LET'S GO EXPLORING... 2021!

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Bill Watterson

'A day full of possibilities'

The final Calvin and Hobbes comic strip, published

on December 31, 1995. (Andrews McMeel Publishing)

CLICK HERE to expand the image.

On November 9, 1995, Bill Watterson published a letter alongside the strip telling readers that he was ending Calvin and Hobbes. "For readers," Michael Hingston writes "this was another shock and for some a betrayal."

But Hingston, the author of Let's Go Exploring: Calvin and Hobbes (Pedersen, ECW Press, 2018),  believes Watterson always intended Calvin and Hobbes to be finite.

"The sense I got from talking to Watterson's editor was that the syndicate knew very early on that Watterston wasn't going to do this forever," he says.

That's not what fans were expecting. They grieved.

"Watterson stepped away fairly suddenly. He gave about a month's notice and he never moved on to another strip. And that's tough," says Hingston.

In the final strip, Calvin and Hobbes and their toboggan are the only colour on a white field of snow.

"That last strip is on a Sunday and Watterson's very clever to draw it in black and white," says Hingston.

It's not sombre. There's a strange levity, a feeling of infinity, and of release.

"It's like having a big white sheet of paper to draw on," Hobbes remarks.

"It's about possibility," says Hingston.

"So Calvin and Hobbes take off down this hill and they disappear into almost literal nothingness. And who knows what's out there," he says.

A generation of kids has grown up since that final strip appeared. With no merchandising or movies or cartoon specials, fans continue to buy the anthologies and read and share Calvin and Hobbes with new readers. They're doing exactly what Calvin told us to do in the final frame.

They're still exploring.

Michael Hingston says the strip was like a 10-year manifesto from Watterson, challenging the reader to explore the infinite in their imagination.

"When the strip disappeared," says Hingston, "[Watterson] wasn't taking it from people; he was leaving it for them to fill in the gaps themselves."

Every day is a day full of possibilities. Grab your toboggan and hold on.

Adapted from "'Let's Go Exploring: The story of Calvin and Hobbes creator Bill Watterson". Available at: http://bit.ly/38M8Pae. Accessed on December 30, 2020.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

HAPPY 2021! 

SCHOOL, CORONAVIRUS AND THE FUTURE

What students are saying about their hopes and concerns for the 2020-2021 school year

The Learning Network

The New York Times

September 17, 2020

Adapting to a new normal

As I prepare for another online 7th grade class, I look back, seeing how much school has been upended. Instead of 6 classes, there are now only 3 a day. Instead of a classroom, the dining room table … But this may all change. Based on the current Covid-19 cases, we may be going into school, but with drastic changes. A hybrid schedule will be used, and there will be a lot of new rules. Even with half of the population on campus, which will be 900 kids, I still find these rules will be hard to enforce, and will create a lot of confusion. Students will be given a desk shield, which will be brought with them to other classes. Arrows on the floor will create chaos, with some students forgetting which way and some “forgetting” on purpose … Even with this, I will be glad to be back in class. I get to see friends, be in person, have things be … a sort of normal.
— Finn C., San Marcos, CA

My school started in mid August and we were given the option of staying at home or returning to school in person. Although 90% of the student body went back to school, I decided to stay home for the first two weeks to see how well my school would manage the situation. My school required masks for all students and since we’re a small school we were able to distance the desks about 3 feet apart from each other. There were also temperature checks put in place before entering the building. These safety measures and many more allowed for a successful transition for the new bizarre school year. I went back to school last week and I was very excited to see all my friends and say hello to all my new teachers. Even though we were all wearing masks I could tell how excited my friends were to see me back in school.
— Rishi, Ontario, Canada

Although I cannot interact with my friends physically, I am still able to text and call them through a variety of medians. In addition, being at home has allowed me access to technology which can serve useful for research, and personally, teachers have become more understanding and even declined the workload from classes. The high school itself has remained active through weekly videos regarding the news around the school and our peers and has renewed clubs throughout. The year is quite different to years prior, but I believe it also presents many opportunities to stay safe, maintain good grades, and yet have fun in a way we may have not thought of or was possible prior.
— Vivek Cherian, Tracy, CA

For me, distance learning isn’t too much of a challenge. I know that I’m not speaking for everyone though when I say that though, because I know that the teachers have had to put a lot of time and effort to make these distance meetings work, and not all students have the same conditions I do. I personally like the distance learning environment. Instead of having to focus in a crowded classroom, I get to relax a little in my room and have way less distractions … I will admit I really miss talking to my friends in person, and I feel bad for any new students who are looking for friends, but my friends and I are keeping in touch through texting and social media.
— Tyler, United States

Virtual learning is something I enjoy more because I feel like it’s easier for me to focus because I am in a quiet environment and I can concentrate on my work rather than being in a class with students asking questions and talking to one another. Another reason why virtual learning is something I enjoy is because we get more sleep and we have more time to get up and make breakfast in the morning.
— Shamiah Haywood, California

Dreading the distance

I am currently four weeks into the new methods of learning, and I would do anything to get back in school. Online is just so disorganized, I can’t understand directions I lose focus and it’s just difficult to navigate. One of my biggest fears for the school year is that I will not be able to understand certain things or certain website we use will be to unstable doing tests and quizzes that certain grades that I may not love will be out of my control. Now a year ago today I never would have thought I’d be saying this, but there is nothing I wouldn’t do to be back in the classroom.
— Isaac Maaske, Glenbard West

School right now isn’t fun. I'm getting all these assignments due very early and not the usual 11:59 like most classes. My computer isn’t the fastest and its very slow and starts to buzz out. Its hard to learn when your computer starts to act up and can barely hear what they are saying. Many of us learn in different ways. For me its way easier to learn face to face
— Joseph Wijangco, Vanden High School

