"Department of Mad Scientists"

Here is the link to the assignment you need to complete, tenth graders.

Cooking Club!

Today the American Cooking Club met after school, and our first menu was, well, rather "South" American... We made Mexican-Style Fresh Tomato Salsa, Mango Peach Salsa, and Guacamole.

Then we....

ATE IT ALL!

Mexican-Style Fresh Tomato Salsa

2 medium tomatoes cut into a medium dice (peeling and seeding optional)

3 tablespoons minced fresh herbs (basil, parsley, mint or tarragon)

3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro leaves

2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1/2 jalapeño chili pepper, seeded and peeled

juice from one lime

salt

pepper

Mix all ingredients, including salt and pepper to taste, in a medium bowl. This mixture can be set aside at room temperature for a few hours, but it shouldn't be refrigerated or it will lose flavor. Makes about 2 cups.

Spicy Mango Peach Salsa

2 cups fresh mango, diced

2 cups fresh peaches or nectarines, peeled, pitted and chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons fresh ginger root, grated

1/4 cup fresh basil or cilantro, chopped

2 serrano chile peppers, diced

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1. In a large bowl, mix together mangoes, peaches or nectarines, garlic, ginger and basil or cilantro.

2. Add chiles and lime juice to taste; mix well. All to chill 2 hours before serving.

Fresh Guacamole

2 small avocados, ripe

1 tablespoon red onion, minced

1 small clove garlic, minced or pressed through a garlic press

1/2 small jalapeño chile, minced (about 1 1/2 teaspoons)

2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves, minced

juice from one lime

salt

1. Halve 1 avocado, remove pit, and scoop flesh into medium bowl. Using fork, mash lightly with onion, garlic, jalapeño, cilantro and 1/8 teaspoon salt until just combined.

2. Halve and pit remaining avocado. Using a dinner knife, carefully make 1/2-inch cross-hatch incisions in flesh, cutting down to but not through skin. Using a soupspoon, gently scoop flesh from skin; transfer to bowl with mashed avocado mixture. Sprinkle lime juice over and mix lightly with fork until combined but still chunky.

3. Adjust seasoning with salt, if necessary, and serve. (Can be covered with plastic wrap, pressed directly onto surface of mixture, and refrigerated for up to one day. Return guacamole to room temperature, removing plastic wrap, just before serving.)

Penguin, James Penguin

The third and fourth graders are having a lot of fun learning this untraditional Christmas song! I'm putting it up on the blog so they can listen to it from home.

Penguin, James Penguin

Brad Paisley

Well the reindeer pull the sleigh

And the elves make the toys

Those are stories that are well known to all

Little girls and boys

But I've got another story

That I bet you haven't heard

Did you know that Santa

Has a secret agent bird

He's Penguin, James Penguin

That dapper little guy

Like a well dressed duck in a three piece tux

He's Santa's secret spy

Have you ever wondered

How Santa keeps tabs

How he knows when you've been good

How he knows when you've been bad

He's Penguin, James Penguin

That dapper little guy

Like a well dressed duck in a three piece tux

He's Santa's secret spy

From an undisclosed location

He's watching me and you

He's got satellite uplinks in his cufflinks

Yeah he sees everything you do

He's Penguin, James Penguin

That dapper little guy

Like a well dressed duck in a three piece tux

He's Santa's secret spy

Not so very long ago

Santa didn't need much help

But with more and more kids every year

He soon got overwhelmed

He told the elves one Christmas

We can't do this anymore

Then a knight in shining polyester

Waddled through his door

And it was Penguin, James Penguin

He was there to save the day

He had wireless

And GPS outfitted on the sleigh

And Santa said Penguin

Won't you be my ears and eyes

How'd you like to help me run

My SCFBI

He's Penguin, James Penguin

And now I guess you've heard

How Santa got his little Christmas

Secret Agent Bird

Y.M.C.A.

The ninth grade is currently studying the phenomenon of inner cities in America. 

We started off examining how post-World War II demographics changed, resulting in the growth of suburban areas. We looked at how easy access to cars also influenced the departure from cities; men were easily able to live further away from their jobs and commute on their own. Over time, inner cities became primarily populated by the poor, plagued by crime and violence.

This is an interesting topic to study within the context of a Russian school; here the situation is very different! The inner city areas of Moscow and St. Petersburg are the most desirable real estate! We've been discussing how cities differ in our two countries and offering possible explanations why: contrasting types of government; different cultural values; general demographics throughout the nation. 

