World Languages

Week of November 11th

This week in our classes!

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

Last week, we successfully kicked off our second unit, and students learned to say the days of the week, months of the year, and how to express important dates in Spanish! They practiced new vocabulary and expressed dates for various important events.

Next week, students will continue strengthening their skills through engaging reading activities that reinforce their knowledge. We will also introduce vocabulary related to the seasons, giving students a broader understanding of calendar-based expressions in Spanish.

Spanish I (Mr. Donaldson, Ms. Cuffee)

We are proud of our students' grit and determination in Term 1, and we are excited to start Term 2!

In Week 1 (November 6-8), students in Spanish I will begin Unit 2 by reviewing numbers and colors and introducing clothing vocabulary. For classwork, students will complete activities on clothing and numbers as part of 2PA1.La and 2PA2.Num. Homework assignments on SpanishDict.com will also be introduced, with three assignments on numbers and one on clothing vocabulary, all open from November 5 and due by November 15.

For Week 2 (November 12-15), we will continue reinforcing numbers, colors, and clothing vocabulary. Students will engage with 2FormB1, a reading formative assessment focused on clothing and numbers. Although all modalities will be practiced in this unit, the formative and summative assessments will be reading and speaking assessments.

Please note that the first grading deadline, after which assignments completed before that date will not be accepted late or for retakes, is Tuesday, December 10. The reading comprehension summative assessment, worth 20% of the term grade, will be on December 6

Spanish II (Ms. Wooten, Ms. Henderson)

As we approach the end of our unit on Immigration, we are excited to announce a special project that will allow our Spanish 2 students to apply their language skills in real-world conversations! On November 19th, students will interview AP Spanish students from Cardozo International Academy, giving them a chance to engage in meaningful discussions entirely in Spanish.

In preparation for this capstone project, we will also be hosting a Community Panel on Immigration on November 15th. This will be a valuable practice opportunity for students to hear diverse perspectives and deepen their understanding of immigration experiences.

If you are a Spanish-speaking parent with personal or professional immigration experience and would be willing to share your story, we would love to have you join us on the 15th. Please consider signing up for an open time slot on this spreadsheet.

Thank you for supporting our students as they build their language skills and broaden their global awareness!

Spanish Humanities, grade 6 (Ms. Balestra)

Last week we focused on the two verbs SABER and CONOCER. We ended the week with a listening comprehension activity focused on José Andrés and his humanitarian work. Next week we will begin reading the book, Cajas de Cartón, by Francisco Jimenez.

Please note that the first grading deadline, after which assignments completed before that date will not be accepted late or for retakes, is Monday, December 9.

Spanish Humanities, grade 7 (Ms. Henderson)

Esta semana, nuestros estudiantes de Humanidades están trabajando en el vocabulario clave para prepararse para la lectura del capítulo cuatro de Lazarillo de Tormes. En este capítulo, Lazarillo sigue encontrando maneras ingeniosas de engañar a su amo para sobrevivir en condiciones de gran pobreza, y nuestros estudiantes explorarán estas tácticas mientras profundizan en el contexto social de la obra.

Además, la próxima semana tendremos una visita especial: estudiantes de Español AP de Cardozo International Academy se unirán a nosotros en clase para participar en una discusión sobre la adversidad y cómo podemos desarrollar estrategias para superarla, ¡todo en español! Esta actividad ofrecerá a nuestros estudiantes una gran oportunidad para aplicar su vocabulario y habilidades lingüísticas en una conversación auténtica y significativa.

This week, our Humanities students are working on key vocabulary to prepare for reading chapter four of Lazarillo de Tormes. In this chapter, Lazarillo continues to find clever ways to trick his master to survive in conditions of extreme poverty, and our students will explore these tactics while deepening their understanding of the social context of the novel.

Next week, we will also have a special visit: AP Spanish students from Cardozo International Academy will join us in class to participate in a discussion on adversity and how we can develop strategies to overcome it—all in Spanish! This activity will provide our students with a great opportunity to apply their vocabulary and language skills in an authentic, meaningful conversation.

Spanish Humanities, grade 8 (Ms. Wooten)

This week students in 8th grade humanities learned about Sandra Cisneros and read the first vignette of her book Casa en Mango Street. Students are receiving a copy of the book that is THEIRS TO KEEP, but they must keep track of it throughout this unit because their annotations will be graded. If you are able to buy a replacement copy for next year's students please purchase it on our amazon list here (or at a local bookstore and have your student bring it in). Over the long weekend, they should read and annotate the introduction to the book (instructions on canvas). Next week we will continue with the next few vignettes, and explore how she utilizes figurative language and characterization to develop her characters. On Friday, humanities students will join my Spanish 2 students to attend a panel about immigration, in which they will have the opportunity to ask questions that they will create based off of the themes of our first unit.

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

It's been an amazing start in Introduction to French. Students have learned such an impressive amount in a short period of time! We are now beginning our weather and café unit which is so fun! This week, students will be able to talk about the weather en français! Please ask your student to report the weather to you in French. Reviewing a little every night is the best way to learn! Want a resource to study at home? Try this quizlet set.

French I (Ms. Balestra, Mr. Osei)

Last week we kicked off Unit 2 with an introduction to food vocabulary. Many students have a lot of background knowledge! We will be working on restaurant scenes with a special focus on speaking.

Please note that the first grading deadline, after which assignments completed before that date will not be accepted late or for retakes, is Tuesday, December 10. The reading comprehension summative assessment, worth 20% of the term grade, will be on December 6

French II (Dr. Mbayu)

We begin Unit 2: Le sport, la nourriture, et la santé. We will complete a diagnostic assessment and explore culture capsules.

Chinese (Ms. Liang)

Grade 6

Last week, our students completed the oral summative assessment for Lesson 3 on school supplies and began exploring Lesson 4 on family members. This week, we will focus on strengthening interpersonal skills through engaging class activities. We’re excited to see their progress as they continue building foundational speaking and writing skills in Chinese!

Grade 7

Last week, our students continued expanding their vocabulary by learning about different types of furniture and rooms, and they practiced interpersonal speaking skills to strengthen their conversational abilities. Next week, we will hold an oral summative assessment covering Lesson 3, followed by the introduction of Lesson 4. We’re thrilled to see the progress they’re making as they build their reading and writing skills in Chinese!

Grade 8

Last week, our students completed the first formative assessment for Lesson 3 Extra Curricular Activities, with a focus on grammar and vocabulary. Next week, we will continue working on Lesson 3 vocabulary through etymology. We will wrap up the week with an assessment on Friday to gauge their understanding. I am excited to see their progress as they develop their Chinese language skills.