I know junior year is supposed to be the hardest year in high school but I feel like now that it is online it is 10x worse than I could have ever prepared myself for. A lot of people go to school as an escape. You have resources like the library and teachers all around you. It is hard to transition from your home life to your school life if you are still at home. Personally, it is harder to find a setting in my house that is comfortable and quiet enough for me to sit there for at least 7 hours and work. I am constantly distracted by my family because I also need to help my little brother with school and my dogs bark all the time. I hope we can go to school maybe a few days a week soon.
— Teilana Carr, Vanden High School, CA

Although online classes make it safe to learn in our current situation, I believe that we’re not really learning as much as we should. For me, hands-on, participative classes are the key to retaining knowledge. With the new change in schooling, this doesn’t often occur, making it extremely hard to learn new things and actually remember them. All of this isn’t even considering that students and teachers sometimes have poor internet quality, which leads to no learning at all.
— Lilly N., Recife, Brazil

A lot of students like me have had trouble with the online learning. Staring at a screen for hours everyday gives students terrible migraines. There are a lot of my peers that are very social and miss having human contact. I hope when we do go back to school that the school will take precautions. Not all bad things have come from this year. People are becoming less dependent on other people and more independent. As much as I wish I could see into the future I can’t. The future is unknown. We can just hope for the best.
— Camee Laton, Oneonta High School

Holding out hope

Areli Gonzales, left, with her twin sister Andrea. “It’s hard learning on a computer, especially when my head starts to hurt and my eyes get dry from staring at the screen for too long,” said Areli, a sophomore in Tennessee.

Online school is a struggle and definitely different than what I am used to. However, even though it’s tough to stay motivated during online school, it’s important to remember that this struggle isn’t permanent. This struggle isn’t personal. You are not struggling alone. You will get through online school with you classmates, with your teachers, and with your friends. Online school might not be your top choice for how to learn but when it’s the only option it’s important to not get discouraged. We will get through the hardships and have a successful school year as long as we allow ourselves to.
— Julia Norton, Glenbard West

I believe every student has concerns about this new school year. Some may be worried about being new and not having any friends; others are sad since they won’t be able to practice the sports they love, others feel bad for not seeing their friends during their daily lives, and it goes on. Nonetheless, we have to keep our heads up and stay hopeful. In other words, I truly hope we can face this challenging situation with patience.
— Amanda A., Recife, Brazil

Virtual school is going well for me when it comes to being flexible with the new schedule and how much work we are given, but one of the large problems with virtual schooling as a whole is that I am not able to see any of my friends and sometimes technical difficulties can get in the way. It has been a trouble getting used to it, but if you are hopeful enough, things will work out.
— Connor Y., Cincinnati, Ohio

Clueless is the definition of what most of us are now. I don’t know what to expect about the next school year. It was tough for me to adapt to this new way of learning, and sometimes still is. The students feel overwhelmed or distracted, and I feel like I can’t handle the amount of work we often have … But despite all the insecurities of coming back to school, and is it going to be: full time, hybrid, or online, it doesn‘t matter because, in the end, we will figure out a way to make it work and enjoy it even if it gets a little complicated.
— Marina M, Escola Americana do Recife, Brazil

With the Coronavirus Pandemic going on, many students are learning their curriculum in many new ways. Online school on zoom and google meets is now going on and many are very unhappy with it. Although we are still able to do this it has become very difficult. Everyone has their own struggles and issues with this system but for me specifically I have to balance both school work and my siblings work then having to work in the afternoon. This is difficult and has became a hard situation to go through but nonetheless I have learned to adapt and manage my time. This is a very difficult time and It is necessary for us to look on the bright side :)
— Jessica Varela, Glenbard West High School

I am a new student in IPS I’m definitely proud of my choice of coming here because the school is very organized even in virtual school, I feel very safe since my classmates I got along with them on the first week and most of the teachers seem really nice, yes it is productive and helps you be creative and try new things. I’ve been prepared mentally and emotionally for months now. Advice I’d give to others struggling is just try your best to adapt, because as you do your assignments, take classes and much more you’ll realize time will move much faster.
— Abdulateef Alsufayan, Saudi Arabia

Staying safe

I really wanted to go back to school this year but my parents wanted me to stay home. At first I didn’t agree with them and was really mad honestly, but after my grandma passed away from covid-19 I realized how much more life matters than being mad at my parents for making me stay home. My little brother has asthma and I would feel horrible If he got it from me.
— Mary s, home

I believe that schools in California made the right choice to do online learning. I understand that it is difficult for many students, however we do not have any kind of handle on the Corona situation, and returning to school right now would only cause cases of Corona to increase dramatically. We can’t afford to go back to school yet.
— Sam Patterson, Vanden High School, CA

I wish I could have gone back to school this semester but I know that I will go back next semester. I know it is better to stay home and risk not getting sick but I miss my friends and hanging out with them. But it is for the best not to get family sick. I hope all of this could go away soon and we all could go back to school but it looks like that is not happening any time soon. In the meantime, I can hang out with my close family and some friends that I’m quarantining with.
— Amy Waligura, Nagel Middle School

Although I do wish to return to school and get rid of e-learning, I do not want to return to school if it is not going to be safe for the students and staff because in the end, even school is not worth risking the possibility of getting the virus and spreading it to your loved ones.
— Ella Erickson, Glenbard West High School

