Real stories about fascinating people
domingo, abril 25
F.E.E.L. - Freedom - Emancipation - Equality - Liberty
Real stories about fascinating people
sábado, abril 24
MARYLIN MONROE
Marylin Monroe was born on June 1st, 1926, in Los Angeles , California,in the USA.Her real name was Norma Jean Baker.
Her mother 's name was Gladys Baker and her father was unknown.
Marylin lived her chilhood in foster homes and orphanages.
She married on June 16, 1942, when she was 16 years old.
Four years later, on August 26th,1946 she divorced. That same year she signed her first studio contract .
Her first was was released in 1947.
In 1956 she moved to New York and started her own Picture Company.In 1959 and in 1962 she received two Golden Globes.
On August 1962 she died in her sleep. People say that an overdose caused her death. The world mourned the death of an outstanding actress, a beautiful woman and a promising producer and director.
This text was written by Raquel, no 22, from 6D
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
Martin Luther King was born on January 15th,1929. He was born to a Baptist Family, in Atlanta- USA.His real name was Martin Luther King Jr. ( Junior).
His mother's name was Alberta Williams. She was a Baptist pastor.
His father was Mr. Martin Luther King. He was a farmer.
During his childhood, he attended segregated public schools. He graduated from Boston University in 1955.
He married Coretta Scott and they had two sons and two daughters.
Martin Luther King Jr. was the Negro Leader of the nonviolent Civil Rights movement.In 1964 he received The Nobel Peace Prize.
On April 4th, 1968 he died when he was making one of his famous speeches . Someone in the crowd shot him to death.The world mourned the death of the American Blacks Leader and a world figure.
Nobody will ever forget his most famous statement: I HAVE A DREAM !
King in prison
Bus boycott
(December 1,1955 /December 20,1956 )
(December 1,1955 /December 20,1956 )
King demonstrating against racial segregation
Rosa Parks - the leader of the Montgomery bus boycott
This text was written by Francisco Matos, no 11, from class 6B
HELEN KELLER
She was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama in the USA.
Her realname was Helen Adams Keller.
Her mothrer's name was Kate Adams Keller and her father was Mr. Arthur H. Keller. Both her parents wwere from Switzerland.
Helen was born without any heath problems and had a normal infancy. When she was 19 months old ( one year and a half) she contracted meningitis. The disease didn't last long,but rendered her blind and deaf.
The family hired a tutor to Hellen - Miss Ann Sullivan. She was partially blind. She was strict but she had a ot of energy. Her method helped Helen to commnicate brilliantly. At the age of eight she was famous. At the age of twenty, Helen started to attend Radcliff College ( the women's branch of Harvard University) and obtained a degree in 1904, when she was only twenty-four. At college, she published a book called " The Story of my life". She learned to speak by feeling her teacher's mouth. She learned to speak French, German, Greek and Latin in Braille. She helped raise money for foundations, such as the American Foundation for Blind and the American Foundation for the Overseas Blind. From 1946 to 1957 she travelled around the world to speak about the experiences and rights of people who are blind. It was an outstanding experience and a great success.
Helen inspired works of Art, including the two Oscar winning films. In 1964 she received the highest American Honor - The Medalof Freedom. She published numerous books during her life. She was a champion for the blind. In 1952, the National Institute of Social Sciences conferred her the Gold Medal. In 1953, the Sorbonne , in Paris, decided to honor her with France's Highest Honor.
In 1955 her documentary " Helen Keller in her story"received the Academy Award. She also got an honorary degree from Harvard.
On June 12th, 1968 she died in her sleep at the age of 88.
The world mourned the death of an exceptional leader, a world famous speaker and writer, a political activist.
Anne Sullivan,her teacher, was known as the "miracle worker". She died in 1936.The HELEN KELLER Prize is awarded by those who focused their attention on the matter of vision research.
This text was written by Jéssica Lourenço, no 13 from class 6D and
Márcia, no 27 from class 6BHere's a challenge:
Can you write HELEN KELLER in Braille ?
