venerdì, gennaio 15, 2010

Lo slang in italiano

Make a list of 15 expressions using Italian slang:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/italian/cool/

Choose the slang expressions from the different categories.


Argument
Class
Drink
Family
Food
Friends
Going out
Health
Interjections
Money
Moods
Music
Play up/Play down
Politics
Professions
Pulling

lunedì, gennaio 11, 2010

la cucina italiana

1. Italians eat pasta every day, sometimes twice a day. Name 10 different pasta shapes (click on the long pasta, short, and soup pasta links at the bottom of the webpage link listed below to see the different shapes).
http://www.barillaus.com/home/Pages/Pasta_Information.aspx

2. Watch the chef cook lasagna. Name 5 ingredients that are necessary to cook lasagna and translate these ingredients into italian (www.freetranslation.com).
http://www.barillaus.com/Home/pages/Lasagne_101.aspx

3. Take the Quiz at the bottom of the webpage link below and tell me which Italian destination fits your personality. Look up this destination on wikipedia, and tell me three facts about this destination.
http://www.barillaus.com/Pages/Home.aspx

mercoledì, gennaio 06, 2010

Make a word cloud about YOU

1. Go to freetranslation.com and write down 15 words IN ITALIANO that describe you. Things you like, adjectives (bella, intelligente, simpatico, etc.).

2. go to www.wordle.net and create a word cloud. Include your name in the word cloud, so I know who you are. Please print your word cloud.

mercoledì, dicembre 16, 2009

La famiglia italiana

La famiglia italiana

Family provides the network of the deepest and most important relationships of Italian society. The Italian family has many stereotypes. When we think of the typical Italian family, we of course think of a big, loud, crazy family with the mother and grandmother cooking and eight kids running around. The father comes home and the kids run up to him and greet him, then he greets his wife and goes to wash up for dinner, which is ready for him because his wife and mother have been cooking it all day. Though the role of the wife in a marriage is still similar, in some ways, to this image, everything else has changed. Today, Italian families are much smaller and the women are out working for themselves. Much has happened over the past few decades to make this change in tradition come about; the Italian family is no longer the big, loud, crazy family that we see in the movies.The typical Italian family, although still very close to its extended family, is beginning do distance itself from other family members. Many of the traditions remain, however they are slowly starting to become more relaxed. Families often live in very close proximity to each other, often in the same house. Italian men tend to live at home until they are married.

Another dramatic change in Italian culture is the rapidly declining birthrate. Overall, Italian families are having less and less children, and are therefore the population is becoming older rather than remaining balanced. There are more people over the age of 60 than there are under the age of 20. One of the main reasons for this dramatic decrease in the birthrate is that families can no longer afford to have many children. With the mother working, she does not have as much time to care for the children and also has children later. Because of this, she has less time to have children and the family will only have one or two. Although women are supported by the government during their maternity leave, many employers do not support this and will threaten the women. They will not hire a woman if she is planning to have a child and will go as far as to fire a woman while she is on maternity leave and say that it was for another reason. Even if she were to be granted maternity leave from her job, the standards in hospitals and infant schools were not adequate. For this reason, women are hesitant to have children, because they know it will hurt their careers.

Another reason for the declining birthrate is the introduction of contraception and the legality of abortion. Italian women terminate one pregnancy for every three live births, which totals around 160,000 abortions for 500,000 live births a year. Birth control has also played a large role in the decline of births. While the birthrate is declining, the divorce rate is increasing; the 1974 the divorce referendum, which passed by 59.1%, and the 1975 family reform laws made this all possible. Unhappy couples no longer had to find a guilty party to separate; they could do so on there own basis.

Family values are still the focus of Italian society, and the Italian family has remained a very close social unit. Whether married, single or divorced, all Italians tend to maintain very strong links with their parents, adult children, and other relatives. Often generations share housing; grown children or elderly parents may live with your hosts. Even if they do not share a home, extended families may eat lunch (pranzo) and/or dinner (cena) together every day. Elderly parents are respected and looked after, sometimes on a daily basis, whether they live at home with their children or independently.

Although roles have changed for women in Italy, the mother remains the dominant figure in the Italian home. She typically runs every aspect of domestic life, and you may see her helping her family in ways you consider excessive or unnecessary. To American eyes, it may seem that Italian mothers spoil their children and husbands, or sacrifice too much to please every member of the family. Especially if the mother also works outside the home, the Italian family dynamic can seem unfair and unbalanced. However, Italians themselves believe that it is the mother who keeps the family together, who creates and maintains the familial links, who is the bond that unifies all members. She, in turn, knows she can depend on the rest of her family in her time of need. Generally speaking, the role of mother and home maker is a much respected position in Italian society

Italian families maintain strong bonds over generations. Children, after leaving home to establish new families, maintain strong relationships with their parents. Usually they live very near to one of the two parental families, make daily telephone calls to their parents (mainly the mother), and visit them weekly. Their relationships with their parents typically display strong reciprocal support and exchanges, including childcare, care of the elderly and ill, help with economic troubles, loans, and advice. One of the main characteristics of Italian families is the strong intergenerational solidarity that allows Italians to overcome difficulties, find jobs, look after children, and ask for loans in situations in which the family network provides what, in other Western countries, is granted by public or private institutions. This sense of connectedness explains the great relevance that family as an institution assumes in Italian culture.

