Sinagoga, Toledo by Sarah Ballister
Reflection and Response.
The Snapshots From the Collective series works to create a space for Reflection and Response through photography. ANYone who wants to contribute ANY photos to this project can email us submissions at the.lifestyle.rr@gmail.com. One photo will be posted each week, and photos will only be used for the purposes of this series. Thank you and we look forward to building and expanding the Collective!!
June 2013
Reflection and Response.
Events from the Collective is a calendar of upcoming events from the LIFESTYLE collective’s international community. Events can be submitted at anytime to the.lifestyle.rr@gmail.com or @LIFESTYLE_RR and will be added to the calendar as they roll in.
June 2013
Reflection and Response.
Events from the Collective is a calendar of upcoming events from the LIFESTYLE collective’s international community. Events can be submitted at anytime to the.lifestyle.rr@gmail.com or @LIFESTYLE_RR and will be added to the calendar as they roll in.
This project started as a collaboration between the bad-ass teacher I work with in second grade English and Science, Ricardo , and the textbook we were using at the time. The unit the kids were doing was on animal habitats and we decided it would be dope to write a song and have me record it to rap later with the kids to see how they would respond. Ricardo wrote the first version of lyrics that would become my first track, “Habitats.”
The version I brought to class turned out to be too fast so I went home and slowed it down. Then we were on a roll. As summer is approaching, I thought it would cool to record a full album of tracks so my students can listen to something different in English in July and August. Thus, “Hip Hop English With Peter,” was born. For a week and a half, I’ve been recording and rerecording tracks based on units from textbooks we work with at school as well as consulting English teachers on common mistakes.
The album contains a range of levels and goals for learning and comprehension. The first 4 tracks were written specifically for second grade, “Work” for third grade, and the last 3 tracks are aimed at practicing 5th and 6th grade common mistakes.
I am also nearly finished with a preschool edition of Hip Hop English, and am working with a preschool teacher who is helping me make songs more enjoyable for younger language learners.
I look forward to working further on this project. This is only the beginning, Below are the lyrics from the first Hip Hop English With Peter for Elementary School English Learners:
Habitats
I am oviparous
I lay eggs
I am a toucan
Fly with friends
I live in a habitat
Rainforest
Weather is warm
Rain is pouring
Wet rainforest, dry desert
Cold polar region
Forest trees birds and bees
All the animals singing
I am viviparous
I don’t lay eggs
I am a camel
With friends
I live in a habitat
Yes, the desert
Night is cold
Day is hot weather
Wet rainforest, dry desert
Cold polar region
Forest trees birds and bees
All the animals singing
I am oviparous
I lay eggs
I am a penguin
with friends
I live in a habitat
The polar region
The weather is cold
No chameleons
Wet rainforest, dry desert
Cold polar region
Forest trees birds and bees
All the animals singing
Wet rainforest, dry desert
Cold polar region
Forest trees birds and bees
All the animals singing
Towns and Cities
Towns and cities
Cities and towns
Cities are bigger more noise and sounds
Towns are smaller buildings are lower
And the streets those are shorter
We can do many things
Go shopping then go out in the evening
And some are by the sea
Others by in the mountains it’s so pretty
Towns and cities have a mayor
With counselors at town hall they work there
organize services for all
Festivals, like the winter ball
Towns and cities
Cities and towns
Cities are bigger more noise and sounds
Towns are smaller buildings are lower
And the streets those are shorter
So What’s in the city?
Some public transport
Underground and the bus
Get my toys at department store
Watch a movie at the cinema
In the town smaller buildings
My house is next to a square
Medicine at the chemist
There is a school, my friends are there
Forces
Push your table
Pull your hair
Forces move objects from here to there
Drop a pencil don’t be scared
Gravity a force in the air
Push and pull forces move objects in different ways
A big object means a big force
They can even change shape
Blow a balloon- it changes shape
Push a rock- it doesn’t change
Squeeze a sponge it changes shape
Forces happen everyday
How does a force make an object move?
A force is invisible but we can see what they do?
