14 Mayıs 2011 Cumartesi

Facilitator's welcome

                            

Hi all. We decided to make a site about our "Local History" project and want to share all participant's work with you. Here all participants will share their culture, tradition, and history with the world. Hope you will have a look and write your own point of view about it. The link "Write us about our work" is for writing your opinion about our site. We will be happy to hear from you.
Best regards

Local History project facilitators


Shukufa Najafova












Rimma Zhukova 
 









Scott Parker
                                       
                                      ***

Azerbaijan, Shukufa Najafova and her students Ismailli school#1 named after Israil Hasanov

                   
      

               Project welcome

Hello friends, we are from Ismailli, Azerbaijan. We are 8 th and 9th grade students and it is interesting for us to participate in the online projects and share with the world. We study at the secondary school #1 named after Israil Hasanov. We want to share information about our culture, tradition and history with the world. Hope you will like.

 Ismailli school#1 named after Israil  Hasanov

 
                                        About our school


Our school name is school #1 named after Israil Hasanov. He is a scientist from our region that is why our school carries his name. Our school is founded in 1961. There are 1291 students and 140 teachers in our school. 671 of them are boys, 620 of them are girls. The first principal of our school was Israil Hasanov.  We study in the 8th and 10th grade. Our school is very big. It is situated in the center of the region. We have very good, innovative and kind teachers at our school. Our school looks like a letter H. Our school is public. We have got a uniform at our school. The director and the parents designed our school uniform. Girls wear white blouse and black skirt; the boys wear white shirt and black trousers. In winter we wear suits. We have morning and afternoon classes. Morning classes are from 8 till 1 o’clock; afternoon classes are from 1 till 6 o’clock. We have a canteen at our school and we have lunch there. Every year lots of students enter universities from our school. Our students participate in many projects. The main thing is that they participate in these projects in English.

Till this day, 3 of our students have gone to study in America about a year with the FLEX program. Aynur Ismayilova studied for a year in America and now she is a student at the University of Foreign Languages.

          Saadat Atakishiyeva earned a year study in America and after a year she entered the university there. Now she continues her education in the Dimon university Iowa state.

          Camila Pashayeva earned a year study and now she studies in California. We have contact with our students and their schools, also their families.

          Leyla Atakishiyeva and Seljug Suleymanli participated with their teacher Shukufa Najafova in “Leadership” project and they earned 2 weeks study in America. They presented there and their friends like their work.

          Farah Maharramova participated in “Global scholarship” project and was choosen as a global student in the world.

          As of now, Shukufa Najafova participates with her students in the “Global Classroom” project and lots of IEARN projects. She is the facilitator of 2 projects in IEARN: “Folk Tales” and “Local History”.

          Shukufa Najafova also participates in AzETA conferences and presented there. She has made her teacher’s website.

The address of her site is: http://shukufanajafovassite.blogspot.com/

          She has also prepared a blog for the “Local History”.  It is about Ismailli. The address is:

http://sites.google.com/site/onedayinmylifeshukufanajafova/

Also Shukufa Najafova participated in TEA program and was chosen as finalist. She was in USA about 6 weeks by TEA program. She also was in Turkey and presents her IEARN project there. In 2009 she was in the workshop and conference in Morocco. One of her student is in London now and he opened Azeri school there called “Caspian Khazri”. He also publishes a newspaper called “Araz”. He also opened there “A young’s club”. Shukufa Najafova is the member of International Teacher’s Association.  

We have Azeri and Russian sectors at our school. Lots of our graduators work in abroad. Vusal Hamzayev works in London. He opened Azerbaijani school there and at the same time he publishes a newspaper named “Araz” there. Rashad Huseynov works in OSCE as a diplomat.

          One of our students Seymur Mammadli works in ANS TV as a translator.

          In 2008 our school participated in the competition held by our government called “The best school of the year” and won. Two of our teachers also participated in the competition called “The best teacher of the year” and won. They are Shukufa Najafova our English teacher and Ulviyya Tahirova.

          We love our school and hope that you will like our school.

