A tot of English sfogliabile

Flags

Image: A simple red circle on a white background.

History: The Japanese flag, famous all over the world, is called “Hinomaru”, which means “circle of the sun”. The sun, in fact, is very important for the Japanese and is linked to the emperor. The colors and the shape of the flag recall the calm, red and white of Shinto religious sanctuaries. It only became official in 1999, when a law accepted the flag, together with the Japanese national anthem, which is another symbol of the country.

Interesting facts: The flag represents the name of the country. The red circle is the rising sun. Japan is called Nihon or Nippon by the Japanese and the kanji* that form the name mean “origin of the sun.” Japan has been called the “Land of the Rising Sun” for a long time because of its geographical location. In fact, it is the last piece of Asian land before the Pacific Ocean. Everyone looks towards Japan when the sun rises!

Greetings

Welcome back, my friends! I am happy to begin this new year of A Tot of English with you. I missed you! J

In the first issue we couldn’t NOT talk about Wednesday, the most-watched series of 2023. In the music report we will learn about the most original and multicultural orchestras in the world. The strength of music only brings good things! San Diego will be our destination as we explore this southern California town on page 4.

On pages 12 and 13 we will celebrate and learn about Columbus Day and why it is also a day of Italian-American pride! Let’s begin!

Wednesday and a lot of interesting facts!

Which series is the most-watched and most talked about in 2023, more than Stranger Things 4? Wednesday! Here are some interesting facts, even if you probably already know everything there is to know!

Jeanne Ortega took cello*, fencing*, archery and German lessons to be a perfect Wednesday. Tim Burton arranged her bangs* with a comb every morning. All of the characters wear colorful clothing — only Wednesday wears black or white. The city of Jericho was rebuilt in Romania and is inspired by a city in New England. Many of the scenes of Nevermore Academy are filmed in Cantacuzino Castle, in the Carpathian Mountains. One of the extras* is… the tallest man in Romania. Danny Elfman, the soundtrack’s creator, used a harpsichord*, just like in the series he watched as a child, and was inspired by the music of Bach.

Hi, I’m Grammy. This month we’ll learn about:

- use of the infinitive

- subordinating conjunctions

- personal pronouns

- the superlative form

- there is/there are

- indefinite pronouns

Glossary

bangs: short hair that covers the forehead cello: stringed musical instrument that is played resting on the ground costume designer: the person who designs the clothing for a film extras: actors that appear in a film but do not speak fencing: a combat sport that is played with a sword harpsichord: a musical instrument with strings and keyboard, similar to a piano kanji: characters used in Japanese writing

Costume* designer Charlene Atwood, who has won 4 Oscars, was inspired by the designs of Charles Addams, who created the famous family. Her style brings together contemporary fashion and trends from the world of music. Use the code to find out in particular which musician she thought of!

The answer is on page 14

California

San Diego — Spanish for Saint Didacus — is a seaside city with something for everyone! Near the border with Mexico, this sunny metropolis in Southern California is on the Pacific Ocean and is known for its wonderful, long, sandy beaches. In fact, it has over 100 kilometers of coastline, making it a fantastic place to surf, suntan or just relax and soak* up the chill* atmosphere. However, fun in the sun isn’t all this metropolis has to offer.

Its History

The city has a rich, multicultural history. Its first settlers were Native American tribes such as the Kumeyaay, who scattered* villages across the region, most

later explored by the Spanish, in particular Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo--the first European to visit the region in 1542, with others to follow. In 1821, the Mexicans invaded and

settled the area until the Mexican-American War, when the Americans took control of the city and it was made part of the United States. Present-day San Diego is a colorful mosaic of beaches, cultures, nature and art, with lots to see and do!

Art in the Park

Balboa Park is home to 17 museums as well as a lot of performing arts venues and galleries. This is why it is also called the “Smithsonian* of the West” and is San Diego’s cultural heart, with something for everyone. Comic-Con Museum has everything a comic book lover could dream of, with exhibits devoted to superheroes and science fiction franchises. The San Diego Air and Space Museum displays a collection of aircraft and spacecraft illustrating the history of flight, with a replica of

The San Diego Natural History Museum, which has five different floors of inventive and interactive exhibits, teaches visitors about the nature — from the past to the present — of Southern California. Traditional art lovers will enjoy the Timken Museum of Art, which houses collections of 19th century American art, Russian icons and European masters.

