World Languages

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

Last week, our students continued practicing classroom expectations while also diving into some fun language learning! They explored cognates (words that look and sound similar in English and Spanish), practiced the Spanish alphabet, and even learned how to spell words in Spanish.

Next week, we’ll keep building on this foundation as students discover Spanish-speaking countries, practice greetings, and farewells, and learn how to ask and answer basic questions. We’re excited to keep growing together on this journey of learning Spanish!

Spanish I (Mr. Donaldson, Ms. Cuffee)

We will officially start our first unit, Viajando por la ciudad (Traveling in the City), which includes the exploration of vocabulary related to rooms and household furniture. The first SpanishDict.com homework assignments for Unit 1 will be given on Monday and are due by 3:15 PM on Friday.

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

This week, Spanish 2 students explored strategies to help them reach the achievable goal of using Spanish 90% of the time in class! We focused on essential “survival phrases” that students can use when they need help or want to make a request, and we began practicing some high-frequency vocabulary in preparation for our first unit.

Next week, we’ll continue expanding our vocabulary and begin using these new words to describe and discuss short videos in class.

As flu season approaches, donations of tissues and hand sanitizer are greatly appreciated—thank you for helping keep our classroom healthy!

Spanish Humanities, grade 6 (Ms. Balestra)

Last week we wrote short narratives about ourselves and our classmates. We also worked on high frequency verbs: SER, ESTAR, IR, and TENER.

This week we will review a second set of high frequency verbs. We will also formally begin our unit, entitled, "Growing Up Around the World."

La semana pasada escribimos narraciones cortas sobre nosotros mismos y nuestros compañeros de clase. También trabajamos en verbos de alta frecuencia: SER, ESTAR, IR y TENER. Esta semana revisaremos un segundo conjunto de verbos de alta frecuencia. También comenzaremos formalmente nuestra unidad, titulada, "Creciendo alrededor del Mundo."

Spanish Humanities, grade 7 (Ms. Henderson)

Esta semana comenzamos una nueva unidad en la clase de Humanidades, donde estamos explorando cómo las luchas y los desafíos pueden moldear la identidad de las personas. Repasamos el patrón del viaje del héroe, y los estudiantes demostraron una gran comprensión del tema. La próxima semana, trabajarán en parejas para escribir sus propias historias siguiendo este patrón, enfocándose también en algunas técnicas literarias clave. Con la temporada de gripe acercándose, agradeceríamos mucho cualquier donación de pañuelos para la clase.

This week, we began a new unit in Humanities class focused on how struggles and challenges can shape a person’s identity. We reviewed the Hero’s Journey structure, and students showed a strong understanding of the pattern. Next week, they will work in pairs to write their own stories using this structure, while also focusing on key literary techniques. As cold and flu season approaches, any donations of tissues for the classroom would be greatly appreciated.

Spanish Humanities, grade 8 (Ms. Wooten)

HUMANIDADES 8o

This week in Spanish humanities we completed a diagnostic and kicked off our new unit by visually mapping out the various sources of language input in our daily lives- in both English and Spanish (and other languages if applicable). We discussed how our experiences and exposures to language differ based on our experiences as heritage learners, native speakers, or students who learned Spanish in a bilingual school setting. Next week, we will talk about our 1st advisory writing portfolio and read about and analyze the work of art Mapa de América by Juan Downey. Students will draw inspiration from this map to create their own reinterpretation of a map of a place that is important to them. Ask your student about our first 2 weeks songs of the week - and maybe have a family karaoke challenge this weekend!

Esta semana en humanidades en español completamos un diagnóstico y comenzamos nuestra nueva unidad mapeando visualmente las diversas fuentes de entrada lingüística en nuestras vidas diarias, tanto en inglés como en español (y otros idiomas si es aplicable). Hablamos sobre cómo nuestras experiencias y exposiciones al idioma difieren según nuestras experiencias como estudiantes de herencia, hablantes nativos o estudiantes que aprendieron español en un entorno escolar bilingüe. La próxima semana, hablaremos sobre nuestra primera cartera de escritura de asesoramiento y leeremos y analizaremos la obra de arte Mapa de América de Juan Downey. Los estudiantes se inspirarán en este mapa para crear su propia reinterpretación de un mapa de un lugar que es importante para ellos. Pregunte a su estudiante sobre nuestras primeras 2 canciones de la semana y quizás tengan un desafío de karaoke familiar este fin de semana!

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

This week in Introduction to French, students will be continuing to learn how to introduce themselves and say how they are feeling...in French of course. The key to learning a new language is practice! Please encourage your students to review our vocabulary from class. Resources for review can be found on our Canvas page.

Reminder for sixth-grade families: there will be family workshops this week to help you navigate Deal!

French I (Ms. Balestra, Mr. Osei)

Last week we continued to review material, including high-frequency verbs: ETRE, AVOIR, FAIRE. We also reviewed telling time and date.

This week we will begin Unit 1: La Ville et La Maison. We will introduce new vocabulary, as well as the verbs ALLER and VENIR. The Friday Formative will be on this content.

Every Friday in French One there will be a Friday Formative. We will alternate this term between Writing and Listening, the two criteria that we are specifically working on this term. Students will take a total of 2 Formatives for each criterion and two formatives that combine the criteria. The Unit 1 Summatives will be on October 15 (Listening) and October 17 (Writing).

French II (Dr. Mbayu & Mr. Osei)

Students will practice introducing themselves in French. They will learn vocabulary for names, ages, nationalities, and family members, review être and avoir, and practice nationality agreement. They will listen to authentic French introductions, write a short “Je me présente” paragraph, and reflect on strategies for remembering new vocabulary. A cultural comparison will explore how introductions differ in French vs. English.

Chinese (Ms. Liang)

Grade 6

Grade 6 Chinese class last week focused on learning high-frequency words through their etymology. We had a formative test last Friday on Pinyin. We will have two summative assessments – one presentation and one writing test next week.

Grade 7

Grade 7 Chinese classes last week worked on mastering vocabulary related to daily schedules and key grammar concepts with focus on expressing their routines. We will have two summative assessments coming the week after next.

Grade 8

Grade 8 Chinese class last week explored vocabulary related to daily school life, focusing on language application in listening, speaking, reading, and writing—to ensure a well-rounded understanding in class. We will have two summative assessments coming the week after next.