DIiscover an English-speaking country

Australia is a very big country. This country, which is located in the south hemisphere, is also a continent. In Australia there are 22 000 000 inhabitants, it stretches over 7 686 850 km2. Oceans that line this country are : The Pacific Ocean and  the Indian ocean. The country has 6 different states. The capital is Canberra. Australia has different landscapes:

-         desert

-         sea and beaches

-         Forest.

This country is known for tourism and its landscapes.

History:

Australia was populated 50 000 years ago by Aborigines. Traders and explorers came in the XVII century. In 1788 a British colony began the foundation of a camp at Sidney. Colonies became independent in 1850. Australia helped the United kingdom when they were at war (World Wars) by sending Australian soldiers.

Symbol of Australia:

Flag of Australia:

Written by Elise

Movie review

NARNIA 3 3D

    Narnia is a fantasy movie inspired by a series of books of 7 volumes.
It combines animals which speak, of numerous Christian themes, the magic, ideas of Greek mythology - about Turkish - Roman and Irish, or  British traditional tales .
Books were translated in 47 languages and has more than millions 100 copies.

RAIPONCE 

It is the story of a princess unlike the others who lives in a distant kingdom. Flynn Rider is the  most wanted outlaw in the country, he has taken refuge in the Raiponce's tower without knowing of her existence. Raiponce takes him as a hostage, ; she herselfwas kidnapped being small by a witch.
She has never seen the outside world and makes an agreement with Flynn.
This cartoon is funny.
It was released on 24 December.




Written by Synderella

Discover a European country

PORTUGAL

This country is south of  France.

It is very beautiful.  Its capital is Lisbon.
There are a lot of activities.
Porto is the second city of Portugal. There is a magnificent river, the Douro. In Porto, there are a lot of boats and bridges.
You can go swimming and walk.










 In Portugal, there is a lot of sun.
You can go fishing and walking in the valley.
In Portugal there is no typical dish.

                                                                                 
In Portugal, the currency is the same as in France,that’s to say the Euro.
 Portugal is a country famous for  football and for its popular music: the fado.

Here are our questions to answer:

What's the capital of Portugal?
- Quote activities in Portugal.
-What's the name of the river in Porto ?
- trap question  : What's the typical dish in PORTUGAL ? 

Written by Rémi and Matthieu

SPORT Base ball

Base-ball was invented in 1938. 45 000 000 in the world people play this sport. It's a team sport. It is mostly practiced in theUSA and the United Kingdom.


The aim is to strike a ball with a bat and the adversary must catch the ball with a glove.

A base-ball game is played by two teams who alternate between offense and defense. There are nine players on each side. The goal is to score more points than the opponent, which is achieved by one circuit of four bases that are placed on the diamond.

The diamond is the ground on which we play baseball.

 

Written by Léa 

Can you answer the 2 questions?:

1)How many people in the world practice baseball ?

2) When was base ball invented ?

SCHOOL Events: Trip to Morzine

    On Sunday, 12nd of December 55 pupils and 6 sport teachers ( they are nice ) went to Morzine in Haute-Savoie. We skied  days from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. We often fell down often but we laughed. It snowed a lot of and we ate in the mountain. The landscape is beautiful because it’s white. We were extremely tired and we were cold. There were many different levels and groups. We had  free time to play or to go shopping. Teachers and some pupils bought cheese and sausage in the village of Morzine and me I bought little presents for my family. We had a party on thurday evening. This party finished at 11 :15 pm but many pupils slept sooner because they were sick. We came back to La Ferté Bernard on Saturday at 7:00 am. We watched films in the bus and we slept.

Written by Marie and Mathilde 
Photos courtesy of Mr Gaufreteau! 