Into the Wild Balboa Park is not only about art — it also houses the San Diego Zoo. Animal lovers can

spend hours touring this 100-acre wildlife park. The Zoo is home to more than 12,000 rare and endangered animals There are koalas, elephants, snakes, leopards, camels, cheetas and bonobos, as well as a large variety of birds and other species. There is also a botanical garden with more than 700,000 different plants!’

Splish Splash

This seaside city is also home to the largest water park in the world. Mission Bay Aquatic Park has something for every type of water sports enthusiast. Visitors can do everything from surfing to stand up paddle, kayaking and sailing. For those who are interested in life under the sea, Mission Bay is home to SeaWorld San Diego, one of the world’s most popular marine life parks. On land there are parks where families can have picnics, barbeques or enjoy a bike ride or walk.

Glossary

chill: relax scattered: found in various locations, not together Smithsonian: a national museum in Washington, D.C. soak up: to absorb stemmed: came from

Secret Code

California is a huge state in the USA which covers most of the west coast — and is where you can find another very famous city — Los Angeles. Home to Hollywood, for many it is the place where dreams come true. Its name is also Spanish… but do you know what its nickname is? Do the secret code and find out! The answer is on page 14

Charles Lindbergh’s “Spirit of St. Louis,” which he flew alone in the first nonstop transatlantic flight from New York to Paris.

Games Galore

A video game of logic and reasoning, from the 80s to today, Tetris has always been in fashion. In fact, it is one of the ten most important video games of all time!

A brief history

In 1984, Mr. Aleksei

of other blocks that have already dropped. The player has to turn them and move them while they

The classic version of Tetris almost always has typical Russian music in the background: a popular song like Kalinka or a classical song like The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy by Tchaikovsky or a minuet* in B minor by Bach.

Glossary

accumulate: put together, one next to the other blocks: elements that are held together with flat surfaces

flat figures: type of geometrical figures closed by straight lines indefinitely: without end, always minuet: type of music born from a French dance portable: able to be carried or moved

Extraordinary Orchestras

Music is a way to keep young people united and educate them on respect for others and respect for multiculturalism. Let’s discover where the most extraordinary orchestras in the world are.

Music is a universal language that can become a way to educate people about respect and multiculturalism. For this reason, orchestras are being created all over the world that have two objectives: to give young people a great opportunity, especially in less wealthy neighborhoods, and build a culture based on integration and respect.

El Sistema

It is certainly the most famous and most revolutionary orchestra in the world and it has become a model to bring the poorest kids closer to music. Invented by the musician José Antonio Abreu, El Sistema has always tried to use music to change young people’s lives and society. It all began in 1975 in a garage in Caracas, and today there are 300 orchestras and choirs* in the world!

Abreu wanted to give everyone the opportunity to receive a public*, free and open musical education. The boys and girls who join the project have the possibility to escape poverty and redeem* themselves. That’s why El Sistema has won so many prizes and become an example of peace and progress in the world.

An orchestra without borders

In Bobo-Dioulasso, the music capital of Burkina Faso, there is a special place, the Maison de jeunes, where artists and music lovers meet every evening to give life to the “répétition*”. Their goal is to rediscover the meaning of music as a moment of sociality. A lot of musicians have brought this idea to their countries to build a bridge between the culture and music of the Mediterranean and that of Western Africa. What do they play? Traditional African instruments like the djembé and the dum dum, and more western instruments like the trumpet.

Playing with technology

An extraordinary orchestra, the South West Open Youth Orchestra, which is made up of and managed by disabled young people between 11 and 25 years old, was born near Bristol. The orchestra, thanks to technology, allows the young adults, all with serious disabilities, to play through their eyes, the blinking* of their eyelids or thanks to a sensor* on their heads. Incredible!