Wolf

A friend of mine once put lyncanthropy down on his return to work form as the reason for his period off sick.  He got away with (much to general mirth and merriment among his colleagues) it but it is an affliction (albeit fictional) which must be both terrible and exhilarating at the same time.  I think this animated short, Wolf, captures the change, and its endless repetitive cycle, really well here with the horror and the joy both expressed in momentary glimpses.  It’s a great addition to the werewolf canon.

Wolf (entitled Úlfur from the Icelandic) is a project by Héctor Zafra and Santi Amézqueta of Ciervo Alto, a Barcelona based animation studio. It is the result of 3 people who met in the animation school and decided to create their own company – this was their first animated venture together.

Bless You

You may have had a moment or two like this: you spend an age working on a project only to get bored with it.  This is the case with the architect in this animated short by Philip Watts.  He decides to spice things up a little with his creation by introducing something that will set the (not quite proverbial) cat amongst the pigeons.

Philip Watts is a film and television editor, but since the early 90's he has been producing animated motion graphics for the television industry. He has also worked as a freelance cartoonist on a few occasions, and recently he started combining these two interests and making my own animated short films, hence Bless You which is a very cunning mix of traditional animation, tilt shift photography and something pretty much like Flash (that’s a guess by the way).  Who cares how it was made, ultimately – it’s great fun and executed with great panache.

The Greatest Moment in the History of the Universe... Ever!

Ask a child what the best thing in the history of the universe (ever) is and you might well get something like the reply you have here: a history of the universe culminating in, the best thing of course!

Countless billions of years of history and it all boils down to one thing. Can you guess what it is?

This charming animated short comes to you courtesy of Jonathan Dower who is part of Tui Studios, an animation studio based in Sydney, Australia.  The team of Tui have worked on a number of high-profile animated TV, feature film and gaming projects internationally.

Fish Friend

Every child should have a pet or at least one that does not have too many murderous intentions.  Yet for ten year old Sally, the goldfish that she chose at the pet store is not quite what it seems.  The neighbourhood may never be quite the same again. Combining live action and animation, Fish Friend is inspired by 1950s Americana, Tim Burton, and the shorts of Pixar.  It’s a great combination and this short film certainly makes a splash.

Isaac Newton's Entire Life in 90 Seconds

If you need to know a lot about the life of Isaac Newton but have very little time, how does 90 seconds grab you?  Of course, Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica takes up a large part of this animation by Kevin Orzel as it takes almost 90 seconds to say it.

However, it is a brief but accurate insight in to one of the great geniuses of the Scientific Revolution who I always think of as a kind of Seventeenth Century Sheldon Cooper who, unfortunately for him, never quite found his own Leonard Hofstadter.

The Abnormal, Gruesome Gall – Alien Invader in Your Yard

They appear as if from nowhere.  A previously healthy looking plant suddenly has an abnormal growth protruding from it.  Some are hideous and some strangely beautiful but they leave the plant looking as if it has been invaded by miniature aliens.  And in a way that’s exactly what has happened.  Take a look at the weirdness of the plant gall.

Image Credit Flickr User Curtzsi

Image Credit Flickr User Otolithe

Word of the Week: A Fun and Engaging Strategy to Boost Student Vocabulary and Confidence in the Classroom

Introducing a "Word of the Week" is a fantastic way to build students' vocabulary in a fun and structured manner. It brings a sense of excitement to learning new words while creating a routine that encourages language exploration. Whether it’s through classroom discussions, writing exercises, or creative challenges, focusing on one word each week helps students gradually expand their vocabulary without feeling overwhelmed. This method not only boosts language skills but also sparks curiosity, encourages deeper thinking, and helps students become more confident communicators.

This vibrant collection of 50 “Word of the Week” posters can carry you through the whole academic year, with a few extras to spare! Each poster comes with the word’s definition, synonyms, antonyms, and an example sentence to help bring the word to life. Designed to grab students’ attention, these posters are a fun and visually engaging way to spark curiosity about new vocabulary.

Bringing a “Word of the Week” into the classroom is a simple yet effective way to boost students’ language skills and encourage a love for words. Focusing on one powerful word each week helps create a structured but fun way for students to encounter and work with new vocabulary. Not only does it expand their word bank, but it also improves their comprehension and communication skills.

At my institution, we use these posters in the classroom and even include them in a weekly email to all the teachers. They’re also part of the rotating slideshow in our reception area so visitors can see them too. Plus, our GCSE English team challenges students to use the words in sentences and in their assignments. The possibilities are endless!

The three examples here are all part of the set.

“Word of the Week” encourages students to dive into words in meaningful ways, helping them grasp subtle differences in meaning and use. Teachers can introduce the word with activities like discussions, writing prompts, and creative projects, turning the learning process into something interactive and fun.

This approach also helps develop students’ cognitive skills by challenging them to use sophisticated words in both their academic work and everyday conversations. Over time, they build confidence in expressing themselves more clearly and with greater precision.

Overall, incorporating a “Word of the Week” creates a rich, engaging environment where vocabulary learning is continuous and enjoyable, setting students up for success both in school and beyond.