                                              A Diary  of the trip 


On Sunday12 December, we left for Morzine by bus at 6:45 am . There were 55 pupils and 6 teachers. In the evening, we arrived at the chalet at 5:30 pm .
On Monday morning, we got up at 7:30 am. At 9:15, we were on ski runs and were separated according to our level. We skied till 4, then we returned to the chalet.
On Tusday, we skied, but we came home earlier, because it snowed.
On Wednesday morning we did school work, on tests, then we went to the city to go shopping. And in the afternoon, we skied again.
On Thursday, we skied and in the evening we had a party .
On Friday morning there were 50 centimeters of snow. We didn't ski in the afternoon, we stayed in the chalet. We took the coach back to La Ferté at 8:30pm.
On Saturday morning, we arrived at the collège at 7:15 am. 

Written by Laetitia

Now, can you answer these questions ? Answer in the comment box .
If you can't , read us again !

1) Where did  the stay take place ?

2) How many teachers and pupils were there ?
3) Where are Laetitia, Mathilde and Marie on the photo ? 
4) Can you recognize anybody else ?

 

MUSIC AND SONG

How Soon is Now ?

«How Soon is Now ?» is a song created by the English band «The Smiths»  in 1984. It was written by Morrissey and composed by Johnny Marr.  It's played with an electric guitar, a synthesizer and a drum kit. Other groups sang this song. The most famous : «Love Spit Love» and «t.A.T.u.». This song was classified 195th favorite song of the Americans. It speaks about a really very shy person.

to listen to the song on youtube, click here



Cover of «Love Spit Love» (1994) :

The most famous version because it serves as opening for the series "Charmed" (1998-2006) and  main theme for the movie "The Craft", movie which was released on May 3rd, 1996.


click on this link to listen




«t.A.T.u» is a Russian group formed in 1999, which is  very popular in the Eastern Europe, but little known anywhere else. The 2 singers (Elena Sergueïevna Katina and Yulia Olegovna Volkova) represented Russia to the Eurovision 2003, and made third of the classification. They declared wanted to make a cover of " How Soon is Now ? " because they liked this song.

clink on this link to listen

Here are the lyrics of the song:

I am the son
and the heir
Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar
I am the son and heir
Of nothing in particular

You shut your mouth
How can you say
I go about things the wrong way
I am Human and I need to be loved
Just like everybody else does

I am the son
And the heir
Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar
I am the son and heir
Of nothing in particular

You shut your mouth
How can you say
I go about things the wrong way
I am Human and I need to be loved
Just like everybody else does

There's a club, if you'd like to go
You could meet someone/somebody who really loves you
So you go, and you stand on your own
And you leave on your own
And you go home
And you cry
And you want to die

When you say it's gonna happen now,
When exactly do you mean?
See I've already waited too long
And all my hope is gone



Questions :

-Who wrote this song ?
-When was «The Craft»  released  ?



Written by Emilien

FESTIVALS AND HOLIDAYS

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving in America is a special day. The American celebrate Thanksgiving because they thank the native Americans for having enough to eat. The English people had arrived in America in 1620. The name of their boat is the Mayflower. The name of  these English settlers was the Pilgrims. Thanksgiving is a big meal with, for example:

Turkey
 Cranberry sauce
 Corn
 Vegetables and fruits
 Pumkin pie

They eat with their family

Quiz:
1. What was the name of their boat ?
2. What is the name of the English settlers ?

Written by Chloé 

YUMMY RECIPE

        Chocolate cupcakes 

                                                                    **Ingredients :
    
* For 10 cupcakes you will need:
 -100 grams of chocolate
 -90 grams of butter
 -3 eggs
 -50 grams of flour
 -70 grams of sugar

* For the whipped cream:
 -120 grams chocolate
 -20 cL of single cream

                                                                     **Instructions

Heat the oven to 150°.
Chop the chocolate, add the butter. Put this mix in the micro-wave for 1 minute and whip. Whip yolks with sugar; add the butter/chocolate mix and, stir,  add the flour. Whip the eggs whites with a whisk. Add the whites smoothly to the mix. Pour the mix in cups and cook for 25 minutes.

