Thanksgiving Day 2016

Thanksgiving Day is an annual national holiday in the United States and Canada celebrating the harvest and other blessings of the past year. In the US Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November while in Canada nearly one month and a half earlier (second Monday of October). Thanksgiving has deep roots in religious tradition, but nowadays it is primarily celebrated as a secular holiday.


Thanksgiving is a great time to be thankful and appreciate who you have and what you have. It is a time for families to meet, socialize and enjoy each other's company, sometimes the only opportunity in a year.

A miracle: the Battle of Empel

The Battle of Empel was a battle fought on December 7 and December 8, 1585 near the place of Empel, in the Netherlands as part of the Eighty Years' War, in which a Spanish force miraculously escaped destruction and achieved victory. In Spain the battle is still remembered as it is believed that the army was saved due to intervention of Mary of the Inmaculate Conception.

After the campaign of 1585, the Duke of Parma decided to go into winter quarters on Northern Dutch territory. The troops occupied the area around Hertogenbosch. Some 3000-4000 men of the Spanish Tercio, including Juan del Águila, under Maestre de Campo Francisco de Bobadilla were stationed on Bommelerwaard, which was supposed to be rich enough to support these troops through the winter. But all farmers had left the island, taking their livestock with them.

To make the situation of the hungry Spanish troops even worse, Dutch commander arrived with a strong land force and 100 ships. The Dutch leader offered an honorable surrender to the Spaniards but the response was resolute: «Los infantes españoles prefieren la muerte a la deshonra. Ya hablaremos de capitulación después de muertos.» Philip of Hohenlohe-Neuenstein breached the dikes of Bommelwaard, forcing the Spanish back over the Rhine to Empel. There they were unable to reach 's-Hertogenbosch, because the terrain was flooded and guarded by the fleet of Hohenlohe. The island was attacked as well by artillery fire coming from a fort, at the other side of the river.

The situation for the Spanish looked desperate. A Spanish soldier who was digging a trench around the church commented "this is more likely to be my grave than a trench". As he dug, he found a painting representing Mary of the Immaculate Conception. Bobadilla interpreted the discovery as a sign from God, and had the painting put on the Spanish flag for worship.

The next day the wind turned, and the intense cold temperature made the water around the island freeze. The Dutch fleet, surrounding the island, feared getting stuck in the ice and had to withdraw to open water. Meanwhile, the exhausted Spanish troops were able to flee the island across the ice. Panic broke out among the Dutch land forces when they heard what happened. A few hours later the Dutch bastion was assaulted and taken by the Spanish Tercios. Althoght many Spaniards died as a result of the weather hardships, the majority of the troops escaped annihilation and in fact achieved a miraculous victory.

That same day, Mary of the Immaculate Conception was proclaimed patroness of the Spanish Tercios of Flanders and Italy.

Spanish Constitution of 1978

The Spanish Constitution of 1978 is the current supreme law of the Kingdom of Spain. It was enacted after the country's 1978 constitutional referendum and is a furtherance of the Spanish transition to democracy. The Spanish Constitution of 1978 was preceded by numerous other constitutions.

The Constitution was originally ratified after a referendum on 6 December 1978 and was signed by King Juan Carlos I on 27 December 1978. The signing of the Constitution marked the culmination of the Spanish transition to democracy after the death of the former Head of State, Francisco Franco, in 1975. This led to the country undergo a series of political and historical changes that transformed the Francoist regime into a democratic state. The Constitution states that the King of Spain is the Head of the State. However, the king's function is merely symbolic and does not have any executive power.

The separation of powers is implicitly stated throughout the Constitution, which says that all people have the right to decide the representatives who will occupy the Cortes Generales, constituting of the Congress of Deputies and the Senate; both share the legislative power. The Government, whose president is anointed by the Congress of Deputies, directs the executive power, and the judicial power relies on judges, and the Constitutional Court assures that all laws follow the Constitution.

