Resources on Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Sir Arthur C. Doyle

I'm sure you've already noticed I've been publishing some of my materials in an Issuu sidebar widget which you can download after having created an account.
Some time ago, my vocational students asked me to take them to the movies. I agreed, as usual, but under one condition: to do all the exercises I would prepare for them. This might sound weird coming from me because I've always prepared handouts for all activities but remember I'm now dealing with teens, not adults!
As soon as we decided on Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, I started googling and outlining some activities. Soon it became clear that my starting point should be The Final Problem - why? Because I want them to READ, right? So, I downloaded and printed several copies of the book from here and took them into class. I had 4 students who immediately wanted to read it - yeap, not bad in a vocational class of 12! I also sent them some links and now, a week before going to the movies, it's high time to get down to the real business.
I split the activities into three parts: before going, on the day/location activities, and after going and having watched the movie. However, for obvious reasons, today I only posted the "BeforeGoing" Activities based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's biography, writers and types of writing, fiction and nonfiction as well as vocab on books I believe they should be familiar with at this stage. I'm well aware I could have used vocab on publishing,editing... books but first, because they're weak students, I do not wish to demotivate them with long activities; second these are supposed to be activities for a movie.
Hope you enjoy them. Next week, there will surely be some more.
Have a nice weekend :)))

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Theatrical poster

New Year, new film(s)!!! That's right. Today Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is released in Portugal and that's exactly the film we are going to watch next week.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is a 2011 British-American action mystery film directed by Guy Ritchie; it is also a sequel to the 2009 film Sherlock Holmes, based on the character of the same name created by the British author and doctor, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law reprise their roles as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson, and several other actors appear as characters they played in the 2009 film. Holmes and Watson join forces to outwit and bring down their most cunning adversary, Professor Moriarty, played by Jared Harris. The film is specifically influenced by Conan Doyle's work The Final Problem, but it is an independent story rather than a strict adaptation. Based on this world famous author and even more famous character, I prepared some worksheets I'll gladly share with you :)
As you can imagine, going to the movies implies some further effort from my students. Nevertheless, they are as excited as I am and willing to have some nice time together away from school.
By now, let's have a look at the trailer:

Happy New Year

Google Doodle

This is the time for a 2011 review. It was indeed a true revolutionary year of protests worldwide and that's the reason why Time Magazine's Person of the Year was The Protester. In their own words, "In 2011, protesters didn’t just voice their complaints; they changed the world."
Maps of the World also has a fantastic compilation of the main events and you can even vote for the event of the year. However, as usual, Google has produced a short video reviewing 2011 (embedded below) that's really worth having a look:

By this time, you are already making all the necessary preparations for a farewell to 2011 and for the warmest welcome to 2012, just like everybody else, right? Before you go, have a look at this slideshow by REUTERS.
As far as I am concerned, thank you so much for your trust and inspiration to keep me and this blog going :)
I wish you all a HAPPY NEW BOOK - a brand new book with 365+1 white pages for you to write on the best way possible.