 

         Here are some pictures from our city
                                     
 

 

 

 

 

                            

 

 

                         

 

                                                                                                                                                                

                 The History of Azerbaijan

     Azerbaijan has a very glorious and heroic history.  In Azerbaijan great sons such as Javanshir, Babek, Shah Ismail Hetayi, Koroglu, Javad Khan, and others grew up.  These sons of the motherland always thought about their homeland’s benefit.  For example, Javanshir spent sleepless nights and thought about how he can be useful for his people.  He became a great leader and created the Girdman State in the 7th century.  Another example, in the 9th century the Arabians invaded Azerbaijan and Babek decided to save his people from the enemies.  He fought more than 20 years against the Arabian Khalafat and even though he lost, he fight shocked thoroughly the Arabian Khalafat.  At last he died for his people, he sacrificed himself for his people, for his motherland. We can’t say that there are not black days in our history.  Azerbaijan’s nature, its geographical position, and its natural riches, have always attracted strangers.  We, the hospitable and peaceful Azerbaijani people, always saw treason from our neighbors.  We have had a lot of tragedies, they include, 944 the tragedy of Berda by the Russians, tragedies in the 13th and 14th centuries by the Mongols, the Russians again in the 17th and 18th centuries, 1804 the tragedy of Ganga where Javad Khan said that the Russians could only enter the city over his dead body.  In 1828 Azerbaijan was separated into two parts by Iran and Russia by the Turkmenchay Treaty.  The North was given to Russia and the South to Iran.  The Araz River was the frontier.
When M. A. Resulzade came to government in 1918, he saved north Azerbaijan from the Russians.  He created the first democratic state in the East, the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan.   But our southern land is still in Iran.  With great sorrow, I must say that our Borchali region was given to Georgia, Darban to Russia, and the paradise of Azerbaijan, Goyche Mahali to Armenia.  The Armenians have never had their own place.  In the end, they defeated the eye of Azerbaijan – GARABAGH.  Now they are living on Azerbaijan lands.  They committed the 1918 genocide, the tragedy of the 20th of January 1990, and the tragedy of Xojali on the 26th of February 1992.  They acted wildly, they killed children, elderly people, and women.  But they must know that from the ancient times GARABAGH was our land and always will be.  Azerbaijan is invincible. In the end we want to say that we are proud that we are a citizen of a republic like Azerbaijan and we hope and we believe that soon we will save our land from the damned enemies.

          The History of İsmayilli 


Ismayilli region was organized in 1931. Its territory is about 2064 km². Its rich nature, fertile lands, rivers, healing springs and large pastures caused old people to inhabit in here. Our forefathers were especially busy by cattle-breeding, hunting and gardening. There are a lot of historical monuments in Ismayilli region. Chavanshir castle  -near  Talistan, Maiden Towers – near Khanagah ( XI-XIII cent. ), bath-house, mosque and old plane tree ( XVIII cent. ), Girdiman castle  and memorial – near  Lahich, Fitdagh ( XIII cent. ) –near Sulut and others. The historical monuments are kept safe and sound in Sangalan, Gushenche, Ivanovka plateaus. For example: Kurduvan, Uzunboylar, Shikhdara hill, Mollaisakhli, Galagah, Hachihatamli, Patakli and Shakili monuments. A lot of guns, jewelry things, condition things, labor things, little monuments and coins were found there. All of these show that, here lived population having developed civilization and economy. The remainders of these monuments remained about 0, 6-0, 8 m depth. 

                               ABOUT THE MONUMENTS

Khanagh and Maiden Towers may concern to XI century. Gasimkhan  castle ( XIV cent. ) is  situated  in  7-8 km at the  north  from  Galachig village, near  the  source  of Goychay river on a  high mountain. Gasimkhan castle is one the monuments, which is destroyed much around Gigala´s territory. Sulut, Khankandi and Kurduvan monuments were summer residence of Shirvan leaders. They say the flocks of khan were used to feed in Fit and Niyal mountains. There are continues life more than 2000 years in Khankandi and Kurduvan. One of these monuments is Buzkhana which concern to Shirvan leaders – is Zeyve memorial. (XIX cent.)  Its height is 6 m. In 1805, when the Russians were defeated North Azerbaijan, Shirvan´s lieder Mustafa khan was strengthen in the Fit castle. 

Even though he signed Kurekchay treaty in 1805, 27th of December, he was continued his fight in the Fit castle.One of Sulut monuments is Buzkhana. 650-700 m from Buzkhana in the North, there is “Haram qalasi” or Girkhotag (40 room) monument. Almost, the walls of this castle are quite safe and sound. During Sasani´s period, in the III century some monuments were built with the fear of the North.  For example:  Chavanshir castle stays till now therefore its walls destroy. This monument is a great example for the past of Azerbaijan masters. In some sources were considered that Ismailli’s territory was founded by Cavanshir the ruler of Girdiman state in the 7th century. 


