"My Family" (Family Song)

We love our families. Let's sing about it!. 

"The Greetings Song"

Greetings are used to say hello in English. It's common to use different greetings depending on whether you greet a friend, family or a business associate. There are also greetings that are used with people you do not know very well.

Once you have been introduced to someone, the next time you see that person it is important to greet them. We also greet people as we leave people. In English (as in all languages), there are different ways to greet people in formal and informal situations: 

- Hi / Hello

- How are you? 

- What's up? (very informal)

- How are you doing? (very informal)

It's important to note that the question "How are you?" or "What's up?" doesn't necessary need a response. If you do respond, these phrases are generally expected:

-Very well, thank you. And you? (formal)

-Fine / Great (informal)

Formal Greetings: Departing

• Good morning / afternoon / evening.
• It was a pleasure seeing you.
• Goodbye.
• Note: After 8 p.m. - Good night.

Informal Greetings: Departing

• Goodbye / Bye.
• See you (later).
• Later (very informal)

"Do You Like Broccoli Ice Cream?" (Food Song)

Do you like...?. Yes, I do/ No I don`t. 

"Skidamarink!" from Super Simple Songs (Saint Valentine's Day Song)

Now, enjoy the animated version of "Skidamarink", a Saint Valentine's Day song. 

"L-O-V-E" by Joss Stone (Saint Valentine's Day Song)

Valentine’s Day is a time when people show feelings of love, affection and friendship. It is celebrated in many ways worldwide and falls on February 14 each year.Happy Saint Valentine's Day!. 

Here you can watch and listen a wonderful song sung by the famous singer Joss Stone, although it was writter for the American singer- pianist Nat King Cole's album "L-O-V-E" (the last album released before Cole's death on February 15, 1965). I love this song!!!. Do you like it?. 

"Saint Valentine's Story" (Video)

"Let me introduce myself. My name is Valentine. I lived in Rome during the third century. That was long, long ago!. At that time, Rome was ruled by an emperor named Claudius. I didn't like Emperor Claudius, and I wasn't the only one! A lot of people shared my feelings.

Claudius wanted to have a big army. He expected men to volunteer to join. Many men just did not want to fight in wars. They did not want to leave their wives and families. As you might have guessed, not many men signed up. This made Claudius furious. So what happened?. He had a crazy idea. He thought that if men were not married, they would not mind joining the army. So Claudius decided not to allow any more marriages. Young people thought his new law was cruel. I thought it was preposterous!. I certainly wasn't going to support that law!.

Did I mention that I was a priest? One of my favorite activities was to marry couples. Even after Emperor Claudius passed his law, I kept on performing marriage ceremonies (secretly, of course). It was really quite exciting. Imagine a small candlelit room with only the bride and groom and myself. We would whisper the words of the ceremony, listening all the while for the steps of soldiers.

One night, we did hear footsteps. It was scary! Thank goodness the couple I was marrying escaped in time. I was caught. (Not quite as light on my feet as I used to be, I guess.) I was thrown in jail and told that my punishment was death.

I tried to stay cheerful. And do you know what? Wonderful things happened. Many young people came to the jail to visit me. They threw flowers and notes up to my window. They wanted me to know that they, too, believed in love.

One of these young people was the daughter of the prison guard. Her father allowed her to visit me in the cell. Sometimes we would sit and talk for hours. She helped me to keep my spirits up. She agreed that I did the right thing by ignoring the Emperor and going ahead with the secret marriages. On the day I was to die, I left my friend a little note thanking her for her friendship and loyalty. I signed it, "Love from your Valentine."

I believe that note started the custom of exchanging love messages on Valentine's Day. It was written on the day I died, February 14, 269 A.D. Now, every year on this day, people remember. But most importantly, they think about love and friendship. And when they think of Emperor Claudius, they remember how he tried to stand in the way of love, and they laugh

(because they know that love can't be beaten!)"

Now, let's watch this video about Saint Valentine's life: 

"Paint Party 1"

This game is for the pupils of the 1st form!. It is fantastic and very fun!. Throw the paint to hit the correct word!. 

Click on the picture to play!

"Sports"

Sports and exercise are good for us!. Look and read in this picture the different sports we can do or practice!. 

"Inside a Bedroom"

Look and read the things we can find in a bedroom!. 

"Where Are your Things?"(Game)

This is a fantastic game!. Practice prepositions in English and school objects!. Ready, steady...go!. 

"The Sounds in English" (Phonetics)

I love this chart!!!. Click to learn the sounds of the phonetic symbols in English. It will help you to improve your pronunciation and to know how to say the words when using a dictionary. 

"On the Farm" (Farm Animals Picture)

Look, read, say and remember all the nouns of animals we can find on a farm!. 

"Types of Housing"

Look at the different types of housing we can find in the world!. 

"Please Be Quiet" (Sing-along song)

Hello again!. I know you love this song, children!. And you like singing it!. Remember!: Silence is necessary. If you are quiet, you work and learn more easily!. 

"Mona Lisa Quiet" (Management Technique)

I recently read and other English teachers told me about the "Mona Lisa call/response technique".  I think it is perfect, specially for pupils of the 1st cycle!. My students usually hear me say "Mona Lisa quiet" because of the noise level display. These directions are so clear, specific, and fun!. 

So, I decided to print and laminate the picture to place it in each classroom!. We may add some other instructions, such as: 

• Stay in your seat.
• Raise your hand.
• Only talk to people at your table.

I write these rules on the board and review them at the beginning of class each week. When students violate a rule, I direct their attention back to the board before going any further. While my normal teaching style is more relaxed, this system works to restore some order to the chaotic class.When I need students to return attention I say "Mona" to which they reply "Lisa" and follow the Mona directions.

I recommend the "Mona Lisa" technique!. 

Don't forget to leave a corner in your classroom to put this visual you will see below!. I call it "Before you speak...THINK". Children will appreciate silence in the classroom while they are doing their tasks or they participate in an oral activity or any other information exchange.