Just before winter break

Intermediate Spanish students have nearly finished their first mini-novela of the year called "Tumba." This book featured events surrounding El día de los muertos (Day of the Dead). Each chapter will took us into new linguistic and cultural territory with regards to this important Mexican celebration. This week we read the following chapters:
* Capítulo siete: "Mapa" (Map)
* Capítulo ocho: "Explorar" (Explore)
* Capítulo nueve: "Nadar" (Swim)
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each story. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. If you are unfamiliar with how Total Comprehensible Input (TCI) stories help kids learn Spanish faster, I have provided a link below for more information:
https://latinbestpracticescir.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/teaching-comprehensible-input-faqs.pdf

Novice II Spanish students have begun a MovieTalk unit this week. The following MovieTalk discussions this week included:
* El día de los muertos (Day of the Dead) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCQnUuq-TEE
* Toopy y Binoo: Tesoro (Treasure) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyIBJO6eZiI
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each video. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. If you are unfamiliar with how MovieTalk helps kids learn Spanish faster, I have provided a link below for more information:
http://martinabex.com/teacher-training/movietalk/

Novice I students have been doing a mini-unit focusing of simple Spanish grammar. The following topics were practiced this week.
* Capitals
* Infinitives/Action words

Start of T2

Intermediate Spanish students have begun their first mini-novela of the year called "Tumba." This book features events surrounding El día de los muertos (Day of the Dead). Each chapter will take us into new linguistic and cultural territory with regards to this important Mexican celebration. This week we read the following chapters:
* Capítulo cinco: "Cementerio" (Cemetery)
* Capítulo seis: "Comunicación" (Communication)
* Capítulo seis: "Mapa" (Map)
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each story. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. If you are unfamiliar with how Total Comprehensible Input (TCI) stories help kids learn Spanish faster, I have provided a link below for more information:
https://latinbestpracticescir.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/teaching-comprehensible-input-faqs.pdf

Novice II Spanish students have completed their most recent unit where they were assigned skits that they performed in groups. Each of the skits were written/performed entirely in Spanish and were familar childhood tales. The following skits were presented:
* "La caperucita roja" (Little Red Riding Hood)
* "Jack y el tallo de frijol" (Jack and the Beanstalk)
* "Los tres cerditos" (The Three Little Pigs)
* "La niña y los tres osos" (Golilocks and the Three Bears)

Novice I students have begun a mini-unit on Spanish Agreement in which students learn about the concept of gender and placement in Spanish grammar. Students were responsible for the following assignments.
* "Descripciones" (Descriptions in which they must draw a written description of a monster, character, person, etc)
* "Re-writing agreement" (Students has to rewrite sentences switching gender and/or the plural/singular)

A New Trimester

Intermediate Spanish students have begun their first mini-novela of the year called "Tumba." This book features events surrounding El día de los muertos (Day of the Dead). Each chapter will take us into new linguistic and cultural territory with regards to this important Mexican celebration. This week we read the following chapters:
* Capítulo tres: "Altar" (Altar)
* Capítulo cuatro: "Diagramas" (Diagrams)
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each story. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. If you are unfamiliar with how Total Comprehensible Input (TCI) stories help kids learn Spanish faster, I have provided a link below for more information:
https://latinbestpracticescir.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/teaching-comprehensible-input-faqs.pdf

Novice II Spanish students have continued with their story unit . Students learn different structures in Spanish with each tale. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally and are asked to act in different scenarios each chapter. Students have completed the following stories with the structures indicated:
* Mi prima Natacha (My Cousin Natacha)
* Tatiana quiere un novio nuevo (Tatiana Wants a New Boyfriend)
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each story. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. If you are unfamiliar with how Total Comprehensible Input (TCI) stories help kids learn Spanish faster, I have provided a link below for more information:
https://latinbestpracticescir.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/teaching-comprehensible-input-faqs.pdf

Novice I students have begun a mini-unit on Spanish Agreement in which students learn about the concept of gender and placement in Spanish grammar. Students were responsible for the following assignments.
* "El" versus "La" (Gender and Articles)
* Nouns, articles, and Spanish Agreement

6th graders

1.) Find a buddy and do the following "Challenge Board" aka Jeopardy game:
https://www.quia.com/cb/108373.html

2.) Find a buddy and do the following exercise:
https://www.quia.com/hm/110959.html

3.) Find a a Battleship buddy":
https://www.quia.com/rr/956911.html

4.) Review the following 2 links on body parts and then play one of the games as practice:

 http://www.spanishspanish.com/body/face.html

http://www.spanishspanish.com/body/body.html

then play:
https://www.quia.com/ba/529082.html
https://www.quia.com/hm/865688.html

