April in Review & a weekend break on the beach !

 

Mira, Portugal

via Google Images Archives

This weekend I took two days of holiday at Mira beach near Coimbra. A wonderful beach and a lovely Spa Hotel in front of the sea.

Mira is little village of fishermen and a very good fish, of course.

The hotel was so near of the beach that we had to cross the street and the beach was there!

Wonderful sunset! Little bistrots to take a fruit juice and have dinner with very fresh fish.

Mira lagoon with typic boats

via Google Images Archives

We had to cross the village to reach the sea. The lagoon with typical ancient fish boats is lovely surround by the traditional houses.

As I told you before the SPA hotel is in front of the sea. So we couldn't have a better place to stay.

If you visit my country, don't forget to visit this little village with a large beach just in front of you ! Just a bit windy this weekend.

I loved the sea, the beach and of course the SPA hotel with a SPA pool just on the roof of the hotel. Imagine the view! It was so beautiful !

Unfortunaly, the week was finish and we had to come back to my home city. 

Then, time to share with you the rundown of the most read posts in April.

Here are the most popular posts of April 2024 :

Schools : Missed the Total Solar Eclipse ? Here's came the sun ! Resources

Schools ! Children's Book Day ! Cross the Seas on the Wings of Imagination !

Well, it's school out almost all over the world. We are in July. Only students and teachers with exams continue to work. 

Hope all of you are doing well to finally have your holiday time!

Meanwhile I wish all my usual readers wellbeing and some time to relax on a weekend as I did.

I will be back posting some ideas and educational resources very soon.

G-Souto 

08.07.2024

Copyright © 2024G-Souto'sBlog, gsouto-digitalteacher.blogspot.com®

April in Review & a weekend break on the beach ! by G-Souto is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Children's book : My Hero is You : how kids can fight COVID-19

My Hero is You

how kids can fight COVID-19

written and illustrated by Helen Patuck

https://en.unesco.org/news/

"It is a time full of uncertainty and change. I believe children’s books and stories can offer some continuity, because they enter the homes, hearts and minds of families in a familiar way."

Helen Patuck

This new story book that aims to help children understand and come to terms with COVID-19 has been produced by a collaboration of more than 50 organizations working in the humanitarian sector, including the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Save the Children.

With the help of a fantasy creature, Ario, “My Hero is You, How kids can fight COVID-19!” explains how children can protect themselves, their families and friends from coronavirus and how to manage difficult emotions when confronted with a new and rapidly changing reality.

My Hero is You

how kids can fight COVID-19

written and illustrated by Helen Patuck

@WHO

The book is a project of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, a unique collaboration of United Nations agencies, national and international nongovernmental organizations and international agencies providing mental health and psychosocial support in emergency settings.

During the early stages of the project, more than 1 700 children, parents, caregivers and teachers from around the world shared how they were coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. 

My Hero is You

how kids can fight COVID-19

written and illustrated by Helen Patuck
https://en.unesco.org/news/

With the help of a fantasy creature, Ario, “My Hero is You, How kids can fight COVID-19!” explains how children can protect themselves, their families and friends from coronavirus and how to manage difficult emotions when confronted with a new and rapidly changing reality.

"Sara is my strong hero, and sets out with her magical friend Ario to discover these things from children in other countries, who are overcoming challenges in their own ways. Along the way, she meets Salem, Sasha, Leila and Kim, who are all coping with their fears in different circumstances. What unites them all is a sense of care for each other, their capacity to be heroes for their loved ones, and the understanding that this won’t last forever."

Helen Patuck

My Hero is You

how kids can fight COVID-19

written and illustrated by Helen Patuck

@WHO

The input was invaluable to script writer and illustrator Helen Patuck and the project team in making sure that the story and its messages resonated with children from different backgrounds and continents.

Helen Patuck is an author, illustrator and current MSc Politics of Conflict, Rights and Justice student, who has written and illustrated this emergency children's book titled My Hero is You, Storybook for Children on COVID-19.

My Hero is You

how kids can fight COVID-19

written and illustrated by Helen Patuck

https://www.unhcr.org/

"Writing "My Hero Is You", creating these illustrations and sharing in the global translation effort is my act of solidarity and care for everyone going through this difficult time. This is the least I can do as essential workers give their time, greatest efforts, and so sadly, their lives to support those most affected."

Helen Patuck

In order to reach as many children as possible, the book was widely translated, with six language versions. Now there the ebook is translated into fourteen languages.* 

Note: Now the ebook is translated into 128 languages.

My Hero is You

how kids can fight COVID-19

written and illustrated by Helen Patuck
https://en.unesco.org/

• Languages: The IASC MHPSS RG has coordinated translation into: 

English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish.

* Note: Now the ebook is translated into 128 languages.

My Hero is You

how kids can fight COVID-19

written and ilustrated by Helen Patuck
https://en.unesco.org/

"However, we have also reached out across global networks of psychologists and translators to develop many non-UN language versions. The response has been incredible."

• Other languages : German, Portuguese, Danish, Greek, Italian, Ukrainian, Sinhala, Turkish, Tamil, Russian, Burmese, Tami, Arabic, Bahasa Malay.

All languages versions (20) for now: In English (original version): Download the book here

*And more languages versions : 128 languages. Download here in your own language.

My Hero is You

how kids can fight COVID-19

written and illustrated by Helen Patuck

https://www.unhcr.org/

Education:

Across the world, due to the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), children are affected by physical distancing, quarantines and nationwide school closures.