Worrying about school, life and the future

This year is something out of a science fiction book, and not a good one. I feel like I’m missing out on my precious school life that I once had by participating in virtual school. I miss my ordinary life, taking the bus to school, talking with my friends in the morning breeze. Now I wake up every morning to a dull computer screen and a stuffy room. I miss going to school.
— Nathaniel Soria, Vanden High School

This year is definitely strange. I feel isolated from my friends and from the rest of the world. We have moved to complete virtual learning. It doesn’t even feel like we are really back at school. On the first day I put a real shirt on, but wore my pajamas on the bottom.
— Casey Zlatkus, Vacaville, CA

I also am hoping to stay friends with most of my friends because during this time it’s sometimes hard to stay connected at all times. Some concerns I have are not being able to go back because of the prevailing situation, I am also concerned about being able to stay focused in class because we are not in the normal class environment. Also, I’m concerned about all the time I will spend on screens because I get headaches from them.
— Juliana Fauth, Oneonta High School

This school year I hope to get all A’s in my classes both semesters and to score well on the SAT and ACT. I also want to get at least a 4 on my 3 AP exams. My concerns are that I might not do as well as previous years because of distractions during remote learning. I’m also worried that the AP tests might end up being different like last year and I won’t have as great of an opportunity to succeed.
— Grace McCarthy, Illinois

Advice to live by

Things are not going to be perfect and we may feel like we are drowning in a sea of emotions, but that is okay. We have to learn to normalize the oddities and push to be the best versions of ourselves through all of this change. I hope that this school year teaches our society to not be so hard on ourselves, and instead learn to be satisfied with “trying out best.”
— Mary Crum, Glenbard West High School

My advice for other students starting online school for the first time is designating a place to do work that isn’t your bed. It’s made it that much easier to be in the mood to do school work.
— Maleah Brockington, Oneonta Senior High School, NY

I am in my junior year and I can understand some of the nervousness when it comes to grades. Virtual school can also be distracting, and can cause procrastination … The advice id give to struggling students is to remove all your distractions including but not limited to: video games, cell phones, tv, etc. Removing these distractions and focusing solely on school will force the transition from summer break to work.
— Abubaker Jassim, Al Doha al janubiya, Saudi Arabia

Not only do you have to worry about parents or siblings walking around making noise in the background, but it’s easy to just turn off your camera and do other things rather than paying attention.
My advice to students in e-learning is to do your best to keep on task. Try to find a relatively quiet room to work from, and if possible lock the door or establish that no one should come in during school hours. Also, charge your phone on the other side of the room, so you aren’t tempted to use it during class. Take notes, pay attention, and I’m sure you’ll do fine.
— Ollie Geissal, Glenbard West High School

… I have prepared for this school year by staying calm, and going with the flow. My best advice for someone struggling with online classes would be to set a solid schedule of what needs to be done and when it should be done. I would also say, don’t be afraid to ask your teachers questions, because this type of learning is new for everyone.
— emily, tracy

My advice would be to take school easy on yourself and to not overwork yourself at all. Making a whole time table for what you’ll do when school starts helps a lot. If you’re still in summer break try to wake up early and make test runs as if it’s school. Also try to readjust to doing homework and setting up your room to be a study like office. A laptop, pencil and notebook is enough.
— Omar Alturki, Saudi Arabia

This has not been a good year. We have faced a global pandemic that threatens us as a species. I, in America, have been forced to grapple with our original sin, slavery, which has haunted our country since its founding. Hundreds of students have had to change the way they learn. It has not been a good year. I have found my record of these times defined by absence. In my senior speech I wrote for my high school that no one will ever hear. In the pictures I have on my phone of Times Square, empty for what will probably be the only instance in my lifetime. This year has challenged me in so many ways. However, I have found solace from the sickly absence which has haunted my year in a quote from a comic book called “The Sandman” by Neil Gaiman, “It’s astonishing how much trouble one can get oneself into if one works at it. And astonishing how much trouble on can get oneself out of if one simply assumes that everything will, somehow or other, work out for the best.” I will continue to assume that everything will, in fact, work out for the best. It is hope that fills the absences in my life. I have found myself becoming more hopeful. I have found myself looking forward to what is to come. As freshman in college, I find myself looking forward to the uncertainty that the next couple of years will bring as I find the certainty of uncertainty, in a strange way, comforting. I know that I am changing, and all I can hope for is that I am changing for the better.
— Noah Rubin, University of Rochester

Adapted from: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/17/learning/what-students-are-saying-about-their-hopes-and-concerns-for-the-2020-21-school-year.html. Accessed on December 20, 2020.

LOOKING TO THE PAST

STUDENT OPINION

What is something good that happened in 2020?

What is something positive you discovered about yourself, your family, your community and maybe even your world this year?

SHANNON DOYNE

The New York Times

December 21, 2020

When you look back at 2020, it might be easy to think of all the challenges. But even though this has been a dark year for so many people, can you think of the good things that happened as well? Did you start any new hobbies, strengthen any relationships, or learn anything about yourself or about the world?
The New York Times recently asked readers those very questions, and “‘I Learned to Appreciate My Husband,’ and Other Silver Linings From 2020” is a selection of the more than 1,500 responses. They include:

To the Editor:

Despite everything, we did not give up. We found new levels of courage, humility, resilience and resolve. And renewed our understanding of compassion. But that is not all.
Newborns arrived, students graduated. Marriages, birthdays and anniversaries were celebrated. Agreements were signed, careers started. Discoveries were made, solutions were found. People found love (many of us for the umpteenth time since we met), shoulders were leaned on, aid was rendered, lives were saved. Faith was found, memorials were held, kind words spoken. We began to heal. We did not give up.
The United States has weathered every crisis: independence, civil war, foreign wars, surprise attacks, economic setbacks, assassinations, civil and cultural change. We’ve endured by realizing the capacity to do what must be done. I remain optimistic. And retain my belief in a better America tomorrow.

