El mes de herenicia hispana (Hispanic Heritage Month); La primera prueba (First Quiz)

¡Hola, familia!


On Thursday, September, 15th, we began our coverage of Hispanic Heritage Month.  For the next 30 days, we will explore different aspects of Latin-American countries, culture, and people.

The students learned that September 15th is also Independence Day for five different countres in Central America.  In 1823, the following five countries won their independence from Spanish rule:

• Costa Rica
• El Salvador
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• Nicaragua

In addition, September 16th is Mexico's Independence Day (not Cinco de Mayo!).  The students learned that in 1821, Mexico won its independece from Spain, which paved the way for Central American independence.

We also talked about two successful people in the Latino community: Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and musical conductor Gustavo Dudamel.  

Sonia Sotomayor, a Nuyorican (New Yorker of Puerto Rican descent), is the person of Latin-American descent to serve as a Supreme Court Justice.  She is an Ivy-League graduate, receiving her bachelor's degree from Princeton University (same college as First Lady Michelle Obama), and her law degree from Yale University (same college as Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton).  Below is a video the students watched of Justice Sotomayor presiding over a very classic case: Goldilocks vs. Baby Bear!

Gustavo Dudamel, a venezolano (Venezuelan) is an accomplished orchestra conductor, having led the Los Angeles Philharmonic and The Orquesta Sinfónica Simón Bolívar (Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra).  He also led the orchestra recording for the soundtrack of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."  Below is a video of Sr. Dudamel leading the LA Philharmonic in playing the Star Wars theme.

Students completed geography and timeline worksheets concerning Central America and Justice Sotomayor.  I gave them the weekend to complete them, and we will review in class.

For 7th and 8th graders only:

7th and 8th graders will have their first prueba (quiz) on Tuesday, Sept. 20th.  It will be 20-question, 20-point, assessment of the following subjects:

• How to say "Hello"
• How to say "Goodbye"
• How to say "Please," "Thank You," and "You're Welcome"
• Numbers 1-30
• Days of the Week
• Months of the Year

Students were given a study guide for the quiz, which can be found on page 17 of the online Spanish textbook.  Passwords for each section can be found in this previous blog article:

 Las Contraseñas (Passwords)

This week, we will continue our coverage of numbers, date, time, and weather.  We will also explore more Latin-American culture and history.

¡Hasta luego!

Los saludos, las despididas, y la cortesía (Salutations, Farewells, and Courtesy)

¡Hola familia!

5th and 6th graders now have their own Spanish names!  There were some very creative names this year.  Please check the Assignments section of Schoolmax for your student's name.  

Daily attendance will be called by Spanish names, and we will soon start having conversaciónes, such as introducing ourselves AND introducting other people.  Please help your student memorize their name...I mean, a person should know their own name, right?

In all classes, we discussed how the attacks on 9/11 affected the Latino community.  The students learned that people from several Latin countries such as the Dominican Republic, Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico lost their lives that day.  Below is a short video with Univision reporter Maria Elena Salinas remembering that day, and discussing how 9/11 has affected the Latino community in America: 

Maria Elena Salinas on how 9/11 affected the Latino community


This coming week, we will learn numbers, date and time.



¡Hasta pronto!

Las Contraseñas (Passwords)

¡Hola, familia!

I recently gave 7th and 8th graders online access to the ConnectED website.  This website contains the online version of the textbook we use in Spanish class.  For the sake of posterity, I have provided usernames and passwords for each section.  Please refer to this post for future homework assignments.

701 (Mr. Anderson's room)

• Username:SPANISHA4
• Password: spani638

702 (Mr. Greene's room)

• Username:  SPANISHB1
• Password:spani328

801 (Mrs. Lawrence's room)

• Username:SPANISHC
• Password: spani770

802 (Mrs. Velasco's room)

• Username:SPANISHD
• Password: spani246

This past week, both 7th and 8th graders started in the beginning of the Spanish 1 text, learning different ways of saying hello and goodbye, and speaking politely ("Please," "Thank You," etc.).  In this coming week, we will focus on numbers, date and time.

¡Hasta pronto!

La semana del 29 de agosto al 2 de septiembre (The week of August 29th to September 2nd)

¡Hola, familia!

Last week, all Intermediate and Middle School students got the chance to pick out their own Spanish names!!  If you are interested in seeing your student's name (or in case they forget), it is available for view in Schoolmax.  Search the Assignments and look for "Spanish Names."

The Spanish names will be important for our upcoming lessons.  This week, we will learn los saludos y la cortesía (greetings and courtesy).  All students will practice greetings, goodbyes and social etiquette with each other in class.

In addition, Spanish 1 and 2 students will begin the Así se Dice curriculum.  All students will begin at the beginning, Chapter 1.  However, the 8th graders will move at a slightly faster pace, as this is review of last year's material for most of them.  Student online access to the text and workbook materials will be available soon.

Stay tuned for more news articles and updates.  Until then, enjoy your holiday!

¡Hasta luego!