 Another  historical  monument  are   the grave stones, which  are  situated  in Pirdavud cemetery  ( III-I cent. B.C.) The inscriptions in the grave stones prove that, they have very old history. Girlartapa monument is concern to neolith period. The discoveries, which were found from Girlartapa show that, there existed a life from the 5th cent. B.C. till the middle ages during 7000 years.   
Bibliography
Title, Author: The historian Qafar Cabiyev.

 The Geography of Ismayilli

Ismayilli region was organized in 1931. Its territory is 2064 km2 . The population is 70,724. Ismayilli is on the south slope of great Caucasus Mountains. The centre of Ismayilli of region is Ismayilli city.  It is situated 270 km from the capital of Azerbaijan Baku. The territory of the region is especially mountainous.  The South-eastern end of the Alazan and Haftaran valleys are in the territory of Ismayilli.  The southern part of the region is rolling hills and another part is lowlands.The territory is cut by deep river canyons.  The rivers of the region flow into the river Kur’s basin.  It has small lakes.  Great living places are Ismayilli city, Lahij settlement, the Russian village of Ivanovka, Mijan, Basqal, Kurtmashi, and Qalajik villages.  At the present there are 114 villages in the Ismayilli region.

 







                        ISMAILLY`S CLIMATE

Ismailly region is situated on the low hills of the South Caucasus. This region mostly has a mile climate.As the territory   is consisted of the mountains and plains inside the mild climate it has branches as warm climate. The precipitation is fallen equally in the second part of the climate cold climate and mountain- tundra types of climate. On average precipitations yearly are 900-1600 mm. The temperature on the high mountain places usual below 0 but on the plans +15 +20 degrees, in the north places +2 +6 and in the south places +10 +14 degrees. Ismailly is one of the most beautiful and splendid regions of Azerbaijan. Green forests, water full rivers nice nature makes this place practice for the foreigners and not only. Every season has its own charm here and summer does too. The sun shines brightly but it is not very hot here. The Caucasus keep this place cool in summer and because of it there are no very strong winds in this area. The winter season is different in different parts of region because of their situation. In the villages which are situated on the slopes of the mountains like Bascal, Lahic winter is usually snowy and harsh. Fall and spring are very foggy, misty and wet here. But in places near to Aran zone winter is mild .They are Kurtmashi, Qubaxelilli, Geraybeyli and others. There are some differences between the regions situated in the south and places situated in the north of the Ismailly. At the places which are situated on the West part plants and climate are very different not the same. These places have more plants and forests. Ismailly is consisted of 111 villages and 2 little towns.

The Economy of Ismayilli 

As the Soviet government was established in Azerbaijan in 1932 Ismayilly became as an independent region. The centre of the region first was Ismayilly village in 1959 became a settlement and then in 1967 it is formed as a city. Ismailly city is situated in Ganikhi-Alazan valley and it is in 500 m height.  There are 111 villages in this territory. Mijan, Talistan and Julyan villages are connected to the city. Ismailly is a sloppy zone. It has 3 parts: 
1) Mountains field
 2) Slope fields   
3) Plains
There are 20 rivers, 10 lakes and water reservations. The longest rivers are Goychay chay, Girdiman chay and Aqsu chay. These rivers fulfill their waters by rains and mountain waters. Ismailly is well endowed by nature, fruitful grounds and kind people. Ismailly has a very nice nature and that is why we have to take care of it. For that purpose there are some reservations at this territory. One of them is between Khanaya and Galacjiq villages. There are 134 kinds of plants there. They are oak-tree, lime-tree, pine-tree, marple- tree and so on .Almost all fruit-trees are grown here; apple-tree, pear-tree, plum-tree, peach-tree, apricot, chest-not, nut and so on.
İn order to use the local opportunities of our region at once, we must  develop winemaking, fruit production, bee-keeping,  vine-growing,   carpet-making,  silk-making  and gathering  herbs  and  at  the  same  time  professionalism.  Our region has a rich environment.  We must protect our environment. The main part of the economy of Ismayilli was vine-growing.  During Soviet regime it was the most developed.  But, after the 90th years these vineyards were destroyed.  We must develop this side of our economy nowadays. There are many forests in Ismayilli. We must protect these forests.  There is a brickyard in Ismayilli.  Sheep-breeding and cattle breeding are developed in Ismayilli.  There is also a butter-cheese factory and bread factories in our region.  The villages of Ismayilli have some branches of industry for example: the carpet-making profession is developed in Lahic and the production of shawls made from silk is famous in Basqal. We can develop tourism and sanatoriums because our region has suitable nature and climate.  We know that in the village Ivanovka we have collective economy too.  We may develop this side and at the same time farmer-economy and free enterprises.
Literature and Arts
                About İsmailli’s famous Literary Personalities

