In a session at the moment led by @niiloa.

At the moment we’re playing with Todays Meet – anyone wanting to say hi to us can leave us a comment http://todaysmeet.com/etwnot

Next on the agenda is a discussion of the pros and cons of Facebook.  As a primary teacher, I don’t use it in class nor to communicate with pupils but I know there are arguments for using it with older pupils.

And onto Twitter – whoop!!!  Such a wonderful tool for learning, sharing and developing.

More later!

Jude has just – finally!!- finished a topic on Ancient Egypt.

Isaac received a postcard home from his German teacher, Herr Götschel, this week for getting full marks in three tests.

So, in their honour and in celebration of their achievements, here’s one of their favourite tunes!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe3FG4EOgyU

And the lyrics in German –
Ich bin Schnappi, das kleine Krokodil.
Komm aus Agypten, das liegt direkt am Nil.
Zuerst lag ich in einem Ei,
dann schni-,schna-,schnappte ich mich frei

[Refrain]
Schni Schna Schnappi
Schnappi Schnappi Schnapp
Schni Schna Schnappi
Schnappi Schnappi Schnapp

Ich bin Schnappi, das kleine Krokodil,
hab scharfe Zähne, und davon ganz schön viel.
Ich schnapp mir was ich schnappen kann,
ja ich schnapp zu, weil ich das so gut kann.

[Refrain]
Schni Schna Schnappi
Schnappi Schnappi Schnapp
Schni Schna Schnappi
Schnappi Schnappi Schnapp

Ich bin Schnappi, das kleine Krokodil,
ich schnappe gern, das ist mein Lieblingsspiel.
Ich schleich mich an die Mama ran,
und zeig ihr wie ich schnappen kann

[Refrain]
Schni Schna Schnappi
Schnappi Schnappi Schnapp
Schni Schna Schnappi
Schnappi Schnappi Schnapp

Ich bin Schnappi, das kleine Krokodil,
und vom Schnappen, da krieg ich nicht zu viel.
Ich beiß dem Papi kurz ins Bein,
und dann, dann schlaf ich einfach ein.

[Outro]
Schni Schna Schnappi
Schnappi Schnappi Schnapp (schnapp!)
Schni Schna Schnappi (ja!)
Schnappi Schnappi Schnapp (schnapp!)
Schni Schna Schnappi (mhmm!)
Schnappi Schnappi Schnapp (ja!)
Schni Schna Schnappi
Schnappi (hmm) Schnappi Schnapp

And in English –

Artist : Schnappi

Title : Schnappi das kleine Krokodil (English)

—————–

I am Schnappi the little crocodile.

I come from Egypt, it lies right on the Nile.

At first I lay in an egg,

Then I schni- schna- snap myself free.

Schni Schna Schnappi

Schnappi Schnappi Schnapp

Schni Schna Schnappi

Schnappi Schnappi Schnapp

I am Schnappi the little crocodile,

I have sharp teeth and they are quiet pretty.

I hog what I can snap,

Yes I snap because I can do it so well.

Schni Schna Schnappi

Schnappi Schnappi Schnapp

Schni Schna Schnappi

Schnappi Schnappi Schnapp

I am Schnappi the little crocodile,

I like to snap, it’s my favorite game.

I creep onto my mommy,

And show her how I can snap.

Schni Schna Schnappi

Schnappi Schnappi Schnapp

Schni Schna Schnappi

Schnappi Schnappi Schnapp

I am Schnappi the little crocodile,

And because I’m snapping I don’t get there very much.

I briefly bite into my dad’s leg,

And then I easily shrink.

Schni Schna Schnappi

Schnappi Schnappi Schnapp (Snap)

Schni Schna Schnappi (Yes)

Schnappi Schnappi Schnapp (Snap)

Schni Schna Schnappi (Mhmm)

Schnappi Schnappi Schnapp (Yes)

Schni Schna Schnappi

Schnappi (Hmm) Schnappi Schnapp

I am loving this site España en 50 gráficos.

Lots of information about Spain presented in graphic form.  Much of it is beyond the ken of my pupils but I know they’d love these sections.

1. Names

Click on a name on the list on the left, and it shows you how many people in each province have that name.  Really interesting for looking at regional differences.  For example, Antonia is popular in the South of Spain but not so much in the North.

2. Así es nuestra selección de fútbol.

A team photo of the World Cup winning football team with information about them.

3. Así ganamos el Mundial

A really interesting graphic showing who passed to whom!  It seems that most people don’t pass to Torres ;o)

Worth exploring, especially if you’re teaching older pupils who need to look at economics and politics!

Following on from my previous post, here are clips from the same series in French and German.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fdPfginDpc

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XWl6cxH4Ew

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZjE2Nq5xKk

I’ve just been reminded of these lovely videos that were part of a campaign to promote language learning.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpSNq8vsXO0

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htoXVjs3N5A

On Tuesday I was in sunny (yes, it was sunny!) Manchester, delivering my AQA course.

Apart from the problems with the internet, I believe a good day was had by all – lunch was once more a highlight!

Rather than repeat all the links, can I refer you to my last post where you will find all the ‘new’ links about PLL, and also some recommendations from other delegates of sites and learning materials that they’ve found useful.

I forgot last week to put a link to a resource listing many many games and quick activities for the PLL classroom, so here it is.

Today I delivered a day of training entitled ‘Creative and motivational language learning in the primary classroom’ for AQA.

What a lovely hotel and wonderful people!

The materials were prepared well in advance, and things change from day to day let alone from month to month, and I am prone to spontaneity and tangents.  Therefore there are a number of things we discussed or I referenced that were not included.

Where possible, the link is below!

CILT statement – ‘Making Primary language learning compulsory.’ You can download the statement and also the full report here too.

TDA version of QCDA schemes of work – French, Spanish and German downloadable here

DFE statement (August 26th 2010) on the future of primary languages.

People recommended resources –

Linguascope

Tout le monde

Education City

Espresso

If I’ve missed something, please leave me a comment or use the contact form!

Today I presented twice at the Birmingham Primary Language Conference at Highbury Hall in Moseley.

My presentation, entitled Creative ICT in the PLL classroom, is below and, as soon as I have a spare moment, I’ll add the audio of my presentation as well.
Hampered by an internet connection that was, at best, flaky, I hope that I managed to explain even if I couldn’t show the sites and tools I recommended.

Please feel free to ask questions in the comments or using the contact form!