Start moving kick a ball
Stop moving block that ball
Move faster go on the swing
Change direction move slower please
Seasons and Months
Autumn September, October,
Wear a jacket it is colder
Back to school to learn new things
My new T shirt is cool to me
It’s Winter it’s cold outside
Please put on your jacket don’t cry
Put on a coat and wear some trousers
Make a snowman for an hour
It’s Spring March April May
Take off your coat put on a shirt is great
It is windy sometimes it rains
Sometimes it’s a sunny day
It’s Summer June July August
Put on shorts outside it’s hottest
Put on your suncap and shorts
Put on sunscreen open the door!
Means of Transport
Train, bus, helicopter, and car
Means of transport, yes they are
Underground, ships, and planes,
Carry passengers goods, and freight
Boats. Motorbikes, and lorries,
Move people and things fast and slowly,
Roads have one lane going each way
Motorways have more lanes
Vroom vrrom goes the car
Choo choo I am a train
Ummm I am a boat
Now wings fly like a plane
Vroom vrrom goes the car
Choo choo I am a train
Ummm I am a boat
Now wings fly like a plane
Train, bus, helicopter, and car
Means of transport, yes they are
Underground, ships, and planes,
Carry passengers goods, and freight
Boats. Motorbikes, and lorries,
Move people and things fast and slowly,
Roads have one lane going each way
Motorways have more lanes
Trains stop at stations
Plans land at airports
Buses taxis underground
Public transportation
Ships stop at ports
Taxis and cars road vehicles
Cars, bicycles, bikes
Private transportation
Train, bus, helicopter, and car
Means of transport, yes they are
Underground, ships, and planes,
Carry passengers goods, and freight
Boats. Motorbikes, and lorries,
Move people and things fast and slowly,
Roads have one lane going each way
Motorways have more lanes
Work
We work we do activities
We get money from the work we do
For example people work on trousers
And work to sell them to me and you
Some jobs use resources from nature
Mining, fishing, farmers with a cow
Some jobs make products
in the industries of furniture, textile, automotive, wow!
We work we do activities
We get money from the work we do
For example people work on trousers
And work to sell them to me and you
Some jobs provide services like
a doctor that helps patients
Some work in retail
As shop owners or shop assistants
We work we do activities
We get money from the work we do
For example people work on trousers
And work to sell them to me and you
Present Perfect
I haven’t ever been to London
But I’m planning on going later on this summer
I have lived in Spain for all my life
I go to school everyday see my friends at night
This is the story of my daily routine
I use the simple present with regular things
Use the present perfect to talk about facts
That are still happening but started in the past
Everyday wake up and have breakfast
Get to school at 9 for a science lesson
After that I have maths then the playground
snack is an apple tastes great wow!
Then more class, lengua and math
When the bell rings I meet my friends to relax
Next to the park I finish my homework
After is dinner san jacobos are so good!
I clear the table after the meal
then we watch a movie that’s our family’s deal
next I brush my teeth and I go to bed
And tomorrow the routine starts over again
I haven’t ever been to London
But I’m planning on going later on this summer
I have lived in Spain for all my life
I go to school everyday see my friends at night
This is the story of my daily routine
I use the simple present with regular things
Use the present perfect to talk about facts
That are still happening but started in the past
What is the present perfect?
Actions in the past that are still current
Like “Hi my name is Peter, the class assistant
I’ve worked at school since 2011 teaching English
Or I have just made a cake.
Why is that current?
Well… I still have a piece and if you are hungry
And I would just love to serve it
I haven’t ever been to London
But I’m planning on going later on this summer
I have lived in Spain for all my life
I go to school everyday see my friends at night
This is the story of my daily routine
I use the simple present with regular things
Use the present perfect to talk about facts
That are still happening but started in the past
The Right Way to Ask
I forgot my homework in the other class
May I go and get it is the right way to ask
May I come in? not “I can pass?”
May I go to the restroom, not I can.
If you are late ask “may I come in.”
We shouldn’t disrupt the other students
If I need a pencil ask “may I borrow one,”
and remember to bring one tomorrow son
After school I ask “may I play.”
Depends on what myp arents say
After dinner I ask “may I watch TV?”
Only if you finish studying.
I forgot my homework in the other class
May I go and get it is the right way to ask
May I come in? not “I can pass?”
May I go to the restroom, not I can.
At the breakfast table I need the butter
I say “Would you pass me the butter, mother.”
