BLACK DEATH IN THE MIDDLE AGES BY PAULA CARRIL (2 ESO C)

The Black Death is the name of a terrible bacterial disease that spread throughout Europe from 1348 to 1352. There was no cure for the disease and It was highly contagious.

The plague originated in Asia and travelled westward along the Silk Road, which was a trade route that went from China to Eastern Europe. Cities were the most affected because the population was dense and the disease was carried by fleas and rats. Although people had different points of view, for example, historians thought that black rats living on European merchantships caught the disease and eventually brought it to Europe. Other people believed that It was a punishment of God, some scientists thought it was a bacteria called Yersinia Pestis, the thing which marks the beginning of the disease. The rest realized that pockets of bad air released by earthquakes caused it and another amount of people blamed the Jews for bringing it to kill Christians.

It is hard to imagine how scary life was in the Middle Ages during the Black Death. It killed at least one third of the population in Europe, and probably more. Mortality was extremely high because the population at the time was badly nourished, and did not live in hygienic conditions.

In almost all cases the plague was contagious by transmission, which means that if an animal or person who had the Black Death touched you, you would get infected. The main symptoms were: high fever, shivering and swelling of the neck. If you presented this, it meant you were infected and you would surely die after a few days. To be completely sure, a health care provider diagnosed you by doing laboratory tests on blood or on fluid from a lymph node.

It was so destructive that It become known as the Black Death. Also because of how the skin turned dark at the late stages of the disease, but It was more likely called “Black” to reflect the dark and horrible time in history.

As you might expect, there was panic and many people were sure it was the end of the world. Their solution was to lock their doors and try to hide hide in their houses, but the plague expanded everywhere. In the face of despair, they burned down houses or even villages to try to stop this disaster.

Much of the infrastructure of Europe was gone in 1490. When the Black Death finally subsided, it took around 150 years for Europe to rebuild.

COMIC BY BLANCA TORRES AND ANA RODIL (2 ESO E)

Greek Myths_ 1º ESO Myth of Prometheus

This is the script of the theatre work by Gino Cardarelli, Elisa Sánchez, Pablo Vega and Elsa Revilla. 1ºE
(Script, performance and scenography)

Narrator: Once upon a time....there was a Titan called Prometheus, benefactor of humanity. Zeus got so angry that he took the fire from the mortals.

Zeus: This will be your punishment!!! (Zeus takes the fire from the mortals)

Mortals: Noooo pleaseee!!!!!

Narrator: So Prometheus wanted to recover fire for the mortals.

Prometheus: I have to take the fire, the mortals need it!

Narrator: Prometheus went to the Mount Olympues to take the fire from Apolo´s carriage.

Prometheus: I have got the fire!!!

Narrator: And he gave it to the mortals. Zeus got so angry because of Prometheus´ taunt so he called Hephaestus and told him to make a clay woman called Pandora.

Hephaestus: (He makes Pandora)

Narrator: and Hermes gave Pandora to Epimeteo. Pandora had a box with all the evils in the world, but Epimeto fell in loved with her!

Epimeteo and Pandora: (walking and kisssing each other)

Narrator: Prometheus did not want Pandora and his brother to be together. Epimeteo after rethinking it, he decided to leave Pandora.

Epimeteo: Sorry Pandora, I can not be with you..

Narrator: Zeus was really angry because Pandora did not have waht he wanted. So he called Hephaestus for another plan.

Zeus: I need you Hephaestuus. You have to capture Prometheus and bring him to me!!

Narrator: Hephaestus went to capture Prometheus.

Hephaestus: Come here Prometheus!!!

Prometheus: Nooo! Let me go!!!

Narrator: Zeus had a really good plan, he wanted to tie Prometheus to a rock where an eagle came to eat his liver, but the liver would regenerate because he is inmortal.

Zeus: I will make him suffer !!! hahahahahahah

Narrator: One day Hercules saw the giant Eagle and he killed it, saving Prometheus.

Prometheus: You saved me form the eagle!!! Many thanks!!!!

Hercules: You are welcome, it has not been very difficult!

