ASL studens discuss the Milan Conference of 1880

In Mrs. Redelings' ASL 1 class, students continued signing their presentation School Days. Students gave each other both positive and constructive feedback to help improve each others' signing. Concerning history and culture, students learned about about the infamous Milan Conference of 1880 which influenced the ban of sign languages in schools for the deaf around the world in favor of lip reading and speech, an influence that still affects how the world sees d/Deafness today.

Culinary Arts dinner a big hit with WL teachers!

Mr. Lawhead and Mr. Blackwelder had the opportunity to attend the Culinary Arts class monthly dinner.  They were very impressed with the quality of food and the enthusiasm of the student chefs and waitpersons.  The menu featured an appetizer, fresh salad, turkey remoulade and rosemary potatoes with haricots verts.  There was a mini-pumpkin pie for dessert.  Much of the menu was in French and they were entertained by a quintet of classical musicians from the orchestra!  Chef Kimberly Coelho is doing a wonderful job with these students!  The World Languages Department will probably show up en masse for the Christmas dinner!

Class-sized Scrabble in Spanish 5-6!

Señor Lawhead's Sp. 5-6 classes enjoyed their vocabulary lesson by playing Scrabble in Spanish with teams.  Sr. Lawhead developed this class-sized version of the game over a decade ago in desperation as he faced a class without a lesson plan.  Sometimes things just work out right.

 

Mr. Blackwelder presents for ACTFL in Denver, CO!

Blackwelder-sensei, Japanese teacher, was honored to be invited to present at the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language) conference in Denver, CO.  Mr. Blackwelder will speak about his experiences with the 8-week Japanese Institute program that he attended this past summer.  For details of his experience see the blog for September 10, 2011.

2nd & 3rd year French students collaborate with drama department

Madame Leidhoff's students of second year French are beginning to practice their lines in a variety of short classroom plays. They will present these to each other in the theater. Theater students will collaborate to help with staging and blocking.

Students of advanced French are presenting a production of Cyrano de Bergerac. Advanced drama students in this class are directing and blocking. Costumes and staging will be provided by the drama department.

Reading development in Spanish 1-2 with "Go Animate!"

This week Dr. Jacobson's 1-2 Spanish students continued to develop reading comprehension and speaking skills by recording questions and answers they developed from text dialogues. Students watched a video created by Dr. Jacobson through 'Go Animate' technology, identifying phrases related to telling time as an animated giraffe and zebra conversed in Spanish, using verbs and vocabulary students have been studying.

 

¡Los Raiders les ganaron a los Cargadores!

Oakland Raiders fans in Profe Bañuelos' Spanish 3-4 celebrated the Oakland Raiders 24-17 victory over the San Diego Chargers on Thursday November 10, 2011. In the photo the phrase "Los Raiders les ganaron a los Cargadores" uses grammar that the class has learned including: indirect object pronouns, personal "a", and preterite tense.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the department or any true San Diegan (blogmaster.)

"School Days" presentations

Students in Mrs. Redelings' ASL 1 class have begun their first formal presentations, "School Days." In their presentations, they sign about their daily schedule, likes and dislikes, and what they like to eat for lunch. Concerning culture, students learned about the survival of American Sign Language, despite its oppression.

La Llorona from different perspectives

Señor Lawhead's Spanish 5-6 classes re-read La Llorona and are re-creating the story from the perspective of one of the characters.  The close relationship between the Imperfect and Preterit and the use of dialog in a story were discussed prior to writing.  Rough drafts are due Monday for peer-editing.

Travel, Tests, Book and Videos in Spanish 3-4

Costa Rica, travel, airport procedures and packing a suitcase have been the recent themes in Señora Trott's Spanish 3-4 classes. We have been learning about direct and indirect object pronouns and students are busy preparing for the chapter exam on Tuesday, November 14. In addition, we viewed the familiar story Are you my mother? (¿Eres tú mi mamá?) which most students remembered from elementary school. Next week we will watch and laugh along with "Corre, Perro, Corre" (Go, Dog, Go). These short videos review the verbs ser and estar along with many other vocabulary words and expressions.

