BOOKISH CLUB

This year we have counted on a new book club, BOOKISH, adressed to teachers from several schools of the area: CEIP Emilia Pardo Bazán, CEIP Anxo da Guarda, CEIP Ponte dos Brozos and CEIP Bragade.

The purpose of this group is to read titles in English and know more about the British culture through them, as well as embrace new perspectives regarding education, both in formal and informal scenarios. Simultaneously, we have joined the PDI of the school to research the British past of our city, A Coruña. And after 9 titles, 9 different literary genres and a variety of complementary activities, the club is coming to an end, becoming more experienced and enthusiast.

Here is a memory of the readings and activities developed throughout the year. Just click on the image to start.

BOOK CLUBS: Mark Guscin and the other Corunnas

Time for the grand finale! We have been treasure hunters for the whole year, trying to find sir John Moore's treasure. Doubloon by doubloon, we have succeded in all the challenges and we are ready to recover the lost keys of Corunna, currently in a Welsh museum. Mark Guscin, a writer and historian, has helped us today to get them back. He summarized all the information about the strong bond that Corunna has always had with the English speaking countries, inviting quite a good number of celebrities: Breogan, Ith, Amergin, sir Francis Drake, María Pita, sir John Moore, lady Hester Stanhope... He has also showed us other cities named after Corunna, spread all over the world, in the 5 continents. It was the perfect end for our book clubs. He put the icing on the cake!

Thank you so much to Mark, for his passion and knowledge, and to Lilí, of course, our favourite librarian. She has been sending us videos of every reading. This is her last one!

And don´t miss this time line. It has got our research. Hard work!!!

BOOK CLUBS: Amerging and his invocation song

Do you fancy a story of revenge? The 2 protagonists are Mil and Amergin, both from our hometown. Mil Espáine was the chieftain who led an expedition to take revenge for his great-uncle Ith´s death, killed by the Irish rulers. Amergin Glúingel, whose name means "white knees",was one of the seven sons of Mil. He was a bard (poet), a druid and a judge of the Milesians. When their ships arrived in Ireland, the Irish druids raised a magical storm to keep them from reaching land. However, Amergin was very powerful: he sang an invocation song to calm the sea and guide the ships safely to land. This song is called "The song of Amergin". There were many battles and heavy losses on both sides, but in the end the Milesians won and they settled there. Amazing, isn´t it?

Well, this is what we learned in our lattest session of our Book Clubs: we met Amergin and we recited his song from the Mount of San Pedro, one of the highest spots in Coruña to contemplate the immensity of the sea. And we also read, of course: "The selfish giant", by Oscar Wilde and "The secret of the stones", by Victoria Heward, both connected to our ancestors the Celts.

Now, if you wish, you can follow our session or the whole project. And don´t forget to watch the video that Lilí, the best librarian ever, sent us!

 

 

BOOK CLUBS: Ith and the green land

Our tour around the places and characters of our hometown goes on, leading us to stories about our past. In  our 6th session we have visited the Old Town, where we have met Ith, firmly connected to Ireland. Did you know that we have a common past with this beautiful country? According to legend, one winter evening, looking from the top of his father´s tower, Ith spotted a distant green island, which was Ireland.  Driven by curiosity, Ith sailed to this land. Although he was initially welcomed, suspicion arose and he was murdered by local kings. Ith´s body returned to Coruña. In revenge, his nephew Mil Espáine led an expedition to Ireland, defeated the locals and established themselves as the rulers of Ireland. It is said that Galicians and Irish have the same DNA. Really curious! Not surprisingly, this month´s reading was written by one of the best Irish writers: Oscar Wilde. We got very emotional with "The happy prince", a story about the friendship between a prince and a little swallow. 

If you wish, you can follow our lattest session or the whole project. You can also see the video that Lilí, our favourite librarian, has sent this time. Her creativity and imagination has no limits! Thanks, Lilí!

BOOK CLUBS: sir Francis Drake

Did you know that our hometown has got a corsair in its history? Yes, a real pirate! Today, the members of BookLand and Bookworms have helped Maria Pita in her defense of A Coruña. We have traveled back in time to the year 1589, when sir Francis Drake unsuccessfully attacked our coast. That´s why the 5th place we have visited is the port and the breakwater, in order to spot the visitors from the sea and also to admire the magnificence of the waves dancing with the wind. Poetic, isn´t it? As our readings, two stories of revenge, adventure, love and loyalty: "5 children and it" by Edith Nesbitt and "The tempest" by the great William Shakespeare.  We even also have had the chance to take our booty: gold coins and shells!

Now please take a look at our project to learn more about pirates, sir Francis Drake and these two fascinating stories. Remember to visit Lilí, our favourite librarian. She has also a treasure for you all: the two videos she has just prepared for us: "5 children and it" - "The tempest". Thank you, Lilí, for all your hard job!!!!

