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.

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.

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!

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

When Fashion Becomes Art

There are several fashion blogs out there. You do not need me to introduce you to those, and many of you are simply not interested. (If you need tips on good ones, do not hesitate to ask me, whatever makes you read English makes me happy.) However, the "kompetansemål" tell us to teach you about art, and there is no doubt that fashion can be art. My favorite designer has always been Alexander McQueen, basically because his clothes and runway shows are so much more than clothes. Take a look  at this part of a show, where the dress is sort of made right in front of the audience. Cool or what??

History of English: Shakespeare

A quite funny little video about what Shakespeare has meant for Britain and the English language. It is made for the Open University, and is part three of a series called The History of English. SO useful for you!!

Elizabeth - The Movie

Here is a good movie tip from me. In 1998 a very good film was made about Elizabeth 1, who reigned at Shakespeare's time. It is really very good, and give you great insight into Britain in the 16th century. In 2005 a sequel was made "The Golden Age", which I actually haven't seen - I will have to now! Let me know if you watch any of them!

Watch the trailers here and here.

Shall I Compare Thee..

You are now introduced to Sonnet 18, and hopefully you learned something, I think you all did fantastic! I promised to post a video of it with music. Here is the guitarist of Pink Floyd, and the version he made for his wife. Enjoy!

Gender-neutral Toy Stores

I came across this article in The Guardian this summer, and I found it interesting. Whenever you walk into a regular toy store, you can immediately spot which direction to go just by looking at the colors. In the pink section you will find the girls' toys, and the boys' section will be darker, maybe dominated by blue. Some stores even divide the store into "boys" and "girls". Read this article and tell me what you think: is this a good way to avoid labeling toys as stereotypical "boys" and "girls"-stuff, or are we just fooling ourselves?

I have to admit, I would LOVE to see more girls like the one in the Lego commercial above, without the puffy pink dresses.

The article is found here.

Pic from here.

Olympic comeback?

I do not know if you have noticed, but I know nothing of sports. I even need you to tell me how my second cousin is doing with his skiing! Still, there is something about the Olympics and this year it's being held in my favorite city, London. The Olympics have evolved a lot, and I found this facintating article on 10 sports that are no longer a part of the Olympics, but once were. Maybe they are ripe for a comeback?

Read the article here!

What's for lunch?

Lately, we have been talking a lot about healthy and nutritious food. We have watched Supersize Me, and I have told you about visiting my niece and nephew's schools in New Jersey last month. I was really shocked to see what their classmates ate for lunch.

I just came across this funny blog I wanted to show you, it fits right in with what we have been talking about. A nine year old girl (I think it's a girl?) from the UK has started a blog where she takes pics of her school lunch every day! This is to make people aware of what children actually eat every day. I do suspect her parents help her a bit with the writing, she is incredibly snappish, but still, a very intersting blog!

Find the blog here!

World Englishes

Learning about the different types of English is an important part of our subject. Most of you strive to have a British or an American accent, and you do really well! However, I should mention that Indian-English is also an accepted English accent! Wouldn't it be fun if some of you wanted to talk Indian English? London is, like New York, a melting pot of different cultures, and particularly many people from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Listen to this funny salesman at a market in London, singing to attract costumers like he was a part of a Bollywood movie! I will definately go to see him the next time I´m in London.

Talking about Bollywood, here is the song me and my husband did our wedding dance to. It is from one of the most famous love movies in India, and you probably do not understand a word!

Is he right?

I found this article the other day, and it immediately caught my attention. This writer, Terry Deary, is saying that he prefers his books NOT to be read in schools! He says schools kill the joy of reading for children, and hopes that teachers does not recommend his books. Oh my.. He would have hated me, I try to spend every silent moment recommending you a book. But, for all I know he may be right! I remember having a teacher who made reading the most horrible task in the world. Luckily for me, the love of reading sits in my spine, but what about those of you who does not enjoy it? 

This is your chance to give me a reality check. By next Monday, people!

(You can also read this if you like more reflections on the matter.)

Monsoon Wedding

I would like to recommend this film to you. An important part of what we teach you in English is knowledge of the English speaking world. In India you can see many traces of colonial times. India was, as you all know, said to be the jewel of the British empire. We have also talked a lot about India when we studied Hinduism in RLE. It is such a diverse country, and the differences between the rich and the poor are enormous. This film gives you insight into several sides of Indian culture, as an upper-middle class familly plans the wedding of their daughter. It was difficult to find a trailer that does the film justice. Although it may seem like it, this is not just a romantic comedy. Trust me: this film is beautiful.

I would love to discuss this with you! I own it, and you are more than welcome to borrow it from me, just let me know! If you do decide to watch it, I'll plan a lunch break where we can discuss it- I promise I'll bring hot chocolate. This goes for all the students who read this blog, I know several from other classes read it as well. Feel free to join!

Since we are already in the romantic corner, this marriage proposal is very cute.

Express yourselves!

Today we start presenting your group work on Human Rights. When we brainstormed this subject in the D-class, I told you how surprising it is that almost no one talks about article 29-1, that in addition to all the rights you have you also have duties. I believe, as I told you, it should be an absolute (moral) duty to use the right to vote. I do not care what you vote, as long as you go and hand in your ballot (when you are old enough of course.)

When visiting the NYC library to see the exhibition on Percey and Mary Shelly (I will tell you about them later) I came across this card with a quote by Percy Shelly on it, and I immediatley thought of you. Your voices are so important and school is a wonderful arena to share them with others. To make sure you all remember this, I took a card for each and every one of you (they were free, I did not steal). You'll get them Monday. Pin it somewhere where you'll see it all the time!

Thank you for the dream.

As you all know, I am a huge fan of Roald Dahl. I think his children's books are fantastic, and can't wait until my sons are a little bit older and I can read his books to them. I have always imagined that he was a wonderful man who took children as seriously as adults. And this story proved me right.

Is it not wonderful? What is your favorite Roald Dahl novel? I find it difficult to make up my mind..

Amazing biking in Scotland

I got the idea of posting this when I met Oliver with a fancy bike the other day.

This is one of my favorite videos on You Tube, and I am not really into bikes at all. This is a clip of Danny MacAskill (remember we talked about Scottish names?) who rides from the capital Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye. He uses the cities as a playground with his bike, it is simply amazing.

Isn't Scotland beautiful?

The music is by Loch Lomond "Wax and Wire" and The Jezabels "A Little Piece", both Scottish bands. 

10th grade teaser

If you think the Christmas prom is the highlight of 10th grade, you are so wrong. We are learning about Shakepeare! I have, as you know, not been able to wait and you have already been introduced to some of his work. As I know you are just as excited as I am about this, I am giving you this trailer as a "teaser" for next year! I bet you can't wait to get back from summer vacation. Isn't it fab???