Maestra Rayon's Spanish Class!

¡Muchísimas Gracias!

2012-02-03T20:35:00.000-08:00

A BIG thank you to my wonderful students!! You made my birthday very special :)

Nuestra Fiesta

2012-02-02T20:44:00.000-08:00

Here are a few photos from Spanish class this Thursday. We had an amazing time learning about Ecuador, trying new foods, listening to a variety of music, and even trying a few moves out on the "dance floor"!! A HUGE thank you to Jhazmin (Torres) Thomas for volunteering her time to come and educate ALL 6 classes. The students LOVED having her!!

Una Fiesta de Baile

2012-01-29T18:18:00.000-08:00

This Thursday, February 2nd, we will welcome Jhazmin Thomas to our Spanish class!! Jhazmin will be coming to each class to teach our students a little bit about her home country, Ecuador, as well as introduce the students to different styles of music and give them a mini dance lesson. To make this lesson more like a traditional FIESTA, we kindly ask that each family make a $1.00 DONATION so that we can provide our students with a real life FIESTA!

*Please check back later on this week for photos and video clips of our students in action :).

Spring Picture Day Reminder

2012-01-29T18:00:00.000-08:00

Just a quick reminder - This year our school is sponsoring a spring picture program with Van Gogh School Photographers. All students will be photographed individually and with their homeroom.

A proof with be sent home on THE SAME DAY for your viewing. Please return the proof order form with payment enclosed to the school within 3 days.

What to Wear?
We suggest solid white clothing - Crisp and clean school uniform.

Pictures will be THIS Tuesday and Wednesday (January 31st and February 1st)!!

Leader in Me Buddy Program: A Win-Win!!

2012-01-28T18:41:00.000-08:00

8th grade students visited Mrs. Cole's Pre-K classroom this Friday to teach Spanish colors and help the little ones create a Bilingual Colors Book. This new Buddy program coincides with Leader in Me, a program our school adopted this year to teach our students how to be leaders in the school, in the community, and in life. This partnership is truly a Win-Win!!

January Week 4

2012-01-27T17:41:00.000-08:00

Spanish 1A
My Spanish 1A students spent the week picking away at Spanish grammar with a fun and engaging verb conjugation game known as Chico Chile. Students worked in partners while conjugating -er and -ir verbs in Spanish. What a great way to demonstrate their knowledge of the Spanish language!!

Spanish 1B
This week students practiced listening comprehension while watching Episodio 3 of our Videomisterio, "Eres tú, María?" We are now one step closer to solving the mystery with private detective, Lola Lago.

Students also had the opportunity to practice their reading comprehension while independently working on our next chapter reading Capítulo 3 of "Las Aventuras de Miguelito." After reading through the chapter, students worked together to answer a set of comprehension questions in Spanish.

Following a brief review of Capítulo 6A, students dove head first into Capítulo 6B, "¿Cómo es tu casa?". In this chapter, students will be able to identify rooms in a house, name household chores, tell where they live, and understand cultural perspectives on different types of housing. Students should be prepared to move through this chapter quickly in order to accommodate those students attending Sea Camp.

January Week 3 - Spanish Fairy Tale Skits

2012-01-21T06:42:00.000-08:00

¡Hola!

This week Spanish 1A students kept busy learning their new vocabulary terms for Capítulo 3A. Students had the opportunity to participate in several review games including Board Races, Spanish Twister, and Numbers Bingo. Students also practiced their listening comprehension by completing several audio activities focusing on our new vocabulary terms.

Students in Spanish 1B spent the week rehearsing their Spanish Fairy Tales. Students worked in small groups to learn new vocabulary and then memorize and act out their fairy tales. On Friday, students utilized habit 6 SYNERGIZE by performing their skits for Mrs. Cole's Pre-K class. Each group selected 5 essential vocabulary terms to teach to the younger group of students before performing their skits. The elementary kids then had to guess which fairytale was performed for them in Spanish. A huge thank you to MaryBeth Cole, Denise Tate, Christina Freeman, and Adrienne McClescky for allowing my students to come down and share their projects with their students!!

Click on the link below to see some of our students performing "Cenicienta".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj3kW0dimVo&feature=youtu.be

"Los tres cabritos Gruff"
http://youtu.be/_YPIDRmlk1c

January - Week Two

2012-01-12T14:10:00.000-08:00

Hello to All!!

This past week Spanish 1A students began Capítulo 3A which means we are over half way through our textbook!! In this chapter, students will learn new vocabulary in regards to breakfast and lunch. They will also study how meals are different in Spanish speaking countries compared to the U.S. *This week students focused on vocabulary memorization and began working on Spanish flyers for their very own "Supermercado".

While Spanish 1A students are working hard on their new chapter, Spanish 1B students have taken a short break from their texts to memorize and perform modern versions of well known fairy tales such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, The Run Away Tortilla (similar to the Gingerbread Man) and 3 Billy Goats Gruff. Students will be performing their skits this Friday, January 20th for their Spanish Buddies in Mrs. Tate's, Mrs. Ayres, Mrs, Freeman's, and Mrs. McCleskey's classrooms. Please check back for video clips and photos of the students in action!!

Enjoy your 3-day weekend! I look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday!!

Maestra Rayón

Mission Complete!!

2012-01-06T18:53:00.000-08:00

All of our donations made it safely to Palabra de Vida just in time for their Holiday celebration!! Once again, I would like to thank all of our students and parents at Bromley who donated school supplies, computers, games, toys, clothing and much more to the many children living at Palabra de Vida orphanage in Chihuahua, Mexico.

Here are a few photos from our student-driven community service project.

January - Week One

2012-01-02T13:26:00.000-08:00

Welcome Back!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing winter break. We are starting this week with a quick review of our classroom expectations and procedures, followed by a goal setting activity aligned with Habit 2 in our Leader in Me Program. Students will "begin with the end in mind" while setting both personal and academic goals for themselves for the new year. We will later share our goals as a class and discuss what strategies we can use to achieve these goals.

As always THANK YOU for checking in!

Maestra

Proyecto "Palabra de Vida"

2011-12-15T11:29:00.000-08:00

Our students were very busy this morning organizing donations for Palabra de Vida orphanage in Chihuahua, Mexico. It was wonderful to see all of the smiling faces hard at work for such a great cause!

I would like to send out a HUGE thank you to Staples and the Puchino family for making such a wonderful donation for the children at Palabra de Vida. Also special thanks to Irma Martinez, the Herman family, the Edelen family, the Cappel family, all of our 7th and 8th grade Spanish students, and Mrs. Johnson for going out of their way to make this holiday truly special for the boys and girls at Palabra de Vida. We truly appreciate you and could not have done this with out your support!

December - Week Two

2011-12-11T16:55:00.000-08:00

Spanish 1A - This week Spanish 1A students will finish up chapter 2B. We will have a review day on Wednesday and our Exam will be this Thursday, December 15th. On friday, students will learn about holiday celebrations in Mexico including: Las Posadas, La Noche Buena, La Navidad, and El Año Nuevo. Students will even have the opportunity to "visit" my family in Mexico while viewing a slideshow of personal photos from my holidays in Puebla.

Spanish 1B - Students will review for the Exam on Monday as a class and have the opportunity to ask any questions they may have. Chapter exam 6A will take place this Tuesday, December 13th. On Wednesday, students will begin a short movie unit on "Bajo La Misma Luna"*. In this unit, students will meet Colorado State Model Content Standards 1 and 2 as they listen to and derive meaning from a variety of foreign language sources as well as acquire and use knowledge of cultures while developing foreign language skills.

*Parent permission is required for your student to view this video. Spanish 1B students, please make sure to return all permission slips prior to Wednesday, December 14th. THANK YOU!!!