BOOK CLUB: Breogan and Hercules

More and more stories have been included in our book clubs through these last months. Isn´t it amazing how Coruña is so strongly connected to the English world? In our latest session we visited the Tower of Hercules and  learned about two foundational legends of our town: one regarding Breogan, the mythical Celtic chieftain who founded Brigantia, and the other one related to Hercules, the hero wo defeated Geryon and buried his head under the tower. Legends and memorials are precisely our topics of this month. That´s why we have read two inspirational stories: "Charlie and the Great Fire of London" (about the Monument which commemorates the devastating fire in London in 1666) and "Arthur and the sword in the stone" (revisiting the legend of King Arthur). Don´t you think that legends are really exciting?

Here is a memory of our unforgettable afternoon and remember that Lilí, our favourite librarian, is waiting for you with a great selection of books. Here are her two videos for this session: "Charlie and the Great Fire of London" and "Arthur and the sword in the stone". Thank you, Lilí! You are simply the best!

BOOK CLUBS: Christmas in Coruña

Our last session got into the spirit of the season through the reading of two tender and Christmassy stories: "The little match girl" by Hans Christian Andersen, and "A Christmas carol" by Charles Dickens. If there is a time of the year when A Coruña shines more than ever, that is Christmas. Our hometown fills up with lights, decorations and warmth for the joy of eveybody. And María Pita is witnessing all this from her pedestal in the city centre. She was a brave woman who played an active role in 1589, defending our town of the British attack, commanded by sir Francis Drake. Her words still sound in the heart of all citizens: "Whoever has honour, follow me". This piece of information gave us our 3rd doubloon!

You can see a memory of our session and also enjoy the wonderful video that Lilí, our favourite librarian, sent us. Thank you so much!

Remember to include some books in your letter to Santa. Happy Christmas and happy readings to all!

BOOK CLUBS: The ghost of Coruña

Have you ever heard of the ghost in Coruña? Every 16th of January, the silhouette of a woman appears in one of the corners of the Gardens of St, Carlos to visit the tomb of sir John Moore. She wears a white dress with a big hat covering her face. She slowly moves towards the tomb, leaves a red rose in front of it and vanishes. Well, this was the challenge of our latest session of BookLand and Bookworms. The mysterious girl is lady Hester Stanhope, the true love of the British general. She came every year to pay him a tribute while she was still alive, and she continues coming as a spirit nowadays. Do you dare to go to the Gardens and see if she really appears? Save the date!

This fascinating story goes well with our current readings: "Max and Maggie visit the haunted castle" and "Halloween horror".  And we got our 2nd gold coin! Now take a look at  the photos of this exciting afternnon and at our research about this amazing woman and her favourite place in our town: the castle of St. Antón, an astonishing place full of treasures!.

BOOK CLUBS: We are back

Bookland and Bookworms are back! One more year we will live amazing adventures and we will discover new people and places throughout our readings. Under the title "My hometown", we will visit different places of our lively town related to its English past. Besides, a historical figure will guide us in this amazing tour, such as the great sir John Moore, a British general who died in the Battle of Corunna in 1809. He has led us today to the romantic Gardens of St. Carlos to  present us 2 books: "Halloween horror", by Gina BD Clemen, and "Maggie and Max visit the haunted castle"by Gabriella Coates. He has also challenged us to find his lost treasure: a chest full of gold coins and... guess what? we have already found the first one! If we succed in all the challenges, we will take the lost keys of Coruña back, which are in a Welsh museum. Did you know that?

Please take a look at the infographic we have prepared  and also to the video that Lilí, our favourite librarian, has sent us. You cannot miss it! 

Are you ready for a tour around our English past? Then read, read, read and enjoy! Let´s go!!!

Apertura de inscrición aos Clubs de Lectura e Diálogos Creativos

Este curso seguimos desenvolvendo actividades relacionadas coa lectura, o pensamento computacional e o pensamento creativo en horario extraescolar polas tardes.

Presentámosvos os diferentes Clubs de Lectura e Diálogos aos que poderedes inscribirvos o alumnado de 4ºEP, 5ºEP e 6ºEP. A continuación tedes toda a información de cada unha destas actividades organizadas dependendo o curso no que esteades este ano.

Esta preinscrición deberá confirmarse coa entrega do formulario de inscrición que vos  entregará a mestra mediadora dos respectivos clubs. 

Esta entrada actualizarase periodicamente para informar dos clubs que esgotaron xa as súas prazas.

Familias e lectura

Hoxe finalizamos dous programas como son "Biblioteca e Familias" e os Clubs de lectura co acto no que Pablo Díaz fixo unha actividade de animación a lectura contándonos uns contos e combinando coa súa música.

A YEAR OF FILMS: The Oscar ceremony

 And the Oscar goes to.... This was the expression we heard the most in the last session of our book clubs. And it couldn´t be different! After A year of films,  experiencing books through the eyes of the seventh art, can you think of a better way to put an end to it than with the Oscar Ceremony? To do so, we counted on the presence of the president in Spain of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, Mr. Kevin MacNamee. He kindly offered us a summary about cinema and helped us in the process of voting our favourites in 4 categories: best actor, best actress, best film and best story. Aren´t you looking forward to seeing the winners? Ladies and gentlemen, the Oscar goes to...