Narrator: Zeus, proud of his son, didn´t worry about Prometheus´ punishment, and he invited him to the Olimpo, but he would have to carry the rock where he wad tied.

Greek Myths- Theatre 1º ESO - Athena and Poseidon

This is the script of the theatre work by Diego Jimeno, Silvia Nuñez, Paula Díaz and Paula Rodríguez. (Script and performance) 1ºD

Diego as Poseidon

Paula R. as Athena

Paula D. as storyteller and citizens

Silvia as Storyteller, Zeus and citizens.

Storyteller: This story took place in Attica. Two gods were fighting against each other to be the protectors of the city. 

Athena: I am Athena! Goddess of the wisdom

Poseidon: I am Poseidon! God of the sea.

Storyteller: Zeus, Athena´s father, god of the thunder, told them:

Zeus: Let the citizens choose their protector 

Citizens: ok! You will give us a present and the one who gives us the most useful present will protect us. 

Citizen: Yes, I agree! Why don´t we do that?

Citizens: Yes!!!

Storyteller: They went to the mountains. Poseidon touched a rock with his trident.

Poseidon: People need water to live so....let the water flow!

Storyteller: A lot of water started to flow out of the rock.

Storyteller: The citizens were very pleased fo that and they started drinking it but they realized that it was salty water!!

Athena: Hahaha. You are ridiculous for giving them salty water. Hahaha I can do it better. 

Storyteller: She touched her stick on another rock. 

Athena: Grow little tree!!!

Storyteller: And an olive tree grew from the rock. The citizen were happy because an olive is useful in many ways.

Poseidon: All right, Athena!  I appoint you the protector of this polis. 

Storyteller: This place was namede Athens because of Athena

All together: And they all live happily ever after!!!!

WE ALL COUNT!

CHRISTMAS 2017/2018

Calatalifa High-School celebrated Christmas jubilantly. The students of the 2nd year of PMAR showed us all the Christmas decoration displayed in the hall of our School. Carmen and Isabel - school caretakers and responsible for the decoration- are also interviewed.

By: Carlos, Jazmín, Helen, George, Isa and Ariadna.

CARMEN´S BOOK - INTERVIEW

Click here to access media

By Álvaro Tuñón 1ºBachillerato D

ISABEL´S RECIPE BOOK

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By Juan, 1º Bachillerato D

CHESTER 2018

We have visited the city of Chester, in North West England.  We could walk around its well-preserved walls and visit beautiful roman remains. It was an unforgettable experience!

LET'S UNEARHT OUR HISTORY BY MARÍA ZIXI FERNÁNDEZ DE SEVILLA (2 ESO C)

My article is about the ruins of Calatalifa. I have chosen it because they  are very important for Villaviciosa de Odón, my village. One of the central streets of the town and our Institute have taken their names from them.

Calatalifa comes from the Arabic Qalát al Halfa, “a castle built in brick”. Calatalifa was the name of a fortified Arab city of the 9th century founded by Abderramán III. Some archaeologists claim that Calatalifa is the fourth most important Arab city in the Community of Madrid, after Madrid, Alcalá la Vieja and Talamanca. The Villaviciosa settlement is the fourth in importance and the only one without excavating.

In the Islamic period this place was inhabited, and taking into account the archeological remains there were military population. Calatalifa was located in a strategic place.

It is believed that it was primarily a farming community that became a small town fortified city when it was conquered by the arabs. They based their economy on horticulture, fisheries andcrafts, at the same time they shared these activities with the military life of the fortress during  two centuries. When the collapse of the Al-Andalus emirate in taifas, this land was within the taifa of Toledo.

The Arabs built a castle and a fortress to guard the road of Roman origin that linked Toledo and Segovia along the right bank of the Guadarrama River. However, another tradition relates that the caliph ordered to build the castle to commemorate a solar eclipse that occurred during his first visit to the place. In the fourteenth century, after being inhabited for hundreds of years, this city next to the Guadarrama  was defeated by the plague and became a "sick place", which had to be fled from.

To get to the Arabic city, from Villaviciosa de Odón  you have to to take the road called the pine forests that goes out to the southwest of the village, and that leads to the interior of a private property in the place called Cueva de la Mora. Next to the river, and between two ravines, are the remains of the castle and the wall.