    Our region Ismailli has brought up many famous persons. For example: The scientist and writer Manaf Suleymanov, the doctor and theologian Molla Mahammad Rza, the outstanding member of the women movement, the director of the magazine “Azerbaijan qadını” and science history Hokuma Sultanova, the commander of Azerbaijan division Seyfulla Mehdiyev, academic, the professor on chemistry Soltan Mehdiyev, the first director of law school, the teacher of Baku State University Yusif Rahimli, the best of Azerbaijan artist, painter Ağa Mehdiyev, the economic scientist, the first ship captain Shovkat Suleymanova.  Geology-mineralogy scientific S. Suleymanova and so on. There lived many educated persons in our region İsmailli. One of them: is a doctor of technology science, scientist, and academician Tofiq İsmailov. Tofiq Kazım oğlu İsmayılov was born in 1933 in the village of Basqal of İsmailli. He died in 1991.He began to his activity in the palace named after Qaqarin. He finished the secondary school in 1951.He entered the Institute of Connection in Moscow. He worked as a director of the Institute of Cosmic Exploration.  He opened the Air cosmic Institute of Scientific Explore and the Institute of Ecology. He was the author of more than 200 scientific work and inventions. Abulhasan Alakbarzade: He is Azerbaijanian writer.  Çingiz Alakbarzade: He graduated philology faculty of Azerbaijan State University. After graduating Philology faculty of Azerbaijan State University he worked as a teacher in Ali-Bayramlı in 1960. He wrote many interesting stories and novels. For example: “Vulkan”, “Hamilə dəniz”, “Alman şərabı”, “Çılpaqlı”, “Qumarbaz”, “Zindan” and so on. 

        These are kinds of carpet without pile called "Palaz"











               A Holiday in Ismayilli

 
Novruz is one of the celebrations in our region.
What is Novruz?
Novruz is green samani (wheat grass), colored eggs, sweets and bonfires. Novruz is a National Holiday in Azerbaijan. Novruz means a new day. Novruz is one of the oldest holidays in the world. People celebrate Novruz as the birthday of nature and life. The people of Ismailli celebrate Novruz on the 21st of March. On this day the sun crosses the eguator and lightens the whole planet. We also call it “Spring Holiday”.  They celebrate spring holidays in Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and in Bulgaria too. There are four pre-holidays, the Tuesdays before Novruz. They all have got their own names. The first Tuesday is Water, the second Tuesday is Fire, the third Tuesday is Air and the fourth Tuesday is Earth. On these Tuesday we organize celebrations with our closest friends. Everybody must talk about good and pleasant things. Mothers cook plov. Children jump over the bonfires. Novruz rituals are very interesting. Parents usually have gifts for their children. They buy new clothing and sweets. Nature changes its clothing and people do the same. Azeri people clean and decorate houses, yards, streets and squares. It is the time for charity too. People make khonchas (a tray of sweets) and give them to the needy people. There is always pakhlava, shakarbura, gogal, sweets, biscuits, nuts, dry fruit, raisins and a big samani in the middle of khonchas. Candles around khonchas burn and lighten them. The Spring Maiden comes on the 21st of March. She wears a national costume. She travels on a phaeton with horses. The spring Maiden decorates her phaeton with flowers, red ribbons and balls. There’s  a show with “Kosa(the bearded)” and “Kechal (the bald)”. They take part in Novruz celebrations too. They look very funny in their costumes. They make people laugh with their tricks. And then they ask for treats. In the evening children go to their neighbor’s houses, knock on the door, throw a hat, and run and hide.  The people in the house then put candy or sweets in their hat.  This looks like the Halloween tradition of Trick or Treat in America. We send greeting cards to our relatives. We also visit our grandparents. We congratulate everybody and say “I wish you a Happy Holiday!”

