W@Gon

2009-06-02T21:24:00.017+01:00

Here is an example of cooperative work of an elementary class and an intermediate class. One of the short stories written by pupils of class 2 in year 3 with the help of their families was chosen to be translated into English by the pupils of class 1 in year 7. Read the two texts below and enjoy yourselves!

UMA ILHA NO MEIO DO MUNDO

Era uma vez uma menina, que perdeu a sua mãe quando era muito pequenina, tinha ela dois anos.
Era uma família muito grande, eram onze filhos e eram muito pobres. Seu pai trabalhava como jardineiro numa quinta.
Rosinha acompanhava muitas vezes seu pai, porque os seus irmãos mais velhos, todos trabalhavam na agricultura.
Sua avó materna chamava-se Ana, e Rosinha gostava muito da sua avó porque ela lhe dava muitas vezes comida e carinho, mas infelizmente também a perdeu aos três anos de idade.
Cresceu, a sonhar com uma vida diferente, e gostava de ter aprendido outras coisas. Nunca andou na escola, não aprendeu a ler nem a escrever, e aos oito anos foi trabalhar para casa de um agricultor, a tomar conta de animais: vacas ovelhas e cavalos.
Aos dezassete anos perdeu o seu querido pai.
Trabalhou sempre na agricultura até aos seus vinte anos, quando um dos seus irmão, que não via há muitos anos, lhe propôs sair do país. Rosinha ficou toda entusiasmada e logo aceitou.
Rosa imediatamente de preparou e embarcou. Passou treze dias no mar, sem saber onde iria desembarcar. Esta jovem rapidamente sentiu um clima diferente e foi então que avistou uma ilha muito bonita e tropical; era a ilha de São Tomé e Príncipe.
Logo ali rosa pressentiu que iria ser muito feliz. Lá a esperavam quatro dos seus irmãos, que há muito tempo não via. Era uma ilha muito verde com lindas praias e um clima maravilhoso. Depressa se adaptou, aprendeu a ler e a escrever, trabalhou na padaria do seu irmão e, nas horas vagas, tirou um curso de costura.
Ao fim de dez anos, conheceu um português, pelo qual se apaixonou, casou-se e nasceu uma linda filha.
Rosa conseguiu encontrar a felicidade numa ilha no meio do mundo.
Essa menina é a minha querida avó materna!
Maria da Costa Oliveira, Class 2, Year 3 and her family

AN ISLAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WORLD

Once upon a time, there was a girl that lost her mother when she was very small, she was two years old.
It was a very big family. Her parents had eleven children and they were very poor. Her father worked as a gardener in a farm.
She grew up dreaming of a different life and liked learning other things. She never went to school. She didn’t learn how to read or to write; when she was eight years old she went to work in a farm to take care of animals, such as, cows, sheep and horses.
Rosinha accompanied her father many times because all her older brothers worked in a farm.
Her grandmother's name was Ana and Rosinha liked her grandmother very much because she gave her food and affection but unfortunately she lost her at the age of three.
At seventeen she lost her dear father.
She always worked as a farmer until she was twenty, when one of her brothers, who she didn’t see in a long time, proposed her to leave the country.
Rosinha was very excited and she accepted.
Rosa immediately got ready and embarked. She spent thirteen days in the sea, without knowing where she would disembark. This young girl quickly felt a different climate and then saw a very beautiful and tropical island. It was the of S. Tomé e Príncipe.
Right there, Rosa felt that she would be very happy. Four of her brothers that she didn’t see for a long time waited for her there. It was a very green island, with beautiful beaches and a wonderful climate. Rosa quickly adapted to it, she learned how to read and write, she worked in her brother’s bakery and in her free times, she learned how to make clothes.
Ten years after, she met a Portuguese man and fell in love with him, they got married and they had a beautiful daughter.
Rosa found happiness on an island in the middle of the world.
That girl is my mother’s mother, my sweet grandmother!
Translation by Class 1, Year 7

WHAT I THINK ABOUT SCHOOL (2)

2009-06-02T02:38:00.001+01:00

I’m Erica Rodrigues and I’m a pupil at school E.B.I 123 de Gondifelos, in Portugal.
I like school. What I really like about school is being with my friends because I feel great. Lessons are interesting except Maths because I don’t understand it.
I love Sciences, English and History because I like learning new things.
In classes, I like group work because it’s more fun.
I think the breaks are cool. During the breaks I’m with my best friends.
They are interesting, funny and understanding.
This is my opinion about school.
Érica Rodrigues, Class 1, Year 7

WHAT I THINK ABOUT SCHOOL (1)

2009-05-13T23:24:00.006+01:00

Hi! My name is Ana Raquel. I am 13 years old. I am in year 7.
I like the teachers, they are cool, they help us understand things and they explain what we don’t know.
My favourite teachers are Mr Carvalho, the Maths teacher, and Ms Ferreira, the English teacher, they are good people. Ms Ferreira is very happy and funny and Mr Carvalho is understanding. I like them.
My friends are wonderful, my best friend is Liliana. I adore my friends.
My favourite subjects are English and Physical Education.
I like school.
Ana Raquel Ferreira, Class 3, Year 7