Reflection Questions:

How is the typical Italian family similar or different from your own?

Italian families used to have many children. Nowadays, most families have only one or two children. Why do you think that Italian families are having less and less children?

When you think about your future, do you want to get married? Do you want to have children? Would you prefer being single and focusing on your career? If you plan to have children, how many children would you like to have and why?

Do you currently share your home with elderly family members (like you grandparents or great grandparents)? Many Italian families share their homes with elderly relatives. What do you think about this type of living arrangement?

giovedì, dicembre 10, 2009

Natale in Italia


Natale e' una festa molto importante e religiosa in Italia. Risponda ai seguenti domande (SU UN FOGLIO SEPARATO - on a separate sheet of paper to be turned in at the end of class)
1. Where did the actual celebration of Christmas most likely originate?http://italian.about.com/library/weekly/aa120600a.htm
3. Where is the Vatican located? Is it a separate country or part of Italy? (Note that the picture located in this entry is a picture St. Peter's cathedral at the Vatican during Christmastime. A large Christmas tree and a presepio are placed at the center of the large piazza).http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vatican_City
4. According to the article below, what does an Italian Christmas revolve around?http://www.italianfoodforever.com/iff/articles.asp?id=37
5. Name 5 dishes that an Italian family might eat on Christmas Eve or Christmas day:http://www.italianfoodforever.com/iff/articles.asp?id=37
6. Why do Italians eat lentils on New Years Eve (i.e. what do they represent?)?http://goitaly.about.com/od/festivalsandevents/a/newyears.htm

venerdì, settembre 11, 2009

LEZIONE I
Laboratorio Lezione IBenvenuti al laboratorio!
In today's lesson, you will familiarize yourself with some useful websites. Please answer all the questions in your QUADERNO. I will be checking them in at the beginning of our next class. This assignment is worth 20 points.
1. Go to Radio Dimensione Suona, click on 100% GRANDI SUCCESSI, then click on Playlist, and choose an Italian song to listen to (scroll down - there are lots of songs to choose from). Task: Write down the name of the song that you listened to (make sure it's an ITALIAN song, and not Spanish or English). Sometimes flashplayer doesn't work, so you'll have to finish this quesiton at t he library, where flashplayer should work on the computers.

2. Next head over to Google Earth. Now type "Venice, Italy" into the search bar. Click on SATELLITE, so you get the satellite view. What is special about this city, from what you can see from the satellite?

3. Watch this short video on Italians vs. Europeans by Bruno Bozzetto. Task: What are three differences between Italians and Europeans. Do Italians always follow the rules?

4. And just to make you laugh...check out this video entitled "Adamo" at http://www.rivelazioni.com/mm/bozzetto/adam.shtml by the Italian computer cartoonist Bruno Bozzetto.

5. Task: Write down one of the main headlines, in Italiano of course, from today's edition of La Repubblica.

6. Go to http://babelfish.altavista.com/ Click on English to Italian. Task: How do you write: "I am the best student in the world. I love Italian." in Italian?7. How much does a new Lamborghini Reveton - the newest car which debuted at the recent Frankfurt, Germany Auto show - cost? Which car would you prefer, a 2007 Ford Taurus or a 2007 Lamborhini Reveton?http://autoshow.autos.msn.com/autoshow/frankfurt2007/Article.aspx?cp-documentid=5421379

martedì, maggio 26, 2009

Vocab Review

Look up the following words (they will all be on your final exam) and quiz yourself! for translations, visit www.freetranslation.com


Adesso
Non c’è male
A presto!
Ecco!
Dove?
Perchè
Come?
Quando?
Mai
Niente
Nessuno
Ieri
Ci vediamo domain!
Che ora è?
Non capisco.
Certo che mi piace!
Di solito
Forse
Oggi
Prego!
Desidera?
Subito
Sinistra / destra
Scusami
Anche
Vorrei
Voglio
Un panino
Molto gentile
Stasera
Lontano / vicino
Un uomo / una donna
Sono sposato.
Io ero.
Quale?
Tanti auguri a te!
Ho bisogno di…..
Mi piace
Non mi piace
Mi piacciono
Non mi piacciono
D’accordo
Va bene!
Che tempo fa oggi a Chicago? Nevica e fa freddo!
Che ora è? Sono le cinque.

mercoledì, maggio 20, 2009

Italian New Summary

1. In one short paragraph, summarize each of the current news articles linked below:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30547564/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30671999/

2. Write down two headlines and translate into English from the main Italian newspaper:

http://www.repubblica.it/

venerdì, maggio 08, 2009

End of the School Year Review

As a review, take the following test online. Write down your answers:

http://www.esl-languages.com/en/study-abroad/online-tests/italian-test/index.htm


Do 20 flashcards. Write your answers on your paper. http://www.italian-flashcards.com/

lunedì, maggio 04, 2009

International Week 2009


It's international week! And we're switching gears from Italy over to another country for a few days. Starting tomorrow, we'll be watching a movie from....INDIA. On Friday, we'll head to the auditorium to see the International night performances - don't forget to buy your tickets for the evening performance in Room 225A this week!
Today, answer the following questions for 20 points extra credit:

