Christmas at our School

SEVERO OCHOA SCHOOL WISHES YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY VACATION!

We decorate the main hall. Here, one of our trees is adorned with blue-and-white tinsel.

Ruben always draws a face on the two 0's in 2007. Here, we've drawn Father Christmas.

We've decorated the doors with signs in both languages.

This is the Christmas Tree in Isabel's classroom, decorated with ornaments brought by her students.

We also told the story of 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' by Dr. Seuss. In the story, the Grinch, inspired by his hatred of Christmas and all joy in the world, decides to steal all the presents, decorations, and food from the Whos down in Whoville.

But, instead of being crying and pouting, like the Grinch had expected, the Whos celebrate Christmas anyway because the festival isn't about possessions but about being with family. The Christmas cheer thaws the frozen heart of the Grinch, and he becomes caught up in the spirit of the season. Here, he is bringing back all the stolen goods to Whoville.

Here, the Whos celebrate their Christmas.

On Thursday the 20th, a trio presented a Christmas play to the children. In it, both protagonists have made a deal with the Devil: they have been gifted with great powers, but in exchange they have promised to commit numerous evil deeds within the year. However, it is New Year's Eve, and the Devil is not satisfied with their work, even though the male protagonist has kidnapped Father Christmas.

Threatened with the prospect of being taken to Hell, the two come up with the idea of baking a magical cake that will make all their spoken wishes come true. So, they called up ten children to act as the ingredients for the cake. They bake it and then speak their desires: that all the pets of all children would die; that the rivers, lakes, and oceans would become polluted so that children could not swim in them; that Father Christmas would not give any presents to any children.

At the end, the two protagonists begin to argue, and they each wish that the other would become a good person. So, when the clock tolls, all their evil wishes have come true, but they are now good-hearted, so they release Father Christmas, and the three set out to undo all their evil.

Here, Michael plays Silent Night (Noche de paz) and We Wish You a Merry Christmas for 1A.

Oh, yes, and the children did work as well. Here is one of the Christmas cards that they made for their families.

Here, some of their cards are on display on the window-sill.

Here, Sheila, Dani, Raul, Patrycza, Edison, Adelina, and Rebeca are working on the cards.

Thanksgiving for the 1st Year Students

On Thursday, November 22nd, I had the great honor to present Thanksgiving to our three classes of 1st Year Students. In the United States, Thanksgiving celebrates the story of the Pilgrims. In the days when Europeans were colonizing America, a small group of Pilgrims journeyed across the Atlantic Ocean to settle Plymouth Rock, in what is now New England. Their first winter starved and weakened them, but then friendly Native Americans came and showed them how to grow food, hunt, and fish. The next harvest turned out so well, that the Pilgrims invited the Native Americans to join in a celebratory feast. They called it Thanksgiving because they had the feast in order to give thanks to the Native Americans for their help, and to God for His blessings.
Nowadays, Americans celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November, so on the 22nd I read three stories (Corduroy´s Thanksgiving, The Story of the Pilgrims by Katharine Ross, and Happy Thanksgiving Biscuit! by Alyssa Satin Capucilli) to the children. I also taught them important words like 'basket' and 'neighbor' and used the holiday, during which families gather for a large feast, as an opportunity to review the members of the family.
I am very grateful to Lola, Isabel, and Cesar for allowing me to share this very important American holiday with the children.
Written by,
Michael Kato

Here, I am reading Happy Thanksving, Biscuit!

Here, I am showing the children my mummy, my daddy, my grandpa, and my grandma.

Here, I am reading Corduroy's Thanksgiving.

Museum of Anthropology

On the 27th of November the first cycle enjoyed a fun and interesting trip to the Museum of Anthropology. Whilst they were there they learned a lot about different cultures and they were eager to participate when asked questions. It was a good day out for everyone.