**Also, one last reminder that all donations for Palabra de Vida Orphanage must be collected by Friday, December 16th. We are still looking for NEW clothing and small gifts for the children. Please bring all gifts (unwrapped) to Maestra Rayon in room 220. Please email me for more details! We appreciate your help and support!!

End of Second Quarter - Missing Work

2011-12-06T20:49:00.000-08:00

Hello Parents and Guardians,

Just a quick reminder that second quarter is coming to an end. With grades due in just a few short days, I wanted to let you know that all missing work is due by this Friday, December 9th. Please login to Infinite Campus to check your child's grade and ensure that all missing work has been turned in.

While I do my very best to communicate your child's progress with you through our parent messaging system, not all families have email information in the system and I would greatly appreciate your assistance in tracking your student's progress in my course. If you need help obtaining a password, please contact the main office.

*Each student was given a Missing Assignment Report last Monday, November 28th. For this reason, no make-up work will be accepted after the December 9th deadline. Thank you so much for your cooperation!

Beth Rayón

December - Week One

2011-12-03T06:40:00.000-08:00

This week Spanish 1A students took on Verb Conjugation for the first time while playing Battle Ship in Spanish with their classmates!! Students took turns looking for one another's "Barcos" while conjugating -AR verbs and using new vocabulary terms such as "agua", "golpe", and "hundido". Students also had the opportunity to write their second letter to their Epals in Ecuador.

Spanish 1B students had a busy week creating models of their "ideal" bedroom. Students were asked to label their bedrooms and write a descriptive paragraph in Spanish using vocabulary terms from chapter 6A. Many students presented their projects on Friday and did an AMAZING job!! I LOVE how many students took their time designing their bedrooms and using their knowledge of the Spanish language to go above and beyond with this project. Great job to all!!

On another note, students raised over $130 dollars this week for Proyecto Palabra de Vida!!! Thank you to everyone who has purchased a candy bar or made a donation. I know that the children of the orphanage will truly appreciate your efforts! We CAN make a difference!!

Until next time,

Maestra

Project Palabra de Vida

2011-11-27T17:40:00.001-08:00

Hello Parents and Guardians,

This week all 7th and 8th grade Spanish students will begin collecting donations from friends, family members and local businesses for an orphanage located in Chihuahua, Mexico. Casa Hogar Palabra de Vida currently provides homes for approximately 50 children between the ages of 3-17.

Bromley students would like to collect NEW clothing items, toys, hair accessories, age appropriate gifts as well as monetary donations to make the holiday season a little bit brighter for the children at Palabra de Vida. If you are interested in making a donation, please contact myself or Nikohl Johnson via email for more information. All donations must be collected prior to Friday, December 16th. Below you will find a link to the website where you can see photos of the orphanage and the children that reside there.

Thank you so much for helping our students learn the true meaning of the holiday season!

Sincerely,

Beth Rayón

http://www.casahogarpalabradevida.org/apoyar.html

Spanish 1B - Theme Project Photos 2

2011-11-16T19:43:00.001-08:00

Just a few more photos of our Spanish 1B kids in action...Be sure to check out the chocolate covered grasshoppers!!

Spanish 1B - Theme Project Photos

2011-11-16T19:36:00.001-08:00

Here are a few photos from our Hispanic Foods Theme Projects and Presentations. The students had a blast working together to bring Hispanic culture into the classroom!!

Spanish 1A - Prueba 2A

2011-11-16T19:04:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!

This week my Spanish 1A students have been working hard to memorize their new vocabulary terms for Chapter 2A as well as subject pronouns in Spanish. Students will have a chapter quiz on these terms this Friday, November 18th.

*No homework will be given over Thanksgiving Break...so study hard this week and then celebrate by taking time off to relax and enjoy friends and family.

Upon our return students will finish up Chapter 2A and begin Chapter 2B. Our goal is to combine these two chapters so that we may take our Chapter 2 exam before Christmas break. We have a busy few weeks ahead of us, but will be very rewarding (and hopefully we will have some fun in the process!).

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Maestra

Spanish 1B - Examen 5B, Theme Projects, and Spanish Buddies

2011-11-09T04:14:00.000-08:00

Spanish 1B students will have their second chapter exam of the school year on Thursday, November 10th. This exam will cover new vocabulary terms regarding restaurants and new grammar concepts we have studied regarding the verbs "ser" and "estar".

Next week students will present their theme projects on Hispanic Foods. Students were asked to research a food from a Spanish speaking country and then make this food in their own home to share with our class. Please make sure your child is following their rubric closely so that they do not miss any points on this project. It is worth 100 points.

On Friday, November 18th, our Spanish 1B students will revisit the elementary classrooms and focus on Spanish numbers. Spanish students will teach numbers 1-20, help the little ones color a Spanish color by number Turkey, and play numbers BINGO in Spanish.

Check back next week for pictures!!

Thanks so much,

Beth Rayón

Spanish 1A - Epals

2011-10-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

This week our Spanish 1A students had the opportunity to use their Spanish writing skills to communicate with students their age in Ecuador. In our new program, students will communicate with native Spanish speakers on a monthly basis to practice their new vocabulary terms and grammar concepts as well as learn about other cultures. We will be revisiting the computer lab next week to see what our new "Epals" have written in response to our first letters!!

Spanish 1A - Examen 1B

2011-10-26T17:36:00.001-07:00

Just a quick note to remind my Spanish 1A students to study for their multiple choice exam! Students will be expected to demonstrate their knowledge of the new vocabulary terms and grammar concepts in Capítulo 1B. Students had the opportunity to review this information today during our review game. There will be 4 sections on this exam in the areas of : listening, vocabulary, grammar and reading comprehension.

Thanks for checking in!!

Beth Rayon

Spanish 1B

2011-10-21T17:26:00.000-07:00

This week my Spanish 1B students went downstairs to teach the elementary students "El Cuerpo". The older students taught Spanish vocabulary terms for body parts and then played a game of Simón Dice...or Simon Says with the elementary kids. Both groups of students had a lot of fun :)

Spanish IB- Examen 5A

2011-10-11T10:03:00.000-07:00

Spanish II students will be having their first multiple choice exam this Thursday, October 13th. This exam will cover vocabulary regarding family members, relationships, and parties. Students will also have to complete a grammar section using the verb "Tener", use possessive adjectives and be able to recognize diminutives. Along with a vocabulary and grammar section, students will also have to complete a reading comprehension and a listening comprehension section of the exam. Due to our student projects, students will NOT have to complete a speaking section on this particular exam.

Thanks for checking in!

Beth

Spanish 1A - Examen 1A

2011-10-04T16:42:00.001-07:00

Hello Parents and Guardians!

Our Spanish 1A students had a great time on their field trip to the Hispanic Flamenco Ballet! We had the opportunity to sing, dance, and view some amazing traditional dances from Latin America and Spain. Here are a few photos from our trip:

*A special thank you to Jhazmine Torres (Jhoshua Thomas' mom) and Christi Zylstra (Jonas' mom) for volunteering their time as chaperones on this trip!

On another note, my Spanish 1A students will have their second exam THIS FRIDAY. There will be 5 sections on this exam including: listening comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, and speaking. Students will play Spanish jeopardy on THURSDAY so that they may review for the exam as a class.

Once again, thank you for checking in!

Beth Rayón

Spanish Buddies

2011-09-30T20:34:00.000-07:00

This week our Spanish 1B students had the opportunity to share their knowledge of the Spanish language with Elementary Students in our new Spanish Buddies program. Students were paired with students in Mrs. Ayres, Mrs. Rollman, Mrs. Tate, Mrs, McCleskey, and Mrs. Freeman's classrooms. This week's lesson was on Spanish colors and numbers. Here are a few pictures from our visits:

Fall Conferences

2011-09-29T20:36:00.001-07:00

Attention Parents and Guardians,

This semester's conferences will be held on Tuesday, October 11th and Wednesday October 12th from 4 - 9 pm each night. Please come in and see how your student is progressing this school year. I have truly enjoyed working with such a wonderful group of students and I look forward to meeting with all of you!

