Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Bright Holiday Season, Shine Bright... Hillcrest Primary School : Sorrow




 
via TIF News

"Shine bright like a diamond. 

You're a shooting star I see"


As we end the trimester, moving through winter solstice toward the returning light, may the Holiday Spirit of the educational community help ease December’s chill.

I stand in sorrow & sympathy with the Hillcrest Primary School community. My heart and thoughts are with the families of those children who lost their lives on last 15 December or are still in hospital. 

What started as a joyful day of celebration ended with the entire Tasmanian community stunned & heartbroken.




creditsTwitter/NickMcCallum7

The deaths of six children after a jumping castle was lifted into the air from strong winds at a school end-of-year celebration as condolences flowed into the grieving small coastal city.

The sixth student has died last 19 December, after Hillcrest Primary School's end of year celebration event.

Four boys and two girls aged between 11 and 12 died in the accident which saw children fall 10 metres (33 feet) to the ground at a school in Devonport in the northwest of the island state of Tasmania. 

It was one of Australia's deadliest accidents involving an amusement ride.




credits: EPA

As a teacher, I believe that children, parents, teachers and families of Hillcrest Primary School must keep their privacy.

I have no words, I was devastated, absolutely devastated, still am. I had no words.

Holiday season is here. Christmas season is children's big dream. What can I say?

Tributes have begun pouring in online for the beloved students who are remembered as a 'beautiful, caring boy' and a 'precious' girl with a 'sweet, kind, old soul'.





credits: NCA Newswire / Grant


Rise of the Guardians, a lovely and original tale, came to my mind. Again. After Sandy Hook Elementary School.

The beautiful 3D animated film would be a sweet tribute in the memories of children.


Rise of the Guardians  also tells us to hold on to that child inside us as we go through life, and to believe in ourselves no matter what.





credits: EPA


The tragedy which occurred is beyond comprehension. It is devastating, heartbreaking. It is just simply incomprehensible.

Addison, 11, Zane, 12, Jye, 12, Jalailah Jayne-Maree, 12, Peter, 12 and Chace, 11.  How sad! Sorrow.

'Young children on a fun day out, together with their families and it turns to such horrific tragedy. At this time of year, it just breaks your heart," 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison




credits: via Facebook

The immediate priority is supporting the children, families and staff who had been impacted.

The tragedy which occurred is beyond comprehension. It is devastating, heartbreaking. It is just simply incomprehensible.




Let's raise our deepest thoughts with sorrow to their parents, families, young classmates and teachers. And let's sing "Shine bright like a diamond."

"It is our job to watch over the children of the world and keep them safe. For as long as they believe in us, we will guard them with our lives." 

North, Rise of the Guardians

Wishing everyone a Bright Holiday Season! Hug each other, hug your children, deeply and often.

G-Souto

24.12.2021
copyright © 2021G-Souto'sBlog, gsouto-digitalteacher.blogspot.com

Licença Creative Commons

Bright Holiday Season, Shine Bright... Hillcrest Primary School : Sorrow G-Souto is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.


Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Home for Christmas : A bit different. But love will be there ! Kids need the magic !






Christmas
credits: Ali. Express

The world has never seen a Christmas like this. With COVID-19 infections rampant everywhere, far fewer families traveling, millions of us will look to our own households, backyards, neighborhoods and parks to connect, renew, mourn and be grateful.

Maybe this is the year you play a game over or watch a movie on television instead of tearing into gifts under the tree.





credits: Tgordievskaya/ Stock. Adobe
via La Croix

Or you can running on the a park, or stay at home preparing Christmas meal to you and your kids (no guests), provided you stay with their household members, wear masks and socially distance from others.

Grandparents not living with you, kids must be in touch with them by smartphones, video-calling, or Skype. They need you. They feel alone, and sad because they can't be sit at the family table to share the Christmas dinner, hug their grandchildren, sons, the all family.

Here a lovely short about grandparents and grandchildren: From our family to yours:





Touching, isn't it. There are traditions that turn into unforgettable memories. Grandchildren must not forget to cheer their dear grandparents.  


  • Christmas films:




The Christmas Chronicles
Clay Kaytis, 2018
https://www.imdb.com/

The Christmas Chronicles 2018 directed by Clay Kaytis. Kaytis' first live-action film released on theaters (2018) and on Netflix 





The story of sister and brother, Kate and Teddy Pierce, whose Christmas Eve plan to catch Santa Claus on camera turns into an unexpected journey that most kids could only dream about.


Christmas Chronicles 2020 (part 2)







Kate Pierce, now a cynical teen, is unexpectedly reunited with Santa Claus when a mysterious troublemaker threatens to cancel Christmas - forever.