            Famous People


          The Famous People of Ismayilli

  There are many famous poets, scientists, writers, actors, ect in Ismayilli.  We want to name some of them:  Professorial candidates Teshekkul Parlanov and Hilal Elesgerov, Pedogogical Professorial Candidate Endelib Quliyev, Biology Professorial Candidate Shehriyar Meherremov, Physics and Mathematics Professorial Candidates Agaqasim Qasimov and Burhan Javadov, Techical Professorial Candidate Behram Quliyev, Police Chiefs Eziz Movlamov and Ibrahim Bagirov, History Professorial Candidate Nejjar Mustafayev, the famous oil engineer Semaye Huseynova, the redactor of the newspaper Elin Sozu” Dashdemir Ajderoglu, the pilot Salah Alakbarzade, doctor Nargiz Aliyeva and Tahir Mammadov.  Ismailli’s native children are famous not only in Azerbaijan, but in the world. Some of them lived and work in other countries. For example: Turkmanistan`s Repablic Honored teacher, Filology Professorial Candidates, and professor Tahir Ceferli, Italy`s national hero Memmed  Bagirov, the hero of the Soviet Union, Behyeddin Mireyev, for whom a school was named in Ukraine, and Vahab Qasimov, who is buried in Berlin, among others. One of the famous people of Ismayilli, Maqsud Cavadov, did much research in Azerbaijan on the history of math, wrote many science articles and printed many books. We want to tell you about some interesting facts: A citizen of the village Lahic, Ganci (1714-1715), gained fame for his copper work and art in making samavars from copper.  It is said that one of his samavars was given to the Russian Csarista Katherine the Great and its creator was given a medal.  In the 1862 London World Fair, a scarf maker from Basqal, Nesir the son of Abdulleziz, represented Azerbaijan by winning a silver medal for his presentation of kelegayis (traditional Azerbaijani silk shawls).

        This is silk kerchief made in Basqal

 



We prepared movie about our project and want to share with you. Hope you will have a look and write your comment about. 

                     This  movie is about "Khojali Tragedy"


    
            This  movie is about our country Azerbaijan.



                     
   
This  movie is about the region Ismailli where we live.

                

                 
Project sharing in Turkey knowledgable festivity  








                              Local History mini survey




         USA Ambassador Bryza visited Ismayilli 
         School #1,Azerbaijan


Ambassador Bryza visited Ismayilli School #1 on the first leg of the Peace Corps Bus Tour to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps. Teachers and students gave presentations highlighting 8 years of Peace Corps volunteers in the region and the great work they have accomplished together. I want to share this great news with my friends
http://endir.net/1460mx8nz1md/local_history-my_city_ismailli_album1.zip.htm

 http://endir.net/n7gqky0b2r6g/2010.doc.htm

Here you can see the meting with the Ambassador of the USA Mathew Bryza which is held in my school.


 This is about Mubariz Ibrahimov

 You can see the movie here who had killed by armenian.

Russia-Miass


             Welcome to Miass-Russia


 

Dear teachers and students,
welcome to Miass, Russia.
In this box you can find students essays, a powerpoint presentation and photos about one of the oldest towns in Chelyabinsk region - MIASS . Students love their town and are sharing their stories and essays about their local community with great pleasure.
Peaple make the history of their native comunities. Artyom is sharing his story about his family. 
Artyom Krivosheev,
5 B grade, school 10
Teacher Tatyana Vasilchenko
What can I write about my native town Miass? I am so young and it is so old. But I live here and I must know its history. It began in 1773 when merchant Illarion Luginin built a copper factory on the banks of the river Miass.
And the history of my family is connected with one of the main enterprises of the town the State Rocket Center (SRC) named after Makeyev Victor Petrovich. Who was Makeyev? Why do my grandparents work in the SRC? Now I can answer these questions. My grandfather worked together with V. P. Makeyev and he told me about his famous colleague and his favourite work .
The SRC constructs rockets for submarines. The special Design Bureau, headed by Sergei Korolev, was established on the 16 of December in 1947. Later it was renamed the Machine Building Design Bureau (MBDB). For 30 years the Design Bureau was headed by Victor Makeyev, the greatest scientist and designer. The State Rocket Center, a successor of the MBDB, was set in 1993.
My grandparents have been working in the SRC since they came in Miass. It was in 1963. My grandfather Nikulin Yury Vasilyevich works as an engineer-constructer. In 2005 he got a title Honoured Machine Builder of the Russian Federation. My grandmother Nikulina Nina Ivanovna is an engineer and takes part in some experimental tasks. Many good specialists create strong and clever rockets. My stepfather Antonov Vladimir Alekseyevich is not an exception. He works in the SRC too. The common length of service of my relatives is 100! They are happy people because they are good at what they do. I am very proud of them and that’s why I’d like to continue the tradition of my family. 


