Our Visit to Garry Winogrand's Exhibit

Julio's Workout Session this Coming Thursday!

Dear all,

Julio sent us these tunes to get into the mood for exercising! This is the music we're going to hear as we struggle to follow his workout, ok? We're going to have a 15-minute-session for all types of audience, so no need to be in any special physical conditions, and no need to wear a tracksuit either, some comfortable clothes will do!

Tessellate
Elastic heart
The Life of the Party

Also, check out the lyrics below. Thanks Julio!

Workout Sessions English Lyrics

Our Literary Club: The Swimmer by John Cheever, April 13th through 16th

"The Swimmer", a short story by American author John Cheever, was originally published in The New Yorker on July 18, 1964. Originally conceived as a novel, it is probably Cheever's most famous and frequently anthologized story. At one point Cheever wanted to parallel the tale of Narcissus, a character in Greek mythology who died while staring at his own reflection in a pool of water. Later he dismissed this as too restrictive: His story explores suburban America, especially the relationship between wealth and happiness. As published, the story was highly praised for its blend of realism and surrealism, as well as his use of myth and symbolism. A twenty-page-long story with a whole inner world in it for you to discover.

This American literary classic has been selected from the school library by two keen readers in the NA1B class, Melissa and Laura, I would like to thank them for their willing cooperation, and great ideas. They will be running our next literary club, to be held the second week of April, together with the teacher.

Find below the pdf with the short story and a complete glossary of words and expressions in it.

The Swimmer by John Cheever

These are the first two questions posed by your fellow students. You will have to think about them as you read:

1) How is Neddy presented at the beginning and the end of the story?
2) What do the pools and the storm represent in Neddy's life?

Could Art Turn the World Inside Out?

Now that we have just finished the unit of Art, I would like to present to you one of the most stimulating photographers I have recently known: He's a French guy called JR, and he has described himself as a photograffeur (a photographer with a touch of graffiti in his art). He was awarded the TED prize back in 2011 for his inspiring work which he has spread all over the planet. JR's work combines art and action, and deals with commitment, freedom, identity, and limits. Check out his talk in TED: Could art actually change the world?

JR photograffeur wins the TED prize

I would like to say thanks to my former student and photographer Carlos Crespo for sharing JR's art with me, and with you.

I Might as Well Use English Modal Verbs More Frequently From Now On

Please, read this full account of Modal Auxiliary Verbs in English below.

Modal Auxiliary Verbs Handout

Dido's Lament

The painting above depicts the Death of Dido, and was painted by the British painter Thomas Robson (1798-1871). After hearing Diana's presentation on this doomed love story between Dido and Aeneas, we can understand the sensuality and passion that lie behind, can't we? You are invited to listen to Dido's last aria in Purcell's famous opera Dido and Aeneas. May this beautiful music serve to rest our minds after the mid-year exams strain. Thanks Diana!

See Diana's presentation on Purcell's Dido and Aeneas again

Topics for the February Oral Exam

Click on this link to see the topics for the coming oral exam