Help!

Thank you so much for answering my questions on Halloween on my last posting. As I've mentioned before, I'm an English teacher in Greece and this year I'm planning a cultural project for my classes on British festivals and customs. I believe that it's important not only to teach them the language but also pass on some cultural elements with hands on activities and role play.And what a better reliable source of information on the British customs than you, my blog friends! As you can imagine, I can use all the help I could get!
So far here are the festivals/ customs I'm planning on teaching them:

Halloween (focusing on the Scottish origin)

Bonfire night ( since you suggested it!)

Christmas (christmas crackers, christmas pudding, carols- any other ideas?)

Pancake day

Easter (egg rolling, egg hunt- any other ideas?)

I would appreciate it, if you could share any other customs that I haven't included in my list, suffice that they are traditional (that you, as children took part in) and that they're still big occassions in the UK . I'm sooo looking forward to your feedback! Thank you so much in advance!

PS. Two school years ago I organized a Pancake day at school and the kids had a blast! If you're interested in how it went, have a look here.

Straight away

It feels that there is no way back to summer anymore.The weather report says that this weekend will be hot. I don't believe them. Today I woke up in the middle of the night  to the sound of heavy rain. All I could think of was what shoes I would wear to school so I don't get all wet. When I got up it was still pouring, the clouds were dark grey and I felt awful. No option left but search for the ultimate winter shoes, my boots- which as you might have guessed I totally hate right now. Fortunately there was a mood change the minute I got to school; those happy faces always have and continue to save me when in my darkest times. I spent the day with puppet making and puppet theater, rhymes, songs and crafts. Still, winter is coming straight away...

Ready!

I may not have got all prepared for my first lesson yet (a bit ashamed about it), but I will surely step into the schoolyard in style tomorrow!

How? 

With my new schoolbag of course featuring my initial letter.

 

It's a kind of a tradition of mine to make a new schoolbag every one or two years.I find it a nice way to start the schoolyear and sweeten the pill a bit...It's not the first initial letter bag I've made ( Λ  is the equivalent for L). Perhaps you remember these and this one made especially for friends. In June I made three more as presents and look at my girls posing! Aren't they lovely? 

I made their bags in a way that they can also get folded and kept into their purse to be used as an extra shoppping bag. Look how small they can get!

 The idea came in mind, because when I go shopping I hate it having lots of small bags in my hands,so I always take a bigger one with me to carry the smaller ones in it and free my hands. Of course they can be used as such.

 This September I thought it would be finally my turn! Considering my school needs I made mine with a thicker fabric, an interior pocket for my purse and hankies and I added ribbons to hang my keyrings from.

The bags turned out a total hit with my friends and their friends, so,in the case that you would be interested in a bag featuring your initial name or your friend's name in Greek,
 I would be happy to make one for you! 
Just leave your email.

What do you think?

Last day

June is always a busy month. I've been in the middle of tests, marking, reports, lesson planning lesson, presentations and summer school shows. All of which left me no time or mind to blog, not even about the good things that have been happening in the meantime, such as gatherings and trips.

Today is the last day at school, at least for the pupils. Teachers have one more week to go before we start our summer holidays.So, I'm hoping that I'll be able to show you some of the photos I've been taking and catch up!

School outing

Today was a wonderful day, sunny and hot! We were next to the calm sea with the smell of chamomile in the air.

Swinging above chamomile next to the sea

 Happy kids, teasing and laughter among the colleagues. 

A nice day at work...

I hope you had a lovely day, too!

Happy day and giveaway winner!

As I said in my previous posting, I'm not into this celebration AT ALL. However, I find it a great chance to make all kind of heart crafts and get all these uplifting colours (pink, fucsia, red) around me. Yesterday I had a wonderful time at school, where I taught them how to make this card with a lovely surprise inside:

via this link

It proved a rather easy and enjoyable craft for kids (and me for that matter!). One class traced their own hands, however the result was not very nice, as their fingers came out really thin.So, for the rest of the classes we used a template.When they finished, I told them that they should give it to a person they love. I can't describe my hapinness, when I found four cards on my desk addressed to me right after the break!

Of course, this whole hearty card making triggered funny incidents, such as, pupils teasing their mates by hiding cards in their  bags (mostly boy to boy), hiding cards in their Valentine's cabinet (the boys proved to be more courageous!), lots of laughs and so on!

This card, not only helped me deliver a nice lesson, but it spread a happy feeling all over the school!

Nice...  

And may I announce the lucky one of my V's giveaway!
It's Greenthumb from one of my favourite blogs called Made with Love ! 

Congratulations dear! 
 Now you got me sewing!

A big thanks to everyone for participating! 
I only wish they were even more entries... That would have been even more thrilling!
 
Have a wonderful Friday and an exciting weekend ahead!