The Christmas Chronicles 2 is an action-packed adventure for the whole family that’s full of heart, humor, and holiday spirit.

  • Short stories: Cuentos Navidad Spanish











  • Christmas children's books: English




5 more sleeps 'til Christmas
Jimmy Fallon, 2020
illustrations: Rich Deas 

Just 5 more sleeps 'til Christmas!
Can you believe it's here?
I know that Santa's coming soon
'cause I've been good all year.

Everyone who grew up celebrating Christmas remembers the excitement that built up to the most magical day of the year. But why not make the last week until Christmas more fun by counting how many sleeps until the arrival of Santa and his reindeer?

Accompanied by the beautiful and energetic artwork of Rich Deas, enjoy the humor of Jimmy Fallon as he prepares readers for the most exciting week of the year in this new holiday tradition for your family.

Ages 3-6 



Christmas at Hogwarts

Jody Revenson, 2020

https://www.amazon.com/

Learn all about the most magical time of the year at Hogwarts Schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry—Christmas!


Livres: French



L'aéropostal
Le courrier doit passer

Textes d’Ève Pourcel

ill. Jeanne Detallante, Lucie Durbiano, Donatien Mary et Frédéric Rébéna

Album, Bayard Jeunesse

Casablanca, Dakar, Buenos Aires, Santiago… Autant d’escales conquises au péril de vies humaines. Autant d’étapes dans l’histoire mythique de l’Aéropostale, née à Toulouse au sortir de la Grande Guerre, avec un mot d’ordre, bientôt partagé par Mermoz et Saint-Exupéry : « Le courrier doit passer ! 

Age: À partir de 8 ans


 

La lettre de mon grand-père

Michael Morpugo

illustration: Jim Field

https://www.gallimard-jeunesse.fr/

 

"Ma chère petite Mia,
Je t'écris cette lettre pour te parler de notre belle planète.
Sais-tu à quel point il est important d'en prendre soin?"

Dans une lettre qu'il offre un Noël à Mia, sa petite-fille, ce grand-père l'invite à s'émerveiller devant la beauté et la diversité de la nature. Devenue grande, c'est au tour de Mia de lire cette lettre à ses enfants.


livre-lettre-grand-pere.jpg

 

La lettre de mon grand-père

Michael Morpugo

illustration: Jim Field

https://www.gallimard-jeunesse.fr/

Comme chaque année à Noël, il y a la bûche, les chants, les cadeaux et la lettre de grand-père.

«Toute la famille en connaît des passages par cœur.» Car cette histoire parle d’une vie: celle du monde entier.

Le vieux monsieur se souvient de ses jours heureux passés dans son jardin, à contempler un ver de terre, une grive ou un merle. À travers ses mots, c’est le bonheur d’une existence au milieu de la nature qui se dessine. Une ode à la nature

Âge: 4 à 9 ans

"L’écriture est à l’image des merles qui volent, des graines qui poussent dans le potager: fragile, douce, enlevée. On pourrait croire que l’ouvrage donne une leçon de morale, mais ce serait méconnaître la plume de Michael Morpurgo."

L’auteur est un conteur. Son livre est un message d’espoir, une invitation à grandir en harmonie et respectueusement au milieu de la faune et de la flore.


Livros : Português/ Portuguese





As Visitas do Pai Natal

José Vale Moutinho

ilustrações: Abigail Ascenso

https://www.fnac.pt/

 Pai Natal está muito baralhado e precisa de ajuda. O que terá acontecido?

Já nada é como antigamente, e o Pai Natal está mesmo confuso com os pedidos que recebeu da criançada. Como é que ele vai conseguir entregar os presentes, se nem sequer sabe o que é uma BTT ou uma Playstation?

Por sorte, os primos Álvaro e Francisco estão dispostos a dar-lhe uma ajuda preciosa. Ao mesmo tempo, por entre histórias curiosas e divertidas, os meninos aprendem a origem de algumas das tradições de Natal, como a do cartão de boas-festas ou a da fava do bolo-rei. 

Uma história divertida que vai fazer sonhar os mais pequenos. Junta-te ao Pai Natal, ao Álvaro e ao Francisco nesta grande aventura pela magia do Natal!





A Menina com os Olhos Ocupados
André Carrilho, 2020

André Carrilho estreia-se como autor de um livro para a infância, A Menina com os Olhos Ocupados, em que convida os mais miúdos a desligarem os ecrãs para "ver mais longe, pra todos os lados". 

Com sentido de humor, rimas divertidas e ilustrações vibrantes, o autor consegue desmistificar o cerne de muitas discussões familiares.