Today we are going to learn a song many have undoubtedly heard in discos--but might not have understood until now. The song "Y.M.C.A." by The Village People describes the centers set up in American cities by the "Young Men's Christian Association," an organization that seeks to offer struggling city men (and women, and children) assistance of all kinds: temporary housing, physical and intellectual activity, job training, meals and spiritual support. 

Today Y.M.C.A. centers play an important role in inner-city revitalization; through their programs, many young men and women receive the help they need to improve their lives and rise above their circumstances.

Here are the lyrics to the song:

Y.M.C.A.

The Village People

Young man, there's no need to feel down. 

I said, young man, pick yourself off the ground. 

I said, young man, 'cause you're in a new town 

There's no need to be unhappy. 

Young man, there's a place you can go. 

I said, young man, when you're short on your dough. 

You can stay there, and I'm sure you will find 

Many ways to have a good time. 

It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A. 

It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A. 

They have everything for young men to enjoy, 

You can hang out with all the boys ... 

It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A.

It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A.

You can get yourself clean, you can have a good meal, 

You can do whatever you feel ... 

Young man, are you listening to me? 

I said, young man, what do you want to be? 

I said, young man, you can make real your dreams. 

But you've got to know this one thing! 

No man does it all by himself. 

I said, young man, put your pride on the shelf, 

And just go there, to the Y-M-C-A. 

I'm sure they can help you today. 

It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A.

It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A.

They have everything for young men to enjoy, 

You can hang out with all the boys ... 

It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A. 

It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A. 

You can get yourself clean, you can have a good meal, 

You can do whatever you feel ... 

Young man, I was once in your shoes. 

I said, I was down and out with the blues. 

I felt no man cared if I were alive. 

I felt the whole world was so tired ... 

That's when someone came up to me, 

And said, young man, take a walk up the street. 

There's a place there called the Y-M-C-A.

They can start you back on your way. 

It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A. 

It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A.

They have everything for young men to enjoy, 

You can hang out with all the boys... 

Y-M-C-A.... It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A.

Young man, young man, there's no need to feel down. 

Young man, young man, get yourself off the ground. 

Y-M-C-A.... You'll find it at the Y-M-C-A. 

No man, no man, does it all by himself...

Young man, young man, put your pride on the shelf!

Y-M-C-A.... 

Russian Students' New Required Reading

Today we listened to a story from National Public Radio in the United States about changes in required reading for Russian high school students. Here is the link to listen to the broadcast. 

Students: Your assignment is to take notes on the story, paying attention to the main points made and examples given. Create your outline based on what you hear, only looking at the transcript afterwards.

Russia's Required Reading Recognizes Reality Under Stalin

This past week, Russia's education ministry announced that the country's high schools will now require students to read excerpts from Alexander Solzhenitsyn's The Gulag Archipelago. Perhaps more than any other work, this formerly-banned book exposed the extent and horrors of Soviet oppression. NPR's correspondent in Moscow Anne Garrels says the education ministry's announcement should not be taken as a sign that Russian leaders are now prepared to fully and honestly confront the Stalinist past. The announcement comes amid a stream of pronouncements from the Kremlin about Russia's historic role and rightful place on the world stage.

LYNN NEARY, host:

This news item out of Russia caught our eye last week. The Ministry of Education announced it will require high school students to read excerpts of Alexander Solzhenitsyn's masterwork "The Gulag Archipelago."

This was the book that more than any other exposed the horrors of the forced labor camp system under Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. The work was hugely influential and contributed to the eventual demise of the Soviet state.

NPR's Anne Garrels is in our Moscow bureau and joins me now to talk about how Russians are re-examining their history now.

Good to talk with, Annie.

ANNE GARRELS: Nice to be here.

NEARY: Now, first, how much do Russians kids actually know about the Soviet's system of forced labor?

GARRELS: Not really that much, curiously. It's not that the information isn't there. But after the early years of perestroika and the fall of communism, when there was a huge amount of attention given to the brutality of Soviet rule. Many people just got tired of rehashing the past. And, remember, these children - now in school - were born after the fall of communism.

If, during the Yeltsin years, Stalin was thoroughly excoriated, the picture under his successors, Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev, has been much less clear cut. Putin initially called for Solzhenitsyn book to be read only at schools that focused on literature. But Solzhenitsyn's widow, Natalia, urged him to have all students read the book, and he promised her that would happen.

NEARY: Now, does the government's decision to have kids read from "The Gulag Archipelago" mean that Russia is once again ready to reexamine its ugly past?

GARRELS: Well, it's a good sign for those who believe the lessons of the past are key to building a truly democratic Russia, but there are really mixed signals here. At the same time, excerpts from "The Gulag" will be studied, the authorized Russian textbook praises Stalin as an effective manager who industrialize the Soviet Union and led it to victory against Hitler.