Miass honours its past and is full of creative effort and vitality. The life of my town is not easy nowadays but I’d like to try to do all my best to make it better. I shall be a real citizen of Miass. And the history of my own family will be connected with the SRC too, I promise.
Margarita Zemlyanova,
11 B grade,
school 16
Teacher Polyakova ZH.V.
                    
                Granny’s fairy tale.
     It was an usual winter evening. The big fluffy snowflakes were falling outside and the light frost was painting the fantastic patterns on the window. It was silent and warm atmosphere in a small house at the foot of the mountain. An old woman was sitting near the fireplace and knitting stockings. A small boy was playing with a kitten which was running around granny’s chair and knotting the yarn. From time to time the old woman was looking at them and laughing. It was getting dark outside. At last the Granny finished her knitting and said, “It’s too late. Let’s go to bed!”The boy answered quickly, “No, I don’t want to sleep. I want you to tell me a fairy tale”. The old woman thought a little and said, “Well. Come here”. The boy sat down near the Granny and prepared to listen. The Granny started to tell her story.
    “It was long long ago. People lived near Lake Baikal. It was a really beautiful lake with very cold, clear water and on sunny days people could even see the bottom of the lake. A very handsome boy named Tur lived at the shore of the lake. He liked sitting near the lake and couldn`t help admiring with its beauty. One day he decided to see far-away lands. His trip was really long and hard. He saw a lot of new and interesting places. But with the lapse of time Tur felt homesick and decided to come back.
On his way he had to cross the Ural mountains. He went along the valley between the rocks and thought how native everything looked around – the same trees, the same sun, the same sky. Everything reminded home, but it was really far away. He crossed a great number of rivers and chasms, and in one of them Tur saw a nice girl. She was sitting on the stone near the big rock and crying. Tur came to her and asked, “What is your name?”The girl raised her head and Tur saw how pretty she was, but only her eyes were very sad. “Goiak”, the girl answered and it echoed in the air. She was so beautiful that Tur was ready to do anything for her only to make her smile. And he started to ask how he could help her. And Goiak told her story: “Some years ago I was happy, but one day I was blinded by the evil witch. I will be able to see in case I wash my eyes with clear water that looks like a tear.”
    Tur knew where such the water was. He hastened to Lake Baikal. He was passing by marshes, dense forests and impregnable mountains. At last he saw Lake Baikal – the blue bowl with the clearest water. Tur scooped full palms of the water and hurried to Goiak. It was much harder to go back with the water, but he didn’t stop to have a rest. He was carrying the water really carefully. At last he saw the familiar mountains and the chasm where Goiak was waiting for him. She washed her face with this water and recovered her sight. Sadness went away. Goiak became healthy and her laughter sounded happily in the mountains. And when Goiak was washing, one drop of water fell on the ground and a new lake with cold and clear water appeared there.
    Tur and Goiak stayed together forever. People named the new lake “Turgoiak” to remember about that brave boy and that beautiful girl. Lake Turgoiak is believed to be a little brother of Lake Baikal.”
   The fire in the fireplace went off. The boy listened to his Granny with bated breath and was delighted with her story very much.
   Some years later this boy became a historian and wrote down this legend for us.
Outstanding people of past and present Miass
Yashenko Tanya 5-th form
Fokina Irina Nikolaevna

