What's New in World Languages

French 1A: Mme Coby and Mme Dorrie’s students are able to introduce themselves, ask others’ names, and say what their nationality is and where they are from. They can spell in French, and count up to 1,000. They can ask how others are feeling, and tell how they are feeling. In Mme Coby’s classes, students have begun working on time and have memorized a café dialogue between Stephanie and her friend Jean-Paul. In Mme Dorrie’s class, students will write and perform a puppet play for their Unit 1 speaking assessment, after which they will begin the lesson on time. Towards the end of the month, students will learn about La Toussaint (All Saints Day) that is celebrated in France.

French 1B: Mme Coby’s students are learning how to talk about their personal possessions and where objects are located. The students are able to spend several minutes each week describing a painting – what is going on, who is in the painting, what the weather is like and where people and objects are in relationship to each other – all in French. BRAVO!

Many of the French students have begun thinking about challenge projects for the first trimester. Some have already chosen to create works of art based on French culture. Others are making alphabet or number books. And still others are working on musical or cooking projects. We are all looking forward to seeing the fascinating way our peers choose to challenge themselves.  ON Y VA!

Spanish 1A: Señora Dorrie’s Spanish 1A students are also learning numbers, and about greeting rituals among Hispanic populations. Did you know that a handshake is often accompanied by a squeeze of the upper arm with the left hand, and that close friends often greet with an abrazo (hug) and pats on the back? Students in Spanish can also ask and tell their names, and can address people both formally and informally. Students are working on writing and performing a puppet play for their speaking assessment. Towards the end of the month, students will learn about Día de los muertos (Day of the Dead) that is celebrated in Mexico and by Mexican-Americans.

¡Saludos de la Señora García! It was very nice to see so many of you at Open House. The students in both levels are now settled into the routine of learning español. Spanish 1A classes have mastered the components of the calendar, including days, months, numbers and holidays. They have moved on to telling time in Spanish, which can be challenging to many, especially when looking at an analog clock. I have offered extra help, but support at home would be appreciated. I will only require that they can tell time with a digital format, but the skill of reading analog time is beneficial to all. This month, students will continue with the introductory unit, and will soon be singing Cabeza, Hombros, Rodillas y Pies (Head, Shoulders . . .). They love to sing in Spanish!

The Spanish 1B students are now wrapping up their review. As a culminating project, they will create skits together including the grammatical concepts and vocabulary they learned last year. Next week, we start a new unit, and everyone should have a book soon. They will learn family vocabulary first, and we will be using famous art works to practice descriptions.