Beth Rayón

Spanish 1A - Field Trip

2011-09-27T19:26:00.000-07:00

Hello Parents and Guardians,

Just a quick reminder that those Spanish 1A students that turned in their field trip forms have committed to attending the Hispanic Flamenco Ballet performance next Tuesday, October 4th. The total cost for this trip will be $20. Please ensure that your students turns in their money in class by this Friday, September 30th. An additional field trip slip will be sent home regarding the details of this trip.

Thanks so much!!

Beth Rayón

Spanish 1A - Music Videos

2011-09-27T07:27:00.000-07:00

Last week our Spanish 1A students created their first Spanish music video. Below are the links to their videos so you can see them in action!

Period 4:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVSAbKtJ2_I
Period 5:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRutQpvXNVM
Period 8:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFV1ne5Y98

A special congratulations to my 5th period class for winning the award for Best Music Video!!

Spanish 1B - School to Home Connection Letter Chapter 5A

2011-09-27T07:23:00.000-07:00

Dear Parent or Guardian,

The theme for this chapter is Fiesta en familia (Celebrations in Family) and this chapter is called Una fiesta de cumpleaños (A birthday party).

Upon completion of this chapter, your child will be able to:

-Describe families

-Talk about celebrations and parties

-Ask and tell ages

-Express possession

-Understand cultural perspectives on families and celebrations

Remember that additional help is available online at www.realidades.com by using the Web Codes in teh student workbooks and textbooks.

Thanks so much for checking in!!

Maestra Rayón

Spanish 1B - Update

2011-09-21T13:54:00.000-07:00

This week Spanish 1B students had the opportunity to review subject pronouns, present tense verb forms for all -ar, -er, and -ir verbs, and how to make adjectives plural. Students also played a game called Chico Chile to help them with their verb conjugation from last year. Next week, we will be starting chapter 5A in our Realidades Textbooks.

Thanks once again for checking in!

Maestra :)

Spanish 1A - School to Home Connection Letter

2011-09-21T13:48:00.000-07:00

Hello Parents and Guardians,

This week students began Chapter 1A. The theme for the chapter is Mis amigos y yo (My friends and I) and it is called, ¿Qué te gusta hacer? (What do you like to do?).

Upon completion of this chapter, your child will be able to:
- Talk about activities he/she likes to do
- Ask others what they like to do
- Compare popular activities in the U.S. with those in some Spanish speaking countries

Also, your child will explore:
- Correct pronunciation
- How to identify cognates (Spanish words that are similiar to English words and share the same meaning)

Remember that additional help is available online at www.realidades.com by using the Web Codes in the student workbook.

Thanks for checking in!

Maestra Rayón

Spanish 1 A - Spanish Music Videos

2011-09-14T20:49:00.001-07:00

This week my Spanish 1A students have been working hard on their Spanish Music Videos. The students have learned the value of team work while memorizing a set of lyrics regarding the seasons and weather in Spanish and creating their own choreography to reflect their new vocabulary terms. Please check back next week to view the music videos and see photos of the groups in action!!

Spanish 1B - Twister

2011-09-12T16:31:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys!

This week Spanish 1B students began the review chapter in the 2nd part of their Realidades textbooks. Students also began to prepare mini lessons on colors in Spanish for their 1st and 2nd grade Spanish buddies. Part of the lesson allowed the students to review their colors in Spanish while playing Twister. Here are a few pics:

A look ahead...

2011-09-07T20:35:00.000-07:00

Spanish 1A

Our first exam will be this Friday. It is a multiple choice exam with a listening, numbers and vocabulary section which will include: classroom objects, telling time, weather and seasons, the Spanish calendar, and Spanish body parts. Each question is worth 2 points. There will be a total of 40 questions.

*Bellwork will also be collected at the beginning of class on Friday and contribute an additional 20 points to each student's exam score.

Students will have a review day in class tomorrow where they will compete in small groups to earn 5 extra credit points towards their exam.

Good luck to all!!

Maestra

Spanish 1B

Students will receive their textbooks and workbooks tomorrow. Please make sure your child brings home a textbook/workbook agreement sheet. A parent signature is required. This form is due this Friday, September 9th.

Thank you so much for your assistance!!

Maestra

Sept. 6th - 9th

2011-09-05T18:09:00.000-07:00

Spanish 1A

Students will finish up their introductory chapter. Our first assessment is scheduled to take place at the end of the week. Each class will be provided with a class period to review all of the material learned over the past 3 weeks. Please have your student begin studying vocabulary now!! :)

Spanish 1B

Students will be presenting their Spanish projects to the class. Each student has been provided with a rubric on how they will be graded. This assignment is worth 200 points. The winning group from each class will receive a Santiago's breakfast with Maestra Rayón.

Spanish 1B - Aug 22-26

2011-08-23T13:16:00.000-07:00

Spanish 1B

Hello Parents and Guardians,

Thank you so much for checking in! This week our Spanish II students are working hard in the technology lab, researching Spanish speaking countries with their peers.

In this assignment, students have been given a real world scenario in which they work for a travel agency that was recently employed by MTV. They have been asked to find the ultimate location for a new Spanish reality TV series. Students must research a Spanish speaking country of their choice, identifying interesting facts about their country, provide information regarding the culture, highlight tourist attractions as well as cultural events, discuss traditional foods, and locate living quarters for the reality stars. After taking an in-depth look into a Spanish speaking country, students will be asked to create a travel brochure or poster to represent their country. Students will then compete against their peers by presenting their research to the MTV producers (Maestra Rayon). The winning group will receive a Santiago's Burrito Breakfast with their favorite Spanish teacher aka Maestra Rayon :).

*This project is worth 200 points which is equivalent to two exams.

Please check back later next week for pictures of the students hard at work!

Maestra Rayon

School to Home Connection - Spanish 1A PE

2011-08-23T13:01:00.000-07:00

Spanish 1A

Dear Parents or Guardians,

Thank you for taking the time to review what your child is learning in his or her Spanish class. You can play an integral role in your child's acquisition of Spanish by staying informed of what is being taught in class and supporting language learning at home.

Realidades, your child's Spanish textbook, is designed to promote both written and oral communication. Each theme-based chapter includes vocabulary in context, grammar, and cultural lessons. Also included are pronunication exercises, detailed language studies, and ways to recognize and use Spanish outside of the classroom.

Upon completion of this chapter, your child will be able to:

- greet people

- introduce themselves to others

- begin using numbers, tell time, and talk about things related to the calendar

- talk about things in the classroom

- describe weather conditions and identify seasons

Also, you child will explore:

- the correct way to address adults

- the different uses of the word "you"

the correct use of punctuation and accent marks

Additional help is available online at www.realidades.com by using the Web Codes in the student textbook or workbook.

Please let me know if you have additional questions or concerns!

Maestra Rayon

Homework for Parents/Guardians

2011-08-18T07:45:00.000-07:00

Hello again!

Just wanted to let you know that we had a great first day! The students were all very respectful and I am excited to have such a wonderful group of kids. We will be spending the next couple days going over classroom expectations and procedures so that students will know everything they need to know to have a successful school year. Students were also given a copy of my course syllabus so that these same expectations and policies may be communicated to their parents/guardians. This syllabus requires a parent to read, sign, and provide contact information so that everyone is on the same page. The slip must be signed and returned by Monday, August 22nd or the student may be required to attend our ZAP program after school that day. Please read my homework policy for more information regarding this new program.