DESCRIBING SOMETHING DECORATIVE (2)

2009-05-04T18:11:00.007+01:00

It shows a dog eating a van and a man angry at what the dog is doing. The mouth of the dog has a lot of teeth and it is open. The mouth is black and the teeth are white.The dog’s got very big eyes painted in black and a black nose too. The body of the dog is white with brown stripes. The van has got many black arrows. At the front, there are two round headlights. The van’s back has been eaten by the dog. The rest of the body is white. The man’s got a pink sweater and a bushy beard on his angry face.
Ricardo Oliveira, Class 2, Year 9

DESCRIBING SOMETHING DECORATIVE

2009-05-01T23:22:00.008+01:00

SPIDERMAN’S TATTOO
At first sight, it seems like a painting, but it’s a real tattoo. This tattoo is considered by many, one of the most original tattoos in the world.
The tattoo is on the chest and it looks like as if the skin is being torn. Through these tears, the Spiderman’s outfit can be seen. Red and black are the main colours. There’s a little bit of white to paint the shadows.
It’s Art!
Catarina Freitas, Class 1, Year 9

This is a simple and multicolor tattoo. There is one little and round red flower with two green leaves, above it there is one yellow and elegant butterfly with pink and blue wings with red spots. Under it there is one line that makes the image more elegant and sophisticated.
Ângela Barros Santos, Class 2, Year 9

THE CITY AND THE COUNTRY

2009-04-16T21:37:00.003+01:00

I will talk about the advantages and disadvantages of living in a city.
First of all, I want say what I think about the cities.
For me, the city, has more advantages than disadvantages, and why? That’s because… well… think with me, the country is very small. I mean, you don’t have any facilities… I will give an example: Some famous people, singers, writers… do you think, that they will appear in the country? No, never! That’s why I like the cities, because the cities are near to CIVILIZATION. In a city, you can find shops and a lot of resources.
Yes, I know…the cities have disadvantages, too. For example, in a country, you can relax, there is no stress, is very calm and there is no traffic jams, too.
As a conclusion I like more…well, I don’t know what I prefer, really. Like I said, there are a lot of advantages and disadvantages. Maybe, one day, I can say, what I prefer. But, until then, I will live where my parents prefer…the country. But, of course, every day I go to the city.
Maria José Henriques, Class 1, Year 8

"MANKIND IS NO ISLAND"

2009-04-14T22:10:00.002+01:00

Tropfest NY 2008 winner, "Mankind Is No Island" by Jason van Genderen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrDxe9gK8Gk

THE MISTAKE!

2009-04-14T00:24:00.002+01:00

A girl from my school was very gossip. Her name is Lola.
One day, in the break, she was alone in the corridor because her friends had gone to the toilet. She turned round to her right and saw Stephanie, one of Lola’s enemies, hugging a boy with affection! Lola, immediately, told her friends. Stephanie had a romance with this boy. The rumour spread very fast throughout the school.
On the next day, she found out that the boy’s mother had died the day before, and Stephanie was comforting him. When Lola knew about this, she was with her friends. She wished there was a hole she could vanish into.
She had made a serious mistake.
Sandra Ferreira, Class 2, Year 9

THE VOICES BEHIND THE SIMPSONS

2009-04-02T00:53:00.002+01:00

It might come as a surprise!

http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=a59abf0270&view=att&th=1205dae1d895cbeb&attid=0.1&disp=attd&realattid=0.1&zw

MY HOUSE AND MY FAVOURITE ROOM (1)

2009-03-22T15:57:00.002Z

Dear Constantine,
Hi! I live in Gondifelos. My house isn’t big. It has got five bedrooms, two kitchens, a bathroom, a toilet and a living room.
I am going to describe the living room. The living room is my favourite room, because I always go to the sofa and play computer games there. On the right of the sofa there is an armchair. It is very comfortable. Opposite the sofa there is a TV set. Above the TV set there is a big painting. On the floor there is a big brown carpet. It is a special room, because I can see the garden.
Bye
Sara Cardoso, Class 1, Year 7

FAMILY AND FRIENDS (2)

2009-03-06T22:55:00.000Z

Hi! I’m writing about my friend Cristiana. She is twelve years old and her birthday is on 9th August. She lives in Cavalões. She has got two brothers. She has got a cat and dogs. She is crazy about animals. We attend the same school and we are in the same class. She is my ‘little sister’. She has got brown hair and brown eyes. She wears glasses. She is tall and skinny. She is beautiful, helpful and funny. Sometimes she is understanding, and I can trust her. She is the craziest in the group, but every person has a defect, hers is being stubborn and clumsy. I like her because she is important to me. She is the sister I never had. When I need, she is the first to help.

