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.