October 31st

What is Hallowe'en actually a celebration of?

Hallowe'en, the time of pumpkins, candies, ghosts, witches and much more, is annually celebrated on 31st October.
That's the night before All Saints Day. 

Its origins date back thousands of years to the Celtic festival of Samhaim or The Feast of the Sun, a most significant holiday of the Celtic year. This day marked the end of summer but also the season of darkness as well as the beginning of the New Year on 1st November.

Here's a Halloween exercise. Have fun!

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/countries/halloween.htm

Special dates

This October has been a good month with special dates to remember.

And today, 28th October, there two:

-"The International Day of School Libraries"

Do not forget to visit our school library and pay attention to the news there.

Pick up a book and enjoy its reading. 

It's something so delightful!

-"World Judo Day"


Perseverance is the theme of this year.

Why not using this attitude in our lives?

"The IJF Unvails 2013 WJD Theme: PERSEVERANCE

Previous themes were JUDO FOR ALL (2012) and RESPECT (2011) for the day which is dedicated 

to coaches, fans, judoka and everyone with a passion for one of the world’s most widely 

practiced sports.The World Judo Day takes place on the same date every year as 28 October is 

the birthday of Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo." (in http://www.worldjudoday.com/en/WorldJudoDay-3.html)

Hallowe'en is coming ... 

Next week pay attention to the "dark news"!!

WORLD FOOD DAY, October 16th

Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition

“Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition” will be the focus of World Food Day in 2013.

The official World Food Day theme – announced at the start of every year

by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) –

gives focus to World Food Day observances and helps 

increase understanding of problems and solutions in the drive to end hunger.

http://www.fao.org/getinvolved/worldfoodday/en/

What is your opinion about ...

-the importance of eating well, 

-the importance of having a balanced diet, 

-the importance of eating what you like??

And what is your opinion about ...

-THE IMPORTANCE OF EVERYONE HAVING FOOD?

Well, "Healthy people depend on healthy food systems."

International Day of the Girl Child, 

11th October

International Day of the Girl Child is an international observance day declared by the United Nations. 

The observation supports more opportunity for girls, and increases awareness of inequality faced by girls worldwide based upon their gender. 

This inequality includes areas such as access to education, nutrition, legal rights, medical care, and protection from discrimination, violence and unfree child marriage. (in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Day_of_the_Girl_Child)

 We complain a lot! And we usually do it without a real reason.

There are so many girls that suffer and are not respected. 

They are discriminated! Their human rights are not at all respected.

This young woman, Malala Yousafzai - winner of the 

Sakharov Prize 2013, shows us that we should fight for our 

rights. "Ms Yousafzai, 16, is a student from the town of Mingora in 

Swat District, Pakistan, known for her women's rights activism in 

the Swat Valley, where the Taliban regime has banned girls from 

attending school. " (in European Parliament-News)

WORLD DAY AGAINST DEATH PENALTY, 

10th October 

"(...) Amnesty International’s Director of Global Issues Audrey Gaughran said:

'There is simply no convincing evidence that the death penalty 

acts as a special deterrent.

Victims of crime deserve justice but the death penalty is not the answer'. (...)"

(http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=21015)

On 10 October 2013, the 

World Day Against the Death Penalty 

is focusing on the death penalty in the Greater Caribbean. 

What do you think about this?!

Some curiosities

The National Day of Castles was celebrated on 

7th October. 

Our country has very beautiful and important castles and we can't forget our
Palmela Castle and its value. 

"The Palmela Castle has existed since the 8th Century, when it was occupied by the Moors. 

In 1147 and the first Portuguese King, D. Afonso Henriques conquered the castle from the 

Moors. Ever since this castle has been an asset of significant geo–strategic value, because 

of its unique location. " 
(in http://www.palmela2011.com/palmela-castle/palmela-castle-history)

Look at the amazing view!

Today it is The World Post Day 

(9th October)

Do you usually write letters to your friends? 

Do you still send a postcard?

Do you know what this is?

WORLD TEACHER'S DAY,

5th October

The United Nations' (UN) World Teachers' Day celebrates the role teachers play in providing quality education at all levels. 

This enables children and adults of all ages to learn to take part in and contribute to their local community and global society.
(in http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/un/world-teachers-day)

I'm grateful for the task I've chosen years ago. 

I love being a teacher and I think it is always a challenge!

 And I can say I have very good memories.

Here are two quotes that I'd like to mention:

Helen Caldicott, "Teachers, I believe, are the most responsible and important members of society because their professional efforts affect the fate of the earth."

Albert Einstein, "It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge."

WORLD ANIMAL DAY

World Animal Day was started in 1931 at a convention of ecologists in Florence as a way of highlighting the plight of endangered species. October 4 was chosen as World Animal Day as it is the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

Since then, World Animal Day has become a day for remembering and paying tribute to all animals and the people who love and respect them. It's celebrated in different ways in every country, with no regard to nationality, religion, faith or political ideology. (in http://www.worldanimalday.org.uk/)

Animals can be our closest friends. Have you got a pet? 

If you have give him/ her/ it a ... HUG!

"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals!" -Immanual Kant

http://www.isfoundation.com/campaign/creatures/lets-celebrate-world-animal-day-october-4th