PLANTS
Science videos, lessons, quizzes and games about plants that make learning fun and interesting.
Click on the image to visit the website.
GOING TO
Form
to be (am, are, is) + going to + infinitive
Use
1) planned actions in the future
We are going to sing at the party.
2) You are certain that something is going to happen in the future.
Look at this car! It is going to crash into the yellow one.
Examples
Affirmative sentences:
| I am going to play handball. I’m going to play handball. | You are going to play handball. You’re going to play handball. |
Negative sentences:
| I am not going to have a picnic. I’m not going to have a picnic. | You are not going to have a picnic. You’re not going to have a picnic. You aren’t going to have a picnic. |
Questions:
| Am I going to have a picnic? | Are you going to have a picnic? |
ATTENTION!!
Do not mix up with the Present Continuous!
| going to-future | Present Continuous |
|---|---|
| He’s going to read the book. | He’s reading the book. |
14th February: SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY
Every February we celebrate Valentine’s Day by giving flowers, candy and cards to those we love. We do this in honor of Saint Valentine. You may be wondering, "Who is St. Valentine"? Time to brush up on your Valentine’s history!
Legend has it that Valentine was a priest who served during third century Rome. There was an Emperor at that time by the name of Claudius II. Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those that were married. With this thought in mind he outlawed marriage for young men in hopes of building a stronger military base. Supposedly, Valentine, decided this decree just wasn’t fair and chose to marry young couples secretly. When Emperor Claudius II found out about Valentine’s actions he had him put to death.
Another legend has it that Valentine was an imprisoned man who fell in love with his jailor’s daughter. Before he was put to death he sent the first ’valentine’ himself when he wrote her a letter and signed it ’Your Valentine’, words still used on cards today.
Perhaps we’ll never know the true identity and story behind the man named St. Valentine, but this much is for sure...February has been the month to celebrate love for a long time, dating clear back to the Middle Ages. In fact, Valentines ranks second only to Christmas in number of greeting cards sent.
Another valentine gentleman you may be wondering about is Cupid (Latin cupido, "desire"). In Roman mythology Cupid is the son of Venus, goddess of love. His counterpart in Greek mythology is Eros, god of love. Cupid is often said to be a mischievous boy who goes around wounding both gods and humans with his arrows, causing them to fall in love.
Find other fun facts about Valentine’s history. And check out other ideas for Valentine’s Day, including creative Valentine cards, Valentine party games, and many more fun activities.
More Valentine’s Day Fun:
CARRERA SOLIDARIA
Nuestra “carrera solidaria” ha sido un gran éxito
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¡Muchas gracias a todos por vuestra participación!
EL CONDE SISEBUTO
El conde Sisebuto de Joaquín Abatí. Composición narrada sobre ilustraciones de Mingote.
200th Anniversary of CHARLES DICKENS
Charles John Huffam Dickens (7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature’s most iconic novels and characters.
Find more about the author of A Christmas Carol, The Tale of Two Cities, Oliver Twist or The Pickwick Papers by visiting the Charles Dickens Page.
23rd January: CHINESE NEW YEAR!
Chinese New Year is an annual festival based on the Chinese calendar. The date varies slightly from year to year. This year, it will be celebrated on 23rd January. Each New Year is named after one of the animals from the Chinese zodiac. 2012 is the year of the dragon, the only mythical animal.
The Chinese hang red lanterns in their homes at Chinese New Year. Why?
Surf in the net to find out and have fun:
Chinese New Year: 2012 - The Year of the Dragon
Chinese New Year is an annual festival based on the Chinese calendar. The date varies slightly from year to year. This year, it will be celebrated on 23rd January. Each New Year is named after one of the animals from the Chinese zodiac. 2012 is the year of the dragon, the only mythical animal. Just download and you are ready-to-go!
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THE CELL
Cells are the Starting Point All living organisms on Earth are divided in pieces called cells. There are smaller pieces to cells that include proteins and organelles. There are also larger pieces called tissues and systems. Cells are small compartments that hold all of the biological equipment necessary to keep an organism alive and successful on Earth. A main purpose of a cell is to organize. Cells hold a variety of pieces and each cell has a different set of functions. It is easier for an organism to grow and survive when cells are present. If you were only made of one cell, you would only be able to grow to a certain size. You don’t find single cells that are as large as a cow. Also, if you were only one cell you couldn’t have a nervous system, no muscles for movement, and using the internet would be out of the question. The trillions of cells in your body make your life possible. One Name, Many Types There are many types of cells. In biology class, you will usually work with plant-like cells and animal-like cells. We say animal-like because an animal type of cell could be anything from a tiny microorganism to a nerve cell in your brain. Plant cells are easier to identify because they have a protective structure called a cell wall made of cellulose. Plants have the wall; animals do not. Plants also have organelles like the chloroplast (the things that make them green) or large water-filled vacuoles.  We said that there are many types of cells. Cells are unique to each type of organism. Humans may have hundreds of types of cells. Some cells are used to carry oxygen (O2) through the blood (red blood cells) and others might be specific to the heart. If you look at very simple organisms, you will discover cells that have no defined nucleus (prokaryotes) and other cells that have hundreds of nuclei (multinucleated). The thing they all have in common is that they are compartments surrounded by some type of membrane. |
The cell nucleus acts like the brain of the cell. It helps control eating, movement, and reproduction. If it happens in a cell, chances are the nucleus knows about it. The nucleus is not always in the center of the cell. It will be a big dark spot somewhere in the middle of all of the cytoplasm (cytosol). You probably won’t find it near the edge of a cell because that might be a dangerous place for the nucleus to be. If you don’t remember, the cytoplasm is the fluid that fills cells. |
SUSTAINABLE CLEANING
Click on the image to learn about sustainable cleaning.