The history of foundation and development of the town is always connected with special people. I'd like to tell about people who played a huge role in the history of my native town Miass and my school, where I study.
The foundation of Miass is connected with the name of Larion Ivanovich Luginin. He was one of the largest merchants in Russia. The merchant obtained from the government the permission on the building of copper-smelting factory. The factory began to work at 1777. During 10-15 years Miass copper factory became the huge enterprise. The copper production on Luginin factories was very successful. He helped Russia to support Europe copper market.
When the gold was found around Miass, the settlement began to grow fast. The gold-miners became to play the great part in the development of the town, Simonov Yegor Mitrofanovich was the most outstanding among them. Having a successful financial deals, E.Siminov became a patron, taking an active part in many charitable affairs. He made a considerable contribution in the opening of parish schools, in foundation of handicraft school, in the building of Svyato-Troitskaya church. He took an active part in science research projects, in exhibitions of gold-washing machines. Yegor Mitrofanovich was awarded by Russian orders and medals for his charitable and public activity, he was given the title of hereditary honorable citizen.
But the people of past weren't the only who left the bright trace in the town's history. There were some contemporaries, whose names wouldn't disappear from our memory. Simonov Vladimir Fyedorovich was such a man, who devoted all his life to working at school and brining up children. From early childhood he was interested in art and after leaving school he became the teacher of art and drawing. In 1978 he began his pedagogical activity at school № 60, in 1989 he graduated the pedagogical institute in Magnitogorsk and in 1999 he became a director of our school. He taught the pupils by the individual program me, set up in Moscow, "The carving, incrustation, mosaic from lead". The teacher was carried away by his job joining the children to folk arts, developing their imagination and aesthetic taste. From 1980 work's of Simonov's pupils were the constant participants of exhibitions not only in Miass, but also in the region and in Moscow, they had many awards of high professional skills. The teacher took an active part in seminars, made reports and gave master-classes on exhibitions of national economy achievements, in zone seminars, in all-Russian conferences. In 1997 the museum of children's arts and crafts was founded at our school. The main exhibits became the most interesting works, made by pupils of our school during the lessons of art handicraft and at the lessons of carving group. And the design of school itself by theme panel in marketry style with fairy-tail corner much differs it from other schools of our town. V.F.Simonov died on the 16-th of June 2008 during the technology exam in the 9-th form.
Ordinary, for the first sight, but very gifted and talented people create the history of individual school, town and the country in the whole. And it's very important for us, people, living today, don't to waste, but keep and give the history of their lives to next generations, that we are able to create our history in the future.

Ekaterina Suvorkova,
10 A grade, school 44
Teacher Lyevina O.A.

Nature has always been a favourite theme for poets. And, indeed, can you find anyone who would not be thrilled by the beauties of nature, who would not be stirred by the charms of shape, colour and motion? I think everyone enjoys being out in the country. There is a great charm about gathering berries or looking for mushrooms in the silence of the wood.
 Perhaps you enjoy sauntering in the fields or rambling through the sweet-scented woods where as you move along you stop now and then to admire the white-stemmed birch trees or some blossoming shrubs. You may like climbing lulls or following strange trails or looking for unusual plants. At the top of each hill, at each turn in the trail you come upon something new, unexpected.

     Perhaps you prefer watching insects, animals or birds. You may watch lines of busy animals as they carry bits of food to their lull-like home, or bees as they hover over flowers. The more you observe, the more you come to know about the beauty of the world around you, and you find a new interest in trees and flowers, fields and valleys and in the animals of the forest.
Alina Ramazanova,
School 26, 8B grade,