JOHN LENNON
John Lennon was born on October 9th, 1940. He was born in the Liverpool Maternity Hospital, in Liverpool- United Kingdom.His real name was John Winston Lennon.
His mother's name was Julia Lennon and his father was Mr. Alfred Lennon, a merchant seaman.
John lived his chilhood with his uncle and aunt, at 251, Menlove Avenue, in Woolton.
He was a disruptive child and adolescent. He attended school as a "happy-go-lucky" pupil.
On August 23rd, 1969 he married Cynthia Paul. Seven years later, on March 20th, 1969 he married Yoko Ono and they had two sons - Julian and Sean.
He was very successful when he formed the Beatles with members of his first band : "Quarrymen". On March 1957, at the age of sixteen, he sang his first song " Hello,little girl" and this song was Top 10 Hit in the USA.
In 1981 he received a posthumous Grammy Award for the Album of the year " Double Fantasy" . He was considered the fifth greatest singer of all time. People didn't forget one of his greatest hits , the song called " Imagine", did they?
On December 8th, 1980, at the age of 40, he died. A gay outsider assassinated him.The world mourned the death of a rock -musician, a singer-songwriter and a peace pacifist.
Lennon and Yoko
This text was written by Ana Catarina, no1, from class 6D
Her teacher proofread the text in order to correct grammar or vocabulary mistakes.
DIANA, the PRINCESS OF WALES
Diana was born on July1st, 1961. She was born in Park House, Sandrigham, Norfolk in the UK.Her real name was Diana Frances Spencer and her nickname was Di. She was born to an aristocratic Family. Her mother was Viscountess Frances Shand Kydd and her father was Earl John Spencer.
In 1969, when she was 8 years old,her parents divorced and her mother decided to live with Diana and her younger brother in an apartment in Knightsbridge, London. Her father married twice. Diana lived and travelled between her parents' homes. She didn't like her stepmother.
On July 29th, 1981, at the age of twenty, she married Charles, the Prince of Wales, at St. Paul's Cathedral. They had two sons: Princes William and Harry.
At the wedding ceremony,she ommited the word "obey". On August 28th, 1997 she divorced.She was an intransigent devoted mother. Once, she dismissed a royal family nanny and engaged one of her own choosing. She selected her children's school and clothing, planned their outings and decided to take them to school herself.
Diana worked a lot, doing charity. She patronized organizations working with homeless, youth,drug addicts, elderly, AIDS and leprose çpatients. She was President of Great Ormond Street Hospital for children suffering from severe illnesses, like cancer.
She supported a campaign to ban landmines and visited countries at or after war. In 1997, she received a posthumous Nobel Peace Prize.
On August 31st, 1997 a car crash, due to the negligent driving of Mr. Henri Paul, caused her death at the age of 36.
The world mourned her death , the death of " the Queen of People's Hearts" as she wanted to be called. Sir Elton John, a good friend of hers, played the piano and sang at her funeral a well known song " Goodbye Rose of England". People could see him crying at her funeral.This text was written by Miguel Correia, no28, from Class 6B
CHARLES M. SCHULTZ
Chales M. Schultz was born on November 26th, 1922.He was born in Minneanopolis, Minnesota in the USA.
He was an only child. His real name was Charles Monroe Schultz and his nickname was Sparky.
His mother was Dena Halversan . She was Norwegian and she was a housewife. His father's name was Karl Schulz and he was from Germany. He worked as a barber.
Charles lived his childhood in Saint Paul and he attended ST. Paul Richard Gordon Elementary school. He was a shy , timid adolescent,because he was the youngest in the class at Central High School.
In 1951 he narried to Joyce Havelson and they had four children.
In 1948, he became successful when he published 18 cartoons in the Saturday Evening Post.
On October 2nd, 1950 the Peanuts appeared - Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the gang.
