The Transformative Power of Music

17 Fevereiro 2016, 16:00 • Paula Alexandra Carvalho Alves Rodrigues Horta

Group and class discussion about the benefits of listening to and/or playing music.

The Transformative Power of Music

17 Fevereiro 2016, 12:00 • Paula Alexandra Carvalho Alves Rodrigues Horta

Group and class discussion about the benefits of listening to and/or playing music.

The transformative power of music

17 Fevereiro 2016, 10:00 • Lili Cavalheiro

PowerPoint presentation and discussion on the transformative power of music (PowerPoint presentation available on Moodle).

Videos: “How playing an instrument benefits your brain” TED lesson",  “How music saved Venezuela’s children” and "Joy in the Congo: a Musical Miracle”

For next class bring the chapter "The orchestra" already read so as to discuss in class.

The transformative power of music

17 Fevereiro 2016, 08:00 • Lili Cavalheiro

PowerPoint presentation and discussion on the transformative power of music (PowerPoint presentation available on Moodle).

Videos: “How playing an instrument benefits your brain” TED lesson",  “How music saved Venezuela’s children” and "Joy in the Congo: a Musical Miracle”

For next class bring the chapter "The orchestra" already read so as to discuss in class.

Introducing B2.1 English

16 Fevereiro 2016, 12:00 • Hilda Alexandra Prazeres Eusebio

Students were introduced to the course and were given the following information:

• the course will consist of learning English (reading, writing, speaking and listening) through the exploration of the following writing genres:
• descriptive writing;
• persuasive writing;
• narrative writing;
• expository writing;
• new vocabulary and reading/comprehension skills will be acquired through the reading of texts inside class and through the reading of the novel, Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., (Penguin Essentials edition);
• writing skills will be developed through four pieces of writing: the descriptive piece, the narrative piece and the major writing project (first and final drafts);
• feedback will be given through the teacher's colour coded system - students will be given class time to figure out their mistakes, to discuss potential correct answers with each other and, finally, to confirm corrections with the teacher;
• any 'awesome mistakes' will be shared with the class;
• grammar lessons will be delivered upon the return of homework assignments and exams so that students may discover where they're going wrong and how to do it right;
• oral skills will be developed throughout the semester during group presentations/peer teaching - all groups must speak in English at all times while preparing presentations;
• listenting skills will be developed throughout the semester by listening to audio clips (thank you, youtube);
• the course book can be bought in the Green Photocopy Room (Reprografia Verde);
• the novel can be ordered in the basement bookstore or online but must be the edition mentioned above.

GRADE PERCENTAGES

Attendance and class participation – 5%

Completed Homework – 10%

Midterm – 20%

Writing project – 20% (5% first draft; 15% final draft)

Oral presentation – 20%

End of Term Exam – 25% (5% listening comprehension; 20% written exam: grammar, comprehension, composition.)

HOMEWORK/ASSIGNMENTS 

Homework/assignments must be EMAILED to me on the day that they’re due.  You have until midnight on the day of the deadline – not emailing me the assignment on the day of the deadline will mean that your assignment will be marked as late and will lose 10% each day that it is late.   Reasons for lateness (other than illness or Worker Student Status) will not be accepted.  If you are ill, you must email me at the first available opportunity to let me know in advance and to request an extension.  Extensions will only be granted in the event that a doctor’s note can be provided.  Should this doctor’s note be unavailable for any reason, the extension will be cancelled and the work will be marked as ‘Late’. 

Important Dates:

• 12th April - Midterm exam;
• 21st April - 1st draft of writing project due;
• 10th May - final draft of writing project due;
• 10th, 12th, 17th and 19th May - oral exams;
• 31st May - listening comprehension exam;
• 2nd June - final exam.

The teacher and students then went on to tell each other a bit about themselves.