World Languages

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

Last week, students completed their final project of the term by acting out restaurant scenarios where they practiced ordering food and used vocabulary learned throughout the term. Students had a lot of fun with this project!

Next week, we will begin Unit 3 and start our third term. The focus of this unit is “My Family and My Friends,” and students will begin learning adjectives to describe different people.

Spanish I (Mr. Donaldson, Ms. Cuffee)

In this first week of Term 3, students will begin Unit 3 by exploring los infinitivos (infinitive verbs) and reviewing present-tense conjugations from Beginning Spanish. On the first day, they will set up their Unit 3 title page and discuss infinitive forms in Spanish. They will also receive three SpanishDict.com homework assignments on present regular verbs (3HW1.Pres), subject pronouns (3HW2.ProS), and the top 50 verbs (3HW3.Top50). As the week progresses, read and analyze a texts, practice irregular present-tense verbs, and conclude with more present tense conjugation practice.

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

This week in Spanish 2 we practiced new vocabulary in the context of participating in game shows or other competitions (tiene que adivinar, puede ganar, elige entre, intenta responder). Students had the chance to read about some games shows in Spanish and watch a few short clips (Pasapalabras- disney edition! Exatlón, Master Chef Latino, Yo Me LLamo Mini, 100 Argentinos Dicen). Ask them in Spanish which they would like to WATCH and which they would like to participate in and why! (¿Cuál programa te gustaría ver? ¿En cuál programa te gustaría participar? ¿Por qué?). For homework, they have a speaking assignment (due Mon Jan 26) in which they are designing their own game show using the vocab from class (see canvas for the assignment and link to record). If you end up having extra time inside with the cold this weekend, considering watching a game show in Spanish together and seeing what vocabulary they can pick out. Next week we will continue to read the book Los Baker van a Perú, seeing how the Baker family fares on the game show and what exciting plans they have ahead. Students will have a speaking focused day to work on reacting and summarizing the plot of the chapters they have read. Shout out to Addie's family for being our top newsletter readers!

Spanish Humanities, grade 6 (Ms. Balestra)

We have finished Esperanza Renace! Students did a great job reading the text and talking about the events and themes. In Unit Three we will be exploring literature themes around Monsters and Heroes.

Spanish Humanities, grade 7 (Ms. Henderson)

This week we finished reading Lazarillo de Tormes contado a los niños. Over the weekend, students will be working on their final project for the unit, where they will demonstrate their understanding of the text and its themes.

Next week, students will participate in a Socratic Seminar to show their comprehension and ability to interpret the novel using evidence and discussion skills.

As a small classroom need, we are running low on printer paper and tissues. If you are able to donate either, it would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you for your continued support.

Español

Esta semana terminamos de leer Lazarillo de Tormes contado a los niños. Durante el fin de semana, los estudiantes trabajarán en su proyecto final de la unidad, donde demostrarán su comprensión del texto y sus temas principales.

La próxima semana participaremos en un seminario socrático para mostrar nuestra comprensión y habilidad de interpretar la novela usando evidencia y conversación académica.

Como nota para las familias, en la clase estamos necesitando papel para la impresora y pañuelos. Si pueden donar alguno de estos materiales, ¡se los agradeceríamos mucho!

Spanish Humanities, grade 8 (Ms. Wooten)

Congrats to everyone for their excellent participation in our Casa en Mango Street Seminar. Ask your student about the main themes of the book and what they shared in the seminar about what MESSAGE Sandra Cisneros is communicating about each of these themes! The students did a great job using text evidence to support their ideas, listen to their peers, and make connections with their personal lives and current events. After the seminar, this week we worked with different emotion vocabulary in preparation to read the end of the book: tener empatía, tener verguenza, estar arrepentido, ser indiferente. Students inferred the meaning of terms, looked at examples and non-examples, wrote their own scenarios to have their peers guess which term they were trying to describe, and then finally found quotes in several vignettes showing these emotions. This week we read the vignettes "vagabundos en el ático, hermosa y cruel, chica lista, y lo que Sally dijo" (p 122-129), focusing on using these emotion terms to show how Esperanza's perspective on her community and her level of empathy has shifted as she has matured. Next week we will continue to work with these emotions as we continue to wrap up the book - reading "el jardín del mono," "payasos rojos" y "rosas de linóleo." Looking ahead- students will end this unit writing a thematic essay on a theme of their choosing. Then we will move onto a unit about environmental justice and climate change in latin america!

PLEASE NOTE- all humanities Costa Rica travelers- you must hand in your folder of documents/ photocopies AT or BEFORE the required meeting next Thursday.

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

Next week, we will begin Unit 3 and start our third term. The focus of this unit is “My Family, My Friends, and Me.” students will begin learning adjectives to describe different people. Vocabulary is KEY to language learning. Please encourage your student to review their vocab nightly so they have a strong start to unit 3! Students have been commenting about how much they've learned so far. It's great to see their confidence grow.

French I (Ms. Balestra, Mr. Osei)

Welcome to Unit 3! Our unit theme is Sports and Hobbies. Please check in with your student about the new vocabulary that will be introduced and will grow over the course of the term.

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 unique characteristics of each sign and participated in interactive activities that sparked both creativity and critical thinking. As part of this unit, students completed a formative assessment to showcase their progress in Lesson 5: Zodiac.

In addition to language practice in class, students learned how to sing the song As Wished. This was an exciting step in preparing for their performance at International Night. We are incredibly proud of their hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication throughout the week!

Grade 7

Last week, our Grade 7 students continued working on Lesson 4: Clothes. They practiced essential vocabulary and expressions. Our Grade 7 Chinese class had a summative oral test on school uniforms project and will complete the review of Lesson 1-4. We will start Lesson 6 Shopping last week. We will learn new vocabulary through etymology next week.

Grade 8

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