1. What countries border India?
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/Homework/india/

2. How many states does India have?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India

3. Complete these sentences:

India is the 7th largest _____________, has the second largest _____________, and is the most populus _______________ in the world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India

4. When did India become an independent nation? (independent from Great Britain?)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India

5. "Namaste!" is how many people greet one another in India. What does this mean and how do you write it in the ancient language of India, sanskrit?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namaste
6. Why did the Emporer build Taj Mahal?
7. What animal is revered in India?

giovedì, aprile 30, 2009

La Vita e' Bella


1. What was the Holocaust and what does the word actually mean?



2. How many children did the Germans kill in WWII?



3. At camps such as Auschwitz-Birkenau, where where children usually sent to directly upon arrival?



4. Why did Hitler hate the Jews?



5. Did the Jews resist?



5. Stereotyping, name calling, and exclusion of others based on their religion, sexual orientation, race, nationality or cultural heritage has become all too common in our schools and communities. You are not powerless in the face of hate; there are many things children and adults can do.
Brainstorm one way that you could take a stand against hate in your everyday life:

venerdì, aprile 24, 2009

Italiano - Venerdi il 24 aprile

News from Italia. Summarize the two articles below, one paragraph each, in your own words.

http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-04-20-voa66.cfm

http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-39205020090423

Peace Love and Hostelling House Party

Host:
Hostelling International Chicago

Location:
Hostelling International Chicago24 E Congress ParkwayChicago, IL 60605 US
View Map

When:
Friday, May 1, 5:30PM to 7:30PM

Phone:
312-583-2227

Come enjoy our free open house highlighting the hostel's positive impact on tourism and cultural education in Chicago. 2009 is the double anniversary for hostelling, 100 years of hostelling worldwide and 75 years in the USA and we want to celebrate!Mingle with travelers from around the world, enjoy delicious food from local restaurants, dance to world music, laugh at improv comedy, take tours of the hostel, win door and raffle prizes, and enjoy post-party excursions throughout the city including pub crawls, a jazz outing, and documentary film screening. Also find out about volunteering opportunities at the hostel.All are welcome! No entrance fee! Bring your friends and family!Restaurant Sponsors:Dairy Queen, Chutney Joe's, Cafecito, Pizza-Ria, Bar Louie, Cafe Mediterra, and Standing Room OnlyRaffle Sponsors:Trek America, R.E.I. Lincoln Park, Chicago Chinese Cultural Institute, Dream Dinners, Adler Planetarium, Bobby's Bike Hike, Entertainment Cruises, Second City, Chicago from the Lake, ComedySportz, Sears Tower, Kingston Mines, Metro/Smart Bar, Blue Man Group, Joe's on Weed Street, Wine Styles South Loop, Buca di Beppo, Tommy Gun's Garage, Lonely Planet, Barilla, Hackney's, Buddy Guy's Legends, Essex Inn

venerdì, aprile 17, 2009

Italian Food

PART 1 - QUIZ
Take the quiz on Italian food here: http://iteslj.org/v/i/if-food.html
Write down your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

PART 2 - QUESTIONS
go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_food, and answer the following questions:
1. What is the biggest difference between northern and southern Italian cooking?

2. What's special about Italian coffee? What is it called?

Define the following words:
3. antipasto

4. primo

5. secondo

6. dolce

7. What do most Italians eat at Christmas?

martedì, aprile 14, 2009

News in Italy - Italian 1 - Tuesday

Summarize the following 2 articles in your own words. At least one paragraph each.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30061140?GT1=43001

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20763381/


Watch the following video to see the terremoto destruction in Abruzzo:
http://tv.repubblica.it/dossier/terremoto-in-abruzzo/prima-e-dopo-con-streetview/31666?video

lunedì, aprile 13, 2009

Useful Websites for Travel Project

http://www.justitaly.org/

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy

http://www.italiantourism.com/

http://www.travel-italy.com/

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/

Italian II – Travel Project

Task: You are working for a travel agency. You would like to encourage your customers to visit an Italian city. You need to make a brochure showing why the city you chose is such a great place to visit.
You want to include:
A brief history of the city.
Sights to see: what sights are not to be missed when visiting this city?
Recommend two hotels and two restaurants, telling why they are special.
Give a brief biography (one paragraph) of an important person from this city.
Show a map of Italy with a star indicating where the city is found.
Include at least two pictures of the city.

To make your brochure:
Go to Microsoft Office
Select ‘Open a New Document’
You will see a list of templates. Click on ‘Brochure’: this is the template you will use to create your travel brochure.

Check our class website, www.ciaoschurz.blogspot.com for links to help you do your research. Remember, just like with every other written project in high school, college and beyond, everything must be written using your own words.