Tânia Barros, Class 1, Year 7

OSCARS 2009 IN PICTURES

2009-02-23T14:07:00.001Z

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/23/oscars.memorable.moments/index.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/in_pictures/7904923.stm

FAMILY AND FRIENDS

2009-02-21T22:41:00.003Z

My cousin’s name is Beatriz, she is 12 years old and she is my neighbour.
She is tall, she has got brown and curly hair and she has got green eyes. She is fatter than me. She is beautiful.
My cousin is the quietest in the family and she is easy-going. She is shy and a little bit cold. She is understanding and a little bit selfish. She is quieter than me and I am more active and talkative than her.
I like her because she is friendly, confident and easy-going. She is always there for me. I like her.
Ana Campos, Class 1, Year 7

2009-02-08T19:52:00.001Z

CAN YOU SPEAK ENGLISH?
Interviewing Anderson (Manchester United)

http://aeiou.expresso.pt/gen.pl?p=stories&op=view&fokey=ex.stories/495999&sctx=3:10:entrevista%20andersen

2009-02-08T19:36:00.001Z

LEAVE A MESSAGE FOR BARACK OBAMA!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2008/nov/08/barack-obama-messages-gallery

2009-02-08T19:28:00.001Z

ANIMALS SAVE THE PLANET!!
Watch and comment!

http://www.animalssavetheplanet.com/media/swf/design_video.swf?vidNumber=1

How does it feel to be an adolescent? Is it an easy stage in your life?

2009-02-01T14:38:00.000Z

This text is about adolescence. In my opinion, adolescence is complicated.
In the first place, adolescence is when the first changes appear, for example: physical and psychological changes.
In the second place, teenagers have different feelings and have different thoughts from adults and sometimes they have quarrels with their parents, for example: about the first relationship.
In the third place, adolescence is the time of big decisions, for example: they have to choose a profession/job.
Lastly, sometimes nobody can understand them and that is when they do silly things. For example: when they think fast and parents don’t act, they may be anorexic or bulimic.
All things considered, adolescence is difficult and sometimes incomprehensible.
Sandra Ferreira, Class 2, Year 9

Is Portugal a tolerant society?

2009-02-01T14:30:00.000Z

To start, I think the Portuguese society is quite tolerant, because it allows the immigrants to work or live in our country, but some people don’t accept that someone can be from other ethnic group.
In the first place, Portugal has many immigrants working here and most of the people respect them and their cultures. For instance, in Portugal there are churches for other religions.
Furthermore, it is important to the Portuguese society to know different cultures, to know that theirs is not the only one and some people from different cultures and countries fall in love with each other.
However, many people from other countries or other ethnic groups are much discriminated. Such as black people, namely from Africa, or Asian people, namely from China and India.
To sum up, I think that the Portuguese society should think twice before rejecting someone for being black, white or yellow. All of these are people just like anybody else and they don’t deserve to be judge like that. The Portuguese society should be more tolerant, respect the others and themselves, yes, because discriminating someone is an act of pure wickedness and a lack of human character.

Joaquim Santos, Class 2, Year 9

This text is related to Portugal’s tolerance. In my opinion, Portugal is a tolerant society.
In the first place, Portugal allows immigration. For example, people from different ethnic groups have come to Portugal for a long time.
In the second place, the Portuguese government builds social shanty tows for other ethnic groups. For example, in Lisbon there are many social shanty tows.
All things considered, Portugal has many different people and religions too.
Sandra Ferreira, Class 2, Year 9

People from other countries come to Portugal every day and I think the Portuguese people don’t like it.
Black people come to Portugal searching for a better life and that harms the Portuguese people. For example, a black person comes to Portugal to work here and steals Portuguese jobs in that way.
To sum up, I think that immigrants should go back to their countries, but I can’t change the world.
Pedro Fernandes, Class 3, Year 9

I believe that Portugal is partially a tolerant society. In the first place, the Portuguese government says that Portugal is a country with open arms to immigrants, but in reality this isn’t true.
On the other hand, the Portuguese population does not like to socialize with black people and, for example, with drug addicts. The Portuguese population isn’t prepared to receive other people who are very different when compared to native Portuguese people.
All things considered, until Portuguese people accept other races in their country there is much work to do.Portugal is not a tolerant society.
Rosaria Araújo, Class 3, Year 9

First, I will talk about the tolerance of the Portuguese society. In my opinion, Portuguese society is tolerant but still it is not tolerant enough to understand certain ways of thinking and acting of people from other cultures, religions and countries.
People in a society are not tolerant of people from other countries, because they think these people are violent, aggressive, bad-tempered, cold and distant. The Portuguese society is not tolerant to people in their every day lives, because people are of other religions, cultures, countries and other colours.
To sum up, the Portuguese society is tolerant, but not 100% tolerant.
Cláudia Azevedo Ferreira, Class 3, Year 9