Jeff Horton
Keller, Texas

To the Editor:

Guess it would be: I’m working from home! I’m working from home! I’m working from home!
No hurry-up breakfast force-feeding. No cold car. No lunch packing. Working in sweatpants. Less laundry. Happy pets. Screw the makeup. Bad-hair day is meaningless. No ringing phones and overheard arguments. No weird smells. No Muzak. Office with a window — that actually opens. Free to adjust the thermostat. Break-time walk around the yard instead of a parking lot. Introvert not forced to be around people eight to 10 hours a day.
I’m one of the lucky ones.

Wendy Sieja
Appleton, Wis.

Some responses had to do with popular culture:

To the Editor:

Naming one good thing that happened in 2020 is easy: The Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series. I live in New England, but I grew up in Los Angeles and became a Dodgers fan in 1966, Sandy Koufax’s last year as a player. On a cold and dreary day in April 2020, early on in the pandemic, I sought solace and escape by watching the first game of the 1988 World Series between the Dodgers and the Oakland Athletics, the game in which Kirk Gibson hobbled around the bases after pinch-hitting a home run in the bottom of the ninth inning.
I had to wait 32 years before the 2020 victory. Although I have called New England my home for the past 35 years, like Tommy Lasorda, the Dodgers manager in 1988, when you cut me I bleed Dodger Blue.

Randy Rockney
Barrington, R.I.

To the Editor:

One good thing about 2020? Honestly, Taylor Swift’s album “Folklore” from July and her new one, “Evermore,” in December. The music is amazing, and at least she’s doing something productive in quarantine.

Dalia Pustilnik
New York

Others centered on how relationships have changed:

To the Editor:

My 2020 silver lining: video chats. (Really.) My husband and I are lucky to have a global web of friends and family. I am American, he is Australian, we met in the United Kingdom and now live in California. Our loved ones are spread over San Jose, Sydney, Canberra, London, New York, St. Louis and Denver.
The year 2020 has been a seemingly never-ending stream of heartache, but never have I ever felt so connected with friends and family. We started a daily family Zoom call when the first quarantines started in March, and the call is still going strong nine months later. Sometimes people can’t make it, or they drop in for just a quick hello, but it’s a daily reminder that even apart we are connected by our mutual love and care for each other.
Thank you, 2020, for teaching me not to take friendships and family for granted and for showing me that we don’t need to be in the same place to nurture our relationships.

Anne Throdahl
San Jose, Calif.

To the Editor:

The pandemic clipped my dad’s wings.
For the first time in my life my father couldn’t travel internationally for work. Pre-pandemic, he would be away for one or two weeks each month, but the threat of the virus halted international travel, keeping him homebound.
During this strange year, he finally had time to teach me how to ride a bike. He finished reading “The Chronicles of Narnia” to my sister and me. He joined the pandemic obsession of sourdough making — which led to us eating a lot of bread. Every weekend he spends time instructing us in the finer points of the Greek language.
Instead of asking him math questions by text or calling him on the phone while he was in some neighboring country, he’s now beside me with a whiteboard and marker every evening.
Though the pandemic took away too many family members from too many people around the world, it oddly gave me more of my dad.

Olivia Wasmund
Seoul, South Korea
(The writer is a seventh grader at Seoul Foreign School.)

This is the final letter in the selection:

To the Editor:

The foundational principle of improv is “yes, and” — accepting the reality your scene partner establishes and adding to it, furthering the scene. Performing in improv comedy troupes for most of my life has cemented this concept in my brain.
Yet last March, all my improv-loving brain could think was “no.” No, I can’t work. No, I can’t socialize. No, the world can’t function.
Unlike me, the world accepted this uncertain new reality and said, “Yes, and.” Yes, you can shop and pick up groceries curbside. Yes, you can use the internet and work, worship, be entertained, and reconnect with old friends and relatives. Yes, people will help those in need and create therapeutic drugs and a vaccine.
The tragic realities of 2020 are undeniable. But the world has thought outside the box in astounding ways to navigate this unfamiliar life. The year 2020 epitomizes “yes, and.”
Yes, we did.
And we will.

Laura Lind
Pittsburgh
(The writer is a founding member of the Amish Monkeys improvisational comedy troupe.)

FOR STUDENTS
Reading for critical thinking...

• Which of the letters resonates most with you? Why?
• In her letter, Olivia Wasmund, a seventh grader, writes about her father being around much more because he no longer travels for work. Do you have any relationships that strengthened during the pandemic?
• David Barnert’s letter reads in its entirety: “One good thing about 2020: We learned what we can do without.” What does this statement mean to you? What, if anything, did you come to realize doesn’t matter, or matters less than you used to think, over the past many months?
• John Medinger’s response to “what was good about 2020?” is “not a thing.” Why do you think the editors chose to include this letter in the collection?
• Several of the writers mentioned things that did not happen to them personally, but rather, happened in the world, like coronavirus vaccines becoming available and people adopting cats and dogs in record numbers. What would you add to this list?
• Laura Lind’s letter is about how the improv comedy principle “yes, and” can be synthesized with our current reality. What do you think about this idea? Can you add more examples of “yes, and” thinking to the list, whether they are about your own life or our shared experiences?

Adapted from: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/21/learning/what-is-something-good-that-happened-in-2020.html. Accessed on December 30, 2020.