Horse Fair 2015

La Feria del Caballo (Horse Fair) is one of the most important celebrations in the Spanish municipality Jerez de la Frontera, only comparable to Easter religious celebrations. It is the most important fair in Cádiz and has been declared as international interest celebration. 

Its origins are in the medieval ages, during one week farmers gathered to sell and buy animals, in Jerez mainly horses, usually drinking sherry to celebrate the deals.

Nowadays it is celebrated in Parque González Hontoria. It is always celebrated in May. 

The Feria is divided in two parts: one is a kind of small village, with streets that have bars and restaurants at both sides (these restaurants are called Casetas). The other is a Theme Park/carnival style area where kids and grown ups can have fun on different rides such as roller coasters, bumper cars, etc... At the Feria de Jerez all the casetas are public, so anyone can just walk into any one and enjoy the food, drinks, and dancing. At night time there is a sort of "roof" of pretty decorative lights lighting this little "village" like area, which allows the party to last all the way till dawn.

World Thinking Day 2015

Develop a global partnership for development.

Our mission is: “To enable girls and young women to develop their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world.” In order to achieve this mission we are creating strong partnerships at all levels (local, national, regional, global) that empower girls and young women to take action and make the world a better place. Learning about the power of partnerships is a great way to celebrate our worldwide Movement.

Bristish Flags

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are territories belonging to The United Kingdom.

We will learn about their flags and saints with this activity.

Click on the map and play.

3rd Cycle of Primary School. Jclic

Fly to London

Zach and Reggie fly their trusty cardboard box to London, England!

This is a fun, educational travel song for kids

W
We are flying in the air, and across the sea We're going to a really nice place to have a cuppa tea When we see their flag in the air then we know we're near Oh boy, I can't wait to get there The people are so very nice and full of cheer Oh boy, I can't wait to meet them We will have, so much fun when we are in London Double deckers and The Queen When we're in London Taxi cabs and Ringo Starr When we're in London Buckingham palace is great, it's worth the visit Oh boy, it sure is amazing and the Tower of London is big, you can't miss it Oh boy, it's bigger than an elephant We will have, so much fun when we are in London Double deckers and The Queen When we're in London Taxi cabs and Ringo Starr When we're in London The phone booths and the royal guard When we're in London A spot of tea with our friends When we're in London

Christmas ornaments

 Do you put the Christmas tree in your house?

Christmas ornaments are decorations (usually made of glass, metal, wood or ceramics) that are used to decorate a Christmas tree. Ornaments take many different forms, from a simple round ball to highly artistic designs. Ornaments are almost always reused year after year, rather than purchased annually, and family collections often contain a combination of commercially produced ornaments and decorations created by family members. Such collections are often passed on and augmented from generation to generation. Santa Claus is a commonly used figure. Candy canes, fruit, animals, snowmen, angels and snowflake imagery are also popular choices

Los adornos de Navidad son decoraciones (generalmente de vidrio , metal, madera o cerámica) que se utilizan para adornar un árbol de Navidad. Los adornos tienen muchas formas diferentes, desde una simple bola redonda hasta diseños de alto nivel artístico . Los adornos casi siempre se reutilizan año tras año, en lugar de comprarse anualmente, y las colecciones de la familia a menudo contienen una combinación de adornos y decoraciones compradas y otras creados por los miembros de la familia. Estas colecciones a menudo se pasan y se aumentan de generación en generación. Papá Noel es una figura comúnmente usada. Los bastones de caramelo, frutas, animales, muñecos de nieve, ángeles y las imágenes de copo de nieve son también opciones populares.

The Normans in Britain

Los Normandos conquistaron gran parte de Gran Bretaña en el siglo XI.

Click on the picture and you can watch the video about a Day in the Life of a 10-year-old in Norman Britain. We take a step back in time and we re-create life in Norman Britain, from cooking up a medieval feasts to building a model castle.

3rd Cycle of Primary School

Tower of London

Visí­tela antes de que los cuervos se despidan......