"Teacher Paper Show" in Spanish 1-2

Students in Dr. Jacobson's Spanish 1-2 classes displayed critical thinking questions and answers they had developed using 'Teacher Paper Show' technology, projecting their work to classmates on the front screen as they wrote. Group members read questions and answers aloud during their presentation.

 

¡Chopsticks!

Students in Mr. Blackwelder's Japanese 3-4 class began studying different types of Japanese cuisine this week. From udon, soba, ramen, and soumen to yakiniku and okonomiyaki, students gained exposure to a wide variety of traditional dishes. Luckily, Japanese 3-4 is after lunch, not before. Students also worked on the basics of chopstick etiquette, with the first annual Chopstick Olympics taking place next Monday!

1...2...3...4...5...1.000.000!

Students in Ms. Ranzolin's 1-2 class learned numbers through a million and telling time. They put together what they learned by working on a class activity about their weekly schedule. In Spanish 3-4, students used what they learned about airline travel by making a travel brochure. They also shared their project on Costa Rica with the class. Students in 5-6 also shared their Costa Rica projects with the class, and worked on a class activity in which they described different types of outfits and discussed when each outfit should be worn. They also worked on a writing assignment using verbs like "gustar." It was a short week, but very busy!

Pan de Muerto

After reading about and viewing short videos of how el Día de los muertos is celebrated in México and here in Southern California, Profe Bañuelos' Spanish 3-4 class sampled one of the traditional foods used in the celebration. Pan de muerto, or bread of the dead, was brought in by Profe for all to sample and enjoy at the end of class.

Japanese 1-2 skits showcase their learning!

Mr. Blackwelder's Japanese 1-2 classes have just completed a skit project showcasing all that they've learned in the first eight weeks: self-introductions, classroom commands, familiarity with classroom objects, weather and more! In memorizing and performing their skits, students also gain confidence with their use of the language. Wonderful work by all!

Spanish 5-6 take their oral tests

Señor Lawhead's Spanish 5-6 classes completed their oral tests on Wednesday and Thursday.  Looking at a stick-figure cartoon that they have not seen before, students tell the story in 60 to 90 seconds.  The first time is always nerve-wracking but most students are pleasantly surprised at how well they do.  Tests should be completely graded by mid-next week.

Mexico, Costa Rica and Día de los Muertos

Students in Ms. Ranzolin's Spanish 1-2 class learned new vocabulary for telling time and activities. They also did reserch on Mexico. They put what they learned on a poster and will be sharing it with the class on Monday. Spanish 3-4 and 5-6 also did research, but they researched Costa Rica instead. They will be sharing their posters on Monday as well. All students learned about "El Día de los Muertos" this week.

ASL students preparing for "School Days"

Students in Mrs. Redelings' ASL class enjoyed describing people using gender, hair color, eye color, and clothes - and guessing who they might be. Student finished their first comprehensive test last week and are gearing up for their first formal presentation 'School Days.'

Immigration issues are discussed in Spanish 7-8 and AP

Sr. McVeigh's Spanish 5-6 students wrote their own version of the traditional Mexican legend "La Llorona" in class on Wednesday. Creativity is encouraged while each group works to create a unique spin on the tradition. Spanish 7-8 students are beginning a new unit on Immigration and started reading "Cajas de cartón" on Friday. It will be great to see their perspectives on immigration to the United States during the last 100 years! AP Spanish students have finished their presentations on immigration and are practicing some grammar elements before moving on to the next short story.

Critical Thinking Skills exercised in Spanish 1-2

Students in Dr. Jacobson's classes engaged in an activity which involved critical thinking, where students, using models provided to them, developed questions comprised of comparisons, contrasts, synthesis and evaluation of information they read in the text. Group members then read their questions aloud into tape recorders.