Thank you so much for your support!

Maestra Rayon

Welcome Back

2011-08-14T10:13:00.000-07:00

Hello Parents and Students!

Welcome back to Bromley :) I am so excited for the upcoming school year and have many things in store for my students including research projects, games, epals, Spanish Buddies and of course our infamous Spanish music videos!!

Please continue to check my blog on a weekly basis for updates, assignments, and photos from different classroom activities. I look forward to spending time with each of you!

Maestra Rayón

Girl Time

2011-05-13T19:08:00.001-07:00

This week the 8th grade girls took a break from their studies to paint nails, listen to music and have girl talk :). Here are a few pics from our "Day at the Spa."

FINAL EXAM

2011-05-10T18:20:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

The final exam for Spanish will be on Thursday, May 19th. All students must take the exam on or before this date as all grades must be entered by Friday, May 20th. (I will be chaperoning the 8th grade trip to Elitch's on this day, so students will not be able to make up a missed exam on the 20th).

If you know that your student will be absent on May 19th, they may set up an alternate date for earlier in the week. Please have them schedule this time with me as soon as possible.

Thanks so much!

Beth Rayón

2011-05-09T09:59:00.000-07:00

This week students will move ahead into Chapter 4B. Now that we have mastered the new vocabulary terms, students will focus on grammar.

Students will learn to use future tense with "ir + a + infinitive":

Voy a comer. Vamos a comer.
Vas a comer. Vais a comer.
Él va a comer. Van a comer.

They will also learn about stem-changing verbs and practice conjugating the verb "jugar":

Yo juego Nosotros jugamos
Tú juegas Vosotros jugáis
Él juega Ellos juegan
Ella juega Ellas juegan
Usted juega Ustedes juegan

Cinco de Mayo

2011-05-05T07:59:00.000-07:00

Many of Bromley's Spanish speaking students came to school ready to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

While many students celebrate this holiday, few people know about the Battle of Cinco de Mayo or understand the reasons for the celebration. Today students had the opportunity to watch a video on this holiday, learn about the battle of Cinco de Mayo, and discuss the reasons it is still celebrated in the United States.

School to Home Connection - May

2011-05-02T15:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Parents or Guardians,

This week we are starting the last chapter 4B, which is the last chapter in our Realidades A textbook. The theme for this chapter is Los Pasatiempos (Hobbies) and this chapter is called, Quieres ir conmigo? (Do you want to go with me?)

Upon completion of this chapter, your child will be able to:

- talk about after-school activities

- extend, accept, and decline invitations

- tell when an event happens

- understand cultural perspectives on after-school activities

Also, your child will explore:

- the correct pronunciation of the letter "d"

- some Spanish words that are borrowed from English

Realidades also helps with the development of reading, writing, and speaking skills through the use of strategies, process speaking, and process writing. In this chapter, students will:

- read about sports cards and information on two golfers

- write an invitation to a special event

Remember that additional help is available online at www.realidades.com by using the Web Codes in the student workbook.

Check it out! Have your child write three sentences in Spanish about leisure activities or sports that he or she enjoys. Then ask him or her what each sentence means.

Sincerely,

Beth Rayon

This week at a glance :)

2011-04-24T19:58:00.001-07:00

Hello Everyone!

Here is a quick look at our schedule for the week:

lunes: Students will complete 2 listening activities and 1 writing activity. This is our last day to put everything we have learned into practice before preparing for our exam.

martes: Review Game - Students will work in small groups to prepare for their Chapter 4A exam.

miércoles: Examen 4A

jueves: Students will have the opportunity to watch our Spanish Music Videos and receive the results from the judges. Students will also have the opportunity to play a Spanish game in the great outdoors. *May change due to weather...let's hope it is warm and sunny :)

viernes: Teacher work day!

Thanks again for checking in,

Maestra

Spanish Music Videos - Photos

2011-04-23T15:00:00.000-07:00

Spanish Music Videos - Spring 2011

2011-04-23T06:34:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys!

Here are the music videos from Friday!! Yes, they are on You Tube, however they are unlisted. This means that only those people with the link are able to view them. So share the link with your friends and family or simply have them visit my blog page!

*The judges will determine a winning class this Wednesday and you will have the final results sometime on Thursday. Great job to all!! I absolutely LOVE these videos!

Clase Amarilla

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBQldTlHHwQ

Clase Anaranjada

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG8HoIsXApc

Clase Roja

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_f9eEMjZjQ

Clase Azul

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEM8Gl8yP7w

Clase Verde

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVe0Mp56dfw

Clase Morada

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r10g73_wGYM

Spring Dance - Photos

2011-04-22T21:11:00.000-07:00

Spanish Music Videos

2011-04-18T18:11:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys!

Now that we have the lyrics for our next music video, I would like you to start memorizing them and practicing at home. The following link will allow you to download ¿Adónde vas? to your personal computer, cell phone, or ipod.

http://www.phschool.com/atschool/realidades/hiphop/L1_4A.html

*Download the file labeled "Con letra" which means with lyrics

Be sure to practice several times each evening so that you are prepared for taping this Friday :)

ADIOS!!

Maestra

Shutter Shades Fundraiser

2011-04-17T07:12:00.000-07:00

Hello Again!

This week I will be selling "Shutter Shades" to 7th and 8th grade students to help raise funds for our Spanish classroom. Sales begin this Monday, April 18th at 8:00am just outside the 7th and 8th grade student entrance. Shutter shades will be just $2.50 a pair and come in many varieties including: hot pink, neon green, bright blue, neon orange, bright purple and neon yellow. Some of the shades have the year 2011 written on them in black writing to celebrate the 8th graders' graduation from middle school this spring. Rainbow shutter shades will also be available for purchase. These shades may be worn during Spanish class this week and at our middle school dance this Friday!

All proceeds will be used to purchase materials for our Spanish program. Some of these items may include: Spanish readers, cultural videos, and classroom games such as Verbo, Chico Chile, and Verbuko. Thank you so much for your support!

Sincerely,

Beth Rayón

¿Adónde Vas?

2011-04-17T07:05:00.000-07:00

¡Hola!

This week students will have the opportunity review Spanish grammar and vocabulary terms from Chapter 4A while learning the lyrics to a Spanish hip hop song entitled, ¿Adónde Vas?

Each class will have the opportunity to listen to and memorize the lyrics to the song as well as develop dances that represent the vocabulary terms for their music video.

In this lesson, students will meet Colorado State Content Standard 1.1 while listening to an educational Spanish hip hop song and deriving meaning from the lyrics. Students will also meet standard 1.2 as they will practice speaking in Spanish and using correct pronunciation of our new vocabulary terms.

What a fun way to end our current chapter!

This week at a glace...

2011-04-11T15:32:00.000-07:00

¡HOLA!

This week students are working very hard on learning the last few concepts of Chapter 4A before starting our Spanish Music Videos next week.

On Monday and Tuesday students will be reviewing new vocabulary terms as they familiarize themselves with the six verb forms of "ir".

"Ir" in the infinitive form means, "to go". There are six conjugations of this verb in the present tense:

Voy - I go
Vas - you go
Va - he/she/formal you go
Vamos - we go
Vais - you all go
Van - they go/ all of you go

On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday students will be working with Spanish interrogative words such as:

¿Qué? What
¿Cómo? How?
¿Quién? Who?
¿Con quién? With who?

and many more...

Next Monday students will start memorizing the lyrics for their next Spanish Music Video. We are all pretty excited!!

Maestra

Vocabulary/Spelling Quiz

2011-04-05T10:48:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update!

