Witch hunts

13 01 2023

Final project: 

Write an article to present the work of a political artist who used her or his art to denounce a witch hunt. Explain the artwork and the message behind it.

Lead-in: “To what extent is fear part of America’s heritage?” Watch the clip and do these EXERCISES.  

1. Click on the pick to learn more about the ‘We the People’ campaign.

2. What is street art for? Learn more about Shepard Fairey

3. Watch the video and take the QUIZ.

4. Take the QUIZ. What is the link between the posters by Fairey and this video? Read more HERE.

5. Learn more about the “second red scare” and then take the QUIZ

6. Do you know how to spot a witch? Build up your vocabulary HERE.

7. Here’s another street artist’s contribution against scapegoating. Read more HERE.

8. Click below to practise your grammar skills. More exercises HERE.




World in Crisis

9 12 2022

YOUR TASK: Write a cli-fi story. Find out more HERE.

1. How does the song illustrate climate change?

2. Can you sum up the story this trailer tells? Read more HERE.

3. What are the main elements of Cli-Fi? Read more HERE.

4. Can  a dystopian blockbuster movie mobilize people to act on climate change? Find out MORE

5. How can cli-fi help raise awareness about environmental issues? Read more HERE




And girls will be women

7 09 2022

Speaking task – Pair-work presentation:  compare and contrast the two stories below, highlighting the similarities and differences. Use the points you have noted in this  VENN DIAGRAM to shape your response, and aim for a lively and informative presentation style.

1. To what degree is this a more modern version of the original book? Study an excerpt from the novel HERE

2. Observe the painting closely (click on the pic to access a larger version and use either of these two APPROACHES) and listen to the recording (till 01:40). What changed for middle-class girls in the 19th century?

 

3. What happens to the four sisters in this coming-of-age story?

4. What is ‘Visual Literacy’? Learn more with the Toledo Museum of Art.

 




The place where it begins.

26 02 2022

Your project: Write a concept note on Irish heritage.

1. Watch the trailer and take notes. Say what the story is about (answer the 5WH & 1H questions). Learn MORE.

2. What do we learn about Jun Tzu’s ‘Troubles’ and dreams? Read more HERE.

3. What makes this movie both a universal story and a very Irish one?  

4. What do Catholics and Protestants have in common? Learn more HERE.

5. How are the people in Belfast feeling right now, after Brexit? Find out more HERE.

6. Pick out details about the history and significance of the  murals. Learn more HERE.




The magic circle

4 02 2022

Your project: make a presentation on an artwork that portrays “female power”.

1. Who shares the blame for Witch Hunts? Take the QUIZ.

2. What happened to Mary Webster in Puritan Hadley Massachusetts in 1684? 

3. What purpose does this ‘ceremony’ really serve? Read more HERE.

4. Analyse the objects of ‘power’. What is the message here? (click to enlarge the pic) 




The artificial woman

17 01 2022

1. Do you know the story of Pygmalion who fell in love with his ivory statue Galatea? Read more HERE.

2. Listen to this song and your offsprings might well be spared… Read more HERE.

3. Is Samantha the perfect ‘woman’? Read more HERE.  

4. A timeline on US feminism you can complete and expand.




Justice vs Retribution

16 01 2021

Your task: “Write up the script to your own trial or jury deliberation scene and then act it out!”

1. What is the significance of the scene? Read more HERE

2. How does art educate us? Read more about the song HERE.

3. Is this justice? What purpose does it serve? Read more HERE.

4. What’s a heretic? And what is a martyr? Read more HERE.

5. What lessons can we take away from these trials? Read more HERE

 




Do I need this?

10 01 2021

Your task: Choose a song to be used in a campaign to promote the transition to a more sustainable way of shopping. Make a short presentation to explain your choice.

1. What did the little girl want? What is her passion now? What do you learn about her life today? Read more HERE.

2. How can we fix the problem?

3. How does the scheme work? What is the ‘catch’?

4. How and where is the average t-shirt made, and what’s its environmental impact? Take the QUIZ.

5. What is the song’s message? Read more HERE and HERE.

6. Listen to the song and fill in the gaps in the lyrics HERE.




The Power of Words

6 05 2020

Your final project: 

CHOOSE A BRAND / PRODUCT AND CREATE YOUR OWN ADVERTISING SLOGAN

1. Click  below to learn more about the real story of this WWII poster. Take the QUIZ. Read more HERE.

2. Click on the pic. Do you recognize any of the slogans featured? Do you know the brand or product they advertise? Which one do you think is the best / the worst? What are its strengths / weaknesses? 

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3. Choose one slogan and explain why you think it is so effective. What do you think are the “golden rules” for a good slogan?

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4. Watch the clip. What makes a good slogan? Sum up the recipe for success.

5. Click on the pic to do a reading comprehension and some grammar exercises about advertising slogans. You will also find out more about your final task. 

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All animals are equal

25 03 2020

1. The pigs have reduced the principles of Animalism to Seven Commandments. Click below to study a passage from the book. 

2. ‘Animal Farm’ was the first animated feature produced in England. 

3. Click below to learn how the CIA played a central role in getting the movie done.