World Languages

Spanish Language and Culture (Mr. Fontalvo, Ms. Gonzalez)

Last week, students completed two summative assessments—one oral and one reading. Overall, the majority of students did an excellent job, and I am very proud of their effort and progress!

If a student was unable to take one of the assessments or needs to redo it, they are welcome to come to class during advisory next Thursday to complete or improve their work.

Looking ahead to next week, students will begin working on a fun and engaging project where they will dramatize different real-life situations in a restaurant. This activity will help them practice speaking, listening, and cultural skills in a creative way.

Spanish I (Mr. Donaldson, Ms. Cuffee)

For Week 10 (January 19-23)

This week we will begin engaging with a Spanish-learning video series.

The retake and makeup deadline for the second half of Term 2 is Friday, January 23. On that date, no makeups or retakes for work given on or prior to January 23 will be accepted.

Spanish II (Ms. Wooten, Ms. Henderson, Mr. Almanza)

This week, Spanish 2 students completed their first summative assessment of the new unit. They demonstrated their ability to understand new vocabulary in context through a listening comprehension test. Next week, we will continue building vocabulary and move further along in our novel, Los Baker van a Perú. Please continue to monitor Aspen as we near the end of the advisory period, and have a lovely long weekend!

Spanish Humanities, grade 6 (Ms. Balestra)

Students will take their second summative next week. This summative will require students to show their knowledge of verb conjugations in the present and past while writing about events in Esperanza Renace.

Spanish Humanities, grade 7 (Ms. Henderson)

English:
Today, students learned about their end-of-unit project. They were introduced to a choice board of project options and may collaborate with students from other 7th Grade Spanish Humanities sections. The project asks students to explore the idea of using ingenuity in the face of adversity, just as Lázaro does throughout the novel. Next week, students will choose the novel they wish to read for our upcoming unit—more details to come! Please continue to monitor Aspen as we near the end of the advisory period.

Español:
Hoy, los estudiantes aprendieron sobre su proyecto final de la unidad. Se les presentó un tablero de opciones y podrán colaborar con estudiantes de otras secciones de Español de Humanidades de 7.º grado. El proyecto invita a los estudiantes a explorar la idea de cómo se puede usar el ingenio frente a la adversidad, tal como lo hace Lázaro a lo largo de la novela. La próxima semana, los estudiantes elegirán la novela que desean leer para nuestra próxima unidad. ¡Estén atentos a más información! Por favor, continúen revisando Aspen a medida que nos acercamos al final del período de asesoría.

Spanish Humanities, grade 8 (Ms. Wooten)

This week students started off the new year by reflecting and setting 3 specific goals (Spanish-based, academic, and personal). We then read 2 vignettes from Casa en Mango Street. In the first, "Papa que despierta cansado en la oscuridad" students practiced making inferences and interpretting Cisnero's use of indirect characterization. They participated in group conversations, talking about how the central themes of the book are advanced- for example, we saw in this vignette a level of empathy from Esperanza that demonstrates more emotional maturity than we had seen in previous vignettes, where she has more characteristics of a young child. In Sire, students practiced taking on the point of view of characters to help Esperanza (the main character) talk through the limited options she sees for her future, based on the role models she has available to her. Next week, we will continue to read, starting with "Cuatro árboles flaquitos," discussing teen mental health, and "No Speak english," discussing generational differences and assimilation. Students will prepare for a speaking seminar (on Thursday) by answering provided questions about the text and preparing their own questions to present to their peers. Students who do not adequatlely pariticipate (speaking) in the seminar will have to complete an alternate written assignment for their final summative grade of the 2nd advisory.

French Language & Culture (Ms. Bullock, Mr. Almanza)

Last week students completed the final assessments for term 2 in which they created a café scene. Hopefully your student shared their work with you so you can see how much they've learned!

This week we will be reviewing any necessary concepts and preparing to start unit 3: My family and friends. Students will be reviewing the concept of subject pronouns and learning colors.

Reminder for families:

The retake and makeup deadline for the second half of Term 2 is Friday, January 23. On that date, no makeups or retakes for work given on or prior to January 23 will be accepted.

French I (Ms. Balestra, Mr. Osei)

Next week students will take their Speaking Summative. Students should be able to answer questions related to what they eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They should be able to talk about logical quantities of foods, and use negative sentences correctly.

French II (Dr. Mbayu & Mr. Osei)

🌸 Week 10 – Mon parcours métacognitif

Students celebrate progress and reflect on personal and linguistic growth.
They revisit goals from Week 1 and share insights about learning, wellness, and identity.
🧠 Final reflection: How has learning French changed the way I view myself and the world?

Chinese (Ms. Liang)

Grade 6

This past week, our students explored the fascinating world of zodiacs! They delved into the characteristics of different signs and engaged in interactive activities that combined creativity and critical thinking. Students completed a formative assessment to showcase their learning progress in Zodiac lesson 5. We learned how to sing the song As Wished. We are proud of their hard work and dedication!

Grade 7

In our Grade 7 Chinese class, students began Lesson 4: clothes and completed a formative test to assess their understanding. Students continued to build on their learning of Lesson 4 and will have a summative written and oral assessment next week. Following next week, we will have a Lesson 5 review and start learning shopping.

Grade 8

In Grade 8 Chinese class, we started Lesson 6 seeing doctors. We had a formative assessment last Friday and will start a summative oral and written assessment next week. The week after next week we will start the new unit on International Trips.