Emmett Till

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 09 February 2023 > Ready to Use

You may have never heard his name before, but you’ll never forget it after watching this film or even just the trailer for Till, written and directed by Chinonye Chukwu. These B1 activities explore the heart-wrenching story of 14-year-old Emmett Till who was lynched for misjudging Jim Crow conventions in the 1950s segregated American South. … Continue reading “Emmett Till”

Wednesday Addams: School for Outcasts

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 15 December 2022 > Ready to Use

The Addams Family is back in a Netflix series, Wednesday. It features eight episodes, four  directed by Tim Burton. It centres around Wednesday, the daughter in the Addams family, played by Jenna Ortega, and who is starting at Nevermore, boarding school for outcasts. The Addams Family, created by American cartoonist Charles Addams for The New … Continue reading “Wednesday Addams: School for Outcasts”

Thanksgiving Parade

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 21 November 2022 > Celebrate

Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York City is almost 100 years old, and is an integral part of the annual holiday for millions of Americans. Celebrating Thanksgiving and launching Christmas celebrations, it includes giant balloon figures, floats, and marching bands from schools around the country. This year it will take place on 24 November. Macy’s … Continue reading “Thanksgiving Parade”

Biobox: Edward Hopper

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 15 November 2022 > Ready to Use

Our bioboxes are short “Who Am I?” quizzes to help introduce pupils to famous figures in the English-speaking world. This one is about American artist Edward Hopper. It gives biographical information and some of his most famous paintings. It would be a great introduction to the artist if you’re planning to have your pupils participate … Continue reading “Biobox: Edward Hopper”

Creative Writing Competition: Edward Hopper

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 05 October 2022 > Pedagogy

Many of Edward Hopper’s paintings are like mini-narratives of mid-20th-century America. Although he also painted landscapes, he is best known for portrayals of lonely urban life. There are plenty on show in Edward Hopper’s New York at the Whitney Museum in NYC. We’d like to challenge your pupils to write stories inspired by the images. … Continue reading “Creative Writing Competition: Edward Hopper”

Your Students Have So Much Talent

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 04 February 2022 > Pedagogy

Thank you so much to all the dedicated teachers who sent in the stories their students wrote inspired by Vivian Maier’s photographs. We received thousands of stories and they are incredibly imaginative! And we’ve chosen our favourites for publication. We asked students to write an imaginative piece inspired by one of Maier’s photos, which are … Continue reading “Your Students Have So Much Talent”