World Languages

Welcome! Bienvenido/a! Bienvenue! 欢迎

World Language Trip Interest Meeting for 7th Grade Families - NEW START TIME

Deal will host an interest meeting for 7th grade families in-person at Deal at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, June 3rd. Please note this is a slightly earlier time than previously shared. The World Language trips will take place during the 8th grade year, but planning for these trips starts now!

As part of Deal's commitment to inspiring excellence, curiosity, and compassion in our students, Deal Middle School will once again plan optional international trips as a supplement to our world language program. 8th grade students enrolled in Spanish, French, Chinese, or Spanish Humanities will have the opportunity to join their designated trip. These trips are entirely optional, funded by families, chaperoned by Deal staff, and open only to Deal 8th grade students in good academic, attendance, and behavioral standing. We find these trips to be a powerful experience for all involved.

All families interested in taking part should plan to attend the meeting. Additional details will be shared in future 7th grade team newsletters. See you there!

Spanish Language and Culture

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

Last week, students completed their unit on stem-changing verb conjugations in Spanish. They also demonstrated their learning through a writing assessment, showing their ability to apply these new language structures in context.

Looking ahead, next week students will take their final listening assessment of the year. This will also serve as the last formal summative evaluation of the school year in Spanish class.

Even as we reach this milestone, learning will continue in engaging and meaningful ways. Students will keep building their Spanish skills through new topics, interactive activities, and continued practice that supports communication and confidence.

Thank you for your ongoing support at home as your children continue their language learning journey.

Spanish I

Spanish I (Mr. Donaldson, Ms. Cuffee)

Students will work on a final graded project this week, which will integrate their vocabulary and skills learned throughout the term. This project will focus on food, health, and cultural elements, providing students with a creative way to apply their knowledge.

No more SpanishDict.com homework for the rest of the year.

Spanish II

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

This week in Spanish 2, we finished up our exploration of murales in Pilsen, a Mexican-American neighborhood in Chicago. Students analyzed murales, took a gallery walk and compared themes, and ended by describing what they would paint if they had the opportunity to paint a mural at this moment in their lives. We also read chapter 6 in reader's theatre format. As we finish the book and the year, we are using this format to ensure that all students are getting read aloud time in their small groups, an opportunity to practice their pronunciation and reading fluency- as well as get creative and have fun! Next week is our last full 5 day week in 8th grade (followed by one more week of instruction- but with some interruptions for fun like King's Dominion and the dance). We will continue reading chapters 7-13 of the book and practice with a variety of the vocab- starting with verbs about telling the truth - mentir/ decir la verdad/ creer. And then continuing with a focus on action verbs that advance the plot of the book (such as: se acercó/ se quedó/ se dio la vuelta/ vio/ abrió/ cerró/ agarró/ corrió/ se cayó/ se asustó/ empujó/ se levantó. As we close out the year, students will have lots of chances to practice the vocab in context, take on the point of view of characters and act, and play vocab games to reinforce the vocab! Also- STAMP score reports will go home next week or the final week of class (depending how long it takes AVANT to finalize the reports). I will let you know when they are coming home with students!

Spanish Humanities

Spanish Humanities, grade 6 (Ms. Balestra)

Students worked last week on mastering the two past tenses: preterite and imperfect. They made corrections to a previous Summative and took another Summative on Friday to show their mastery.

Next week students will take another Summative on Wednesday to show their understanding of what we have learned about poetry. We will be working on the creation of a class poem: Oda a la Leche.

On Friday, June 5th, we will celebrate with a party!

Period 4 students click here to contribute.

Period 6 students click here to contribute.

Spanish Humanities, grade 7 (Ms. Henderson)

This week in 7th Grade Spanish Humanities, we have begun tackling our first summative assessment of the advisory: an analytical essay on the first eight chapters of El épico fracaso de Arturo Zamora. Students have spent the week developing thesis statements and will begin defending their ideas in the body of their essays in class today. We plan to wrap up our essays early next week and then continue on with the novel at a quicker pace as we work toward finishing the book by the end of the school year.