ENGLISH NOUNS

130 substantivos mais usados em inglês

CARLA MUNIZ

Toda Matéria - Inglês

Uma das classes de palavras mais importantes quando aprendemos um idioma estrangeiro são os substantivos. Eles são responsáveis por nomear os seres e uma variedade de outras coisas como objetos, sentimentos e lugares.
Para ajudar você a ampliar o seu vocabulário em inglês, o site Toda Matéria organizou uma lista com os 130 substantivos mais usados em inglês.

A lista engloba termos do Coca (Corpus of Contemporary American English - Corpus do Inglês Americano Contemporâneo) e da Dolch Word List, lista de palavras usadas com frequência em inglês, compilada por Edward William Dolch.
A tabela mostra alguns dos substantivos mais usados em inglês. CLIQUE AQUI para conferir a lista dessas palavras com tradução.

• Veja também: Principais gírias em inglês americano e britânico

Vídeo

Assista o vídeo abaixo e veja quais são os 10 substantivos mais usados em inglês por ordem de frequência de uso, segundo a lista do Coca.

Veja também:

• Substantivos (nouns) em inglês
• Expressões idiomáticas em inglês
• Plural dos substantivos em inglês (plural of nouns)
• Falsos cognatos em inglês (False friends)
• Quando usar IN, ON e AT
• Como aprender inglês sozinho
• Os melhores podcasts para aprender inglês

Adaptado de: https://www.todamateria.com.br/130-substantivos-em-ingles-mais-usados/. Acesso em: 29.dez.2020.

SPEAKING SKILLS PRACTICE

TALKING ABOUT YOUR FAMILY

Learn English Teens - British Council

Sam wants to play "Game of Kings", but Jack is more interested in Sam's family.
Do the preparation exercise first (CLICK HERE to download the worksheet). Then watch the video and follow the instructions to practice your speaking.

Check your understanding: multiple choice 

Circle the best option to complete these sentences. (CLICK HERE)

Check your understanding: gap fill 

Complete the dialogue with phrases from the box. (CLICK HERE)

Check your understanding: gap fill 

Write one word to fill the gaps. (CLICK HERE)

CLICK HERE for the answers.
CLICK HERE for the transcript.
CLICK HERE for downloading the video.

Adapted from: https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/speaking/elementary-a2-speaking/talking-about-your-family. Accessed on December 28, 2020.

CHRISTMAS WITH FUN

GARFIELD'S CHRISTMAS

A very Merry Christmas to all of us!

CLICK HERE to expand the picture.

CLICK HERE to expand the picture.

CLICK HERE to expand the picture.

A SAFE CHRISTMAS TIME

Reflections: a COVID-19 Christmas

By Mike Zielinski

December 9, 2020

Last Christmas if somebody would have mentioned COVID-19 to us, we would probably figure it was some college quarterback we never heard of wearing number 19 in a bowl game.

Since then the coronavirus that weeps with menace and leaves blisters on hearts has hit the world harder than a runaway convoy of tractor trailers.

We now know only too well that without the vaccine we human beings are frail vessels and often no match for a virus with such an uproarious appetite for destruction.

Sadly, COVID-19 also has cast a scalding eye on the holiday glow.

For most of us this year, there will be no extended family get-togethers and holiday parties where the chuckles come out like bubbles. Hold the eggnog for another Christmas. We must sequester in our hive honeycombed for survival.

Forget the office Christmas parties as well since most folks work virtually these days. Watching your former cubicle mates getting drunk on Zoom doesn’t have the same appeal.

Granted, spending the holidays in cloistered isolation is about as exciting as eating Tuna Helper for Christmas dinner.

But you can fill the time by watching your hairline recede or alphabetizing your canned goods or memorizing the dictionary or waiting for Godot since Santa may not be coming to town depending on your governor’s wishes.

Indeed, with the pandemic expanding like a weather balloon, a muted Christmas celebration is the best we can expect.

After all, going to church on Christmas could kill you.

COVID-19 also is wiping out some people financially. Food lines unspool endlessly. Hungry folks begin to look like broom handles. The only thing thinner than them are their wallets.

No wonder the traditional festive yuletide spirit has been swallowed up by gloom and doom. It’s enough to make us stuff all our Tiny Tims and grinches in our Christmas stockings until next year.

Undaunted, my wife once again has beautifully decorated the interior of our home for Christmas. But this year she and I may be the only ones to see it. At least we can share it together.

The best Christmas present this year anybody can receive is avoiding or surviving COVID-19.

If it takes a less personal Christmas season with a lack of physical touch among loved ones to achieve that, the sacrifice is worth the reward.

If we realize that the joy we derive from the holidays is intrinsic and resides in our hearts, COVID-19 doesn’t have to be the virus that stole Christmas.

Mask up, social distance, stay home when you can and have a safe and well Merry Christmas.

Mike Zielinski, a resident of Berks County, is a columnist,

novelist, playwright and screenwriter.

Available at: https://www.berksmontnews.com/opinion/reflections-a-covid-19-christmas/article_cf8e6216-3a70-11eb-9ced-3f79c9ad2eeb.html. Accessed on December 23, 2020.

VOCABULARY - MORE PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS

Produtos de Higiene Pessoal em Inglês

TECLA SAP

Saiba como dizer em inglês os principais produtos de higiene pessoal e beleza. Ulisses Carvalho, em seu canal TECLA SAP no YouTube, apresenta didaticamente o vocabulário desse campo lexical usado na farmácia (exceto medicamentos): hidratante, desodorante, cortador de unha, alicate de cutícula, esmalte, colônia, perfume, sabonete, condicionador, fixador, absorvente, creme de barbear, aparelho de barbear, talco, cotonete, entre muitas outras palavras e expressões. 