In 1980, the first excavations were carried out in the field, located on a hill next to the River Guadarrama in the municipality of Villaviciosa de Odon. The foundations of a wall, of three meters deep, which left to imagine some walls up to 7 meters in height. Remains of dwellings were discovered, ceramics and some remains of early Christian tombs. Archaeologists said they had only discovered  1% of the city. The findings of these excavations were so important that archeologists attempted  to open an archaeological museum in the town, 1n 1984.

However, excavations were suspended for lack of budget and the findings were brought to the National Archaeological Museum. A few years ago has collapsed the Aljibe and part of the wall that had been found; for this reason, many citizens of Villaviciosa de Odón have asked to return to the excavations.   

     

 In Spring , I go on excursions in the surroundings of Villaviciosa by bike and I have gone on several occasions to visit the Moorish ruins, it's exciting to think that an important arab city existed city for so many centuries.

KINGDOMS OF LEÓN AND CASTILLA (XI-XIII CENTURIES) BY DANIELA REAÑO BRACCO AND OLGA SEGOVIA GOYANES (2 ESO D)

TRIP TO BOÍ TAÜLL - BY FERNANDO RUIZ (5ºD)

January 2018

Every year the physical education department prepares a trip to the Pyrenees were you can learn how to ski, have fun with your friends and enjoy the amazing experiences and breathtaking views of the landscape. I have been going to that trip every year since I was in 2^nd of ESO, and I can say it has been one of the best experiences in my life.

The structure of the trip is more or less the same every year:

DAY 1 (SUNDAY)

We leave on Sunday morning and stop at lunch time in a little village called Barbastro, where we can eat some pizza. Then we continue until we arrive at the resort (that should be around 5:00 pm). When we arrive we have some free time in order to let everyone settle in their rooms. You need to be ready for having dinner at 8:00 pm. Then, you have free time until 12:00 am and you can enjoy with your friends by going to the disco near the hotel, or you can just chill out in your room.

DAY 2 (MONDAY)

Everyone has to be ready for breakfast at 8:30am because the bus leaves the resort at 9:00 am. Once we arrive at the ski station everyone has to take their equipment and be prepared for the level exhibition. You will be classified into different groups depending on your ski level. The lessons start at 10:00 am and finish at 12:00 pm every day. We have lunch at the station at 1:00pm and then everyone can enjoy their free time skiing with friends until 4:30 pm, when the bus goes back to the resort. When we arrive we have free time until dinner, and then we can do whatever we want until 12:00 am.

*Every day we follow the same routines except for some changes which I am going to mention.

DAY 3 (TUESDAY)

After finishing our skiing day, we will go directly to Taüll, where we will be able to see one of the most important pieces of our history, the church of Sant Climent. There, we will enjoy an incredible video projected on the back of the church that will show how real paintings were at ancient times.

DAY 4 (WEDNESDAY)

The trip also includes a visit to the “Spa Augusta”, where you can relax in the different types of sauna or in the heated swimming pool. You can also visit the spa in your free time if you want, but the entrance fee is 8 euros.

DAY 5 (THURSDAY)

During your skiing lessons you will participate in a race against the clock, and a professional photographer will take some pictures during your ride (the price of the photo is 5 euros). Medals will be given to the winners in the resort at a party where you will have something to eat. 

This will be your last night, so there will be a special party in the disco of the resort. You need to prepare your suitcases for the following day.

DAY 6 (FRIDAY)

This will be your last day, so after enjoying the snow you will need to give your equipment back to the staff of the ski rental before having lunch. Then we will go back to the hotel in order to take all our luggage, and we will finally leave. We will stop in the middle of our way back home in order to have dinner, and we will arrive Madrid around 11:00 pm.

I would totally recommend this experience to everyone, no matter if you don’t know how to ski. From my point of view, this is one of the best experiences you can have. I’m sure you will love Boí Taüll!

Fernando Ruiz Cerrajero

5ºD

Find more photographs HERE.

RAMÓN BERENGUER IV BY JORGE MOLINA MELÉNDEZ (2 ESO D)