With a smile she says “here you go honey,”
I tell her thank you, the pancakes are lovely
My friend Alex from school fell down
I asked “would you like some help right now?”
I went and got a teacher, she said it was fine
she put on a band-aid Alex gave me 5
I forgot my homework in the other class
May I go and get it is the right way to ask
May I come in? not “I can pass?”
May I go to the restroom, not I can.
Once A Week
I listen to music, he watches TV
She looks at a picture. What does she see?
It is a man sitting at a table
Having lunch using a fork to eat
On a Saturday in September
Talking with my friend Vanessa
She told me hello, I said “what’s up?”
Just took an exam, man it was tough
Once a week at 5 P.M.
I go to Maria’s house with all my friends
All day I can’t wait to go
Will it be fun? Yes, I think so
I am good at speaking English
I am bad at dancing tango
But I’m better than my teacher Peter
Man, he dances like a flamingo
I have a brother, I am ten years old
Do we have homework? I hope so.
I wrote it down in my agenda
and I’ll do it, ‘cus I always remember.
Once a week at 5 P.M.
I go to Maria’s house with all my friends
All day I can’t wait to go
Will it be fun? Yes, I think so
Reflection and Response.
-P
Richard Harris takes the Reflection and Response interview to heart. In this piece, Rich informs about his perspective becoming an integral part of the Madrid music scene coming from England, highlights the role that Reflection and Response has played in some recent events in his life, and stresses the importance of creativity and expression. The interview touches on the talent found throughout the Spanish capital city and how this Collective inspires artistic creation. Three of Richard’s tracks accompany the interview to provide an audio reference to the interesting and enlightening words below. Without further adieu, we’re proud to present Richard Harris.
Leading off with some basics, where are you from? And where are you at?
RH: I’m from Basildon, Essex. Close to London & famous for being home to Depeche Mode & very little else! Where am I at? Good question. Here in Madrid & immersing myself further & further into what is, at the moment, a vibrant music scene. I’m currently running the open mic at Triskel Tavern, recording an album with my band The Red Telephones & playing live whenever I can. There are so many people making good music in the city at the moment & I take the opportunity to see just about all of them when they play live.
What does Reflection and Response mean to you?
RH: Reflection & Response. Still a difficult one this is. I lost one of my oldest friends to cancer just over a year ago & my response was to write a song about him because I miss him. Recently, my mum had cancer & it was a difficult time for my family. Fortunately she is ok now. The response was at once to write a song about it. I also split with my girlfriend around the same time, so no prizes for guessing what the response was! Let’s just say it’s not going to be the happiest of albums when it’s done. On reflection, I have to move on for my sake but I’m still finding it hard regarding Lee. I miss him, simple as that.
How does your work fit in with that definition?
RH: Read the above. Lee’s Tune, The Ties That Bind & Love Is Blind. It’s difficult to remove yourself from your own writing but I reckon The Ties That Bind is possibly the best thing I’ve ever written.
What else have you been working on recently? What are you looking to work on next?
RH: I’m incredibly insecure about my voice, probably because I know so many great vocalists here in Madrid so I went into the studio during Semana Santa & recorded a cover version for the first time. The song is an old traditional called I Know My Rider & I know the song because The Byrds did a version of it. I wanted to see if I could sing in a different style than the Joe Strummer/Punk Rock thing that I normally do. I think it worked & I’m happy with the results. It has given me some ideas regarding what to do with some of the remaining vocals on the album.
Who or what inspires you?
RH: Inspirations? Musical ones first. My biggest one is The Clash; inspiring, life changing & as a 14 year old in Essex with some of my peers drifting towards right-wing politics, The Clash coming out in favour of The Anti-Nazi League & Rock Against Racism had a powerful & lasting effect. I despise racism & racists to this day. My favourite album is Forever Changes by Love, it’s a masterpiece, simple as that & if you haven’t heard it make sure you do a.s.a.p. I’m a massive fan of The Stone Roses, La’s, Byrds, Velvet Underground, Stooges, Stones, MC5, Bo Diddley, Dylan, 13th Floor Elevators, New York Dolls, Pistols, Smiths & countless others. I’m into most types of music, very big on reggae & currently really digging country for the first time in my life, in fact I don’t know how I lived without it for so long. As I type this I’m listening to the Black Angels, proof that there are still good bands out there.