A YEAR OF FILMS: Adventure films

Have you ever dreamt of a life of adventure? Adventurous dreams reflect a subconscious desire for new experiences, exploration or change in your waking life. This could also indicate a need for excitement or a break from routine. But how can we do it in real life? Through films, of course! Adventure movies contain many of the same features of action movies, but are usually set in exotic locations. The main theme is adventure, with the characters often exploring places they have not been before or doing things they have not done before. 

One of the most celebrated British actresses of these type of films is Emma Watson who presents  the 2 stories we are reading at the moment: "5 children and it" by E. Nesbit  and "The borrowers" by Mary Norton.  Click HERE for more information about this exciting genre or about our sessions. 

A YEAR OF FILMS: Fantasy films

Have you ever wished to live in a fantasy world?  Then let you imagination fly and follow us into another dimension. Fantasy books and films have accompanied us since immemorial time. These stories are absolutely fascinating and timeless, but what does it make them so engaging? Well, to start with, they take place in enchanted sites. Its characters usually have magical powers and may include witches, elves, fairies, giants, dragons, monsters, talking animals... There is also a struggle between the forces of good and evil, so the protagonists often need to undertake a difficult quest or journey. Fair enough!

A YEAR OF FILMS: Period dramas

Do you fancy a trip to the past? Then you need a PERIOD DRAMA. A period drama is a story set in a specific historical era, showcasing detailed settings and costumes reflecting that time. These dramas emphasize historical authenticity, often covering eras like the Victorian period, medieval times, and more. One of the most legendary actors of these type of films was sir Sean Connery. Although he was the most famous James Bond of all times, we followed him today into his 2 most fascinating roles of his long career: Robin Hood and King Arthur. He helped us finish the 2 titles we had  started in the previous session: "Robin Hood" and "King Arthur and the sword in the stone". And he even named us knights and dames of the British Empire. Don´t miss the trailer!

A YEAR OF FILMS: Epic films

Time for epic stories: myths and legends have always been a timeless source of entertainment  both for books and films.  Since the time of silent films, we have met many corageous heroes and witnessed their heroicities. One of the most legendary actors of silent movies was sir Charles Chaplin, a passionate for epic films. In our latest session, we followed him into the 2 most fascinating British legends of all times: "Robin Hood" and "King Arthur and the sword in the stone". And we also made the most of this chance to know more about silent films. 

A YEAR OF FILMS: Comedy and Christmas

The latest session of our book clubs has been dedicated to a very particular genre: CHRISTMAS.  The arrival of this time of the year brings an atmosphere of charm and magic, which is well reflected in books and films. These special stories transport us to worlds of glistening snow, twinkling lights and warm hearts as we explore beloved characters and cherished values that illuminate the Christmas spirit. So our chosen stories have been "The snowman" by Raymond Briggs, "The little match girl" by Hans Christian Andersen and "A Christmas carol" by Charles Dickens, all of them timeless and tender. But we wanted to take a step beyond, inviting the British comedian Rowan Atkinson (better known as Mr. Bean) to see his peculiar vision of Christmas. And the experience has been hilarious!

A YEAR OF FILMS: Horror

Christopher Lee, the British actor who played the best Dracula of all times, led us through the genre of HORROR in our latest session of "A year of films". Why is horror so attractive for us? Well, scary stories help us understand difficult situations of real life and how to deal with them. After naming the main features of vampires in general and of Dracula in particular, we first read a spooky but funny short story, "Skeleton hiccups" by Margery Cuiler, and we finished the reading of  "Halloween horror", by Gina D.B. Clemen. Terrifying!!! Then, we watched the trailer of  "Hotel Transylvania", whose main protagonist is Dracula in the role of a loving father, always worried about his daughter.

Ready to bite your fingernails and jump oot of the sofa? Click to watch this TRAILER.

BOOKLAND & BOOKWORMS: We are back!

 We are back! Today we have had the first session of our book clubs and it has been a complete success! 

Our topic of this school year is the cinema, following the indications of the school PDI. Under the title "Read and watch: A year of films", we will discover new books and their adaptations for the big screen. Besides, a film celebrity will guide us in this amazing tour. It is undeniable that books and films have been always hand in hand.  Stories come in different ways and formats. There is no one better than the other, it is just a question of preferences.

Apertura de inscrición aos Clubs de lectura

Este curso seguimos desenvolvendo actividades relacionadas coa lectura en horario extraescolar polas tardes.

Presentámosvos os diferentes Clubs de Lectura e Diálogo aos que poderedes inscribirvos. A continuación tedes toda a información de cada unha destas actividades organizadas dependendo o curso no que esteades este ano.

Esta preinscrición deberá confirmarse coa entrega do formulario de inscrición que vos  entregará a mestra mediadora dos respectivos clubs. Esta entrada actualizarase periodicamente para informar dos clubs que esgotaron xa as súas prazas.