O Avô tem uma Borracha na Cabeça

Rui Zink

illustrações: Paula Delecave

https://www.fnac.pt/

O que fazer quando alguém de quem gostamos nos começa a esquecer? É a questão colocada por Rui Zink nesta história ilustrada por Paula Delecave, sobre a amizade entre um avô, que lentamente vai perdendo as memórias, e o neto inventor, que se dedica a descobrir uma cura para a doença com um nome estrambólico. 

Inspirado num caso real, o autor ensina o que é o Alzheimer e sugere, com bom humor e esperança, como lidar com ele.



credits: Viorel Poparcea/Alamy Stock Photo


Have yourself a Very Merry Christmas Season, safe and brightly colored with love, health, peace.

A special hug to all of you who sufferered the lost of a dear member of family or friend.

Be safe! Kids need you!

G-Souto

22.12.2020

Copyright © 2020G-Souto'sBlog, gsouto-digitalteacher.blogspot.com®

Home for Christmas : a bit different ! But love will be there ! Kids need the magic ! by G-Souto is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Saturday, December 21, 2019

So Til' the Season : Santa Tracker, books & films ! Bright Christmas !





Days til' Christmas
Seuss

Let Seuss’ famous green creature help you count down the days to Christmas! A great addition to holiday décor, this easy-to-hang sign features the Grinch’s furry hand holding an ornament with chalkboard space to write how many days left till December 25th

Kiddos and adults will delight in this new seasonal tradition, taking time each night to gather around and change the number until it’s finally time! 

It's Christmas season. Remember All I Want For Christmas! Schools are closed for holiday. Students are enjoying Christmas holiday with family and friends.

Here some cute digital resources that will cheer kids around the world now that they are enjoying the holiday season:





credits: Getty Images



Millions of children go to sleep on Christmas Eve, excitedly awaiting the delivery of their presents from Santa Claus.

The most wonderful time of year is nearly here, with less than two days to go until Christmas Day. During the festive season, millions of children count down the days of December and go to sleep on Christmas Eve, excitedly awaiting the delivery of their Christmas gifts from the beloved Santa Claus. 

From the history behind NORAD’s holiday role to finding out what time you can expect an appearance down your chimney, here is everything you need to know about Santa’s busiest night of the year.

Throughout the year, the US and Canadian organisation NORAD, monitors aerospace in event of nuclear attack, but when Christmas Eve comes around they monitor the skies for Santa’s sleigh. 


Every year, the NORAD Tracks Santa website receives nearly nine million unique visitors from more than 200 countries and territories across the globe who are keen to follow Santa on his journey
On December 24, 1,500 volunteers respond to emails and receive more than 140,000 calls regarding Santa’s exact whereabouts. 


The festive website was launched on December 1, with a holiday countdown, games and activities, a code lab, a Santa selfie, holiday traditions and so much more, all available in a range of languages.
Education:



There is so much fun! Both are so creative! However there is some learning too. Traditions, geography, local music, games, coding, languages (it will depend of the language kids decide to interact). 
Christmas books:
Of course, you have the classical books as Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens The Story of The Nutcracker by E.T.A Hoffmann, A Noite de Natal by Sophia Mello Breyner.
This year, here some children's books in different languages:

English language:





How the Grinch Stole Christmas! 
Dr. Seuss

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a children's story by Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel written in rhymed verse with illustrations by the author. It follows the Grinch, a grumpy, solitary creature who attempts to put an end to Christmas by stealing Christmas-themed items from the homes of the nearby town Whoville on Christmas Eve. Miraculously, the Grinch realizes that Christmas may not all be about money and presents.




How the Grinch Stole Christmas! 
Dr. Seuss

The story was published as a book by Random House in 1957. The book criticizes the commercialization of Christmas.




How the Grinch Stole Christmas! 
Chuck Jones, 1966

The book has been adapted as a 1966 animated TV film starring Boris Karloff, a 2000 live-action feature film starring Jim Carey, and a 2018 American 3D computer-animated Christmas comedy Dr Seuss's The Grinch, by Yarrow Cheney and narrated by Pharrell Williams




“Every Who down in Who-ville liked Christmas a lot ... but the Grinch, who lived just north of Who-ville, did NOT!” Not since “’Twas the night before Christmas” has the beginning of a Christmas tale been so instantly recognizable. 
No holiday season is complete without the Grinch, Max, Cindy-Lou, and all the residents of Who-ville, in this heartwarming story about the effects of the Christmas spirit on even the smallest and coldest of hearts. 




We Met in December
Rosie Curtis 


Two people. One house. A year that changes everything.  
Twenty-nine-year-old Jess is following her dream and moving to London. It’s December, and she’s taking a room in a crumbling, but grand, Notting Hill house-share with four virtual strangers. On her first night, Jess meets Alex, the guy sharing her floor, at a Christmas dinner hosted by her landlord. They don’t kiss, but as far as Jess is concerned the connection is clear. She starts planning how they will knock down the wall between them to spend more time together.