He received the Lester Patrick Trophy for the important service to the sport of ice hockey in the USA. In 1962 he received the National Cartoonist Society Humor Comic Strip Award for Peanuts.in 1980 he received the Elzie Segar Society Awardand in 1996 the American Society of Artists honored him with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On February 2000, he received the highest civilian award - The Congressional Gold Medal.
On December 14th,1990 he retired. He suffered from a serious illness. On February 12th, 2000 he died at the age of 79, from a colon cancer.
The world mourned the death of an outsatnding artist.
The Charles M. Schultz Museum and the Research Center opened on August 17th, 2002 to celebrate his life's work and art of cartooning.
This text was written by João Lopes, no 16, from class 6B
CHARLIE CHAPLIN
His real name was Charles Spencer Chaplin. His mother was Hannah Hill and his father was George Hill. They were both music-hall performers.
Charlie lived his childhood in and out of charity homes and orphanages, during his mother's periods of insanity. He started his official acting career when he was 8 years old.
His mother lived in Cane Hill Asylum for 18 years.
In 1921, Charlie moved her to California.
He married four times and had eleven children. His last marriage was on June 16th, 1943 to Oona O´neil. They has eight children. geraldine Chaplin , one of his daughters, decided to be an actress, too.
Charlie Chaplin starred in his first film " Making a living". He had baggy pants, a tiny coat, a bowler hat , a small moustache and a bamboo cane. People loved him and he loved performing the little "tramp" he created.Charlie's life and career were fullof scandal and controversy. The USA government accused him of being conmmunist and he travelled to Switzerland. He and his wife settled there and they both lived there the last years of his life.
He received an Oscar, seventeeen wins and three nominations for his most famous films : "City Lights", " Modern Times" and "Limelight". He starred , produced and directed "The Great Dictator " to ridicule Hitler. In 1921 he received from the French Government the rank of Officer of the Legion of Hoinour. In 1975, Queem Elisabeth II knighted him .
On December 25th, 1977 he died in his sleep from old age.
The world mourned the death of the icon of the silent films, the greatest comedian of all times, the outstanding writer, director and producer.
This text was written by Hugo Piedade, no 12, from class 6D
ARISTIDES SOUSA MENDES
Aristides Sousa Mendes was born on July 189th, 1885. He was born In Ca~banas de Viriato, Viseu, Portugal.His mother was Maria Angelina castelo-Branco and his father was José de Sousa Mendes.
He was born to an aristocratic family. He attended School and studied Law at the University of Coimbra.
In 1908 he married to Maria Angelina, his childhood sweetheart. He was sucessful as a Diplomat in several Countries. As a Portuguese Diplomat in France he saved 30.000 Jews from the Nazi terror because he issued false passports. 
he received a posthumous Order of Liberty Medal.He died on April 3rd, 1954, in complete poverty and far from his family.
The world mourned the death of the "greatest portuguese since Henry the Navigator "
This text was written by Nádia Secundo, no 29, from class 6B
quarta-feira, abril 21
In Celebration of Mothers and Grandmothers all over the world
The perfect words are often hard to find, especially when they are for someone we deeply love. The perfect quote or story to share, is a wonderful way to tell someone how much you care and appreciate them.
For Mother's Day this year, find the perfect words to show your mother how much you appreciate her. Thank her for all the wonderful things she does by choosing an inspirational gift .
Think about your best gift for Mother and Grandmother's Day. This day is in celebration of Mothers all over the world.
Url to a poem: "^Thank you Mom Poem"
Url to the song: "The mom song" with lyrics
terça-feira, abril 13
When I was a baby...
I was born on February, on a beautiful day.People say thay all babies are beautiful...Well, some are more beautiful than others.
Everybody said that I was a beautiful baby. In fact I was the most beautiful baby ever.
The first month of my life was quite difficult...I cried day and night.
When I was seven months old I started to have swimming lessons.I enjoyed myself a lot. My mum or my teacher always helped me.
I went to a nursery school when I was two years old and I liked it very much, because I felt quite at home.
When I was a baby I used to smile a lot.
I started to walk when I was one year old.