Some children and young people may be feeling more isolated, anxious, bored and uncertain. They may feel fear, and grief, over the impact of the virus on their families.

My Hero is You

how kids can fight COVID-19

written and illustrated by Helen Patuck

https://www.unhcr.org/

Children and preteens including those who are refugees are struggling to understand all the ins and outs of lockdown. The enemy causing this lockdown is, after all, invisible until it strikes someone in your family or friend circle.

"My Hero is You” is a book written for children around the world affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.  It shows children how to manage their emotions in these changing times.

My Hero is You

how kids can fight COVID-19

written and ilustrated by Helen Patuck
https://en.unesco.org/

Important information:

The book “My Hero is You” should be read by a parent, or teacher alongside a child or a small group of children.

It is not encouraged for children to read this book independently without the support of a parent, or teacher. 

My Hero is You

how kids can fight COVID-19

written and illustrated by Helen Patuck

https://www.unhcr.org/

Note: The supplementary guide called “Actions for Heroes” (to be published later) offers support for addressing topics related to COVID-19, helping children manage feelings and emotions, as well as supplementary activities for children to do based on the book. 

• Ages: Aimed primarily at children aged 6-11 years old

My Hero is You

how kids can fight COVID-19

written and illustrated by Helen Patuck

https://www.unhcr.org/

In order to reach as many children as possible, the book has been widely translated. It is being released as both an online product and audio book.

• Resources: HealthyAtHome/ Healthy parenting:

Tips for parents here 


G-Souto

19.04.2020
Copyright © 2020G-Souto'sBlog, gsouto-digitalteacher.blogspot.com®

Children´s book : My Hero is You : how kids can fight COVID-19 ! by G-Souto is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Schools : Music Day : the value of music in public education ! Resources

Music Day | stamps
Musical instruments

https://unstamps.org/

Oh! What a special day! Today, October 1 is International Music Day!

As my usual readers know, I love music, I have a master degree in Music/Piano. I have been a piano teacher for years. It would be impossible not to write about Music Day. 

"Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy."

Ludwig Von Beethoven

International Music Day is celebrated on 1 October each year. The day was established in 1975 by the International Music Council (IMC), which was founded by UNESCO in 1949. 

Music is essential to many of our lives and is a powerful platform that brings people together across cultures. 

Music Day | stamps
Musical instruments

https://unstamps.org/

Aim:

The main objectives of the Day are to celebrate the importance of music and musicians worldwide and to promote its value in society by building peace and understanding through a common language.

Music is a language that all people speak and that cuts across cultural, social, and economic barriers and enhances cultural appreciation and awareness.

Art provides opportunities for self-expression, bringing the inner world into the outer world of concrete reality. 

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right "to enjoy the arts", as they constitute an important vehicle for individuals and communities to develop and express their humanity. 

The vitality of artistic creativity is also necessary for the development of vibrant cultures, for the protection and promotion of cultural diversity across the world and for the smooth functioning of democratic societies.

Music Day | stamps

Brass

https://unstamps.org/

Education:

Many studies have emerged in recent years describing the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral benefits of music education for children. But given the tight budgets and questionable priorities of so many schools, a lot of kids don't begin formal music training until they enter high school and (only 2 years) or decide to join a band or chorus.

Children and young adults from all backgrounds should have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, to make music with others, to learn to sing or to dance,  to have the opportunity to progress to the next level of excellence.

Music Day | stamps

Woodwinds

https://unstamps.org/

The Five Music Rights of IMC make important declarations about artistic rights and values in respect of music. In particular, the first three Rights articulate much of what is expressed above:

• 1st IMC Music Right: 'For all children and adults to express themselves musically in all freedom'

• 2nd IMC Music Right: 'For all children and adults to learn musical languages and skills'

• 3rdIMC Music Right: 'For all children and adults to have access to musical involvement through participation, listening, creation and information'

Read the entire Statement here

Music Day | stamps

Percussion

https://unstamps.org/

Resources:

INPA issued three mini-sheets of twelve stamps to celebrate International Music Day on 1 October 2018. 

The stamps featuring Brass and Woodwinds, Strings and Percussion were designed by Sergio Baradat (United Nations).

An interesting resource to include into school curriculum to teach Music and its instruments hearing some musical excerpts chosen previously by teachers.

The Beatles on Abbey Road

credits: James Veysey/HUTTERSTOCK

And why not talk and include into school curriculum pop-rock music? That´s right! By the way, did you know that Abbey Road celebrated its 50th anniversary
last 26 September? Yes!

Don't forget the great digital resource on Voyager Google Earth! Beatlemania published on my blog May 2017.

Students from Bluffs Middle School | Nebraska

via StarHerald.com

Some thoughts:

"No truly cultural pursuit, involving the intellect and the emotions, is complete unless it can be regarded as both an end and a means."

Georges Duhamel, Académie Française

As my usual readers know, as a teacher I believe and pledge for the integration of Music in all schools, public and private.

Along the years I wrote often about Music as a fundamental subject in school. 

Music, a practical and active subject, must be taught as part of the curriculum in all year groups. 

The engagement of important and experienced musicians as Leonard Bernstein is central to achieving significant transformation, particularly to the lives of the most vulnerable children.

Bernstein manages this impressive feat of popular education, by dividing music into: Phonology (the study of sound); Syntax (the study of structure) and; Semantics (the study of meaning).

Of course this video is about Music education in Vocational Music Schools.

" I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosion expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music. "

Billy Joel, musician

G-Souto

01.10.2019

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

Schools : Music Day : the value of music in public education ! Resources by G-Souto is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.