Carvalho traz exemplos reais extraídos de vídeos de filmes, séries, entrevistas etc. Tudo legendado em inglês e em português! Consulte o índice para saltar para o trecho de seu interesse. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️ ÍNDICE - INGLÊS ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

• INTRODUÇÃO (0:00) 
• AFTERSHAVE (0:59) 
• BAND-AID (1:46) 
• BUBBLE BATH (2:03) 
• CLIPPER (2:24) - NAIL CLIPPER (2:24) 
• COLOGNE (2:57) 
• COMB (3:19) 
• CONDITIONER (3:35) 
• CONDOM (3:50) 
• COTTON PADS (4:01) 
• COTTON BALLS (4:01) 
• COTTON SWABS (4:28) 
• CUTICLE NIPPERS (5:30) 
• DENTAL FLOSS (5:59) 
• DEODORANT (6:16) 
• DIAPER (6:33) 
• HAIR DYE (7:01) 
• HAIRBRUSH (7:25) 
• HAIR SPRAY / HAIRSPRAY (7:41) 
• LIP BALM (8:02) - CHAPSTCK (8:02) 
• LOTION (9:00) 
• MOISTURIZER (9:20) 
• MOUTHWASH (9:27) 
• NAIL FILE (9:39) 
• NAIL POLISH (9:55) 
• NAIL VARNISH (9:55) 
• NAIL POLISH REMOVER (10:19) 
• PAD (10:34) - SANITARY PAD (10:34) - KOTEX (10:34) 
• PANTY LINER (10:34) - TAMPON (10:34) - TAMPAX (10:34) - MENSTRUAL CUP (10:34) - DIVA CUP (10:34) 
• PERFUME (12:14) 
• POWDER (12:48) - TALCUM POWDER (12:48) - TALC (12:48) - BABY POWDER (12:48) - FOOT POWDER (12:48) 
• PREGNANCY TEST (13:25) 
• RAZOR (13:35) - RAZOR BLADE (13:35) - BLADE (13:35) 
• SHAMPOO (13:53) 
• SHAVER (14:01) - ELECTRIC SHAVER (14:01) 
• SHAVING CREAM (14:17) - SHAVING FOAM (14:17) 
• SOAP (14:38) - LIQUID SOAP (14:38) 
• SPONGE (14:53) - LOOFAH (14:53) 
• SUNSCREEN (15:12) - SUNBLOCK (15:12) 
• TOILET PAPER (15:26) 
• TOILETRY BAG (15:43) 
• TOOTHBRUSH (16:02) 
• TOOTHPASTE (16:19) 
• TWEEZERS (16:26) 

⭐️⭐️⭐️ ÍNDICE - PORTUGUÊS ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

• ABSORVENTE (10:34) 
• ABSORVENTE DIÁRIO (10:34) 
• ABSORVENTE ÍNTIMO (10:34) 
• ACETONA (10:19) 
• ALICATE DE CUTÍCULA (5:30) 
• APARELHO DE BARBEAR (13:35) 
• BAND-AID (1:46) 
• BANHO DE ESPUMA (2:03) 
• BARBEADOR ELÉTRICO (14:01) 
• BOLAS DE ALGODÃO (4:01) 
• CAMISINHA (3:50) 
• COLETOR MENSTRUAL (10:34) 
• COLÔNIA (2:57) 
• CONDICIONADOR (3:35) 
• COPINHO (10:34) 
• CORTADOR DE UNHA (2:24)
• COTONETES (4:28) 
• CREME DE BARBEAR (14:17) 
• DESODORANTE (6:16) 
• DISCOS DE ALGODÃO (4:01) 
• ENXAGUANTE BUCAL (9:27) 
• ESCOVA DE CABELO (7:25) 
• ESCOVA DE DENTES (16:02) 
• ESMALTE (9:55) 
• ESPONJA (14:53) 
• ESPUMA DE BARBEAR (14:17) 
• ESPUMA PARA BANHO (2:03) 
• FIO DENTAL (5:59) 
• FIXADOR (7:41) 
• FRALDA (6:33) 
• HIDRATANTE (9:20) 
• LÂMINA DE BARBEAR (13:35) 
• LAQUÊ (7:41) 
• LIXA DE UNHA (9:39) 
• LOÇÃO (9:00) 
• LOÇÃO PÓS BARBA (0:59) 
• MANTEIGA DE CACAU (8:02) 
• NECESSAIRE (15:43) 
• PAPEL HIGIÊNICO (15:26) 
• PASTA DE DENTES (16:19) 
• PENTE (3:19) 
• PERFUME (12:14) 
• PINÇA (16:26) 
• PRESERVATIVO (3:50) 
• PROTETOR LABIAL (8:02) 
• PROTETOR SOLAR (15:12) 
• SABONETE (14:38) 
• SABONETE LÍQUIDO (14:38) 
• TALCO (12:48) 
• TESTE DE GRAVIDEZ (13:25) 
• TINTURA DE CABELO (7:01) 
• XAMPU (13:53)

⭐️⭐️⭐️ MATERIAL COMPLEMENTAR ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

✅ 💁🏻‍♀️ Vocabulário de maquiagem em inglês 👄 Ft. Marília Aranha → https://youtu.be/g5Z9Bbp_S-4 

✅ 🚿 NO POO® e LOW POO®: significado e pronúncia em inglês 💅🏾 → https://youtu.be/-aGyYEGFC2g 

✅ 🚽 13 formas para você dizer "banheiro" em inglês! 🚾 → https://youtu.be/XJb4StsY0i4 

✅ 🅱️🔇 Pronúncia do B mudo em NUMB! Aprenda com o Linkin Park! 🅱️🔇 → https://youtu.be/CJVTiMbsIlY 