French language:




La lettre de mon grand-père
Michael Morpugo
illustration: Jim Field

"Ma chère petite Mia,
Je t'écris cette lettre pour te parler de notre belle planète.
Sais-tu à quel point il est important d'en prendre soin?"

Dans une lettre qu'il offre un Noël à Mia, sa petite-fille, ce grand-père l'invite à s'émerveiller devant la beauté et la diversité de la nature. Devenue grande, c'est au tour de Mia de lire cette lettre à ses enfants.

Comme chaque année à Noël, il y a la bûche, les chants, les cadeaux et la lettre de grand-père. «Toute la famille en connaît des passages par cœur.» Car cette histoire parle d’une vie: celle du monde entier. Le vieux monsieur se souvient de ses jours heureux passés dans son jardin, à contempler un ver de terre, une grive ou un merle. 

À travers ses mots, c’est le bonheur d’une existence au milieu de la nature qui se dessine. Une ode à la nature.





Le Garçon qui partit dans le nord avec son Père à la recherche du Père Noël
Kim Leine
illustration: Peter Bay Alexandersen
Gallimard-jeunesse

Dans un village du Groenland, au pays du vent et des montagnes gelées, Noël approchait. Mais le papa d'Andreas n'aimait pas Noël et refusait de croire au Père Noël. Alors le garçon et son père attelèrent leurs douze chiens et filèrent à travers la nuit, sur la glace. Au bout de l'expédition, de l'autre côté du fjord, la cabane de chasse les attendait, et aussi, sûrement, la visite du Père Noël...

Portuguese language:







Os Três Reis do Oriente
Sophia de Mello B. Andresen
illustration: Fátima Afonso

Neste conto, Gaspar, Melchior e Baltasar deixam para trás o ouro, a segurança da ciência, o apoio dos poderosos e as mentiras dos mais fortes, para seguir uma estrela que se ergue a Oriente.

No silêncio da noite, esta luz revela a alegria de uma boa nova.



O Lobo que não gostava do Natal
Orianne Lallemand
ilustration: Éléonore Thuillier
Portugal 2019

Nesta colectânea estão cinco histórias enternecedoras e divertidas do Lobo mais conhecido das crianças. Nestas páginas, cabem muitas cores, viagens, sentimentos e até uma festa de anos! 
Um livro para incentivar o gosto pela leitura, partilhar bons momentos em família, aprender a exprimir emoções e sonhar. 

Films:


Frozen II
Disney
Chris Buck,2019

Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven leave Arendelle to travel to an ancient, autumn-bound forest of an enchanted land. They set out to find the origin of Elsa's powers in order to save their kingdom.






Cats
Tom Hooper, 2019

A tribe of cats called the Jellicles must decide yearly which one will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new Jellicle life.







Based on T.S. Eliot poetry collection Old Possum's Books of Practical CatsThese lovable cat poems were written by T. S. Eliot for his godchildren and continue to delight children and grown-ups. T.S.Elliot 1948 winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature.




Old Possum's Book Practical Cats
T.S. Eliot
illustration: Nicolas Bentley, 2015

The collection inspired the musical Cats!, and features Macavity, Mr Mistofelees and Growltiger!




Star Wars  Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker 
J.J. Abrams, 2019

And the end of the great sequel Star WarsStar Wars  Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker. The surviving Resistance faces the First Order once more in the final chapter of the Skywalker saga.

The epic space-fiction film produced, co-written, and directed by J. J. Abrams. It is the third installment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, following The Force Awakens (2015) and The Last Jedi (2017), and the final episode of the nine-part Skywalker saga".






A year after the events of The Last Jedi, the remnants of the Resistance face the First Order once again, while reckoning with the past and their own inner turmoil. Meanwhile, the ancient conflict between the Jedi and the Sith reaches its climax, bringing the Skywalker saga to a definitive end.




Princesse Lea & Sith
Star Wars  Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker 
J.J. Abrams, 2019

As we ended the trimester, moving through winter solstice toward the returning light, may the Holiday Spirit of the educational community help ease December’s chill but so bright! The sun continues to shine in my country. 



credits: Elyx

Have yourself a Very Merry Christmas Season, brightly colored with love, peace and light.

Wishing everyone a Bright Holiday Season! And a special hug to all the children in the world.

I'm off to continue celebrating Christmas at home with my family.


G-Souto



21.12.2019
Copyright © 2019G-Souto'sBlog, gsouto-digitalteacher.blogspot.com®

Creative Commons License
So Til' the Season ! Tracker, books & films ! Bright Chrismas ! bG-Souto is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.