A Russian court, amazingly, recently agreed to hear a case brought by Stalin's grandson. He basically says an article that Stalin killed millions of innocent Soviet citizens as well as Polish prisoners of war - well documented facts -defame the dictator. A decision by Moscow authorities to restore Stalin's name and words of praise for him. And the vestibule of a major Moscow metro station has also sparked a storm of debate.

NEARY: Now, the students are being asked to read just excerpts. Does that say more about the length of the book or is there some censorship involved here?

GARRELS: I think it really has more to do with the length of the book.

NEARY: I don't think it's so much censorship - and you can get the book anywhere here.

NEARY: Yeah. So, nearly two decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union, how do the Russian government and Russian people really view their modern history?

GARRELS: It's really confusing. Russian officials seem to be looking for a way to inspire pride and nationalism. And one way to honor Russians is to praise the victory in World War II. I mean, this is key. But Russians want to ignore any discussion of uncomfortable facts, like the beginning of the war, Stalin's pact with Hitler.

And recently there have been some extraordinary events here. Russian foreign intelligence services recently unveiled archival documents that they say show it was, in fact, Poland which conspired with the Nazis before World War II, completely ignoring Moscow's pact with Hitler. I mean, this really upset the Pols.

NEARY: Sounds like the Russians are preoccupied these days with their role in history. Why is that?

GARRELS: Some really just want to rewrite or reemphasize events in history so that Russians come out better. Some believe Prime Minister Putin wants to use Stalin's so-called successes to justify the return of a strong government in which opposition is discouraged. And President Medvedev, his hand-picked successor, seems to be going along with it to a great degree.

He's created a commission to fight what he says are growing efforts to hurt Russians' interests by falsifying history. Historical archives are being closed. Things that were once opened up are now being reclassified as secret.

But just when you think you have a picture of what's going on here, and when you think there's no difference between Putin and Medvedev, Medvedev will suddenly break ranks. For instance, this week he gave a grim picture of the situation here, indirectly criticizing Putin. He called for more political competition. Under Putin, the opposition parties were dramatically limited, so I would say the situation's still in flux.

NEARY: NPR's Anne Garrels in Moscow. Thanks so much, Anne.

GARRELS: Thank you.

Copyright ©2009 National Public Radio®. All rights reserved. No quotes from the materials contained herein may be used in any media without attribution to National Public Radio.

Principal's Office

We're learning the first two verses of this poem/rap by Young MC in the middle school this week. Have fun watching the video, everyone! 

Here are the words:

Principal's Office

by Young MC

Now as I get to school

I hear the late bell ringing

Running through the hall

I hear the glee club singing

Get to the office

I can hardly speak

'Cause it's the third late pass that I got this week

So to my first class I run and don't walk

All I hear is my sneakers and the scratching of chalk

And when I get to my room

I hear the teacher say,

"Mr. Young, I'm happy that you could join us today."

I try to sit down so I can take some notes

But I can't read what the kid next to me wrote

And if that wasn't enough to make my morning complete 

As I try to get up I find this gum on my seat

And with the seat stuck to me,

I raise my hand and say,

"Excuse me, but can I go to the bathroom, ma'am?"

The teacher got upset and she screamed out, "No,

It's off to the principal's office you go!"

Twelve o'clock

comes with mass hysteria

Everybody rushes down to the cafeteria

Picked up my tray to have Thursday's lunch

And when I tried the applesauce

I heard it crunch

I'm running up the stairs with a front tooth broken

The nurse just laughs and says,

"You must be joking."

I look up at her with a smile on my face

No joke 'cause my front tooth is out of place

So I walk to school with ice on my lip

A nurse's late pass like a gun on my hip

My books are real heavy

I walk and I'm dragging it

Ain't no school lunch next week,

I'm brown-bagging it

Forget class

I'ma shoot some ball

With a late pass I've got 

no trouble at all

But the nurse walks up

and says,

"What do you know?

It's off to the

principal's office

you go"

Quote from "Akeelah and the Bee"

We've been watching this amazing movie in some classes this week, "Akeelah and the Bee." I'll add more to this post later -- but for now I wanted to get this quote from the movie onto the blog so students could use it today in class.


"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

This quote is often erroneously attributed to Nelson Mandela. It actually comes from the book Our Deepest Fear by Marianne Williamson.

The Gr8 Deb8: Text Messaging

(picture taken from this internet article)

Do you like to text? It's no longer enough to study English to be able to send text messages in it... Text messaging is a whole new dialect! 

All of those texts -- and grammar/spelling violations -- have stirred up quite a debate in the academic world! 