The Green Guide for Kids: the 3 R's
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. The last R, recycling, tends to get all the credit. Reducing and Reusing, however, are even more important. If you can reduce the materials you consume you will not only create less waste, you also won’t need to worry about what to do with all the things that you buy when you are done with them. Reuse is a great way to make the most of the things that you do buy. Once you no longer need or want something, pass it on! One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Buying or trading vintage, refurbished and used items is a fun way to get cool stuff while preventing pollution and saving the earth’s precious resources.
You can recycle up to 84% of your trash simply by taking it out of the rubbish bin and putting it in the recycling bin. Items made from recycled materials take far less energy and create only a fraction of the pollution to produce than items made from brand new materials. And of course, imagine the natural resources that are saved!
Here are some great ways to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle:
– Buy only what you need and use all of what you buy.
– Avoid buying things that use excessive packaging and buy in bulk.
– Buy durable things that will last a long time
– When things break, see if they can be fixed before throwing them away.
– Wash and reuse plastic cups, utensils and bags.
– Precycle by buying products whose packaging can be recycled
– And always bring your own bag! If you are just buying a few things just carry them in your hands.
– Complete the cycle and buy products made from recycled materials. When you buy products made from post-consumer recycled materials you are helping to reduce carbon emissions and saving resources.
http://www.recycling-guide.org.uk/rrr.html
WILL and WON'T
In English, there are many ways of expressing future time. One of the most common is using the modal auxiliary verb “will”. This page will explain the main meanings of “will” and show you how to form the future with “will”.
1. Using “will” with verbs
“Will”, like all modal verbs in English, does not change its form, and it is followed by the simple form of the main verb. “Will” is NOT usually used in first person questions. Note also that willis often shortened to ’ll. This diagram should make the situation clearer:
| Subject | Statement | Question |
|---|---|---|
| I | I will stop smoking. I’ll stop smoking. | [not usually used] |
| You | You will stop smoking. You’ll stop smoking. | Will you stop smoking? |
| He | He will stop smoking. He’ll stop smoking. | Will he stop smoking? |
| She | She will stop smoking. She’ll stop smoking. | Will she stop smoking? |
| It | It will be hard to stop. It’ll be hard to stop. | Will it be hard to stop? |
| We | We will stop smoking. We’ll stop smoking. | [not usually used] |
| They | They will stop smoking. They’ll stop smoking. | Will they stop smoking? |
Negatives are formed with “will not” or “won’t”:
He will not stop smoking.
He won’t stop smoking.
2. The meaning of “will” future forms
“Will” is usually used in three situations:
| Situation | Example |
|---|---|
| Volunteering to do something | “Will someone open the window for me?” “I’ll do it!” |
| Deciding to do something | “I’ve made up my mind. I’ll go to Whistler for my vacation.” |
| Forcing someone to do something. | “Dad, I don’t want to clean my room!” “You’ll do it, and you’ll do it NOW!” |
“Will” is NOT usually used for fixed plans or scheduled events.
When you are sure that you understand the lesson, you can continue with the exercises (click on the image).
ENGLISH FOR THE GAMES
Welcome to the free learner resources based around the London 2012 Games made by the British Council. You can practise your English as you learn about the London 2012 Games and the Olympic and Paralympic history, learn all about Olympic and Paralympic sports, and values. Play games, watch videos, read articles, and do interactive exercises. |
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
1 day till CHRISTMAS!!!
On the 1st day of Christmas my true love gave to me... (click on the image)
2 days till CHRISTMAS!!!
On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Facts about Christmas
Learn about Christmas in England.
Facts about Father Christmas
Father Christmas has two addresses, Edinburgh and the North Pole. Letters addressed to ’TOYLAND’ or ’SNOWLAND’ go to Edinburgh, but letters addressed to ’THE NORTH POLE’ have to be sent there because there really is such a place!
What are the names of Santa’s reindeer?
Father Christmas’ reindeers are called Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner/Donder, Blitzen, and Rudolph. Eight of these names are taken from Clement C. Moore’s "A Visit From St. Nicholas," and the ninth from the song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (NB. Donder is also known as Donner.)
Carry on reading here.
3 days till CHRISTMAS!!!
On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
The Christmas Story - as told by the children of St Paul’s Church, Auckland (New Zealand).
4 days till CHRISTMAS!!!!
On the 4th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Christmas Songs, Christmas carols, and music for the Holiday Season with lyrics and music to listen to. About 140 Christmas songs listed alphabetically.