April Fool's / April Fish?

The first day of April is a silly holiday when people play practical jokes on their friends such as telling them "Your shoe is untied" or "What's that on your shirt?" Why do people celebrate this day in such a silly way?

According to tradition, it began in France, where the New Year began on April 1. However, in 1562 Pope Gregory introduced the Gregorian calendar to the Christian world, but because there were no computers, telephones, or other rapid means of communication, some Frenchmen didn't hear about it at once, so they were called "April's fools" because they believed the New Year still began on April 1.

The French children still celebrate this day by taping a paper fish on the backs of their friends. When the friends discover this trick, they yell "Poisson d’Avril!" (April Fish!) Have you experienced any tricks on this silly day?

A Success in Baltimore.

Your IEP teachers had a productive and interesting time in Baltimore. All the presentations were successful. We got some good ideas and heard several wonderful presentations. Visit the freshly archived daily reports from Baltimore on Planet IEP for a day-to-day account of our exeriences.

Join the Corndancer Community
in Writing about the War.

Are you concerned about the war? Do you wish to express you views on this tragic event? We want you to tell the Corndancer community about your thoughts, opinions, and reactions. You are in a unique position to write about it, and we can encourage you to do so.

You can view the second wave of contributions now on Planet X. You can find the link on the Corndancer homepage. We encourage you to participate by sending your thoughts in an Email to ebenezer@corndancer.com. Your opinions are valuable and will be printed uncensored to protect and honor your freedom of speech.

TOEFL Test around the Corner.

On Monday, April 7, the TOEFL will be offered again to students at UCA. The test begins at 9:00 a.m. in the Student Center Room 215. The IEP morning classes will be cancelled.

Got Boredom?
Check Out the Important Dates.

If you are getting cabin fever (boredom), then read the Important Dates information below. Several opportunities are offered on campus for students to get involved and beat the ennui.

Important Dates

Concert.

The UCA Wind Ensemble presents a concert.

Tuesday, April 8, at 7:30 p.m.

Ida Waldran.

Admission is free.

Musical Theatre.

The UCA Theatre and Department of Music presents Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music. "Probably best known for the song, 'Send in the Clowns,' A Little Night Music follows three mismatched couples as they waltz their way through the Swedish countryside of the early twentieth century, each seeking love and fulfillment," Liz Parker of the UCA Theatre writes. "The original Broadway production won Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Music and Lyrics, Best Book, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actress."

April 10, 11, and 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Reynolds Performance Hall.

Tickets cost $7 for adults, $4 for children — however, an i.d. card from UCA earns the bearer two free tickets! Call the UCA Theatre Box Office at 450-3165 to reserve yours, or visit the Box Office in Room 233 of Snow Fine Arts between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Judy Collins,
Acoustics Festival.

Tickets for a concert performance by internationally acclaimed folk singer Judy Collins are now on sale. Ms. Collins is the headliner for the Second Annual Arkansas Acoustic Festival, jointly sponsored by UCA's Division of Student Services and UCA Public Appearances. Tickets priced from $30 to $35 are available at the Reynolds Hall Box Office. To learn more about the concert and festival, visit the official website by clicking now.

Festival: May 30 - June 1.
Judy Collins: June 1.

Reynolds Performance Hall.

Tickets required. Call 450-3265.

How Good
Is Your Grammar?

Thanks to one of Corndancer's contributors, Mr. Darbo, for sending us a link to test our grammar knowledge. Just for fun, try it yourselves at http://encarta.msn.com/quiz/quiz.asp?quizid=51. You get instant results.

What Did She Say?

I just looked up this site to find the words to a U2 song. You might want to find the words to one of your favorite songs, too, at http://www.lyrics.com.

Planet IEP is a world of words for students and anyone else who is interested in English as a Second Language.

First and foremost, this site serves international students in the Intensive English Program (IEP) at the University of Central Arkansas. Planet IEP provides lesson plans, reminders, comments and musings on classroom projects. It serves as a venue for students to ask questions or make comments about any matter that concerns language or culture.

Let me begin with a traditional greeting: "Welcome to Planet IEP." The first step in using this site is to decide what you want to read. Look at the "links" (connections) on the left side of this page. You have several places to go.

If you are a student of Freddie Bowles, click on your class level to find information about class activities, homework, and most importantly, the Bonus Point Challenge.

Ms. Schaefer's page, IEP Coordinator, gives information about the current semester. Click on IEP coordinator to read her monthly info letter.

The Dispatch from Afar is the newest page. Click on it to read stories written by IEP students and staff from their home countries and travels afar.

If you want to see if there are any articles for you to read, click on Reading Room. Be sure and take a look at the Photo Gallery. Your picture might be on there!

Under International Links, you will find links to information from different countries. Do you want to read the news from home? Look under International Links to find a site that offers news from your home or from a classmate's home.

When you decide what site you want to visit, click on the icon, and the site will open. Within the site there will be other links for you to visit if you so choose. If you want to return to the beginning, click on Planet IEP Home and you will return to the homepage.

If you have any links
for the International Links page,
email me at freddieb@mail.uca.edu
Good luck as you travel on Planet IEP!