Aquí­ es donde encerraron a los desafortunados sobrinos de Ricardo III, donde Ana Bolena fue "liberada" de su cabeza y donde se dice que cuando los cuervos la abandonen, el Reino Unido desaparecerá.

La Torre de Londres tiene muchas historias truculentas y extrañas supersticiones, y el mejor modo de descubrir toda la verdad es conocer a uno de los alabarderos de la Torre de Londres, o Yeoman Warder, como se les suele conocer. Son fáciles de ver, son los hombres y mujeres con sombreros, trajes y capas de color negro y rojo, y saben todos los entresijos sobre la historia de la Torre.

No podemos perdernos la Jewel House, hogar de las joyas de la corona y de 23.578 gemas (y eso son muchas joyas); y en la White Tower hay una exposición de armaduras reales.

Descubra qué rey era alto, qué rey era demasiado gordo (pista: su nombre acaba en VIII) y quién tenía una armadura dorada para su caballo. Sí­, para su caballo.

No olvide preguntar a su guí­a por las partes menos conocidas de la Torre. Como el nombre "Jane" que aparece grabado en la pared de una de las celdas que tiene algo que ver con la trágica (y adolescente) Lady Jane Grey, que fue reina durante 19 días antes de que Bloody Mary (Marí­a Tudor) la mandase encerrar.

Y no olvide preguntar por el fantasma de Arabella Estuardo, prima de Jacobo I, que estuvo presa (y algunos dicen que fue asesinada) aquí.

Welcome to Eilean Donan Castle

Eilean Donan Castle es uno de los lugares más emblemáticos de Escocia. El castillo se alza en una isla, un enclave de singular belleza que lo ha hecho reconocible en todo el mundo y lo ha convertido en uno de los lugares más visitados de las tierras altas escocesas. 
Although first inhabited around the 6th century, the first fortified castle was built in the mid 13th century. Eilean Donan tiene fama de ser el castillo más bonito de Escocia 

Come and decide for yourself!
  

British Culture and Tradition

This is an activity for students to revise British culture and traditions. 

I hope you find it useful!

 3rd Cycle Primary school. English Exercises.org

Click on this link below to play Million pound drop game

 http://www.englishexercises.org/millionpounddrop/game.asp?id=9954 

British Schools

Aquí podrás encontrar información y actividades sobre la Educación Escolar en Reino Unido: sabrás como es su jornada escolar, como son sus uniformes, sus colegios, y su rutina diaria.  Podrás darte cuenta de las grandes diferencias que existen con los colegios nuestros. 

Entra y curisoea un poco.

 

6th of Primary School. College Marc Chagall

Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Night

It is an annual event dedicated to bonfires, fireworks and celebrations. In Great Britain, Bonfire Night is associated with the tradition of celebrating Guy Fawkes' arrest on 5th November (se conmemora el fracaso del atentado del 5 de noviembre de 1605, en el que algunos católicos y Guy Fawkes intentaron destruir el Palacio de Westminster, la sede del parlamento en Londres. Actualmente se hacen hogueras y en ellas se queman muñecos que simbolizan a Guy Fawkes, hay fuegos artificiales y se degustan platos típicos como manzanas de caramelo, jacket potatoes (patatas asadas, cocinadas en la hoguera), guisantes negros con vinagre, o el bonfire toffee.

Fair Horse in Sherry

The Horse Fair is one of the most important celebrations in Jerez and has been declared as international interest celebration. Its origins are in the medieval ages, during one week farmers gathered to sell and buy animals, in Jerez mainly horses, usually drinking sherry to celebrate the deals. Nowadays it is celebrated in González Hontoria Park. It is always celebrated in May. The Fair is divided in two parts: one is a kind of small village, with streets that have bars and restaurants at both sides (these restaurants are called Casetas). The other is a Theme Park/carnival style area where kids and grown ups can have fun on different rides such as roller coasters, bumper cars, etc...

