Friday, May 26, 2006
A BALANCED DIET AT SCHOOL
This morning I heard this piece of news on the radio and I later read it from the internet. Please, read it and tell me what you think about leading a balanced diet. Specially at school.
Teachers warn that schools junk food ban could backfire
By Simon Freeman
Headteachers have warned the Government that its campaign to ban junk food from schools by 2009 could put many pupils off school dinners altogether.
Alan Johnson, the Education Secretary, today unveiled a two-stage programme which will eventually see school dinners of Turkey Twizzlers, fizzy drinks and chips replaced with a balanced diet of good quality meat accompanied by fruit and vegetables.
Ministers have also announced plans to ban chocolate, crisps and pop from vending machines. Schools and vending firms will be expected to promote healthier snacks and drinks such as water, milk, fruit and yoghurt drinks.
Although teachers have welcomed the principles behind the canteen shake-up, Mick Brookes, general-secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, warned that such "gastronomic Puritanism" was likely to lead to children going to local chip shops instead.
Under the proposal, caterers must ensure that high quality meat, poultry or oily fish is available on a regular basis from September. Pupils must also be offered a minimum of two portions of fruit and vegetables while deep-fried food will be limited to two portions per week.
Foods that are high in salt and fat will be phased out until, by 2008, every primary school meal must reach stringent standards stipulating vitamin and mineral content. Secondary schools have been given more time to reach the target.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8122-2188243,00.html
Teachers warn that schools junk food ban could backfire
By Simon Freeman
Headteachers have warned the Government that its campaign to ban junk food from schools by 2009 could put many pupils off school dinners altogether.
Alan Johnson, the Education Secretary, today unveiled a two-stage programme which will eventually see school dinners of Turkey Twizzlers, fizzy drinks and chips replaced with a balanced diet of good quality meat accompanied by fruit and vegetables.
Ministers have also announced plans to ban chocolate, crisps and pop from vending machines. Schools and vending firms will be expected to promote healthier snacks and drinks such as water, milk, fruit and yoghurt drinks.
Although teachers have welcomed the principles behind the canteen shake-up, Mick Brookes, general-secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, warned that such "gastronomic Puritanism" was likely to lead to children going to local chip shops instead.
Under the proposal, caterers must ensure that high quality meat, poultry or oily fish is available on a regular basis from September. Pupils must also be offered a minimum of two portions of fruit and vegetables while deep-fried food will be limited to two portions per week.
Foods that are high in salt and fat will be phased out until, by 2008, every primary school meal must reach stringent standards stipulating vitamin and mineral content. Secondary schools have been given more time to reach the target.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8122-2188243,00.html
Thursday, May 18, 2006
WE'RE THE CHAMPIONS!!!
I must admit that I'm not an unconditional supporter of any football team. I prefer playing sports rather than watching them passively seated in front of TV.
Today, however, it is a day to remember!!! Barça has won the Champions League! Therefore, students feel very excited and I decided to prepare some activities related to THE TOPIC.
As I had imagined, most of them are confessed "Culés" but none of them knew WHAT "Culé" meant an WHICH its origine was.
So I gave them the following test.
The Gamper years
In 1908 Joan Gamper became club president for the first time. He subsequently held the position on five separate occasions and spent 25 years at the helm. His main achievement as president was to give Barca their own stadium. He also started a campaign to recruit more club members and by 1922 the club had over 10,000 members.
Gamper also introduced legendary players like Paulino Alcántara, Ricardo Zamora, and Josep Samitier . These players helped the club dominate both the Championat de Catalunya and Copa del Rey and then win the first La Liga championship in 1929.
Until 1909 the team played in various stadiums, none of them owned by the club. On March 14 1909, the 6,000 seat stadium of Carrer Industria opened its door. This was the first ground owned by the club. In 1922 the club moved to a new home at Les Corts. This stadium had an initial capacity of 20,000, later expanded to an impressive 60,000.