                          The Baikal’s Little Brother


(A legend)
People living in the city of Miass are very proud of Lake Turgoyak situated near by. They like to spend their free time on the shores of this beautiful lake. Water in the lake is so pure that it is even possible to watch underwater life. There are many legends about this wonderful lake. Here is one of them.
 It was a very long time ago. On the shore of Lake Baikal there lived a nice guy, whose name was Tour. He was always cheerful and helpful to everybody. Tour travelled much. Once on his way home he stopped in the Ural Mountains and thought, "Birds, trees, mountains! Oh! Everything looks like my home place. But where is the lake?"
Then quite suddenly Tour saw a nice girl. She was sitting on a stone near a huge rock and cried. "What is your name, my dear?" asked Tour. "Goyak," whispered the pretty girl, her eyes being sad. "Why are you crying?" Tour asked excitedly. "Years ago, I was a very happy girl, said Goyak, but a greedy wicked witch made me blind. She said I would be able to see again if I washed my eyes with the purest water in the world.’’
"Oh, then I will help you!" Tour exclaimed. He knew that in Lake Baikal there was really the purest water in the world. "Wait for me!" he said. Then Tour hurried to the Baikal, took some water in his hands and brought it to Goyak. The girl washed her face. The witch’s spell immediately lost its power and the scales fell from Goyak’s eyes. She began to see again. Pure drops of water from Lake Baikal mixing with Goyak’s tears fell on the ground. They say new springs appeared there and turned into a new lake with cold and pure fresh water like the water in the Baikal.
It was called Turgoyak in the memory of Tour and Goyak who lived together happily for a very long time. This lake is often called little brother of the Baikal for its pure fresh water with healing properties. Elmen Park.
Yevgeniy Terzeman
School №7 Miass7th grade
Teacher Nadezhda Ishunkina
        I live in Miass. It’s a beautiful town. In Miass there is an Elmen Park. I have been there many times. You must visit Elmen Park. And I can tell you about our Elmen Park, and then you will want to visit it!
        It was founded in 1920. Elman Park is known in many countries. Scientists from many countries in the world come into it. They study a lot of new things about nature. Elmen Park is situated in mountains, which are covered with forests. There are 30 lakes with bluish and transparent water and storeroom of minerals near the Park. The highest mountain is called Elmantay. Its height is seven hundred forty three metres. The biggest lake is Big Kisegach. Its depth is 34 metres, the length is six kilometers, the width is five kilometers. Elmen Park has more than eight hundred 30 kinds of plants. Some plants are entered the Red book. Here 32 kinds of medicinal plants grow. In Elmen Park 59 kinds of animals live. The biggest animal in Elmen Park is an elk. In Elmen Park many animals live: wolves, hares, squirrels, hogs, deer, beavers… One hundred sixty five birds live in it: eagles, hazel-hens, owls, nightingales, wagtails, cranes, thrushes, herons, ducks, swans, butterflies… The animal’s and plant’s world is beautiful and diverse but Elmen Park main wealth is minerals. There is a museum of minerals. Museum has more than two hundred sixty kinds of minerals: topazes, nephrites, aquamarines, lunar stones, zircons…
       It’s worth visiting! If you visit Elmen Park you can join our Volunteer Team, who works in park, you can see a lot of interesting things in it. Welcome to Elmen Park! We are waiting for you!

                         Elmen Park.
Yevgeniy Terzeman
School №7 Miass7th grade
Teacher Nadezhda Ishunkina
        I live in Miass. It’s a beautiful town. In Miass there is an Elmen Park. I have been there many times. You must visit Elmen Park. And I can tell you about our Elmen Park, and then you will want to visit it!
        It was founded in 1920. Elman Park is known in many countries. Scientists from many countries in the world come into it. They study a lot of new things about nature. Elmen Park is situated in mountains, which are covered with forests. There are 30 lakes
with bluish and transparent water and storeroom of minerals near the Park. The highest mountain is called Elmantay. Its height is seven hundred forty three metres. The biggest lake is Big Kisegach. Its depth is 34 metres, the length is six kilometers, the width is five kilometers. Elmen Park has more than eight hundred 30 kinds of plants. Some plants are entered the Red book. Here 32 kinds of medicinal plants grow. In Elmen Park 59 kinds of animals live. The biggest animal in Elmen Park is an elk. In Elmen Park many animals live: wolves, hares, squirrels, hogs, deer, beavers… One hundred sixty five birds live in it: eagles, hazel-hens, owls, nightingales, wagtails, cranes, thrushes, herons, ducks, swans, butterflies… The animal’s and plant’s world is beautiful and diverse but Elmen Park main wealth is minerals. There is a museum of minerals. Museum has more than two hundred sixty kinds of minerals: topazes, nephrites, aquamarines, lunar stones, zircons…
       It’s worth visiting! If you visit Elmen Park you can join our Volunteer Team, who works in park, you can see a lot of interesting things in it. Welcome to Elmen Park! We are waiting for you!


 School 16 students from Miass enjoy sharing their Local History project activities. This term they have been studying about traditions and holiday celebrations in their community. I will post my students'final work - stories, craft work and art.
Hope you will enjoy.
This girl dressed her favourite Barbie doll in a hand made traditional Bashkir costume. The Bashkirs inhabite Chelyabinsk region where we( my students and I) come from.At their classes students learn about traditions and culture of people living in our region. The traditional Bashkir costume consists of a long skirt, a white shirt or a blouse, a waist coat, a warm furry cap and leather boots.
This 3 grade student enjoys making models of old boats and ships. This time he's made an old Japanese war boat.
Easter is a very popular religious holiday in Russia. In this photo you can see 3 G grade students with their Easter cards (templates).