✅ 🍽 Utensílios de cozinha em inglês: 40 palavras indispensáveis (ft. Elegante Preguiçosa) 🥄 → https://youtu.be/36wJRPhlpoM

ENEM, ENGLISH AND SPANISH

ENGLISH - ESPAÑOL

Enem 2020: na reta final, veja dicas de como estudar para Inglês e Espanhol

Guilherme Botacini

Colaboração para o UOL, em São Paulo

21/12/2020 - 04h00

A prova de Língua Estrangeira no Enem está dentro das 45 questões de linguagens, códigos e suas tecnologias, no primeiro dia de prova, que ocorre no dia 17 de janeiro.
Com suas cinco questões de Inglês ou Espanhol, a prova de Língua Estrangeira pode parecer menos importante diante do restante do exame. Todo vestibulando sabe, porém, que a aprovação frequentemente depende de um resultado apertado, em que toda questão vale como a mais importante.
Veja abaixo dicas e sugestões sobre como estudar para a prova de idiomas estrangeiros e que estratégias podem ajudar na hora da prova.

Enem não exige habilidade de falar idiomas estrangeiros

Não se preocupe se você não tem um conhecimento avançado da gramática do inglês e do espanhol, ou mesmo se você não fala nenhum dos dois idiomas, porque o Enem não exige isso. 

"A prova não avalia exatamente se o estudante sabe falar espanhol, mas seu grau de compreensão de textos em língua espanhola", diz Henrique Braga, coordenador pedagógico e professor de Português do Curso Anglo. 

Em inglês, a ideia é semelhante. Espera-se do aluno interpretação de texto e compreensão dos enunciados, dos textos apresentados e de suas conexões.

Entenda e se acostume com o formato das questões

Dica de estudo que vale para o exame inteiro, na prova de idioma estrangeiro é ainda mais valiosa, já que os poucos exercícios não variam em termos de formato. 

"São cinco questões, e cada questão é baseada em um único texto. A melhor maneira é treinar com provas de anos anteriores", sugere Francisco José de Oliveira, professor de Inglês do Curso Poliedro.

Segundo Oliveira, o Enem tem uma particularidade na elaboração dos enunciados em relação a outros vestibulares. "Geralmente, eles são mais longos e em duas partes. A primeira é uma generalização que introduz o assunto e dificilmente vai influenciar na resposta", diz. 

A atenção tem que estar redobrada na segunda parte, onde está o comando da questão, que vai especificar o que exatamente a questão exige do aluno em relação ao texto exposto. 

Além disso, as questões de idioma estrangeiro também pedem os chamados gêneros multimodais, como charges e propagandas. "Busque relacionar imagem e mensagem verbal. A mensagem expressa não estará só nas palavras", afirma Braga.

Encontre "atalhos" para a ideia geral

Outro ponto importante é que a maior parte das questões também pede uma interpretação voltada à ideia central expressa no texto. "É prática comum de vários vestibulares darem um texto, mas pedirem a interpretação apenas sobre um trecho específico. No Enem, é o contrário", diz Oliveira. 

O que ajuda na compreensão dessa ideia geral é fazer uma leitura global do texto apresentado. "Analise o título (que pode estar só na indicação da fonte, ao final), o gênero textual (se é uma notícia ou um artigo de opinião, por exemplo), a data e o local da publicação. Esses dados de contexto podem ajudar a compreender o texto", afirma Braga. 

Braga também sugere que se atente aos conectores usados nos textos. As conjunções, por exemplo, são as responsáveis por estabelecer relações de explicação ou oposição entre termos do texto e percebê-las ajuda a compreender a linha de raciocínio do texto.

Mantenha-se em contato com os idiomas

Nessa reta final, vale manter o contato com o idioma assistindo séries, filmes e escutando músicas nos dois idiomas. Isso sem roubar muito tempo das outras disciplinas, já que a prova de Inglês ou Espanhol é mais curta. 

"Fazer isso em horários de lazer ajuda a manter vivo o contato com a língua. A leitura de gêneros jornalísticos, com foco e profundidade, também é uma forma de preparação valiosa", diz Braga.

Datas das provas e divulgação dos resultados do Enem 2020

• 1º dia do Enem impresso - 17 de janeiro de 2021 (domingo)
• 2º dia do Enem impresso - 24 de janeiro de 2021 (domingo)
• 1º dia do Enem Digital - 31 de janeiro de 2021 (domingo)
• 2º dia do Enem Digital - 7 de fevereiro  de 2021(domingo)
• Gabarito das provas objetivas - até três dias úteis depois das últimas provas
• Data para o candidato acessar sua prova de redação - ainda não foi divulgada
• Divulgação dos resultados - 29 de março de 2021(segunda-feira)
• Enem PPL (para pessoas privadas de liberdade) e reaplicação - 24 de fevereiro de 2021 (quarta-feira) e 25 de fevereiro de 2021 (quinta-feira)

Disponível em: https://educacao.uol.com.br/noticias/2020/12/21/enem-2020-na-reta-final-veja-dicas-de-como-estudar-para-ingles-e-espanhol.htm (adaptado). Acesso em: 22.dez.2020.