Whipped cream:
Chop chocolate; melt it in the micro-wave for 1 minute. Whip the single cream with a whisk; add chocolate (not too warm).
And whip again.
Put the chocolate whipped cream nicely on the top of the cupcakes.
Keep the cupcakes in the fridge.

            
Lexique:  _ to melt: mélanger      _ to whip: batter      _ to pour: verser    _ to stir: remuer
                 _  a whisk: fouet             _ single cream: crème fraîche               
                 _ whipped cream: chantilly



QUESTIONS:
1) What are the ingredients for whipped cream?
2) What time is necessary to cool the cupcakes?


Written by Arielle 

+ a link to more cupcakes ideas :  http://www.cupcake-creations.com/chocolate-cupcake-recipe.html

Games and quizzes

Match images and words  !

       a)                        1) colt  
                                              

              b)                      2) swing








                c)                    3) whale 
    

d)                   4) cuddly  toy

  
  
                                     

      e)                  5) slippers  










      f)            6) lightning and       thunder











Written by Juliette 

CELEBS: Jaime Luis Gomez

Jaime Luis Gomez is an American singer and DJ.
 His artist name is Taboo Nawasha . He was born
in California on 14 July 1975.
He is a singer of hip hop, rap and electro.
He sings in a group called « The Black Eyed Peas ».
He has also played Vega in the film Street Fighter: Legend of Chun – Li.
The Black Eyed Peas sing “Missing you”, “I Got a Feeling” and other songs. I like the Black Eyed Peas because I like their sound and their lyrics . The songs of the Black Eyed Peas are energetic and dynamic.



Written by Florian

HOROSCOPE FOR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY

                                ASTROLOGY FOR JANUARY



The lucky sign is Lion.                             

1st – 12th: You win a big sum of money.

13th – 21st: You find an old friend.

22nd – 31st: Your work is successful.




The unlucky sign is Capricorn.                

1st – 12th: You have lot of works, you’re overwhelmed.

13th – 21st: You lose your favourite friend.

22nd – 31st: You are in another world, you dream.




                                      ASTROLOGY FOR FEBRUARY

The lucky sign is Sagittarius.               

1st – 12th: You find your kindred spirit.

13th – 21st: You receive a new good.

22nd – 31st: You respect your resolutions.



                                                              
                                                                The unlucky sign is Taurus

1st – 12th: You need your friends to finish your work because you’re late.

13th – 21st: You forget to pay one of your bills.

22nd – 31st: You are ill because you got cold.





Written by Alexis 

LISTENING COMPREHENSION

Click on the following link, and take down waht you understand about these 13 persons' resolutions for 2011.
Where have they been interviewed ?
http://www.onestopenglish.com/skills/listening/live-from-authentic-interviews/live-from-london-new-year/155661.article

"CELEBS" (FAMOUS PEOPLE)

MILEY CIRUS

Miley Cyrus was born on November, 1992 in Franklin, Tennessee. She comes from a family of artists, her dad is a singer , her sister plays the guitar. She has got 2 sisters and 3 brothers.

At age 11, Miley Cyrus did a casting for the TV series : Hannah Montana, a series about a girl with a big secret:  she has a double life ( she is an ordinary girl  during the day but at night she is a Pop star).

Miley Cyrus did auditions for the series, but the directors said that she was too young... But thanks to her voice and her motivation Miley succeeded in the role of "Miley Stewart". Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley Cyrus's real father will be the father of Miley Stewart in it. At the moment in France the season is on Disney Chanel. There was a movie “Hannah Montana the Movie” in 2009 . Miley Cyrus made the career of the young actress. She made numerous songs under Hannah Montana's role.

Miley Cyrus also acted in many other movies...

Miley Cyrus released in 2008 her album  :«Breakout» which will be an enormous success for the singer 16 years old. She has just released her new album “Can’t be tamed “which is also a success.

