Easter traditions are fairly similar from one English-speaking country to another, but it’s nice for pupils to discover them and compare them with their own traditions. Although originally a religious festival, many of the popular traditions such as chocolate eggs and the Easter bunny have more to do with secular celebrations. New York City’s Easter … Continue reading “Easter Traditions”
On 28 February, the average age in the House of Commons debating chamber was a lot younger than normal. Instead of the usual MPs, the chamber hosted the annual sitting of the UK Youth Parliament: more than 300 11-18-year-olds elected by their peers. The debaters are MYPs: Members of the U.K. Youth Parliament. Any 11-18-year-old … Continue reading “Kids Take Over Parliament”
Wes Anderson is one of those film directors who has such a personal style that you can instantly recognise one of his films, whether it’s live action or animation. An exhibition at the Cinémathèque recreates the singular vision of the director of Moonrise Kingdom, Fantastic Mr Fox and The Grand Budapest Hotel. Wes Anderson was … Continue reading “Wes Anderson Exhibition at the Cinémathèque”
Although a well-loved character from British children’s literature, Paddington Bear is from Peru in South America, and in the third film in the series about him, he returns to his home country to visit his Aunt Lucy. His adoptive family, the Browns, join him on his journey. This trailer for Paddington in Peru would be … Continue reading “Paddington Goes Home”
Once every four years, a U.S. President is inaugurated. This video gives a succinct summary of the significance of this ritualised event. The first 1m30 gives an overview of the day from the oath to the speech and the inaugural balls, with some short extracts from Abraham Lincoln’s and John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speeches. Then … Continue reading “Presidential Inaugurations: A Video”
Wallace and Gromit are unlikely heroes: a not-very-good amateur inventor from the north of England and his long-suffering dog. But they have won hearts and minds all over the world since their first appearance in 1989 and now they are back in their second feature film: Vengeance Most Fowl. They have to face an old … Continue reading “Wallace and Gromit Are Back”
The famous Wicked musical is now a film. How about embarking your 6e students on a trip to Oz and the Emerald City in order to make them discover the world of Wicked while revising the present simple and learning words about school and wizardry? The trailer focuses mainly on the Shiz University section and … Continue reading “Wicked”
The “This is England” festival of British short films based in Rouen and the surrounding region is back. he 2024 edition will take place from 16 to 24 November. A team of teachers has put together a special programme of screenings and teaching materials for primary, collège and lycée classes. The festival has created a … Continue reading “Save the Date: British Short Films Festival in Normandy”
It’s one of the best known charity fundraisers in the U.S.A. Since 1948, kids have been adding a civic element to their Halloween trick or treating by collecting donations for UNICEF, the United Nations’ children’s fund. Trick-or-treaters used to carry a little cardboard collecting box. The iconic box disappeared during COVID in favour of online … Continue reading “Put Some Meaning in Your Halloweening”
In this new animated film by Dreamworks, an intelligent robot called Roz is stranded on an uninhabited island after a shipwreck. To survive the harsh environment, Roz bonds with the island’s animals and cares for an orphaned baby goose. Friendship with animals is always an appealing topic with young pupils, which is one of the … Continue reading “The Wild Robot”