It was during these early years in these stadiums that Barça fans acquired their nickname the culés. Roughly translated from Catalan, it means arses.
Far from being offensive, the name refers to fans seated in the highest row of the stadium. From outside passers-by could only see their arses. Barça fans have been referred to culés ever since. As of November 2005, there are about 1730 officially registered supporters clubs of FC Barcelona around the world.
Today, however, it is a day to remember!!! Barça has won the Champions League! Therefore, students feel very excited and I decided to prepare some activities related to THE TOPIC.
As I had imagined, most of them are confessed "Culés" but none of them knew WHAT "Culé" meant an WHICH its origine was.
So I gave them the following test.
The Gamper years
In 1908 Joan Gamper became club president for the first time. He subsequently held the position on five separate occasions and spent 25 years at the helm. His main achievement as president was to give Barca their own stadium. He also started a campaign to recruit more club members and by 1922 the club had over 10,000 members.
Gamper also introduced legendary players like Paulino Alcántara, Ricardo Zamora, and Josep Samitier . These players helped the club dominate both the Championat de Catalunya and Copa del Rey and then win the first La Liga championship in 1929.
Until 1909 the team played in various stadiums, none of them owned by the club. On March 14 1909, the 6,000 seat stadium of Carrer Industria opened its door. This was the first ground owned by the club. In 1922 the club moved to a new home at Les Corts. This stadium had an initial capacity of 20,000, later expanded to an impressive 60,000.
It was during these early years in these stadiums that Barça fans acquired their nickname the culés. Roughly translated from Catalan, it means arses.
Far from being offensive, the name refers to fans seated in the highest row of the stadium. From outside passers-by could only see their arses. Barça fans have been referred to culés ever since. As of November 2005, there are about 1730 officially registered supporters clubs of FC Barcelona around the world.
Friday, May 05, 2006
SUPERSTITIONS
I FOUND THIS ARTICLE IN THE BBC's WEBSITE AND THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE INTERESTING FOR YOU.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/
newsenglish/britain/superstitions.shtml
Superstitions: Friday 13th - unlucky for you?
Are you superstitious? Do you believe in good luck and bad luck? And, if so, how do you go about avoiding bad and promoting good luck?
One person in four in Britain is, apparently, superstitious, and they'll do everything from hanging horseshoes over their fireplace to crossing their fingers, touching wood and absolutely never walking under a ladder. And they're careful about cats.
Black cats are supposed to be the familiars of witches or warlocks, so if one is following you it's definitely bad luck - a witch is after you!. On the other hand, if one crosses your path and continues then it's good luck because it hasn't noticed you. However, in some places the beliefs are different - so it pays to know where your black cat comes from!
Old superstitions linger even in today's modern world.
SO, ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS?
I must confess I always cross my fingers whenever my plane is taking off or landing. Don't ask me why but it's something unconscious. On the other hand, I don't mind seeing a black cat or walking under a ladder.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/
newsenglish/britain/superstitions.shtml
Superstitions: Friday 13th - unlucky for you?
Are you superstitious? Do you believe in good luck and bad luck? And, if so, how do you go about avoiding bad and promoting good luck?
One person in four in Britain is, apparently, superstitious, and they'll do everything from hanging horseshoes over their fireplace to crossing their fingers, touching wood and absolutely never walking under a ladder. And they're careful about cats.
Black cats are supposed to be the familiars of witches or warlocks, so if one is following you it's definitely bad luck - a witch is after you!. On the other hand, if one crosses your path and continues then it's good luck because it hasn't noticed you. However, in some places the beliefs are different - so it pays to know where your black cat comes from!
Old superstitions linger even in today's modern world.
SO, ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS?
I must confess I always cross my fingers whenever my plane is taking off or landing. Don't ask me why but it's something unconscious. On the other hand, I don't mind seeing a black cat or walking under a ladder.