International attention was paid to a supposed student essay back in 2003 -- written entirely in text messaging. At the time, people thought it was real -- and there was outrage about the deterioration of our language by commentators in newspapers, on television and on the internet. 

Here's the introduction from the hoax essay:

 "My smmr hols wr CWOT. B4, we used 2go2 NY 2C my bro, his GF & thr 3 :- kids FTF. ILNY, it's a gr8 plc."

Translated into proper English, it read: "My summer holidays were a complete waste of time. Before, we used to go to New York to see my brother, his girlfriend and their three screaming kids face to face. I love New York. It's a great place."

An American author, David Crystal, thinks that all of the fuss about the demise of the English language is a bunch of fuss about nothing. In his book "Txtng: The Gr8 Db8," he makes the following points:

• Text messages aren’t full of abbreviations - typically less than ten percent of the words use them.
  
• These abbreviations aren’t a new language - they’ve been around for decades.
  
• They aren’t just used by kids - aults of all ages and institutions are the leading texters these days.
  
• Pupils don’t routinely put them into their school-work or examinations.
  
• It isn’t a cause of bad spelling: you have to know how to spell before you can text.
  
• Texting actually improves your literacy, as it gives you more practice in reading and writing.
  

Check out this super site to see a complete list of all text message abbreviations!

Presidential Poetry

"Pop"
by Barack Obama

Pop
Sitting in his seat, a seat broad and broken

In, sprinkled with ashes,

Pop switches channels, takes another

Shot of Seagrams, neat, and asks

What to do with me, a green young man

Who fails to consider the

Flim and flam of the world, since

Things have been easy for me;

I stare hard at his face, a stare

That deflects off his brow;

I'm sure he's unaware of his

Dark, watery eyes, that

Glance in different directions,

And his slow, unwelcome twitches,

Fail to pass.

I listen, nod,

Listen, open, till I cling to his pale,

Beige T-shirt, yelling,

Yelling in his ears, that hang

With heavy lobes, but he's still telling

His joke, so I ask why

He's so unhappy, to which he replies . . .

But I don't care anymore, cause

He took too damn long, and from

Under my seat, I pull out the

Mirror I've been saving; I'm laughing,

Laughing loud, the blood rushing from his face

To mine, as he grows small,

A spot in my brain, something

That may be squeezed out, like a

Watermelon seed between

Two fingers.

Pop takes another shot, neat,

Points out the same amber

Stain on his shorts that I've got on mine and

Makes me smell his smell, coming

From me; he switches channels, recites an old poem

He wrote before his mother died,

Stands, shouts, and asks

For a hug, as I shrink, my

Arms barely reaching around

His thick, oily neck, and his broad back; 'cause

I see my face, framed within

Pop's black-framed glasses

And know he's laughing too.

Getting Ready for A New President

Tomorrow Barack Obama will be sworn in as the next President of the United States. Here's a humorous video that tells you a little bit about the history behind American Presidential Inaugurations.

Anything to Skip School...

So many students are out sick (or still on vacation, ahem...) this week that this beloved American children's poem keeps coming to mind... You'll see why!

The author is Shel Silverstein, a poet who holds a very special place in the hearts of everyone who has grown up with his clever wit and way with words. 

I Cannot Go to School Today

by Shel Silverstein

"I cannot go to school today"

Said little Peggy Ann McKay.

"I have the measles and the mumps,

A gash, a rash and purple bumps.

My mouth is wet, my throat is dry.

I'm going blind in my right eye.

My tonsils are as big as rocks,

I've counted sixteen chicken pox.

And there's one more - that's seventeen,

And don't you think my face looks green?

My leg is cut, my eyes are blue,

It might be instamatic flu.

I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,

I'm sure my left leg is broke.

My hip hurts when I move my chin,

My belly button's caving in.

My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,

My 'pendix pains each time it rains.

My nose is cold, my toes are numb,

I have a sliver in my thumb.

My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,

I hardly whisper when I speak.

My tongue is filling up my mouth,

I think my hair is falling out.

My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,

My temperature is one-o-eight.

My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,

There's a hole inside my ear.

I have a hangnail, my heart is... What?

What's that? What's that you say?

You say today is........... Saturday?

G'bye, I'm going out to play!"

Even this university student (from Texas or another southern state) still loves the poem! Check him out!

FCE Speaking Exam: General Tips

The 11th graders are gearing up to take the FCE exam in March. This week we're concentrating on mastering the test-taking skills required in the speaking section. Here is a link to a site with excellent pointers for all four questions in that section. I like how this particular site includes sample scripts: practice reading them out loud to get a feel for the language, tone and length of what are considered excellent responses.

I'll continue to post exam tips here during the coming month, so keep checking back!