With the DC CAPE schedule and my own absence last week, I have extended the deadline for turning in missing work from the midpoint of the advisory to this Monday.

I hope everyone is looking forward to enjoying Sneaker Ball this weekend and has a wonderful weekend ahead! Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

Español

Esta semana en Humanidades de Español de 7.º grado, hemos comenzado nuestra primera evaluación sumativa del período: un ensayo analítico sobre los primeros ocho capítulos de El épico fracaso de Arturo Zamora. Durante la semana, los estudiantes han trabajado en desarrollar una tesis y hoy comenzarán a defender sus ideas en el cuerpo de sus ensayos. Terminaremos los ensayos a principios de la próxima semana y luego continuaremos con la novela a un ritmo más rápido para poder terminarla antes de finalizar el año escolar.

Debido al horario de DC CAPE y a mi ausencia la semana pasada, he extendido la fecha límite para entregar trabajo faltante de la mitad del período hasta este lunes.

¡Espero que todos disfruten del Sneaker Ball este fin de semana y que tengan un excelente fin de semana! Por favor, no duden en comunicarse conmigo si tienen alguna pregunta.

Spanish Humanities, grade 8 (Ms. Wooten)

Humanidades 8vo

This week students took their final summative test- an interpretive reading exam focused on passages from chapter 15 of the book La última cuentista that we are reading. We then had a friendly competition in teams to a running dictation- running one at a time and memorizing chunks of summarizing sentences- then returning to the team to report- tagging the next student, and then illustrating and looking for textual evidence and detail in the corresponding chapters. This allows us to skip ahead a few chapters and be able to finish the book by the end of the year! Next week we are using the support of the audiobook to encourage reading fluency- as this text has been challenges for some students to fully understand without support- we will read the book while listening, and have comprehension questions in the audio that require pausing/ processing/ and responding to what they are hearing. As we end the book and the year, students will think about the major themes of the book and make connections to their lives and react with their personal opinions. They will also have opportunities to play games to review vocab and events of the book. Also- STAMP score reports will go home next week or the final week of class (depending how long it takes AVANT to finalize the reports). I will let you know when they are coming home with students!

French Language & Culture

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

This week students will be beginning their end of year project: creating a review game to show off all they learned. Last year students created some amazing games--I can't wait to see what they come up with this year.

To Madame Bullock's families: Thanks so much to those who contributed to our end of year wish list. Not everything came with a name for an individual thanks, but please know that we appreciate the support! :) Fun supplies makes creating more interesting!!

What can we do at home?

Vocabulary is KEY to language learning. Students should be reviewing their vocabulary for at least 5 minutes every night. They are welcome to use this newly updated resource to support their learning.

French I

French I (Ms. Balestra, Mr. Osei)

Students worked last week on their writing Summative. Next week we will do one last Listening Comprehension Summative and we will being our end of unit project. Stay tuned for an Amazon Wish List of supplies for this project!

French II

French II (Dr. Mbayu & Mr. Osei)

Students begin working on their final project, often “My Dream Vacation,” planning content and practicing speaking and writing using future tense.

✅ Student Goal: I can prepare a project using future tense sentences.

Chinese

Chinese (Ms. Liang)

GRADE 6

Last week, our Grade 6 students wrapped up the Body Parts unit with a summative writing assessment on Wednesday and a speaking assessment on Friday. Great job to everyone for your hard work and preparation!

Next week, we’re excited to begin a brand-new unit on Chinese Food and Drinks. Students will explore popular dishes, food-related vocabulary, and cultural dining customs. Get ready for some tasty learning ahead!

Grade 7

Last week, our Grade 7 students continued learning about the weather and the four seasons. They practiced using key vocabulary and sentence patterns to describe different weather conditions.

Next week, we will keep building this unit with more speaking and listening activities. There will be a quiz next Friday to check for understanding—be sure to review your notes and practice at home!

Grade 8

Last week, our Grade 8 students successfully completed the STAMP test—great job to everyone for your focus and effort!

Next week, we will begin an exciting new unit on Chinese Festivals. Students will explore the history, customs, and vocabulary associated with major traditional holidays. Get ready to dive deeper into Chinese culture!