E A R T H

Do you ever think about the future? What about 50 or 100 years from now? Currently the world population is approximately 6.7 billion. Look at the map below. It shows which countries in the world have the highest populations. China and India have more than 1 billion people living there.

In the 2080 or 2100 what do you think the population will be? Do you think it will continue to grow or start to diminish? How do people affect the environment and the earth's future?

What do you think about these topics:

• global warming
• pollution
• conservation
• extinction

Since you've moved to Australia you might have heard about our water restrictions.... 4 minute showers, no baths and no watering the gardens. Did you know that March 29, 2008 is 60 Earth Hour day? This is an initiative to save energy by turning off all your lights and electrical appliances for one hour on March 29th at 8pm. Check it out: 60 Earth Hour.

Write about the earth's future. How will your life have changed in 50 or 60 years?

Books I've Read

What books have you read lately? Do you read English books? Do you read books in your own language? Reading is a good way to improve your vocabulary while you enjoy English study. Just like we talk about movies, books also have genres. Some common book genres are:

• Adventure
• Spy / Mystery
• Crime
• Action
• Romance
• Fantasy
• Biography/Autobiography
• Historical

I love to read crime or mystery novels. I'm a big fan of Stephen King. He's a master of suspense. Stephen King is a prolific author. He has written many books including some that have been adapted for the silver screen.

I enjoyed the Green Mile because it follows the trial of an unusual hero - a 7 foot black man, John Coffey, who has strange healing powers. He is falsely accused of raping and killing a girl and is being held on death row. The story focuses on two other prisoners, both murders, and the death row guard. It is told by narrator Paul Edgecomb, the chief of the guard. The book was gripping and intense as you read about Coffey's encounters with the hard-edged inmates and their pet mouse Mr. Jingles. It reminded me of the classic To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, which had a similar affect on me when I read it at school. The Green Mile has an extremely emotional end which, of course, made me cry. You should read the book before seeing the movie (if you haven't already!).

Check out this blog (Books I Have Read). It is devoted to all the books the maker has read. He writes a short book review for each book. Write a book review of a novel you have recently read and include a picture of the book.

Perceiving Pictures

Picture: 1

Picture: 2

Picture: 3

Picture: 4

Picture: 5

Picture: 6

Write a description about one of these photos. Don't write the number of the photo because your classmates are going to guess using your description. Think about colours, places, people, clothing, food and location. Be creative and write a story! What do you think is happening? What happened just before the photographer took the photo?

The Starlet

If I were a movie star... I'd be Natalie Portman

According to the movie star quiz I am Natalie Portman, The Starlet:

"Your simple, sophisticated style reminds people of classic Hollywood stars. Other young celebs party like crazy, but you'd rather see a play or read a great novel. You like to keep your private life private, but if the paparazzi track you down, you smile sweetly for the cameras. You'd never go out for coffee in ripped jeans or old sweatpants, because you don't want to disappoint your publicist (or your fans). You believe celebrities have a responsibility to look glamorous, so you dress up as often as possible."

My friends know I am secretly jealous of Natalie! I hate how popular she is! However, I am actually happy with this result. I think that if I were a Hollywood star I would need to be glamorous!

I have learnt to be patient, so if the paparazzi were chasing me with cameras I think I could deal with it.

I don't think my closest friends would be stars like Lindsey Lohan or Paris Hilton. I would prefer to hang out with people like Johnny Depp, Scarlet Johansson and Jake Gyllenhaal. I do enjoy partying but I also love to go hiking and swimming. I definately need time alone (I don't like to be around people all day long).

I would like to be in a range of movies from romance to thriller. As far as I know Natalie Portman hasn't acted in a horror film and that is something I would like to try. Also, Natalie and I have different movie choices because I would never like to act in Star Wars!!! aaaah! I really dislike fantasy/science fiction movies.

What you think? Do you agree?

If you want to take the quiz click here.

If you were a movie star....

Lights Camera Action!

If you managed to stay awake you might have seen the Academy Awards (otherwise known as "the Oscars") on Tuesday night. It's an important time of the year for the movie industry as "the Academy" recognises the best actors, directors, producers, script writers, editors and films.

It's also an important time for the magazines and fashionistas!! For some viewers the long walk on the red carpet is all they want to see. Who's wearing what designer? Versace, Gucci, Prada, Dolce and Gabana, Chanel, Dior, Fendi and Armani! The cameras are constantly flashing to get the best shot of the celebrities....

Today I want you to write about your favourite actor/actress. Take the movie star quiz and find our what kind of movie star you are. Do you agree with the results?

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! You interviewed each other in our last class. We asked questions about love and marriage to get into the Valentine's Day theme. However, Valentine's Day wasn't always about love.

Figure 1: Saint Valentine and his disciples

This day is named after two Christian martyrs named Valentine who lived around 200 AD. Only in the middle ages did Valentine's Day become associated with love. Today it is celebrated on February 14 in most Western countries. Many people think that like Christmas and Easter, Valentine's Day has become another way for advertisers to suck money out of us . . . another "Hallmark Day" (see this page http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Hallmark+Day&defid=1623139 ).

Do you really need a special day to appreciate your loved ones?

Should romance be confined to one day a year?

What are your favourite gifts to give and get on Valentine's Day (http://www.gifts.com/occasions/valentines-day/her/o7hFr6aicp816n)?

Top Tens

A fun interactive post idea is a top ten list. If you provide a link for every number on your list then your readers can get involved by reading more on each entry. Include photos and comments to add more depth!

Think of any superlative:

good best

bad worst

funny funniest

beautiful most beautiful

expensive most expensive

interesting most interesting

ugly ugliest

.............etc

Use this with an exciting topic and you have your list! For example: Top 10 Best Movie Endings of All Time or My 10 Most Beautiful Travel Destinations. You don't have to use a superlative in your list title, for example, 10 Reasons Why I'm Never Leaving Australia.

TIME Magazine has a great site with 50 of the best 10 lists from 2007 :

http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/top10/0,30576,1686204,00.html