This project is worth 200 points and is due on April 28.

Terramoto in Abruzzo

http://tv.repubblica.it/dossier/terremoto-in-abruzzo/prima-e-dopo-con-streetview/31666?video

mercoledì, aprile 01, 2009

2009 Italian National Honor Society


Congratulazioni a questi studenti meravigliosi!

Personality Test

There is a very, very tall coconut tree and there are 4 animals: a Lion, a Chimpanzee, a Giraffe, and a Squirrel , who pass by.
They decide to compete to see who is the fastest to get a banana off the tree.
Who do you guess will win?
Your answer will reflect your personality. So think care fully . . .. Try and answer within 30 seconds.
Got your answer? Now scroll down to see the analysis. .....






































If your answer is: Lion = you're dull. Chimpanzee = you're a moron.
Giraffe = you're a complete idiot.
Squirrel = you're just hopelessly stupid.
A COCONUT TREE DOESN'T HAVE BANANAS.
Obviously you're stressed and overworked. You should take some time off and relax!
Try again next year.

martedì, marzo 24, 2009

Italian I - Tuesday March 24

http://italian.about.com/library/fare/blfare257.htm
http://www.gwc.org.uk/ModernLang/hotpot/italian/Italianvocabulary/voc1.html

1. Use the websites above to define the following Italian words on a separate sheet of paper. Listen to their pronunciation and practice.
at home
fridge
table
ceiling
closet
to do the shopping
to buy
nursery
chair
armchair
to be out
bed
wardrobe
chest of drawers
at my house
washing machine
dish-washer
bath
shower
to be at home
window
bedroom

lunedì, marzo 23, 2009






Find three houses that you are interested in buying from the above website and for each, tell me:


(use http://www.freetranslation.com/ to help you translate words)


1. Quanto cosa?

2. Qual'e la citta' piu vicina? (nearest town)

3. C'e una piscina?

4. Quanto e' grande?

5. Quante 'camere da letto' ci sono?

6. Quanti 'bagni' ci sono?

7. C'e un posto per la macchina?

8. Descrive la casa in una frase.

lunedì, marzo 16, 2009

La moda italiana - Valentino


1. Who is Valentino Garavani?
Hint: Selma Hayek is wearing one of his designs in the picture.


2. What are some of the luxuries Valentino enjoys in his life as a famous fashion designer?




3. Flip through the slides featuring Valentino's new ready-to-wear line of clothing. Describe your favorite outfit featured, in italiano:



4. Look through Valentino's dresses. Describe your favorite one, in italiano.


venerdì, marzo 06, 2009

Cinema Paradiso




1.
Cinema Paradiso takes place on the island of Sicily. Click on the link below and write 5 facts about Sicilia.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicily


2.
Draw your own verson of La Bandiera di Sicilia:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Sicilia-Bandiera.png


3.
Qual'e' la capitale di Sicilia?

4.
ere is the English script from Cinema Paradiso. Write down the line you found the most memorable:

mercoledì, febbraio 25, 2009

Italian Flashcards

1. Register for a free account at http://www.italian-flashcards.com/
2. Review the Practice Words. Click on LOOP to move from card to card.
3. Take the English multiple choice test and the Italian multiple choice test. Write just the answers on your sheet of paper. You will log this assignment into your compito log tomorrow.

venerdì, febbraio 06, 2009

Amore e altri aggettivi


Quiz on adjectives...

Look at the links and answer the questions:


1. Come si dice " shy" in italiano?http://italian.about.com/library/fare/blfare128a.htm


2. Come si dice "full" in italiano?http://italian.about.com/library/fare/blfare128a.htm
















10. How would you describe this person in italiano (give me two adjectives)?http://www.sports-photos.com/catalog/images/MichaelJordan3Clr.tif.jpg


11. A very useful Italian expression is "Amore e' cieco" (love is blind!). Keeping that in mind, how would you describe this person in italiano? (give me two adjectives)http://images.wikia.com/uncyclopedia/images/thumb/3/33/Ugly_man_2.jpg/180px-Ugly_man_2.jpg


12. How would you describe this person in italiano? (give me two adjectives)http://images.eonline.com/eol_images/Profiles/20060913/244.winfrey.oprah.091906.jpg


13. How would you describe this person in italiano? (Give me two adjectives).http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2006/specials/sma06/sma_gallery/johnny_depp.jpg




15. Come si dice "I love you a lot" in italiano?
Wishing you all tanto tanto AMORE in your lives!


martedì, febbraio 03, 2009

I Rani

Nuovi animali scoperti in Columbia.

