you any good advice on love? Share with me. I want to make sure I never underestimate my boys when they fall in love.

Talking about Steinbeck, here are six REALLY good tips on how to write from Steinbeck himself.

Pic from here.

We Are All Connected

I came across this video from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and thought it perfect as we round up our lessons on ecosophy. This is the basics, this is what it is all about according to that philosophy: we are all connected. I have found it interesting to read up on the subject, and I am happy so many of you find it interesting, I have enjoyed reading many of the texts you handed in. Enjoy this beautiful little video!

Tavi Revisited

Before recommending this page to you, I wanted to make sure it was really as good as I thought. I posted the video on Tavi Gavinson in the spring. I could tell from the stats on the blog that many of you watched it, and hopefully you found it inspiring. Tavi is the editor of the online magazine ROOKIE. It is nothing but FANTASTIC. I wish I had something like this to read when I was your age. She has many contributors, and there are some many amazing articles on everything from fashion to politics. Please, take some time to browse through this page. You can get some really good ideas on how to write good articles, and maybe some of it helps you "to figure yourselves out." Enjoy!

Here is an article about Tavi from New York Times.

A Tip From Ella's Mum!

I was so happy when I finally managed to check my mail today, Ella's mum had sent me a tip on this beautiful little story. It is truly thought-provoking, and reminds us what is important in life. I do not know about you, but I need that reminder every now and then.

If you like the story, I have two book recommendations for you, both by Mitch Albom.

They were once recommended to me by my friend Jenny from Denver, Colorado, and they are quite easy to read, especially Tuesdays With Morrie. Press "Read On" to read the story. And please bring me tips from you, or your parents if you find things you would like me to share on the blog! And not only those of you in 10 CD, you are all welcome to!