AMAJONIA ENGLISH.

martes, 27 de enero de 2026

lunes, 26 de enero de 2026

martes, 20 de enero de 2026

Possesives. 6th grades.

Hi there. On next exam some grammar exercises about possesives will appear. I let here 5 online activities. One of them is the one at the exam. We will deal with this during this week.

lunes, 19 de enero de 2026

Evolution of containers throughout History.

I don't know if you have ever thought about all the containers in which we transport or store liquids: bowls, wineskins, mugs, jugs, barrels... It is like if they had always been here. But no. The evolution of containers throughout History is an exciting matter, which we will discuss on this report. Let's go.

1.- First containers. Leaves, baskets and wooden containers. It is belived that first containers were wide tree leaves. If you've ever been in the forest, sure you''ll probably have notice that water stores naturally in some leaves. So it is not difficult to imagine our ancestors drinking from there. Sure they learnt how to weave those leaves to make bigger containers for water. They would also make baskets made of reeds and wooden containers. However we have no archeological remains of these containers, because leaves and wood are organic, rotting very soon in nature. So, this is only a theory, a non demonstrated supposition.

2.- Shells. What we sure know is that the oldest containers found by archeologists were shells and stone pots. If you have ever been in the beach, from time to time it's possible to find a big shell of conch or scallop. Also turtle shells, the best ones in terms of strength and capacity. Our ancestors would have used these containers not only for storing water, but also even for cooking, in the case of turtle shells.

3.- Stone pots. The first serious attempt of container was the stone pot. Our ancestors learned how to carve stone, modifying its shape and so creating the first pots. It was a very slow process, based on friction: with a smaller stone, you have to start rubbing the stone that you want to hollow.

4.- Pottery. 25.000 years ago some humans noticed that if you let clay close to the fire, it hardens, becoming a waterproof substance. Pottery was born. From primitive containers pottery evolved to much more ellaborated forms, like bowls, amphorae, cups, plates... Pottery was a so great discovery that still today we use it in hour homes.

5.- Leather. Our primitive ancestors learnt how to make leather from animal skins. With this leather they made containers like wineskins or leather glasses. There are evidences of leather containers from ancient Egypt, 8000 years ago.

6.- Copper, bronze, gold and iron containers. About 10.000 years ago humans learned how to melt copper and gold. Later, 5000 years ago, they discovered that mixing copper with tin, they could get bronze: a much stronger metal. And finally humans learned how to make iron tools (3200 years ago). These metals were used to make tools and containers, mainly for rich people (consider that metals were very expensive on that times, because people didn't know how to get them industrially)

7.- Glass. About 5000 years ago, in actual Irak, people learned how to make glass, by melting sand. On that times glass was a luxury item, being as expensive as gold. Thre reason: it was very difficult to make it. Today, on the contrary, glass is a very common material, easy to make and perfect for glasses, plates, cups...

8.- Plastic. The invention of plastic in 1907 was a revolution. Plastic is a substance which can be easily melted and model. Besides, it is not very expensive to produce it. Consequence: nowadays, there are many many (perhaps too many) plastic containers: water bottles, bowls, trays, canteens...

9.- Stainless steel. The king of all materials. Invented in 1913 by Harry Brearley, stainless steel is the best for keeping liquids inside. It is hypoallergenic, strong, it does not contain toxic substances, it does not change the taste of liquids...

Until here, the text. Here I let you the classic drag and drop online activity, for reviewing the vocabulary:

Containers online activity.

martes, 13 de enero de 2026

Circus.

Circus comes from the latin word "CIRCVLVS", which means "circle". And in fact this is a circus: a great circle in which many artistic shows are performed. But circus is much more. When a circus comes to town, we all know that a great universe is comming: trapeze performances, clowns, fire eaters, knive throwers... If you go to the circus, you will not be disappointed.

On this report, I will tell you a bit about circus: History, shows, polemics... Let's start.

Origins.

Circus started in ancient Rome. The CIRCVS MAXIMVS was a great building for 200.000 people, where races of many types took place: chariot races, athletic competitions with the best runners from all over the Empire, horse races... This is the starting point: a rounded / elliptical place for watching events. However, on that Circus there weren't any clowns, fire eaters or trapeze artists. That would come much later.

Medieval times.

During Medieval times there weren't any circuses. But this fact does not mean that there were not shows. From town to town jugglers, contortionists, fire eaters or knife throwers travelled, showing their abilities to villagers for some coin. Plays and animal shows were also very popular, being frequent tamed bears, tamed wolves or dog fighting.

Modern circus.

The modern circus started in the 1768 with Philip Astley, an Englishman who decided to gather a variety of shows and performances in one common place. He built an amphitheatre, and he became very rich and famous. Other people followed his example, building amphitheatres that finally would be called "Circus". Circuses spreaded all over Europe and America.

From building to tent.

But amphitheatres had a problem: people from a concrete area usually got bored very soon, stopping visiting them. So in 1825 Joshuah Purdy, a circus businessman, decided to adopt a more dynamic form of circus. He designed a big portable tent for the shows. The tent was very useful, because it allowed to change location, looking for new audience. From that very moment, circus became in what actually is: a travelling show which visits different locations. However, not all is bright and shining in circus. Let's talk a little bit about animals.

Animals and circus.

Although today we still find some circuses with animals in their shows, these are gradually being banned. Why? Well, the conditions in which the animals live in circuses are not the best ones: narrow cages, bad nourishment, illnesses, tamers that punish the animals during the training... Many cities like Madrid, Barcelona or Zaragoza have forbidden circuses with animals; and many other ones are considering the option of doing it.

So, what do you think? Should circuses with animals be forbidden? Or should they continue offering animal shows?