Jazz: America´s Music

In this English challenge, you will listen to the famous song Fly Me To The Moon, sung by the jazz legend Frank Sinatra. As you listen, fill in the missing lyrics. 


Now, let´s learn more about this type of music. It is amazing!

Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of the United States. Jazz is sometimes called "America's classical music". Since the 1920s Jazz Age, jazz has become recognized as a major form of musical expression.

Jazz is characterized by swing and blue notes and improvisation. Jazz has roots in West African cultural and musical expression, and in African-American music traditions including blues and ragtime, as well as European military band music. Although the foundation of jazz is deeply rooted within the black experience of the United States, different cultures have contributed their own experience and styles to the art form as well. Intellectuals around the world have hailed jazz as "one of America's original art forms".

Find out more about this incredible American music by playing this video:

So, what do we know about jazz?

Jazz is an original American art form that in the southern United States in the early 20th century by African Americans. 

Three basic elements set this art form apart from classical music:

1) Rhythm
2) Improvisation
3) Conversation

1) Rhythm

While most classical and jazz music looks the same, the rhythms are performed differently. Classical music typically places an emphasis on the first and third beats of each measure. Jazz music switches that emphasis to beats two and four, as well as placing an emphasis on the upbeats. The tension created by switching the emphasis to the second and fourth beats and the stressing of upbeats within the measure is called syncopation.

2) Improvisation

One of the basic differences between jazz and classical music is that jazz musicians improvise. Musical improvisation is a creative process that requires the jazz artist to be spontaneous, composing music with on their instrument or scat singing music that has never been played or written down before.

3) Conversation

Classical music is composed before the concert begins. Jazz musicians play a composed tune to start and follow with improvisation that is composed on the spot. Jazz is never the same. It changes each time because the musical "conversations" that occur change as jazz musicians perform. An improvised idea from a trumpet player might be responded to by the supporting piano player, and then responded to again by the trumpet player.

Spanish Geography Project - Primary 2

🎨Click here for directions on how to make your Spain Map Art Project!🎨

Spanish Virtual Museums to visit from home

Going to a museum no longer requires being in the actual place. Although there is nothing like going through galleries and rooms discovering historical curious facts or great works of art, this is no longer the only option. Thus, it is possible to take virtual tours in some of the most important museums without having to leave your home. Below is a list of links to museums in Spain that have great virtual tours.

1. National Archaeological Museum (Madrid)

Next to the National Library, one of the most beautiful in Madrid, is the physical headquarters of the National Archaeological Museum. It houses a huge collection that allows you to travel back in time from prehistoric times. Thus, you can get to know the cultures that have shaped the country, from the Neolithic to the medieval ones, including the classics. Among its pieces there are wonders such as the Bicha de Bazalote or the Dama de Elche. Fortunately, its virtual tour is one of the best you can find. There is also an interesting mobile application that lets you review it through panoramic views.

2. Museum of Natural Sciences (Barcelona)

This museum is a very diverse and scientific review of the best of nature. This virtual visit comes from an initiative between the institution from Barcelona and Google. Between them they have created a digital site that goes through a digital map, reports and photographs of the area.

3. Oceanografic (Valencia)

Do you like the sea and its creatures but you can’t leave land? No problem. The Oceanogràfic of Valencia allows you to see its different enclosures and rooms in a very detailed way thanks to a virtual reality review. In a very intuitive way you can “walk” its streets and widen the information through photos. A map allows you to jump from one side to another quickly. Sharks, seals, flamingos, tropical fish… Everything is just a click away!

4. Picasso Museum (Barcelona): Collection and the Virtual itineraries

In this Picasso museum, the attention is focused on Picasso’s training stage, which lets you know him from the inside out. The collection is the largest in existence and is well collected on the institution’s website. In addition, virtual itineraries are suggested that allow visitors to get to know the courtyards of the buildings that make up the area and the Barcelona associated with the genius of the capital of ‘la Costa del Sol’.

5. San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts (Madrid)

This institution was born in the early stages of the Bourbon monarchy in Spain. Its development came from initiatives from the time of Philip V, brought to life thanks to Ferdinand VI. This led to one of the country’s great artistic institutes. The San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts developed considerably with Charles III and his heirs. It survived the republican periods, already established as a centre of reference, and now has an extensive collection. This can be seen perfectly thanks to the great virtual tour they have created. It is very well designed, as it could not be otherwise, and combines static panoramic views with 360 mapping to go through its different floors.

Apple Poem & Art Project

🍎 Apple Poem & Art Project 🍎

For Infantil - Primary 2 Students:

Read this apple poem and then use tissue paper to place on the apple outline below.

Construct a Roman Aqueduct in your home!

What does a growing city do when they’re not located on a river or when their river is too polluted to use for fresh drinking water and bathing? 

In the face of these challenges, the Roman Empire built aqueducts, brilliantly-designed ancient water bridges that provided clean water to highly populated areas.

 These engineering wonders were so well built that many are still standing today.

Have you ever been to Segovia, Spain? It is one of the best-preserved elevated Roman aqueducts in the WORLD - and only 94 km away from Madrid! 

The Roman Aqueduct in Segovia!

Read more information about aqueducts:

Though earlier civilizations in Egypt and India also built aqueducts, the Romans improved on the structure and built an extensive and complex network across their territories. Evidence of aqueducts remain in parts of modern-day France, Spain, Greece, North Africa, and Turkey.

Aqueducts required a great deal of planning. They were made from a series of pipes, tunnels, canals, and bridges. Gravity and the natural slope of the land allowed aqueducts to channel water from a freshwater source, such as a lake or spring, to a city. As water flowed into the cities, it was used for drinking, irrigation, and to supply hundreds of public fountains and baths.

Roman aqueduct systems were built over a period of about 500 years, from 312 B.C. to A.D. 226. Both public and private funds paid for construction. High-ranking rulers often had them built; the Roman emperors Augustus, Caligula, and Trajan all ordered aqueducts built.