Che cos'e' una rana?

http://www.repubblica.it/2006/12/gallerie/ambiente/anfibi-colombia/10.html

venerdì, gennaio 23, 2009

Italian Flashcards

1. Register for a free account at http://www.italian-flashcards.com/

2. Review the Practice Words. Click on LOOP to move from card to card.

3. Take the English multiple choice test and the Italian multiple choice test. Write just the answers on your sheet of paper. You will log this assignment into your compito log tomorrow.

mercoledì, gennaio 21, 2009

il nuovo presidente

1.Translate the title and first 7 sentences after of the Obama article below:
http://www.repubblica.it/2009/01/sezioni/esteri/obama-insediamento-2/calabresi-giuramento/calabresi-giuramento.html

2. How is our new president planning on making college more affordable?
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/education/index.php

3. How did our new president afford college?
http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/president_obama/

4. Watch inauguration videos at http://video.corriere.it/?vxSiteId=404a0ad6-6216-4e10-abfe-f4f6959487fd&vxChannel=tuttiivideo&vxClipId=2524_58fe85d2-e78e-11dd-833f-00144f02aabc&vxBitrate=300 (be sure to check out The President and First lady dancing! That's amore!!!" )

venerdì, gennaio 16, 2009

Per fortuna! (Luckily!)

domenica, gennaio 11, 2009

Final Exam Review


Click on the link below. Take the practice test to prepare for the final exam. Write the correct answers on a separate sheet of paper.


The link:

http://www.esl-languages.com/en/study-abroad/online-tests/italian-test/index.htm

giovedì, gennaio 08, 2009

Lo slang in italiano!

Go to:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/italian/cool/
and make a list of 25 Italian slang expressions.

Listen to and practice the pronunciation. Write down each expression and tell me what it means in English.

martedì, gennaio 06, 2009

La communita' europea


La communita' europea

1. When was the European Community founded? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union

2. Which countries belong to the European Community?http://www.eurunion.org/states/offices.htm

3. Which countries are CANDIDATES for membership in the European Community?http://www.eurunion.org/states/offices.htm

4. Why would these European want to form an alliance? Read the quote below for a clue:
"The EEC had as its aim the eventual economic union of its member nations, ultimately leading to political union. It worked for the free movement of goods, service, labour and capital, the abolition of trusts and cartels, and the development of joint and reciprocal policies on labour, social welfare, agriculture, transport, and foreign trade."

5. Which city is the administrative capital of the European Union? http://www.brussels.org/

6. How many official languages does the European Community have?http://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/lang/languages/index_en.html

7. What is the highest denomination banknote of the EURO, the official currency of thirteen of the EU member states? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Euro_banknotes.png

mercoledì, dicembre 17, 2008

la Meglio Gioventu'


1. Who is the director of La meglio gioventu?






2. In the film, come si chiamano i due fratelli?








3. Giorgia was submitted to electroshock therapy. What is it exactly?








4. What were le brigate rosse and what were they seeking to do? (N.B. Giulia, the wife of Nicola and mother of Sara becomes a part of le brigate rosse)






What happened in Firenze, in November 1966 and who are the angeli del fango?






Finally, are you on Santa's naughty or nice list? Find out at http://www.santasgoodlist.org/

martedì, dicembre 02, 2008

Discovery Atlas: Italy

1. Play atlas quest. Write down your answers, and tell me your points total:
http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/atlas/quest/quest.html


2. Click on seven of the places on the map of Italy and tell me why they are special:
http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/atlas/italy/explore/explore.html

venerdì, novembre 21, 2008




1. What kind of men became Gladiators?






2. How did Gladiators train?






3. What kinds of animals were sent into the ring to fight with gladiators?






4. When was the Colosseo built and how many people did it seat?




5. Click on "Launch the animation" and answer the question:
What are the six structures of the Colosseo?
6. Why was sand sprinkled on the floor of the arena?
7. For fun: Play the Gladiator Game:


lunedì, novembre 17, 2008

1. What are the top 10 Italian verbs and tell me what they mean in English?
http://www.verbix.com/languages/italian.shtml

2. Choose five of the top ten Italian verbs and conjugate into the following subject pronouns:
io
tu
lui/lei/Lei
noi
voi
loro

3. Italian is the official language of which countries?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_language

4. Italian is the official language of San Marino...where is San Marino? (draw a simple map)

giovedì, novembre 06, 2008

Italian II

Read and then summarize an article on the American election in LA REPUBBLICA. What are Italians thinking about our new president elect? To help you with difficult words, check out freetranslation.com, but try to see if you can read it entirely in Italian first.

www.repubblica.it

lunedì, novembre 03, 2008

Italian II - November 6

1. Take this test online; write down the 12 correct answers on your answer sheet.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/italian/gauge/

2. According to your score, what parts of the BBC site will be most useful to you?
3. What are Italians thinking today about our election?
http://www.rai.tv/mpplaymedia/0,,News-Tg1^0^146941,00.html
http://www.repubblica.it/

sabato, novembre 01, 2008

la musica italiana

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAXIFF-iDiI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv9HUxik9qo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX5IhaS1law
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvRAedvPn3U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJPNfbJYZeU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWbCPgt5a9g

giovedì, ottobre 30, 2008

30 ottobre



1. Take a look at the website below.


Click on enter.


Click on About.


Look through the programs: would you like to do something different this summer???


If so, write down the program/s you're interested in and join us on Tuesday afterschool next week. We'll be watching the movie "Bella" and you'll just need to write a brief essay on your thoughts regarding the movie.






2.