Our first assessment for Chapter 4A will consist of a quiz on both vocabulary recognition and spelling this Friday. Please be sure to study the vocabulary terms from our Hot Pink cheat sheet. You will also be responsible for writing the correct article (el, la, los, las) next to each vocabulary term. Study hard!!

Maestra :)

Capítulo 4A - School to Home Connection

2011-04-01T13:12:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys!

I hope you are all enjoying your last few days of Spring Break! Be sure to rest up and come back ready to attack our last chapter of Realidades 1A. The theme for the chapter is Los Pasatiempos (Hobbies) and this chapter is called, ¿Adónde vas? (Where are you going?).

Upon completion of this chapter, you (your child) will be able to:
- talk about locations in your community
- discuss leisure activities
- talk about where he or she goes and with whom
- ask questions
- understand cultural perspectives on leisure activities

You will also explore:
- how to determine which syllable to stress in Spanish words
- the origins of the Spanish names for days of the week

I have a lot of exciting activities in store for you (and perhaps some new dance moves!). See you soon!

Maestra :)

Guess Who Tournament

2011-03-18T12:47:00.000-07:00

Hello again!

We would LOVE to start our Guess Who? Tournament in Spanish this coming Wednesday, however we do not yet have enough games for all of our students to play. This means that the tournament might be CANCELLED! How tragic!!

We need at least 5 more Guess Who? games before next Wednesday, March 23rd. Thank you to all the students and parents who put their boards on loan. We greatly appreciate your assistance!

Maestra

This week at a glance

2011-03-14T08:49:00.001-07:00

Hola a todos,

This week students will be creating brochures in Spanish to advertise a health resort. The brochure will include a schedule of the day's activities and descriptions of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Photos or drawings will accompany each meal and one of the activities listed. The students will act as sales representatives from their resort and present their brochures to the class.

* Students will be graded based on evidence of planning, use of illustrations, and the presentation as highlighted in their rubic.

Due to the CSAP assessments, most classes will only meet on Monday and Friday for the next two weeks. If students need more time to complete this project, they will have to manage their time and complete the brochure at home.

Please let me know if you have any questions! I expect to see great things :)

Maestra

Guess Who? for Monday

2011-03-10T14:08:00.001-08:00

Just a reminder that we still need at least 11 Guess Who? Board Games by Monday, March 14th. Please bring in a game so that our students can have fun using new Spanish vocabulary terms!!

Thanks so much!!

Maestra

End of 3rd Quarter

2011-03-07T15:18:00.000-08:00

Hello Parents and Students!

This is our last week of 3rd Quarter!! Here is a look at what to expect:

Monday: We will be using everything we have learned in Chapter 3 to complete a reading and writing activity in Spanish.

Tuesday: Students will have the opportunity to review for their Chapter 3 exam while working in teams.

Wednesday: EXAM DAY - Students will be taking a multiple choice exam which includes a listening, reading, and speaking section.

Thursday: We will be watching a video in Spanish with Spanish subtitles. Students will be asked to describe characters in the video using the verb "ser" and the adjectives we have learned so far this year. What a great way to finish the quarter!!

Have a wonderful week!

Maestra

Guess Who?

2011-03-07T14:57:00.000-08:00

Hello Again!

With the upcoming CSAP assessments, I would like to do a fun and relaxing activity with my Spanish students...and what is better than a Guess Who tournament in Spanish?!

For our upcoming tournament, we will be needing at least 15 Guess Who? Board Games. I currently have 4 in my possession and will need 11 more by Monday, March 14th. If you have a game that you could loan our class. Please have your child bring it in sometime this week. We greatly appreciate your assistance and promise to return the game in the same condition it was given.

Thanks so much!

Beth Rayon

Chapter 3B Exam

2011-03-04T16:00:00.000-08:00

Hello Again!

Just a couple of reminders...We only have four days left of 3rd Quarter!! This means that all missing work needs to be completed and turned in by Wednesday, March 9th for credit. Students also need to be preparing for their Exam, which will include material from both Chapter 3A and Chapter 3B in our textbooks. Students will review for their exam on Tuesday, March 8th and the assessment will take place on Wednesday, March 9th. Please be sure to arrive to class on time!

Thanks and have a wonderful weekend!!

Maestra

La Tomatina

2011-03-04T15:43:00.000-08:00

Today we took time to review the 6 verb forms of "ser" while learning about an interesting cultural festival in Buñol, Spain called La Tomatina. This festival is similar to a food fight, but instead of just taking place in a school cafeteria it occurs in the streets of a small town just outside of Valencia. Over 130 tons of tomatoes are brought in for the festival and within hours, the streets are covered in tomato juice and paste.

Click on the link below to get a better idea of all that it entails.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpCmpJ1S-h0

After watching this video clip and discussing the festival, students had the opportunity to write a postcard in Spanish detailing the event.

Marzo 1

2011-03-02T11:35:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!

This week students are reviewing vocabulary terms while learning how to use adjectives and the verb Ser.

Here is what we discussed in class:

Just as adjectives agree with a noun depending on whether it's masculine or feminine, they also agree according to whether the noun is singular or plural.

* To make adjectives plural, just add an -s after the vowel at the end of the adjective. If the adjective ends in a consonant, add -es.

Here are some examples:

La hamburguesa es sabrosa.
Las hamburguesas son sabrosas.

El pastel es muy popular.
Los pasteles son muy populares.

The verb ser is an irregular verb and means "to be". It is used to describe what a person or thing is like. There are six present tense forms of ser.

Yo - Soy
Tu - eres
Ud./El/Ella - es
Nosotros - somos
Vosotros - sois
Uds./Ellos/Ellas - son

Please study these verb forms for our Chapter exam next Wednesday, March 9th.

Hasta luego,

Maestra

Skits

2011-02-26T12:50:00.000-08:00

¡Hola!

This past week students worked hard on learning the vocabulary for Chapter 3B. On Thursday, we had a vocabulary and spelling quiz. Students were also introduced to the verbs: deber and preferir. We discussed healthy food choices and students were able to ask and answer questions regarding their personal preferences in foods.

We dedicated a lot of time and energy on our skits. Students worked in groups of three while practicing reading and speaking in Spanish. Special emphasis was placed on correct pronunciation of our new vocabulary terms.

Below are the links to a few of our videos from class:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0agjuQlVk5s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBmztz8N2qw

Thanks,

Maestra

Capture "La Comida"

2011-02-17T17:02:00.000-08:00

Today we took advantage of the beautiful weather and spent our class period outside playing a game of Capture "La Comida". Students were able to become familiar with new vocabulary terms such as: las zanahorias, los postres, la mantequilla, las uvas, los guisantes, and many more. This game is very similiar to Capture the Flag, however instead of capturing a flag the students must retrieve various food items from the goal at the opposite end of the field. Below are a few photos from our game:

National Junior Honor Society

2011-02-17T16:50:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to the National Junior Honor Society and all those who volunteered their time and assistance! Our Carnation Sale went flawlessly and we were able to contribute our proceeds to Mrs. Gertsmann's fight against colon cancer.

Also, a huge thank you to all of those students who bought flowers for Valentine's day and wore BLUE today! We appreciate your support and together we were able to help a great cause!

Thanks again,

Maestra Rayon

School to Home - Connection Letter

2011-02-15T08:53:00.000-08:00

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The theme for the chapter is La comida (Food) and this chapter is called Para mantener la salud (To maintain one's health).

Upon completion of this chapter, your child will be able to:
- talk about foods and beverages for dinner
- describe what people or things are like
- discuss food, health, and exercise choices
- understand cultural perspectives on diet and health

Also, your child will explore:
- correct pronunciation of the letters l and ll
- the origins of some Spanish names for foods

Realidades helps with the development of reading, writing, and speaking skills through the use of strategies, process speaking, and process writing. In this chapter, students will:
- read about what athletes eat
- speak about what a friend likes to study, his or her favorite activities, and what he or she likes to eat and drink for breakfast

Remember that additional help is available online at www.realidades.com by using the Web Codes in the Student Edition or in the Leveled Vocabulary and Grammar Workbook.

