Saving our Oceans

How can we solve the problem of plastic pollution in our oceans? Watch this video to find out how a giant ocean 'snake' could help!

Halloween History by National Geographic

Halloween isn't just costumes and candy; it's a cultural holiday rich in tradition.

Halloween is celebrated each year on October 31, and Halloween 2023 will occur on Tuesday, October 31. The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.

Learn about it with this week's video or read the following articles:

• A Brief History of Halloween by New York Publick Library.
• The Real History of Halloween and Our Most Haunted Traditions By Pioner Women
• Halloween 2023 by History Channel

Rude Hand Gestures from around the World

 

Click on the image to enlarge.

The Hoodie

 

A hoodie is a casual type of jumper which has a hood to cover your head. How has this sporty item of clothing become so popular all around the world?

Boarding Schools at UK

 What are lessons like in UK boarding schools? Students talk about the subjects and classes they like.

If you want to know some more about these schools enter Britishguardianship.

Refugees

Becoming a refugee is something that could happen to any of us. 

In this video, famous people from around the world talk about the importance of 

helping people who are escaping difficult situations.

Do the preparation task first. Then watch the video and do the exercises

Wonder: "You can't blend in when you were born to stand out"

Did you know this book is compulsory in every school in US?

Have a look at the book review and the film trailer before you try the questionaire.

You can also watch the rest of the trailers, of course!!

Enjoy!

Stop Saying: "I want" - Speak English Like a Native!

The Biggest Mistakes in Mapmaking History

For thousands of years, people made both functional maps and what are known as cosmographies, illustrating the earth and its position in the cosmos, often including constellations, gods, and mythic locations. These maps were meant to depict the world's geography, but weren't necessarily useful for navigation and contained some glaring mistakes. 

Like most other technologies, map-making has improved over time. This lesson shows just a handful of some of the most fun mapmaking bloopers over time. Here are some links for how to learn more.

• You can take an interactive 3D virtual tour of the mappae mundi here and zoom in on some of the more fantastical details!
• Stanford University has a whole exhibit of all the maps of California as an island and you can check it out virtually here.
• Curious about how one of history’s most renowned mapmakers could draw such an incorrect map with a magical rock at the north pole? Here’s an article that digs into Mercator’s North Pole map a bit more.

A History of Voting

 

What have Ancient Greece and The X Factor got in common? 

Watch Sophia's new video to learn all about the history of voting.