Why do Italians leave the doors open when they set out food and go to church on All Souls Day (La festa di ognispirito)



3. November 1st is the Festa di OgniSanto, and it is a holiday in Italy (no school!). What do people do on this day?



4. What is 'stregheria'?



5. Why is the Church of the Cappuccini in Palermo called a 'Human Library'



6. What does this church use for decoration? CLICK ON "CRYPT"


7. Many people report seeing ghostly visions of Santa Lucia. She is commonly depicted as a young girl holding her gouged out eyes on a tray. Her husband is the one who turned her into authorities for what crime? What was her punishment?


mercoledì, ottobre 22, 2008

Geografia!!!!

1. Check out this video:
http://www.greatdanepro.com/Blue%20Bueaty/index.htm

More parade pictures!!!
















lunedì, ottobre 20, 2008

Feste Italiane

Italy celebrates many holidays that we don't. Describe, IN YOUR OWN WORDS, three holidays that are celebrated in Italy (and not celebrated in the United States.


http://www.lifeinitaly.com/potpourri/holidays.asp

lunedì, ottobre 13, 2008

Cristofero Colombo 2008!!!!















































































giovedì, ottobre 09, 2008

i Trulli

I have two important announcements!
Number one, if you would like to March in the Christopher Columbus Parade downtown on Monday, please meet at school at 9:45 am and we'll ride the bus together. It's going to be fun!

Number two, the Italian club t-shirts will be in later today. Please come by my room after 7th period to pick up your t-shirt.


1. What is a Trullo?



2.
Now take the Trullo quiz:
Write down the correct answers for 1-5
3. Trulli are found in the Italian region of Puglia. Draw a small outline of the map of Italy, and point to where Puglia is located.

domenica, settembre 28, 2008

News in Italia - 29 settembre 2008

Watch three news videos or read three news articles on Italy, and summarize each article in one paragraph each. Your final paper should have thus three paragraphs.

Videos:
http://www.lifeinitaly.com/news/

Articles on Italian politics:
http://www.lifeinitaly.com/news/news_politics.asp

Articles on religion in Italy:
http://www.lifeinitaly.com/news/news_religion.asp

Article on Italian sports:
http://www.lifeinitaly.com/news/news_sport.asp

Articles on Italian culture:
http://www.lifeinitaly.com/news/news_culture.asp


FINALLY, check out the trailer for a new movie that takes place in Italy during WWII
http://miracleatstanna.movies.go.com/

domenica, settembre 14, 2008

Italian I - Language Lab Lezione I

Laboratorio Lezione I - Italian I
Benvenuti al laboratorio!

In today's lesson, you will familiarize yourself with some useful websites. Please answer all the questions on a sheet of paper.
This assignment is worth 10 points.

1. Press play on the video player located below this post. This is a very popular Italian singer, named Eros Ramazzotti. Now go to Radio Dimensione Suona, click on Playlist, and choose an Italian song to listen to (scroll down - there are lots of songs to choose from). Task: Write down the name of the song that you listened to (make sure it's an ITALIAN song, and not Spanish or English).

2. Next head over to Google Earth. Now type "Naples, Italy" into the search bar. Click on "satellite" to get a live satellite image. Zoom in and explore. Can you find Mt. Vesuvio - the volcano that erupted and destroyed Pompeii in 79AD? It is still active, and could actually explode at any time. Task: Is there smoke coming out of Mt. Vesuvius today?

3. Watch this short video on Italians vs. Europeans by Bruno Bozzetto. Task: What are three differences between Italians and Europeans. Do Italians always follow the rules?

4. And just to make you laugh...check out this video entitled "Adamo" by the Italian computer cartoonist Bruno Bozzetto.

5. Task: Write down one of the main headlines, in Italiano of course, from today's edition of La Repubblica.

6. Finally, go to freetranslation.com. Click on Free Translation. Then click on English to Italian. Task: How do you write: "I am the best student in the world. I love Italian." in Italian?

Bentornati al LAB - ITALIAN II - Galileo


Per favore, rispondete con delle frasi completi:



1. When and where was Galileo born?





2. What is the Inquisition?



3. What did Galileo invent?



4. What did he discover via his invention?



5. Galileo believed, rightly so, that the sun was at the center of the universe (the Copernican Theory). Everyone thought he was crazy. The Catholic church charged him with heresay. What was Galileo's punishment for believing that the sun was at the center of the universe (and it really is at the center of our universe - Galileo was right and the church was wrong!)?
http://galileo.rice.edu/bio/narrative_7.html



mercoledì, maggio 14, 2008

Biciclette


1. Summarize, in one paragraph, the plot so far of Ladri di biciclette.



2. What is neo-realismo?



3. Name three films directed by Vittorio DiSica. Also - watch the film clips.



4. How many Oscars did Vittorio Di Sica win?



5. In one paragraph, summarize the plot of Beijing Bicycle



6. What do Beijing Bicycle and Ladri di Biciclette have in common?

giovedì, maggio 08, 2008

Il Rinascimento - The Renaissance

In one paragraph, please describe the Renaissance in your own words:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance

When was the Art Institute of Chicago built and what rubble was it built upon?
http://www.artic.edu/aic/aboutus/wip/index.html

Browse the Art Institue collection. If you could borrow two scuptures or pieces of art to display in your bedroom, which would you choose??
http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/

venerdì, aprile 25, 2008

Artemisia


1. Why is Artemisia important in the history of art?



2. What is Artemisia doing in her self-portrait?



3. What is happening in this most famous of Artemisia's paintings?



4. What trauma did Artemisia undergo and how long did a trial last?

(Read the section titled: 'The Artist's Life"



5. How old was Artemisia when she painted 'Susanna and the Elders'?



6. What is happening in the painting 'Susanna and the Elders'?

7. Write down two headlines from today's Italian news:

lunedì, aprile 14, 2008

14 aprile 2008

Choose an article on Italian culture from the link below. Write a short summary of your article (at least one paragraph):

http://italian.about.com/od/italianculture/Culture_and_Traditions.htm

lunedì, aprile 07, 2008

Michelangelo!



!http://www.michelangelo.com/buon/bio-index2.html

1. Click on the link above. Then click on 'Early life' Where and when was Michelangelo born?

2. http://www.michelangelo.com/buon/bio-index2.html

Name three of Michelangelo's works. Which one do you find the most beautiful/interesting?

3. If someone refers to you as a 'Renaissance' Man or Woman, what do they mean?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_man

4. Where can you find Michelangelo's famous crucifix?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crucifix_(Michelangelo)

5. What does Michelangelo's famous sculpture 'La Pieta' depict?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piet%C3%A0_(Michelangelo)

6. http://www.vaticanotours.com/g/sistine_chapel.jpg

Take a look at the sistine chapel ceiling, painted by Michelangelo:

How long did it take for Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling?

http://arthistory.about.com/od/famous_paintings/a/sischap_ceiling.htm

7. Now take a look at the before and after pictures of the Sistine chapel.

http://users.wfu.edu/boguka5/FYS100/sistineceiling.htm

8. Now visit our exchange website at www.chicagomilano.blogspot.com Post an entry at www.blogger.com, post a comment, say hello to your amici in Italia!

mercoledì, marzo 12, 2008

12 marzo

1. What's playing in Italian music? Check out http://www.rds.it/ Click on 100% grandi sucessi. Click on PLAYLIST. Listen to three ITALIAN songs. Write down the names of the songs. What do the names of the song mean? (If you need help translating, go to freetranslation.com)

2. In italiano, quali sono le previsioni di tempo a Roma per giovedi e venerdi?
(What's the weather going to be in Rome on Thursday and Friday - write your answer in Italiano).
http://meteo.repubblica.it/tempo_italia/previsioni/ROMA/LAZ/RM

3. What type of vehicle is a 'GUZZI' and how do you say that type of vehicle in italiano?
http://www.repubblica.it/motori/index.html

4. Read your 'oroscopo' and write down one interesting event/aspect that it predicts:
http://seidimoda.repubblica.it/oroscopo?segno=pesci

5. Che cosa disegna Giorgio Armani?
http://www.giorgioarmani.com/ga_menu/IT/home.html

Check out our exchange website!!!! www.chicagomilano.blogspot.com

giovedì, febbraio 28, 2008

Barilla

Visit http://www.discoverbarilla.com/

Choose four of the destinations (Tuscany, Amalfi, Naples, etc.) and tell me one thing that is special about these cities/regions as well as the name of the pasta dish that is popular in the region/city.

giovedì, febbraio 14, 2008

Quiz on adjectives...


Look at the links and answer the questions:

1. Come si dice " shy" in italiano?
http://italian.about.com/library/fare/blfare128a.htm

2. Come si dice "full" in italiano?
http://italian.about.com/library/fare/blfare128a.htm

3. Come si dice "bad" in italiano?
http://italian.about.com/library/fare/blfare128a.htm

4. Come si dice "angry" in italiano?
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/languages/italian/subjects/adjectives.shtml]

5. Come si dice "empty" in italiano?
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/languages/italian/subjects/adjectives.shtml

6. Come si dice "sporco" in inglese?
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/languages/italian/subjects/adjectives.shtml

7. Come si dice "early" in italiano?
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/languages/italian/subjects/adjectives.shtml

8. Come si dice "cold" in italiano?
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/languages/italian/subjects/adjectives.shtml

9. Come si dice "shut/closed" in italiano?
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/languages/italian/subjects/adjectives.shtml

10. How would you describe this person in italiano (give me two adjectives)?
http://www.sports-photos.com/catalog/images/MichaelJordan3Clr.tif.jpg

11. A very useful Italian expression is "Amore e' cieco" (love is blind!). Keeping that in mind, how would you describe this person in italiano? (give me two adjectives)
http://images.wikia.com/uncyclopedia/images/thumb/3/33/Ugly_man_2.jpg/180px-Ugly_man_2.jpg

12. How would you describe this person in italiano? (give me two adjectives)
http://images.eonline.com/eol_images/Profiles/20060913/244.winfrey.oprah.091906.jpg

