World Languages

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

Last week, our students learned how to use adjectives to describe their teachers, classes, and schedules. They also completed their second listening assessment. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we explored a lesson on major Hispanic celebrations.

Next week will be a short week, and students will learn vocabulary about classroom objects and supplies. As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, they will also explore traditional Hispanic dances!

A big thank you to all the families who have generously donated to support our Spanish class—you can find the donation link here https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/dl/invite/nsiO_061mrDGI0AI_ndnOQsaqIeVQcNldyqvMF1LLV4mvlFCszsrLyCy-xvoZp57HLn3bJqxmHcr_KBDoEAvuP0RmrSe1PMPNELUxw?ref_=wl_share

We also want to remind families that the after-school club “Mi Gente” meets every Thursday from 3:20–4:10 in room RG10. All students who speak Spanish as a native language or who would like to practice more are warmly welcome to join!

Spanish I (Mr. Donaldson, Ms. Cuffee)

Next week, students will have an open-notes Practice & Application (PA) assignment on vocabulary concerning places around the city and the verb IR on Monday, October 7. On Tuesday, October 8, they will complete an IB formative listening assessment on the verb IR and places. Wednesday's focus will be on introducing vocabulary related to giving directions. There will be no SpanishDict.com homework next week since there is no school from Thursday through Monday. We will prepare for the final formative and summative the following week.

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

This week, students wrapped up a writing summative where they applied their vocabulary knowledge and understanding of key events to summarize the first two chapters of Esperanza. We'll close out the week by diving into Chapter 3 together.

Next week, we’ll keep the momentum going with new vocabulary for Chapter 4 and an engaging Reader’s Theatre-style reading of the chapter to build fluency and comprehension.

As we approach the end of the advisory, please make sure to stay up to date on Aspen and Canvas for any missing assignments or upcoming deadlines. And don’t forget to check out the amazing events happening around DC in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month—a great way to connect classroom learning with the world around us!

Spanish Humanities, grade 6 (Ms. Balestra)

Last week we focused on stem changing verbs in the present tense. We are doing a lot of work on some basic concepts because I want the students to speak and write Spanish that is as correct as it is expressive.

Next week we will work in small groups to do some research on education around the world. This is a continuation of our unit that focuses on Growing Up Around the World.

Spanish Humanities, grade 7 (Ms. Henderson)

This week, we worked on building collages as a culminating project for our unit on Identity. Students designed their collages through the lens of The Hero’s Journey, and will participate in a writer’s workshop to apply their writing and analytical skills in describing their designs.

Next week, we’ll begin our new unit, in which we’ll be reading Lazarillo de Tormes contado a los niños. We’ll start by learning about medieval Spain, and how, for many people, ingenuity was their most valuable tool in navigating the world around them.

Have a great weekend, and don’t forget to check Canvas and Aspen as we near the end of the advisory. Also, be sure to explore the many Hispanic Heritage Month events happening around DC!

Español:
Esta semana trabajamos en la creación de collages como proyecto final de nuestra unidad sobre la Identidad. Los estudiantes diseñaron sus collages a través del lente del Viaje del Héroe, y participarán en un taller de escritura donde aplicarán sus habilidades de redacción y análisis para describir sus diseños.

La próxima semana comenzaremos una nueva unidad en la que leeremos Lazarillo de Tormes contado a los niños. Empezaremos aprendiendo sobre la España medieval, y cómo, para muchas personas, el ingenio era su herramienta más valiosa para enfrentarse al mundo que los rodeaba.

¡Que tengan un buen fin de semana! No olviden revisar Canvas y Aspen mientras nos acercamos al final del trimestre. También recuerden aprovechar las muchas actividades de celebración del Mes de la Herencia Hispana en DC.

Spanish Humanities, grade 8 (Ms. Wooten)

This week we dove more deeply into figurative language, completing rotating stations analyzing poems, breaking down Gloria Anzaldúa's "vivir en la frontera," and analyzing figurative language in the book "Milo Imagina el Mundo." We wrapped up the week with some review activities and looking at a padlet with tons of student poetry examples in preparation for writing our own poem with figurative language next week. Next week, students will reflect on the connection between language and identity and use a variety of structured activities to create their own poems with figurative language. This, along with the paragraph analyzing and explaining their choices, will count as a summative writing grade.

For student led conferences, please ask your student to share their 2 poems they have written: their "yo soy de" and their figurative language poem.

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

This week students will continue to learn about their school schedule in French. They will also learn to talk about the classes they like and dislike and why! It's amazing all that students have learned so far this year. After the long weekend, we will be wrapping up our unit and students will show what they have learned on our listening and writing summatives!

Homework for French includes studying our vocabulary every night—a little study every day makes students stronger language learners! Students can access study materials on Canvas, using their reference sheet or with Match review.

Madame Bullock would like to send a thank you to those famililes who supported our class. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated. For those who have asked how to support our class, we are always accepting tissues, pencils, paper or other items found here. Merci!

French I (Ms. Balestra, Mr. Osei)

Last week in French One we worked on the prepositions "a" and "de" and the contractions they form with articles. Ask your student how to use "a la," "au," "aux," "du," "de la," and "des." We also learned new vocabulary, focusing on the rooms in a house.

Next week is a short week and we will focus on giving directions. Students will learn more prepositions of location and add to their vocabulary lists.

Please check in with your student about homework assignments and make sure they are staying up to date. Please have your student use the resources on our Canvas page to practice what we are learning in class!

French II (Dr. Mbayu & Mr. Osei)

This week introduced the passé composé to describe past events. Students practiced auxiliaries (avoir, être), listened to short experience stories, and wrote about an important life event. Peer sharing allows questions and comparisons. Reflection focused on strategies for selecting the correct auxiliary.

Chinese (Ms. Liang)

Grade 6

Last week our students learned stroke order, pinyin and numbers. We also learned how to ask and answer dates and each other’s birthday in Chinese. Students sing happy birthday songs in class! We had so much fun learning Chinese. Friday, we had a mooncake making workshop. Next week we will work on summative assessment and start learning lesson 3 School Supplies. We are excited to see their progress as they build their foundational communication skills in Chinese.

Grade 7

Last week our students had an oral presentation next Tuesday describing their daily schedules and a written summative assessment on Lesson II Time and Activities last week. Next week is a short week. We will learn Lesson 3 My house. We are excited to see their progress as they build their speaking and writing skills in Chinese.

Grade 8

Last week our students continued exploring how to describe popular cities in China, plan vacation itineraries, decide activities for summer breaks and explain why. Students will prepare for the speaking summative assessment on Dream China Trip project next week and one written summative assessment the following week. We are excited to see their progress as they build their presentational speaking skills in Chinese.