Happy Easter... with Vine!

Easter is approaching and it’s high time I wished you all a very Happy Easter. This time I decided to do that with a new app which is also one of the fastest growing social networks (6 million members!!!), Vine.
Here is the result: my first Vine (ever!):

Please click on the top left icon for sound!

App Description: Vine is a mobile app owned by Twitter, available for Android  here, iOS devices here and Windows Phone here that lets users create and share very short, looping videos by pressing and holding our finger down on the screen. Even though videos are limited to six seconds, it doesn’t mean they can’t be beautiful and meaningful; besides, one can start and stop recording as many times as one wishes to during those 6 secs to include several different scenes.
Getting Started: download the app but do check if your version is compatible as not all devices are able to record (camera icon on the top right corner of your screen)

Then set up your profile and you can start creating Vines! Vine is video for the masses, led by youngsters all over the world, being Nash Grier the top viner with over 7,2M followers.

Just like in other social networks, use hashtags for your Vines; you can like, “revine”, comment, share and embed your 6 sec videos, and yes, uploads are unlimited.

Now, as teacher trainer, author, online professor Shelly Terrell points out, what are the benefits of 6 sec videos? What can be taught / learned with Vines?

Well, with so many social networks and easy access to new technologies, the truth is that our students spend more and more time connected and learning – the scary thing is that they may even learn more with the internet than with us in class… they love their mobile phones, their tablets and laptops, so why not make use of them to teach and learn?

Even with 6 secs videos there is a great potential for teaching and learning, and because vine videos are looped, they continuously play what one records which is great for the memorisation of concepts, of small chunks of language; we can also ask students to recreate scenes, events or characters from books, to record wishes (for instance Happy Easter), experiences or simply create something funny to share with the family and friends.

I have just challenged my students to create meaningful vines taking advantage of this Easter season, what about you?

Many Vines and Happy Easter!!!

Easter

Image Credit: Tesco.com

A blessed and  EGGceptional Easter to you and yours!

(teacher) Alexandra

Some fun with Easter cartoons

Now that is Easter is over, have some fun with these pictures a colleague has just sent me...

INVASÃO DOS TRAQUINAS II by ANSC 2

Hi, there!

You certainly still remember that Santa Claus came to ESCOLA SEC / 3 MARTINHO ÁRIAS - SOURE, don't you? That was INVASÃO DOS TRAQUINAS I. Last Wednesday, on the 31st March, children returned to their mothers' school and took part in more and funny activities. The day started with some stories, then there was time for some egg painting and before sharing lunch, there were two theatre plays.
After lunch, mothers and children challenged the cold wind and followed some clues... it was nice to see them all running around and playing.This family day ended with some more painting...but I'm not telling you anything else; enjoy some of the most pleasant moments.

What is Easter?

What is Easter?
Easter is the most important Christian festival. Christians are followers of Jesus Christ who lived about 2000 years ago in a country called Palestine. They believe that Jesus was the son of God. At Easter time Christians remember the last week of Jesus' life.

How did Easter get its name?
One belief is that Easter got its name from the Goddess of Spring called Eostre who some people worshipped long before Jesus was born. At that time it was thought that the sun died in winter and was born again in spring when days would lengthen and the sun’s power would return. In Europe, Eostre was honoured as the bringer of spring.

When and how long is Easter?
Easter Day is always on a Sunday, but the date varies from year to year unlike Christmas which is always on December 25. Many years ago Christians decided that Easter Day should be always be on the Sunday following the first full moon after the first day of Spring on March 21. This means that Easter can be as early as 22 March or as late as 25 April. For this reason Easter is called a movable feast. This year, for example, Easter Sunday is on the 12th April.

If you are curious about the next Easter dates, have a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter.

Easter activities

Well, again... more activities and so more pictures. This time adult classes at Martinho Árias - monitored by teachers Claudia Soares and António Paiva - worked together to prepare something nice for the forthcoming Easter. Have a look at the video to see what it might be.