I started to talk when I was two. My first words were quite difficult. Mu..mu..mummy and Da...da..daddy
I was a little fat because I liked to eat a lot. Milk was my favourite drink...but soup was all I hated.
That was my dummy ! I loved it.
I was friendly and everybody liked me.My eyes were blue and my hair was fair. My face was round and my cheeks pretty pink.
I am still friendly now and every girl falls in love with me.
Well...What can I do ?
Take a look at my face. Do you undestand now ?
PS:This text was written by a grown up pupil. In fact he is the DJ of S. Bruno Radio FM (Radio Follow me) Don't you know him? He is quite famous. Who's he? Well...I know it's on the tip of your tongue...but I can't help you. The only thing I know is that he is friendly, cheerful and optimistic... and everybody loves him.
sexta-feira, abril 9
Carlos Lopes, a reporter from "S. BRUNO FOOTBALL CLUB" interviewed the famous Portuguese Football Star - Cristiano Ronaldo
December 2009C- What's your name?
CR - My name's Cristiano Ronaldo
C-How old are you?CR- I'm twenty-four years old.
C- What nationality are you?
CR- I'm Portuguese.
C- Where are you from in Portugal?
CR- I'm from Madeira Island.
C-How many languages do you speak?CR- I speak Portuguese, Spanish and English.
C- Where do you live ?
CR- I live in Madrid.
C- Have you got any brothers or sisters?CR- Yes, my family is large. I have got one sister and one brother.
C- What do you do in your free time?
CR- I practise football, swim...er...and I like driving my cars.
C- Do you like music?
CR- Yes, I do.
C- What type of music do you like?
CR- I like pop and rock .
C- We all know you're a famous footballer. Do you practise any other sports?CR- No, I don't. I only have time to practise football.
C- Do you like being famous ?
CR- Everybody does.
C- What are you like?
CR- I'm a very hard-working person and I'm friendly.
C- Of course you are. That's all for now.
Thank you very much for the interview and goodbye.
CR- You're welcome
Ilha da Madeira
Francisco Matos, a reporter from the famous magazine" S:BRUNO-on line" interviewed Ronaldinho Gaúcho a Brazilian Football Icon
December 2009
F - What's your first name?
R- My name's Ronaldo
F- What's your surname?
R- My surname's Gaucho.
F- How old are you?
R- I'm 25 years old.
F- What nationality are you?R- I'm Brazilian.
F- How many languages do you speak?
R- Three. I can speak Spanish, Italian and Portuguese from Brazil, of course.
F- What's your home town?
R- It's Rio .
F- Who are your best friends?
R- My best friends are Ronaldo, Kaká, Roberto Carlos , Eto'o, Messi, etc...F- What do you like doing in your free time?
R- I like playing football.
F- Do you like music?
R- Yes, I do.
F- What kind of music do you listen to?
R- Pop music, of course.F. What sports do you practise?
R- I practise football.
F- What are you like?
R- I'm helpful, hard-working and sometimes selfish.
F- Selfish?F- Do you like being famous?
R- Yes. That's my lifetime dream .
F- Thank you very much for the interview. Bye.R- You're welcome
What do you call the symbol used in e-mail addresses ?
@
The funny little a with its tail circling back around it is probably one of the most commonly used symbols today. So it is truly amazing to learn that there is no official, universal name for it. The most accepted term, even in many other languages, is to call it the at sign. But there are dozens of different words used to describe it. A lot of languages use words that associate the shape of the symbol with some type of animal.
The funny little a with its tail circling back around it is probably one of the most commonly used symbols today. So it is truly amazing to learn that there is no official, universal name for it. The most accepted term, even in many other languages, is to call it the at sign. But there are dozens of different words used to describe it. A lot of languages use words that associate the shape of the symbol with some type of animal.
