English Village

The Sunny Side of Nature – part two. :-)

Michael Bark — Tue, 29 May 2012 09:33:15 +0000

Here is the second nature mind map from the Teatime English Club.

Mind Map JPEG.

Nature

Michael Bark — Tue, 22 May 2012 04:27:06 +0000

Here is the latest mind map from the Teatime English Club.

Nature Mind map Jpeg.

Interactive Fiction – A UFO Landing

Michael Bark — Mon, 14 May 2012 06:46:31 +0000

‘A UFO Landing’ is a piece of interactive fiction crafted by the children of my Barcola and Prebeneg groups. They did a great job, and I am very proud of the results. There may still be a few glitches to iron out, but please follow the link and let your adventure begin.

Story Cube Adventure – A footprint in the sand

Michael Bark — Sat, 12 May 2012 22:15:33 +0000

A boy saw a footprint in the sand. The weather was sunny, but he noticed a star falling in the sky. He thought that this was strange.

At first he didn’t know where to go or what to do, but eventually he decided to go to sleep on the beach. He woke up in the evening and he saw a rainbow in the sky. He thought that this was strange.

He decided to stay longer, and so he erected a tent on the beach.

He met his girlfriend and they walked together along the sand. While they were walking they saw a ghost. They thought that this was strange.

It left its footprint in the sand.

Created by Caterina.

Story Cube Adventure – The wanderings of a young boy.

Michael Bark — Sat, 12 May 2012 16:07:04 +0000

Once upon a time there was a man building a castle. While he was building, his son threw a ball and instantly both a ghost and a comet appeared.

The ball disappeared over the top of the castle, so the boy, laughing madly, climbed a nearby ladder and left his father working alone. At the bottom of the cliff, on which the castle was being built, he found a box. He started carrying the box away, when he stumbled.

As soon as he hit the ground he fell asleep. He dreamed he was a pirate sailing the oceans. He hadn’t realised how hard he would have to work in order to get his fortune. But one night, after a hard day’s work, he played a game of dice with his shipmates, and he won a golden cane.

He wondered what further adventures it would bring.

Created by The No. 1 Ladies’ Discussion Group.

Rory’s Story Cubes

Michael Bark — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:00:24 +0000

I am always looking for new toys, so during my last hop to London I picked up a couple of boxes of ‘Rory’s Story Cubes’.

I thought that they could be fun to play with in my more advanced classes, and I was so right. Last week The No. 1 Ladies’ discussion group became the first group to use them and it was an astounding success. We had so much fun.

Countries and Nationalities

Michael Bark — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:29:39 +0000

Here is the latest map from our Teatime English club.

Here is the JPEG.

Here is the .mm File.

How curiosity can change the world

Michael Bark — Thu, 10 May 2012 10:26:16 +0000

Maybe It’s Because I’m a Londoner

Michael Bark — Wed, 09 May 2012 20:02:45 +0000

Here is one of London’s most famous ditties. It is dedicated to one of my Opčina classes, who recently sang it to me as a surprise. Well done, kids.

Maybe it’s because I’m a Londoner
That I love London so
Maybe it’s because I’m a Londoner
That I think of her wherever I go

I get a funny feeling inside of me
When walking up and down
Maybe it’s because I’m a Londoner
That I love London Town

Queen Elizabeth I Speech to Troops at Tilbury

Michael Bark — Mon, 07 May 2012 12:26:29 +0000

My loving people

We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit our selves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery; but I assure you I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear. I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects; and therefore I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood even, in the dust.

I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm; to which rather than any dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field.

I know already, for your forwardness you have deserved rewards and crowns; and We do assure you in the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid you. In the mean time, my lieutenant general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting but by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over those enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.