The strange, gothic Addams family have been a staple of American cultures since cartoonist Charles Addams created them for The New Yorker in 1938. And when you think Gothic, Tim Burton is definitely one of the first filmmakers who comes to mind. He has created a Netflix series, Wednesday, about the daughter in the Addams … Continue reading “The Addams Family, Tim Burton Style!”
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”
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”
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”
Edward Hopper lived and worked in New York City from 1913 till his death in 1967. Many of his paintings depict the city, but also more generally an essence of American life. Hopper’s vision of that life was of isolation and solitude. He loved films, too, and his paintings often have a cinematic quality: like … Continue reading “Edward Hopper: Views of America”
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”
Downton Abbey fans will be delighted to hear that there is a second film spin-off of the series about to release. Subtitled “A New Era”, it’s set in the Roaring Twenties and sees Lady Mary take over the day-to-day running of the estate from her father, and a film crew arrive to use the house … Continue reading “Times are Changing at Downton Abbey”
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”
We received thousands of fabulous entries to our Vivian Maier creative writing contest. Here are our favourite texts entered as A2 and those who chose the 100-word limit. And the winners are, in no particular order: Iris from Mme Navarro’s class, Collège Jean Jaurès, Castanet-Tolosan; Romain S from Miss Vérot’s class, Collège Henri Scognamiglio, Morcenx; … Continue reading “Vivian Maier Winners A2”
We received thousands of fabulous entries to our Vivian Maier creative writing contest. Here are our favourite collège texts entered as B1. And the winners are, in no particular order: Camille, Antonio and Raphaëlle from Ms Le Gendre’s class, Collège Barbey d’Aurevilly, Rouen; Aurore, Bradley and Calvyn, Mrs Guillet’s class, Lycée Français Charlemagne, Pointe-Noire, Congo; … Continue reading “Vivian Maier Winners Collège B1”