Tutoring Available!

The World Languages Department offers after-school tutoring throughout the month of February and into March 2013.  Help in French, Spanish, Japanese and American Sign Language is available.  Although the emphasis is on assisting 9th graders in levels 1-2 & 3-4, all are welcome!

Tutoring schedule:

Monday  -  Señor Lawhead, Rm 256 (all levels)
Tuesday  -  Profe Bañuelos, Rm 258 (al levels)
Thursday - Señor Lawhead & Profe Bañuelos Rm 256/258 (all levels)

Contact the following teachers individually for schedule.

French  -   Madame Leidhoff (Rm 259)
ASL      -  Mrs. Redelings (Rm 257)
Japanese - Mr. Blackwelder (Rm 250)

It is important for students and parents to remember that starting with the Class of 2016, two consecutive years of a world language is required for graduation, not just college entrance! 

Palabras de Amor

During the week of Valentine's Day, students in Spanish 3-4 with Profe Bañuelos made Valentine's Day cards in Spanish only for a friend, family member, loved one. Profe explained that there are three ways in Latino culture to call the holiday: #1 Día de San Valentín (Day of Saint Valentine) #2 Día de los Enamorados (Day of the Loved Ones) #3 Día del Amor y la Amistad (Day of Love and of Friendship) [the latter celebrated in Colombia on September 21.]

French students get into Mardi Gras spirit

With Cajun music in the background, Madame Leidhoff's students enjoyed creating beautiful masks to celebrate Mardi Gras, New Orleans-style!  Mardi gras, or "Fat Tuesday" in French, refers to the practice of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of Lent.

Skits in Sp 5-6 teach commands

 

Students in Señor Lawhead's Spanish 5-6 classes performed short skits highlighting the use of commands. Maede, John, Brennan and Annie play their parts of an episode of Cops con gusto.

Students in Spanish 1-2 with Profe Bañuelos viewed the episode titled "The Salsa Revolution" from the PBS documentary Latin Music USA.  It covered the peak of salsa music as produced by New York City-based Fania Records from the mid-1960s to 1979.

Spanish 5-6 students enjoy "The Romeros"

Señor Lawhead shared his interest in Spanish classical guitar (and Flamenco) with students this week by viewing the PBS video:  "The Romeros, Royal Family of the Guitar".  Students learned about the family, its history and local connection and heard some great music!

'Socratic Circle' in Spanish

Students in Dr. Jacobson's 7-8 classes engaged in a 'Socratic Circle' discussion by responding to questions on topics selected by each class. The discussion of each theme is conducted entirely in Spanish. At the conclusion of the activity students participated in a critical thinking activity, evaluating the relevancy of the topics to their own lives as well as to society as a whole.
Spanish 5-6 classes reviewed the imperative/command forms. In addition, students discussed their career goals in anticipation of activities related to the final 'Entrevista', where each 3rd year student participates in an interview with a fluent speaker of the Spanish language.

AP students prepared for an in-depth form of the Socratic Circle discussion and tape recorded the poem 'El cuervo' as well as selections from the 'Narratives' and 'Entrevistas' from the Barron's Spanish AP text. Students then identified elements of figurative language and responded to questions requiring varied types of critical thinking (e.g. synthesis, analysis and application).

Adv French reading L'homme Qui Plantait Les Abres

Madame Leidhoff's French 2 students have presented a schema of the seasons, weather and activities that they do during each season. Students proudly presented in French these illustrations to each other. This colorful representations and the writing is posted in the classroom.

Students of second year French are learning to express their daily routine, using sequential language and reflexive verbs. Students are also practicing the differences time elements of the past, present and future.

Students of Advanced French have started reading L'homme qui plantait les arbres of Jean Giono. A lovely story of a man dedicated to the planting of trees.

Japanese Students Learn to Shop!

Mr. Blackwelder's Japanese 3-4 students have begun discussing consumer culture in Japan and, more specifically, Japanese department stores. Now learning how to make comparisons between two objects (cost, size, color, etc), students will expand their language skills to include shopping set expressions and, finally, they will form groups to design their own shops and goods! 

Learning Commands

Kristina uses Uds. commands to direct students in Señor Lawhead's class who are following her directions on an 8X8 grid.  This activity allows students to give and respond to commands by following directions and leaving symbols when told to jump, sing, etc.  Vocabulary such as:  "Caminen dos pasos adelante!" and "Den vuelta a la derecha dos veces...¡Canten!" are used. 

Les Misérables & the Revolution

Madame Leidhoff's students of French viewed Les Miserables and discussed the Revolution.  

Students also discussed Romantic movement in literature to include Victor Hugo's great inspiration, Chateaubriand.

El Mercado - Salón 251

Señora Trott's classes participated in a market place simulation!  Students brought many items to sell and buy in the classroom that was turned into a large "mercado".  Using fake bills and coins representing "Euros", students bargained for the best price and walked away with some unique items!

El Coquí and the use of gustar

Students in Spanish 1-2 with Profe Bañuelos started Unit 3.1 which covers the difference between gusta vs. gustan when saying somebody likes one or two or more things. They also were introduced via video to the unique tree frog of Puerto Rico called the coquí (pictured in cartoon form). The coquí represents one aspect of pride of Puerto Rico due to its unique two-note sound it makes instead of a typical ribbit that normal frogs make.