Check it out! Have your child name one food in Spanish from each of the following food groups: bread, cereal, rice, and pasta; fruits, vegetables, milk, yogurt, and cheese; meat poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, and nuts.

Sincerely,

Beth Rayón

¡Feliz día del amor y amistad!

2011-02-11T07:07:00.000-08:00

Hello again!

Today students will be finishing up their summary paragraphs of the Mexican Folktale, "La Llorona."

Afterwards, students will have the opportunity to make Spanish Valentines for family and friends. Students will learn spanish phrases such as ¡Feliz día del amor y amistad! (Happy Valentine's Day), ¡Sé mi valentín! (Be my valentine), Eres mi mejor amigo (You are my best friend), and many more!

What a wonderful way to end our week :)

Have a fabulous weekend!!

Maestra

National Junior Honor Society Flower Sale

2011-02-09T08:58:00.000-08:00

Don't forget to purchase a carnation for your friend or loved one!

All carnations are just $1 each and will be sold before, during, and after school through this Friday, February 11th.

Pink: Best Friends

Red: Be Mine, Valentine!

White: Your Secret Admirer

All flowers will be delivered during the school day on Monday, February 14th!!

Help NJHS support a great cause!!

Mexican Folktales and Paragraph Writing

2011-02-09T08:48:00.000-08:00

Hi All!!

It has been an exciting week of Storytelling in Spanish and English. Students were able to hear the Mexican folktale of "La Llorona" also known as "The Weeping Woman." Students then had the opportunity to retell or summarize the story while practicing paragraph writing in English for the CSAP assessment. Students were asked to focus on the main points of the story, as well as develop a hook and conclusion for their paragraph.

After working on their summary paragraphs, students watched a short video of "La Llorona" in both Spanish and English. This version of the story was much more detailed and included scenes of the landscape in more traditional parts of Mexico.

Later this week students will be peer editing, revising, and then sharing their summaries with their classmates. Students will also read the folktale, "El Cucuy" and discussed the purpose or message behind this widely known Mexican tale.

This week's lesson focuses primarily on Colorado State Content Standard 2, as it requires students to write and speak for a variety of audiences and purposes. However, many other state standards are addressed as we touch on literature, grammar, and sentence structure.

Thanks for checking in!

Maestra :)

Theme Projects

2011-02-04T09:03:00.000-08:00

¡HOLA! This week many 8th grade Spanish students had the opportunity to present their Theme Projects on Mexican and/or Spanish foods. Here are a few photos from the presentations along with many of the tasty treats we were able to try in class!

Lauren and Arianna shared their wonderful churros and horchata, while Madeline and La'Lanee served us delicious home made tortilla chips and guacamole.

Check out the delicious sopapillas Senida and Gaby made for the class!

Lexy, Keenan, and Shantel made merengues and jamaica :).

2011-02-02T18:43:00.000-08:00

Due to school cancellations, students will now be having their Chapter 3A Exam on Friday, February 4th, with the exception of my 8th period class -- these students will have a mini-review session tomorrow and take the exam right after. (These students do not have Spanish class on Friday and many of them will be absent next week for Sea Camp).

*Students who have been assigned Theme Projects will reschedule their presentation dates tomorrow for a time in the near future. If students have already made foods to go along with their projects, they are still welcome to bring it in to class tomorrow or Friday. They do not need to remake their traditional Mexican or Spanish dish, however, pictures should be included on their final poster board or slideshow.

Please email me with any questions or concerns regarding the changes to the schedule. Hope everyone had a nice break from our weekly routine!!

¡Hasta mañana!

Maestra Rayón

Chapter 3A Exam

2011-01-31T20:55:00.000-08:00

HOLA!!

Due to our SNOW DAY, our chapter exam has been moved to this Thursday, February 3rd. Students will have an opportunity to review for their exam on Wednesday. Students should be familiar with all vocabulary terms from Chapter 3A, present tense verb conjugation, as well as popular foods from Mexico and Spain. Students used some of their time in class today to complete study guides for the exam.

*Those students who are completing "Theme Projects" will present their final projects on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday of this week (Students have already scheduled this with me in advance).

On Friday, we will be watching a short video about strange foods from Spanish speaking countries...it should be interesting :)

Weekly Update

2011-01-26T15:08:00.000-08:00

This week students are working on verb conjugation and listening comprehension.

Students should be able to conjugate -er and -ir verbs such as comer and compartir into six different forms. They should also be able to identify subject pronouns and know when to use them when speaking and writing.

Today students had the opportunity to try out a new game online in the computer lab. Students were able to walk around the streets of Mexico and visit many Mexican tiendas (stores) while practicing Spanish vocabulary and grammar. Please check my previous post for more information on this educational and exciting computer program...the free trial will last for one week!

On another note, our Chapter Exam will be next Wednesday, February 2nd. Students will be able to review as a group on Tuesday to prepare for the exam.

*A few students will also be presenting independent study projects or "Theme Projects" on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday of next week (This includes native Spanish speakers and my third period class).

Thanks for checking in :)

Maestra

Free Spanish Video Game Trial

2011-01-21T07:10:00.000-08:00

Hi guys!

Here is a link to the Spanish game we discussed in class: http://www.teachersdiscovery.com/

Register as a student. We get to try the game out for one week free of charge, but you must use the following access code: 6860962

It does ask that all students are 13 years of age, so please ask your parents first!

Then click on the box labeled, "The Gringo Video Game".

Have fun!

Maestra

IR/ER Present tense verbs

2011-01-18T17:01:00.001-08:00

Our week at a glance!

Wednesday: Students will be viewing the second part of our cultural dvd on traditional and popular foods of Spain. Students will be able to identify differences between the Spanish, Mexican, and U.S. cultures as well as be able to describe traditional foods of each country.

Thursday: Students will be introduced to present tense ir/er verbs. We will be watching a short video clip on verb conjugation and practice using the new verb forms in class.

Friday: Students will have the opportunity to use their new knowledge of verb forms while playing a fun game in Spanish. Check back later in the week to see some photos of what we did in class!

Maestra :)

Agua de Melón

2011-01-18T16:43:00.000-08:00

Hello Parents!

Last week students had the opportunity to utilize their new vocabulary terms while writing, listening, and speaking.

This week students are learning more about food and culture in both Mexico and Spain. Today students watched a short video about traditional foods in Mexico, what makes the food unique, and how their meals differ from meals we have in the U.S.

Today we also took time to make a type of refreshment commonly found in Mexico known as Agua Fresca. While there are many different flavors, we made Agua de Melón. The main ingredients in this drink include: water, sugar, and cantaloupe.

We diced the cantaloupe and put it in a blender with a 1/2 cup of sugar, and water. We blended the mixture and wallah!! Agua de melón :)

Students had fun tasting this delicious Mexican drink :).

Los Anuncios del Supermercado pt. 3

2011-01-11T12:33:00.001-08:00

What talented students we have!

Here are a few samples of the Spanish advertisements found in the Seventh and Eighth Grade hallways.

Los Anuncios del Supermercado pt. 2

2011-01-11T12:10:00.000-08:00

Our Eighth grade students had fun while finishing up their grocery store ads yesterday in class! Stop by the Seventh and Eighth grade hallway to check out their work :).

Los Anuncios del Supermercado

2011-01-10T11:51:00.001-08:00

Students were working hard on their Spanish grocery store ads today! Come and check out the final projects in the Seventh and Eighth grade hallway!!

A week full of culture!

2011-01-08T12:59:00.000-08:00

Welcome back!!