ENGLISH AND ENEM

ENEM 2020 › LINGUAGENS, CÓDIGOS E SUAS TECNOLOGIAS

Inglês no ENEM: como estudar

Carla Muniz

Professora licenciada em Letras

O Enem (Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio) dispõe de dois idiomas estrangeiros: Inglês e Espanhol.
Você sabia que, apesar de o Enem já existir desde 1998, apenas em 2010 os idiomas estrangeiros passaram a fazer parte da prova?
Isso mesmo! No Enem de 2010 foi adicionado um total de dez questões à prova de Linguagens, códigos e suas tecnologias: 5 de Inglês e 5 de Espanhol.
No entanto, cada concursando só pode optar por um desses idiomas e a decisão deve ser indicada na inscrição para a prova.
Como o Inglês é ensinado em muitas escolas desde a Educação Infantil até o Ensino Médio, algumas pessoas preferem optar pela Língua Inglesa.
Rolou uma identificação? Então confira 6 dicas para ajudar você a se sair bem na prova.

1. Pratique a interpretação de texto

O foco principal de todas as provas de Inglês do Enem sempre foi a interpretação de textos. O objetivo não é avaliar conhecimentos específicos sobre a língua inglesa, mas sim a capacidade de compreensão do idioma por parte do concursando.
Já que o ditado diz que “a prática faz a perfeição”, não perca tempo e comece hoje mesmo a praticar a leitura de textos em inglês.
Lembre-se de que você não tem que traduzir palavra por palavra, mas sim entender o sentido geral das frases.
Abaixo você encontra algumas das fontes de textos de provas anteriores do Enem.

• Cartuns: Glasbergen, For Better or For Worse
• Instituições: Khan Academy
• Notícias: NBC, New York Times, BBC
• Viagens: World Travel Guide
• Escrita: ETB Screenwriting
• Sites governamentais: TSA (Transportation Security Administration - Official website of the Department of Homeland Security), Connecticut Official State Website

Veja também: Interpretação de texto em inglês com gabarito (Enem)

2. Estabeleça técnicas de leitura

Ainda que você não seja fluente em inglês, não se desespere!
Veja algumas dicas de como proceder durante a leitura:

• Comece por ler o título e o subtítulo do texto (quando houver): uma leitura atenta desses dados pode permitir uma contextualização sobre o tema que será abordado.
• Confira a fonte do texto: essa informação pode ajudar você a identificar o tipo de texto utilizado na questão. Em provas anteriores foram utilizados poemas, artigos de revista/jornal, artigos de opinião, artigos sobre filmes, letras de músicas, anúncios, cartuns etc.
• Observe atentamente a imagem (quando houver): observe todos os elementos da imagem: plano de fundo, expressões faciais, objetos, dentre outros. Pode estar aí a chave da resposta que você procura.
• Leia a pergunta e as opções de resposta: antes de começar a leitura do texto, confira o enunciado do exercício e compreenda as alternativas de resposta disponibilizadas. Isso certamente facilitará a resolução da questão.

3. Faça uma boa revisão da gramática

Apesar de a prova de Inglês ser interpretativa, é importante que você tenha noções básicas sobre a gramática da língua inglesa.
Esses conhecimentos ajudarão você a situar um acontecimento em um espaço temporal, por exemplo, a identificar a quem determinado verbo ou pronome se refere no texto e a saber se determinada frase expressa uma ideia adversativa ou alternativa, por exemplo.
Uma boa pedida é fazer uma revisão de conjugações e usos dos tempos verbais, preposições, adjetivos, advérbios e conectores.
Consulte a nossa Gramática da língua inglesa para orientar seus estudos.
Veja também:

• Linking words
• Verbos regulares e irregulares em inglês
• Preposições em inglês
• Advérbios em inglês
• Adjetivos em inglês

4. Crie seu próprio glossário

A criação de seu próprio glossário é uma ótima alternativa para ampliar o seu vocabulário em inglês.
Nele você pode registrar não só palavras isoladas, mas também phrasal verbs e seus respectivos significados.
Para isso, separe um caderno exclusivamente para esse fim. Ao ler uma palavra ou expressão que não conhece, você pode anotá-la nesse caderno e escrever seu respectivo significado ao lado.
Você pode fazer uma leitura desse glossário de tempos em tempos ou até mesmo utilizá-lo como fonte de consulta durante os seus estudos.
Se preferir, separe um número específico de páginas para cada letra. Assim, seu glossário ficará organizado alfabeticamente.
Veja também:

• 130 substantivos em inglês mais usados
• Verbos em inglês
• Phrasal verbs
• Os verbos modais mais usados em inglês
• Expressões idiomáticas em inglês
• Falsos cognatos em inglês (false friends)

5. Fique por dentro das atualidades

Muitas vezes o Enem utiliza notícias de jornais e/ou revistas americanos e/ou britânicos como base para as questões de Inglês da prova.
Por esse motivo, é importante que você se mantenha atualizado sobre tudo o que está acontecendo não só no Brasil, mas no mundo.
Crie o hábito de ler, pelo menos, uma notícia em inglês por dia.
Confira abaixo alguns sites de notícias que podem ajudar você a se manter informado em inglês:

• The Guardian
• CNN
• ABC
• NBC
• The New York Times
• BBC

Veja também: Os 5 melhores podcasts para aprender inglês

6. Resolva provas anteriores

Agora que você já leu dicas de como proceder ao realizar a prova de inglês no Enem, você pode testar os seus conhecimentos resolvendo as provas dos anos anteriores.
Para isso, basta ir ao site do INEP (Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisas Educacionais Anísio Teixeira), que é o responsável pela prova.
Lá você não só encontra todas as provas, mas também seus respectivos gabaritos.

Veja também: Como aprender inglês sozinho

Carla Muniz
Professora, lexicógrafa, tradutora, produtora de conteúdos e revisora. Licenciada em Letras (Português, Inglês e Literaturas) pelas Faculdades Integradas Simonsen, em 2002.

Adaptado de: https://www.todamateria.com.br/como-estudar-ingles-enem/. Acesso em: 21.dez.2020.