The young singer wants to dash into an acting career with numerous movies; the adaptation of LOL in America, The Last Song.

Milus Cirey

Written by Elise

Nature and Animals

Kenya and Tanzania: The call of the wild!

What happened to the giants of the savana ?

They are called “ The Big Five “ ,  the five major trophies for hunters : rhino, lion, elephant , buffalo, leopard . They have almost disappeared.

The black rhinoceros : A miracle !

This animal has almost disappeared because of the traffic of its horns , which are sold worldwide . Today there are only 60 in the natural park of Kenya and the world , but according to WWF there are 3600 rhinos in the wild .

The lion : A too fragile  king

The lion is rare outside protected areas because they are hunted by poachers. Today there are probably 23.000 lions (in 2004) whereas there were 20 years ago.

The elephant : rescued in extremis

The elephant was killed around 1850, about 30.000 elephants were killed annually for their very precious ivory tusks .Today the sale of ivory is banned.

Buffalo : normally quiet

The African buffalo does not seem very threatened. Although there are many killed by diseases transmitted by domestic animals and regularly jogged by hunters, fortunately it is regulated in certain areas .

The Leopard : protected by its prudence

The most mysterious of the“ Big Five “. Difficult to observe , it lives in hiding. His hunting has been regulated since July 2007 , but some people illegally hunt.

written by Juliette 

Events

What’s the news at G.Desnos ?

The college cross country race.

It took place on Tuesday November 16, from 10 to 12 am, in the public garden, behind the college, next to the river.
There were around 100 pupils from all forms.
For the 4 èmes, the winners are Rémi Marchand and Magdeline Fefeu.

Article written by the whole class (and typed by Mathilde, thanks.)
And thanks to Mr Etchebery for the photo.

NEXT MONTH : Skiing in Morzine

FAVOURITE SPORT

MOUNTAIN BIKE

This is a photo taken during an outing with mountain bikes organized by the school sport association. Mountain bike is very good but we think, it’s difficult and dangerous. This monitor is very kind. It’s a very cool atmosphere. It takes place on Wednesday afternoons. Come with us !!!!!!!!!


Written by Matthieu and Rémi

YOUR HOROSCOPE THIS MONTH

       Astrology for December

The lucky sign is Virgo:

From the 1st to the 12th   : Go out you will meet new people, maybe your future lover?

From the 13th to the 20th : Work a lot, you will be rewarded!
 
From the 21st to the 31st : You need change !

The unlucky sign is Pisces :

From the 1st to the 8th : Your boss will be very strict with you. Be patient !
 
From the 9th to the 21st : Your heart will be broken.
 
From the 22rd to the 31st : These days  will be better for you.


Written by Arielle

JOBS COLUMN

One’s Job  is very important in one’s life. We focus on two jobs in this article.

 
 
Fireman

 In this job, there are courageous and motivated people. They save lives and they throw water to extinguish the fire. They drive red trucks.  In this job, you must be very sporty.

                    




Aeronautical engineer
 This job consists in making pieces for the planes. This job prevents planes from having accidents. This job makes reference technology. It is very exciting.



Written by Rémi and Matthieu

Discover a European country

IRELAND

Ireland is a country ( and an island ) located west of Great-Britain, there are 4 446 000 inhabitants. Its surface is 69 797 square kilometers.
In this country the weather is mild with maximum 25°C in the summer and in the winter it is fresh and rainy, as in the proverb “ In Ireland, the weather is beautiful several times in the same day . “





Ireland is a country of Europe, so euro is the currency used.
The president's name is Mary McAleese.

For breakfast, Irish people eat  scrambled eggs, sausages, a cup of tea, or a cup of coffee.
They drink whiskey and beer, ... and they eat porridge, soda farl.
St Patrick's day, the national and religious feast takes place on 17th March.



Answer the questions: 

a) Who is the President in Ireland ?
b) When is the national day ?



Written by Léa