Students were very busy in Spanish class this week discussing Spanish-speaking countries, culture, and learning new vocabulary terms.

On Tuesday, we spent the day learning more about Mexico. Students were able to see photos of Mexican families, houses, neighborhoods, streets, and food. We continued our discussion of "Las Posadas", and discussed the ways in which Mexican families celebrate the holiday season. We also took a look at traditional Mexican foods and students were able to see how "real" tacos are made :).

On Wednesday, we began our new chapter, "¿El desayuno o el almuerzo?" We discussed the objectives of the chapter and learned how to pronounce many new vocabulary terms. We also took some time to discuss España (Spain), the different dialects used throughout the country, and were able to see a few photos of places we hope to visit in the future!

On Thursday, students watched a short video in Spanish about a student from the U.S. visiting family members in Costa Rica. Students were asked to make cultural comparisons regarding similarities and differences they found while watching the video. We also had a discussion about the perceptions other cultures have about people from the U.S., why they might have those perceptions, and whether or not they are true.

On Friday, students were given the opportunity to create their very own advertisement in Spanish for a local grocery store. Students had a wonderful time designing the advertisements and using all of their new vocabulary terms in the process. Students also learned how to convert U.S. dollars to Mexican Pesos.

http://finance.yahoo.com/currency-converter/#from=USD;to=MXN;amt=1

Bieber Fever in Denver!!

2011-01-08T12:51:00.000-08:00

Which talented Spanish student wants to help Mrs. Rayón's dreams come true?!

"As the release of the new Justin Bieber film, Never Say Never, approaches, fans of the teen heartthrob have the chance to meet the man in person by competing in a singing competition on Friday, January 14 at the Colorado Mills Mall.

While Bieber himself will not be there, the contest is to seek out a winner amongst the contestants who will be given a trip for four to Los Angeles. There a national competition will be taken to determine who will earn a meet and greet with Justin Bieber himself at the premiere of the documentary about the young singer.

To enter into the singing competition held next Friday simply be one of the first 50 people registered. Registration begins at 12 p.m. and all contestants must be between the ages of 13 to 17 to register, a legal guardian must be present as well. The Colorado Mills Mall is located off Colfax right near where 6th Avenue meets I-70 in Lakewood, Colorado, click here for the location and directions."

School to Home Connection - January

2011-01-03T08:13:00.000-08:00

Dear Parent or Guardian,

The theme for the chapter is La comida (Food) and this chapter is called "Desayuno o almuerzo" (Breakfast or lunch).

Upon completion of this chapter, your child will be able to:

- talk about foods and beverages for breakfast and lunch
- talk about likes and dislikes
- express how often something is done
- understand cultural perspectives on meals

Also, your child will explore:

- the correct pronunciation of the letters h and j
- how to use a noun to modify another noun

Realidades helps with the development of reading, writing, and speaking skills through the use of strategies, process speaking, and process writing. In this chapter, students will:

- read about fruits that are native to the Americas; a recipe
- speak about what a friend likes to study, his or her favorite activities, and what he or she likes to eat and drink for breakfast.

Remember that additional help is available online at www.realidades.com by using the Web Codes in the Student Edition or in the Leveled Vocabulary and Grammar Workbook.

Check it out! Have your child find five different foods and beverages in your kitchen. Ask him or her to name each item in Spanish and identify whether it is for breakfast or lunch. :)

Sincerely,

Maestra

Examen 2B - 12/16/10

2010-12-13T15:13:00.000-08:00

Hello again,

After speaking to all of the students, we have decided to move our exam back one day to allow more time for review. Students will now have our "Review Day" on Wednesday of this week and our chapter exam will be on Thursday, December 16th. On Friday students will watch a short video on cultural celebrations in Mexico during the holiday season.

Make-up work was due today during recess. From this point on I will only accept work that was missed due to absences within the last week.

Thanks!!

Beth

Giving Tree

2010-12-13T15:07:00.000-08:00

Hello Parents!

I wanted to let you know that Bromley East has a Giving Tree located near the front office that will help families in need this holiday season. The tree is filled with ornaments with specific items students at Bromley need and want for Christmas. We would greatly appreciate your help this season to provide for our families in need. Some of the things listed include: clothing, shoes, coats, socks and underwear, along with various toys children wish to receive from Santa. If you are able to donate any of these gifts we would greatly appreciate your help!

We need all gifts accompanied by the ornament (from the Giving Tree) by Thursday, December 16th. We still have many children that need gifts this year! Let me know if you have any questions!!

Thanks,

Beth Rayon

Quiz Friday - Estar

2010-12-07T11:48:00.000-08:00

Hello All!

This week students are learning how to use the verb "Estar" which means, "to be". This verb is used to describe emotions, feelings, conditions, and locations. There are six verb forms that students need to memorize for their quiz on Friday:

Yo - estoy
Tu (with accent over u) - estas (accent over a)
El/Ella/Usted - esta (accent over a)
Nosotros - estamos
Vosotros - estais (accent over a)
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes - estan (accent over a)

Students will also be required to know the difference between singular and plural classroom objects:

la ventana - the window
las ventanas - the windows

As we are quickly approaching the end of Second Quarter I ask that all students complete any make-up work before Friday, December 11th. I do not accept late work, however if a student was absent I will allow them to make the work up within one week of their return. Please email me with any questions or concerns.

Thanks!

Beth Rayon

Prueba - Spanish Quiz THIS Friday!

2010-12-01T12:45:00.000-08:00

Hey Guys,

Our first quiz for Chapter 2B will be this Friday!! Whooo!! The quiz will be on vocabulary recognition. Be prepared to identify classroom objects as well as location terms such as: debajo de, encima de, al lado de, detras de, and delante de (Practice our song/dance at home).

Those of you who have missing work in my class, be sure to come in during recess and make it up before Friday, December 3rd for credit! Your progress report should let you know what it is (if anything) you are missing.

Next week we will be learning about the verb "estar". So come back ready to attack the next section of our chapter.

Only 2.5 weeks until our holiday break!!! Hang in there :)

Maestra

School to Home Connection - December

2010-11-23T12:21:00.000-08:00

Dear Parent or Guardian,

The theme for our next chapter is "La escuela" (The School) and the title is "Tu sala de clases" (Your classroom).

Upon completion of this chapter, your child will be able to:

- describe a classroom
- indicate where things are located
- talk about more than one object or person
- understand cultural perspectives on school

Also, your child will explore:

- the correct pronunciation of the letter "g"
- nonverbal body language in the form of gestures

Realidades helps with the development of reading, writing, and speaking skills through the use of strategies, process speaking, and process writing. In this chapter, students will:

- read about UNICEF
- write about the classroom's layout

Remember that additional help is available online at www.realidades.com by using the webcodes in the student workbook.

Sincerely,

Beth Rayon

Thanksgiving Week - Progress Reports

2010-11-23T07:26:00.000-08:00

Hey Guys!

Gobble Gobble :)

This week we spent time learning Spanish vocabulary terms for our Thanksgiving weekend.

On Monday, the students participated in small skits where they utilized new vocabulary terms in Spanish to act out a Thanksgiving celebration.

On Tuesday, the students practiced using their new vocabulary to write complete sentences in Spanish about what they are thankful for this holiday.

Students also received a progress report for second quarter. Please be sure to look at your child's grade and have them return the report next Tuesday with a parent signature. This assignment is worth 10 points.

Thanks and Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Maestra

Seventh Grade Skits

2010-11-21T04:49:00.000-08:00

Students had a fun time acting out short skits in Spanish!!

Examen 2A - 11/19/2010

2010-11-16T11:59:00.000-08:00

Hey Guys,

Our exam for Chapter 2A will be this Friday. Be sure to study all of our chapter vocabulary as well as subject pronouns and -AR verb endings. We will spend all of Thursday reviewing for this exam as a class.