Life Inspirations? Anyone who has stood up against oppression—Gandhi, Mandela, Rosa Parks, Victor Jara, Jan Palach etc; all of these are bigger heroes than any musician.
Is there anything else you would like the Collective to know?
RH: What else? Well, not that it really matters but I’m not exactly young. When I came here 4.5 years ago I’d pretty much given up music & I’m still in a state of shock that this is actually happening! I didn’t expect to finally be recording, gigging & organizing open mic nights in my 40s. I’m happy that I am though-it feels great. I really get a buzz out of watching other musicians, particularly the ones who are nervous to begin with, just like I was. Watching their confidence grow & their stage presence improve is really satisfying.
Shout out to…?
RH: Too many people to mention because there are so many wonderful musicians & friends so I’m going to keep it in house. Woody, former open mic host, Red Telephones drummer & Pop Robinson Guitarist/Singer gets the biggest shout of all. If he hadn’t encouraged me to come back after a rabbit in the headlights first night at Triskel I wouldn’t be doing this interview now. Not only is he a fantastic musician he’s a top bloke, even if he prefers Guns & Roses to the Stone Roses!
Padraig O’Connor. A fantastic composer & singer songwriter in his own right, Padraig plays piano & sings backing vocals for the Red Telephones. His own stuff is great & ‘Cream Seems Fine’ is one of the best songs I’ve heard by anybody in recent years & I wish I had written it myself!
Amber Stiles. Best voice in Madrid as far as I’m concerned. She has contributed backing vocals to some tracks on the current album. Her sweet vocals are a wonderful antidote to my less than dulcet Essex tones.
Joe Wellwood. Not an open mic regular but the new Red Telephones bassist. Great musician & top bloke as well.
Rob Green. Former resident of Madrid & owner of Spaceland studios. Rob has produced all of the Red Telephones recordings & played bass on the second album. He has also played live with us, on one occasion learning an entire set in a matter of days when another bass player had to cancel a gig.
Mark Doran, now in Korea but bass player on the first album. Also a shout to Rhys Berry, former Triskel regular & now Barcelona resident who played harmonica on Chime & Melanie Lawrence who played viola & violin on The Ties That Bind & a number of other tracks.
Last but not least, Jim Montague. My best friend & a fantastic percussionist. He’s on the current album playing a variety of instruments & singing poignant backing vocals on Lee’s Tune. He misses him too.
-Reflection and Response
June 2013
Reflection and Response.
Events from the Collective is a calendar of upcoming events from the LIFESTYLE collective’s international community. Events can be submitted at anytime to the.lifestyle.rr@gmail.com or @LIFESTYLE_RR and will be added to the calendar as they roll in.
Reflection and Response
-P
June 2013
Reflection and Response.
Events from the Collective is a calendar of upcoming events from the LIFESTYLE collective’s international community. Events can be submitted at anytime to the.lifestyle.rr@gmail.com or @LIFESTYLE_RR and will be added to the calendar as they roll in.
May 2013
Reflection and Response.
Events from the Collective is a calendar of upcoming events from the LIFESTYLE collective’s international community. Events can be submitted at anytime to the.lifestyle.rr@gmail.com or @LIFESTYLE_RR and will be added to the calendar as they roll in.
The fifth and final installment in The Small Screen Series, a five-volume snapshot project from Collective member Samantha Geraghty. Check it!
Digital technology has immersed us in a world of instant gratification. We share our real lives through digital appearances, without thinking too much about it. I just go by my day to day, snap a photo of what I consider to be “pretty” and share it online. By the time you know it, you have over 1000 photos, carefully edited as if you were some sort of photographer. Well no, I’m no photographer and I don’t pretend to be one. But when an Instagram photo makes it to the front page of The New York Times, you realize that mobile apps are a big player in media. You don’t always need a flash camera to have an eye for nice pictures.
– Samantha Geraghty
Reflection and Response.
The Snapshots From the Collective series works to create a space for Reflection and Response through photography. ANYone who wants to contribute ANY photos to this project can email us submissions at the.lifestyle.rr@gmail.com. One photo will be posted each week, and photos will only be used for the purposes of this series. Thank you and we look forward to building and expanding the Collective!!
the LIFESTYLE 