13. How would you describe this person in italiano? (Give me two adjectives).
http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2006/specials/sma06/sma_gallery/johnny_depp.jpg

14. Who is this man?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Prodi27032007.jpg

15. Come si dice "I love you a lot" in italiano?
Wishing you all tanto tanto AMORE in your lives!
For fun: enter to win $10,000 by designing your own jelly bean flavor!

lunedì, febbraio 04, 2008

Italian Immigration


1. Why did so many Italian immigrate to the US in the late 1800's?
http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/historyonline/italian_immigration.cfm

2.
How many Italians immigrated to the US from 1880 - 1930?
http://www.ellisisland.org/immexp/wseix_5_3.asp?

3. What is Ellis Island?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellis_Island

4. What did Italians call Ellis Island?
http://www.ailf.org/awards/benefit2004/ahp04essay.asp

5. What is 'anti-Italianism'?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Italianism

6. Name 6 of the most important Italian contributions to the world:
http://www.eupedia.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16873

venerdì, febbraio 01, 2008

San Valentino


Did you know that St. Valentine was a real person? Today you'll learn more about him and the history of Valentine's Day.

1. Watch the video on Valentine's day (see link below) to answer the following two questions. What did the ancient Romans do on the festival of LUPERCALIA - the pre-St. Valentine's day?
http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=mini_home&mini_id=1084


2. Why was St. Valentine arrested and sent to death by the Emporer?


2. Choose a quote that you find meaningful:
http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Generic&content_type_id=57795&display_order=4&mini_id=1084

mercoledì, gennaio 30, 2008

Lo Slang in Italiano



Go to:


and make a list of 25 Italian slang expressions. Listen and practice the pronunciation. Write down each expression and tell me what it means in English.

giovedì, gennaio 17, 2008

Final Exam * Geography Review


The final exam has 100 questions. It will cover everything in your workbooks up to page 98. It will include questions on geography. Please answer the following quesitons. Today's lab work is worth 15 points.


1. What is the capital of Italy?


2. Which city is considered Italy's fashion capital?
http://www.milanfashionshows.com/

3. What are the two largest islands of Italy?


4. What is the name of the sea surrounding Italy?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_Sea

5. What is Vatican City?
http://www.vatican.va/

6. Who is the prime minister of Italy?
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/world-leaders-1/world-leaders-i/italy.html

7. Pizza was invented in which Italian city?


8. Name 3 famous Italian artists:

9. Who is the head leader of Vatican city?

10. Which countries border with Italy?
11. Which Italian city has no cars and is comprised of a series of waterways?
12. What is Mt. Vesuvius?
13. Which extinct language is the "mother" of the Italian language?
14. In which Italian city is the Coliseum located?

domenica, gennaio 06, 2008

Bentornati! (Welcome Back!)

Com'era la vacanza?

1. Go to http://quizstar.4teachers.org/indexs.jsp
Sign in: Your username is firstnamelastnameschurz and your password is "gelato"
For example, if your name is 'Laura Pausini' your username will be:
laurapausinischurz
and your password is: gelato

Take Quiz 1. Your score will be automatically recorded.

2. When you're done, watch some Italian cartoons at:
http://www.rai.tv/mpplaymedia/0,,RaiFiction-Cartoons^1^32605,00.html

AND

3. Check out the new gadgets at the Consumer Electronics Show, presented yesterday, at:
http://tech.msn.com/guides/ces/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=5892596&GT1=10839


mercoledì, dicembre 12, 2007

lunedì, novembre 26, 2007

Natale in Italia

Natale e' una festa molto importante e religiosa in Italia. Risponda ai seguenti domande (SU UN FOGLIO SEPARATO)

1. Where did the actual celebration of Christmas most likely originate?http://italian.about.com/library/weekly/aa120600a.htm

2. What is a presepio?http://www.initaly.com/regions/xmas/rosemary.htm

3. Where is the Vatican located? Is it a separate country or part of Italy? (Note that the picture located in this entry is a picture St. Peter's cathedral at the Vatican during Christmastime. A large Christmas tree and a presepio are placed at the center of the large piazza).http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vatican_City

4. According to the article below, what does an Italian Christmas revolve around?http://www.italianfoodforever.com/iff/articles.asp?id=37

5. Name 5 dishes that an Italian family might eat on Christmas Eve or Christmas day:http://italian.about.com/library/weekly/aa120600d.htm

6. Why do Italians eat lentils on New Years Eve (i.e. what do they represent?)?http://goitaly.about.com/od/festivalsandevents/a/newyears.htm

giovedì, novembre 15, 2007

Italo-Americani



Italian Americans have greatly contributed to our country. 1. On a separate sheet of paper, make a list of 5 Italian Americans. For each person, note why they became famous. Use the link below to help you.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Italian_Americans
2. What did the Jacuzzi family invent?
3. What did Antonio Meucci invent?
4. What is Nicolas Cage's real birth name?
5. What famous character did Lou Ferrigno play in many tv shows and movies?
Extra credit: What is the name of the famous Italian American baseball player shown above?