Use pg. 39 in your student workbook to study for the exam.

Adiooooos!!

Maestra

Quiz Tomorrow!!

2010-11-11T18:51:00.001-08:00

Just a quick reminder...Don't forget about our QUIZ tomorrow!!

Students will be assessed on their ability to identify -AR verb endings: -o, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an, subject pronouns: yo, tú, él, ella, usted, nosotros, vosotros, ustedes, ellos, and ellas, as well as verb conjugation. For example, students will be asked to select an -ar verb such as bailar, and write it in all six verb forms: bailo, bailas, baila, bailamos, bailáis, and bailan.

Thanks!!

Maestra

NJHS Food Drive and Pie Sale

2010-11-09T06:36:00.000-08:00

Parents,

Bromley East National Junior Honor Society is sponsoring a food drive that will benefit Bromley East families over the holiday season. Students may bring in any non-perishable food items to their homeroom teacher from November 8-18. The grade level who collects the largest donation will receive a free dress day!

Also, be sure to purchase pies for the upcoming holiday season from one of Bromley's Seventh or Eighth Grade students. The Bagel Bakery is sponsoring our students to help them raise money for their class trips to Washington D.C. and Sea Camp. 50% of the proceeds will go directly to the student to support their trip. All order forms MUST be turned in by Wednesday, November 17th to: Noah Albrect or Ashley West. Pies may be picked up on Monday, November 22nd at Bromley East Charter School.

Thank you so much for your support! Our students truly appreciate it!!

Maestra

November - Week 2

2010-11-09T06:26:00.001-08:00

Hola :)

This week students will be studying the use of subject pronouns. Students will be assessed on their knowledge of subject pronouns later on this week.

We will also be looking at verb conjugation for all present tense -AR verbs. Students will develop an understanding of Spanish grammar and learn how to utilize verb charts while conjugating verbs.

Parents, please check that your students still have a Spanish workbook. Many students are coming to class claiming that they have misplaced their workbook. If this is the case, a new one may be purchased for $12. Please make sure that your child has all of the necessary materials for this course.

Also, please be sure to log in to the Parent Portal and check your child's grade. I have a large number of students who have still not turned in or completed the Remembrance Project for Dia de los Muertos.

I appreciate your assistance!

Maestra

*Due to Spirit week, my 8th period class will only have Spanish on Wednesday of this week. This class will NOT be having the quiz on Subject pronouns this week.

Quiz Tomorrow!!

2010-11-01T15:29:00.001-07:00

Hello all!

Just a reminder that we are having a short quiz tomorrow on vocabulary terms for Chapter 2A. Every student has a list of these terms and I went over each section of the quiz today in class so that there are no surprises.

Section A: Students will be given a word bank of terms to use to complete sentences in Spanish.

Ex: Me gusta la clase de __ciencias sociales______.

calculadora horario ciencias sociales maestra

Section B: Students will be asked to match the Spanish term with the English meaning.

Ex: segunda hora __second_______ fifth eighth first second

Section C: Students will asked what class they have during certain periods during the day.

Ex: En la primera hora tengo la clase de ____ciencias naturales___.

See you tomorrow!!

Maestra

November - Week 1

2010-11-01T07:06:00.000-07:00

Welcome back!

Hope everyone enjoyed the beautiful weather over our 3 day weekend! This week we will be continuing Chapter 2A. The theme for this chapter is La escuela (School) and more specifically, our focus will be on our school day. Upon completion of this chapter, your child will be able to:

Talk about school schedules and subjects
Discuss what students do during the day
Ask and tell who is performing an action
Compare his or her school with that of a student in a Spanish-speaking country

Remember that additional help is available online at www.realidades.com by using the web codes in the student workbook.

As always, thanks for checking in!

Maestra Rayon

Dia de los Muertos Remembrance Project

2010-10-25T11:36:00.000-07:00

Hola,

Last week our students were introduced to the Mexican holiday, Dia de los Muertos. This week we will continue our study by completing a Remembrance Project about a loved one who is no longer with us. Students received a rubric for this assignment today in class. The final project must be turned in this Thursday, October 28th. Parents, please ensure that your student is staying on track with this assignment throughout the week.

The purpose of this assignment is for students to develop an understanding of how this holiday is celebrated in the Mexican culture and why it is such an important and meaningful tradition.

Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns!

*Students also have the alternative option of researching a historical Mexican figure and completing the assignment on this person if they do not feel comfortable writing about a friend or family member.

Thanks for checking in!!

Maestra

Examen 1B - 10/21/10

2010-10-20T16:32:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!!

Just a reminder that we have our Exam on Chapter 1B tomorrow!! We had a great time reviewing for the exam in class today and every student was given a study guide to help them prepare.

See you all tomorrow!!

Maestra :)

Spanish Notebook Needed for Second Quarter

2010-10-15T07:27:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!!

Hope you are enjoying the beautifull fall weather!

Students had a great time writing newspaper articles in Spanish this week! Many are displayed in the 7th & 8th grade hallway or my classroom. If you stop by Harvest Hop this evening, be sure to check them out!! A few students will also have their article featured in the school newspaper courtesy of Ms. West and Mrs. Muldoon. I am so pleased at how well they turned out!! The students are doing an amazing job in Spanish class :).

Second Quarter starts this coming Monday and I would greatly appreciate your assistance in purchasing a seperate notebook or composition book for Spanish Bellwork assignments. Students will be required to complete a Bellwork assignment at the beginning of each class to review vocabulary and grammar in Spanish. Each assignment will be numbered and students will recieve credit for completing each assignment. These workbooks need to be strictly for Bellwork, so that students are able to stay organized during Second Quarter. At the end of each chapter, I will require that students turn in this notebook for credit. Students who are missing assignments will not recieve full credit. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this new procedure.

Thank you for helping your student get off to a successful start this Quarter!!

Sincerely,

Maestra

Spanish Update

2010-10-05T18:31:00.000-07:00

Hello Parents and Students!

This week my Spanish students are writing their very first Children's story (in Spanish) using our new vocabulary terms from Chapter 1B. Students may bring in magazines, art supplies, or even photographs to add individuality to their project.

On Thursday of this week we will have a short vocabulary quiz on the adjectives in the chapter. Students will be required to match the Spanish word with the corresponding picture.

Students will also have the opportunity to watch a short clip from the movie Madagascar (in Spanish). After watching the clip, students will be able to describe the different personalities of each character using our newly learned vocabulary terms!

We will not be having Spanish class this coming Friday as all of the seventh and eighth grade students will be attending Stemapalooza!!

Please feel free to email me with any questions or concerns!! We are quickly approaching the end of first quarter!

~ Maestra

Spanish Progress Reports/Required Signature

2010-10-02T20:38:00.001-07:00

¡Hola!

Just a quick update regarding Spanish class:

Spanish progress reports were sent home with your child this past Friday, October 1st. All of my students are aware that they must obtain a parent signature and return the report at the beginning of class on Monday to receive 10 points. If the signed report is returned on Tuesday it will be worth only 5 points. I want to ensure that parents and guardians are kept in the loop and aware of any missing work, assignments, or exams.

This Monday we will be starting the second half of Chapter 1, entitled: Capítulo 1B "Y tú, ¿cómo eres?"

In this part of the chapter students will be able to:

- Talk about personality traits
- Ask and tell what people are like
- Use adjectives to describe people
- Understand cultural perspectives on friendship

Please encourage your child(ren) to study the new vocabulary at home on a daily basis to help with retention. I greatly appreciate all of your support and communication!! It has been a fabulous way to start the school year :)

¡Muchas Gracias!

Maestra Rayón