At the Fair all the casetas are public, so anyone can just walk into any one and enjoy the food, drinks, and dancing. This is one of the main features that differentiates it from the Seville Fair as most of the "casetas" there are private and therefore only card holding members are allowed in. In the casetas, throughout the day and night, people will usually be found drinking sherry  wine, and in more recent years a new trend is to mix the wine with lemonade and ice cubes creating a cocktail commonly known as Rebujito. At night time there is a sort of "roof" of pretty decorative lights lighting this little "village" like area, which allows the party to last all the way till dawn.

When is Easter Sunday?

 This year, Easter Sunday is April 20, 2014.

Easter is an annual Christian festival in commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, observed on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox, as calculated according to tables based in Western churches on the Gregorian calendar and in Orthodox churches on the Julian calendar.
 
In Western Christianity, Easter is preceded by Lent, a period of fasting and penitence in preparation for Easter, which begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts forty days (not counting Sundays). The week before Easter, known as Holy Week, is very special in the Christian tradition. The Sunday before Easter is Palm Sunday, with the Wednesday before Easter being known as Spy Wednesday. The last three days before Easter are Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday (sometimes referred to as Silent Saturday). Easter Sunday is the day on which this festival is celebrated. It is when Christians remenber the death of Christ and his return to life.

Saint Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick's Day is a cultural and religious holiday celebrated annually on 17 March. Saint Patrick is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. St Patrick is credited with bringing christianity to Ireland.
 
Why is the Shamrock the National Flower of Ireland ? The reason is that, according to legend, St. Patrick used it to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagans. La celebración generalmente tiene por temática todo lo que es verde e irlandés.

Click to watch the video

Happy Thanksgiving Day!!

Thanksgiving Day o Día de Acción de Gracias es una celebración tradicional de Estados Unidos que se celebra el cuarto jueves del mes de noviembre.  
 La mayoría de personas en los Estados Unidos celebran esta fiesta con reuniones familiares en sus hogares donde preparan una cena. El plato tradicional es pavo asado relleno de pan, maíz y salvia que se sirve con salsa de arándanos. También suele servirse de postres pastel de calabaza, de nueces o manzana.

Es también tradicional en este día un Desfile por la avenida Broadway de Manhattan (Nueva York) a la que asisten millones de personas para ver los enormes globos gigantes y presenciar las actuaciones de artistas invitados.

 

Feria del Caballo 2013 en Jerez

Nuestra acogedora feria está declarada de Interés Turístico Internacional.

 En el Parque González Hontoria se emplazan más de 200 casetas abiertas a todos los jerezanos y visitantes.

Al mediodía podemos disfrutar del espectacular Paseo de Caballos  con cientos de jinetes y amazonas vestidos de corto o de faralaes, y engalanados enganches que desfilan durante la semana por los distintos paseos del Real.

 Por la noche podemos pasear bajo los espectaculares arcos de alumbrado (casi 1 millón de bombillas)

The Feria is divided in two parts: one is a kind of small village, with streets that have bars and restaurants at both sides (these restaurants are called Casetas). The other is a Theme Park/carnival style area where kids and grown ups can have fun on different rides such as roller coasters, bumper cars etc...

Si quieres saber más sobre nuestra feria, eventos ecuestres, actividades flamencas, concursos, planos, las casetas, etc

Click on the picture

Come here and enjoy it!!!!

We love Flamenco in Jerez

XVII Festival de Jerez

El Flamenco está más vivo que nunca.

Click on the picture to watch this beautiful video

La Plaza del Arenal ha sido escenario de una actividad muy atractiva que ha despertado una gran expectación. Se trata de un Flashmob Flamenco protagonizado por Mercedes Ruiz. La obra, presentada bajo el título de 'Tangos', ha convertido el espacio urbano en un escenario improvisado en el que profesionales del baile, aficionados y público han ofrecido una puesta en escena singular y muy flamenca.

Click here to watch the Flashmob Video

Acércate al Hammam Andalusí. Baños Árabes Jerez. (Calle Salvador, 6) hasta el 31 de Marzo para ver la magnífica exposición fotográfica llamada "Malvaloca" del Gran Francisco Javier Ramírez "Cachi"