Here are a few examples of the many exotic terms associated with the @ symbol:
•apestaart - Dutch for "monkey's tail"
•snabel - Danish for "elephant's trunk"
•kissanhnta - Finnish for "cat's tail"
•klammeraffe - German for "hanging monkey"
•kukac - Hungarian for "worm"
•dalphaengi - Korean for "snail"
•grisehale - Norwegian for "pig's tail"
•sobachka - Russian for "little dog"
Before it became the standard symbol for e-mail, the @ symbol was typically used to indicate the cost or weight of something. For example, if you bought five oranges for $1.25 each, you might write it as 5 oranges @ $1.25 ea. It is still used in this manner on a variety of forms and invoices around the world.
The actual origin of the symbol is uncertain. It was used by monks making copies of books before the invention of the printing press. Since every word had to be painstakingly transcribed by hand for each copy of a book, the monks that performed the copying duties looked for ways to reduce the number of individual strokes per word for common words. So, the word at became a single stroke of the pen as @ instead of three strokes. While it doesn't seem like much today, it made a huge difference to the men who spent their lives copying manuscripts!
Another origin tale states that the @ symbol was used as an abbreviation for the word amphora, which was the unit of measurement used to determine the amount held by the large terra cotta jars that were used to ship grain, spices and wine. Giorgio Stabile, an Italian scholar, discovered this use of the @ symbol in a letter written in 1536 by a Florentine trader named Francesco Lapi. It seems likely that some industrious trader saw the @ symbol in a book transcribed by monks using the symbol and appropriated it for use as the amphora abbreviation. This would also explain why it became common to use the symbol in relation to quantities of something.
PS:
If you want to get in touch, we''ll be here @/at: mariaallinone.2010@hotmail.com
VOCABULARY
Do you want to learn 400 English words in a minute ?
I bet you do !
Well, if you think I'm joking, you're absolutelly wrong.
Read the following text and tell me whether it was a surprise or not...
English is much easier than you think.
You only have to learn some rules.
Yet, as you know, every rule has its exceptions and this prooves:
1. The rule exists
2. It's better to fail once or twice than miss the opportunity to learn 400 words. Don't worry about exceptions. Just mind the rules.
RULE 1
Every Portuguese word ending in DADE ( such as CIDADE) , end in English in ITY.
Take a look:
CiDADE - CITY
VelociDADE - VelocITY
TranquiliDADE - TranquilITY
CapaciDADE - CapacITY
NacionaliDADE - NationalITY
RULE 2
Portuguese words ending in ÇÃO ( such as NAÇÃO) end in English in TION.
Examples:
SimplicaÇÃO - SimplificaTION
NaÇÃO - NaTION
ObservaÇÃO - ObservaTION
NaturalizaÇÃO - NaturalizaTION
SensaÇÃO - SensaTION
RULE 3
Every Portuguese adverb ending in MENTE ( such as FINALMENTE), end in English in LLY. Yet, when the ortuguese word ends in L, you only add LY.
A few examples:
NaturaLMENTE - NATURALLY
OraLMENTE - OraLLY
GeneticaMENTE - GeneticaLLY
TotaLMENTE - TotaLLY
FinalMENTE - FinaLLY
RULE 4
Portuguese words ending in ÊNCIA ( such as ESSÊNCIA ) end in English in ENCE.
Take a look:
EssÊNCIA - EssENCE
ReverÊNCIA - ReverENCE
FrequÊNCIA - FrequENCE
EloquÊNCIA - EloquENCE
RULE 5
And to end up with all these curiosities,the last and the easiest rule of all. Portuguese words ending in AL do not change in English. You only have to pay attention to the correct spelling
Look and Read:
NaturAL - NaturAL
TotAL - TotAL
GenerAL - GenerAL
FatAL - FatAL
SensuAL - SensuAL
As you can see you have learned more than 400 words in less than a minute. Does this make your mouth water ? Well, believe me or not, I'm telling the truth.
Try to proove it, by searching new words, OK ?
Author : Mario Giubiceli - ( Brazilian Journalist working as official translator in the WHITE HOUSE *, for more than 20 years)
* The USA President's Residence
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