Mid-November

Intermediate Spanish students have begun their first mini-novela of the year called "Tumba." This book features events surrounding El día de los muertos (Day of the Dead). Each chapter will take us into new linguistic and cultural territory with regards to this important Mexican celebration. This week we read the following chapters:
* Capítulo uno: "Nervioso" (Nervious)
* Capítulo dos: "Poemas" (Poems)Students learn different structures in Spanish with each story. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. If you are unfamiliar with how Total Comprehensible Input (TCI) stories help kids learn Spanish faster, I have provided a link below for more information:
https://latinbestpracticescir.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/teaching-comprehensible-input-faqs.pdf

Novice II Spanish students have continued with their story unit . Students learn different structures in Spanish with each tale. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally and are asked to act in different scenarios each chapter. Students have completed the following stories with the structures indicated:
* A Marcos le gusta hablar (Marcos Likes to Talk)
* Martín la mochila (Martin the Backpack)
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each story. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. If you are unfamiliar with how Total Comprehensible Input (TCI) stories help kids learn Spanish faster, I have provided a link below for more information:
https://latinbestpracticescir.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/teaching-comprehensible-input-faqs.pdf

Novice I students have continued their MovieTalk Unit of "El gato de Simón" (Simon's Cat). Students learn different structures in Spanish with each chapter. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. Our first MovieTalks were:
* El gato de nieve (Snow Cat) arriba, abajo, izquierda, derecha, hace
* La comida y la televisión (Food and TV) Se sienta, mira, destruye

Webquest link

http://www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/BLloyd/files/el%20d%C3%ADa%20de%20los%20muertos%20webquest%20presentation.pdf

Happy Halloween!

Intermediate Spanish students did the following have begun a story unit his past week. We completed the following:
* La casa sin espejos (The House without Mirrors)
* El avión privado (The Private Airplane)
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each story. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. If you are unfamiliar with how Total Comprehensible Input (TCI) stories help kids learn Spanish faster, I have provided a link below for more information:
https://latinbestpracticescir.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/teaching-comprehensible-input-faqs.pdf

Novice II Spanish students are now beginning their final story unit for T1 . Students learn different structures in Spanish with each chapter. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally and are asked to act in different scenarios each chapter. Students have completed the following stories with the structures indicated:
* El hombre rico (The Rich Man)
* Perezosa (Lazy)
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each story. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. If you are unfamiliar with how Total Comprehensible Input (TCI) stories help kids learn Spanish faster, I have provided a link below for more information:
https://latinbestpracticescir.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/teaching-comprehensible-input-faqs.pdf

Novice I Spanish students have started their unit on "El día de los muertos" (The Day of the Dead). Students watched a slideshow surrounding this major Mexican holiday, viewed music videos, and re-created authentic Mexican artifacts (calacas and mascaras).

Mid-October

Intermediate Spanish students did the following MovieTalk discussions this week:
*  Alma https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tECaYQ1AzkM
* ¿Quién soy? (Who am I?) We played a class game in which teams had to identify famous characters from our MovieTalks by listening and reading a series of hints in Spanish. 
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each video. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. If you are unfamiliar with how MovieTalk helps kids learn Spanish faster, I have provided a link below for more information:
http://martinabex.com/teacher-training/movietalk/

Novice II Spanish students are now beginning their final story unit for T1 . Students learn different structures in Spanish with each chapter. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally and are asked to act in different scenarios each chapter. Students have completed the following stories with the structures indicated:
* Story unit II review Kahoot (Kevin va a la jungla, Charlie el Canguro, y Relájate)
* Conocemos a Lucía [tiene, le encanta, vive]
Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally and are given a listening quiz with each story.

Novice I Spanish students learned about 'Ecuador y las islas Galapagos' and some of the culture in Ecuador. Students were asked questions verbally and in writing about their learning from the MovieTalk.
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each video. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. If you are unfamiliar with how MovieTalk helps kids learn Spanish faster, I have provided a link below for more information:

http://martinabex.com/teacher-training/movietalk/

October happenings

Intermediate Spanish students did the following MovieTalk discussions this week:
*  La muerte y el pirata https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBmlLKzMA_s
* Buena suerte y mala suerte https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adVYnGRVaAo
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each video. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. If you are unfamiliar with how MovieTalk helps kids learn Spanish faster, I have provided a link below for more information:
http://martinabex.com/teacher-training/movietalk/

Novice II Spanish students are now into their second story unit of the trimester. Students learn different structures in Spanish with each chapter. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally and are asked to act in different scenarios each chapter. Students have completed the following stories with the structures indicated:
* Relájate (Relax) [hace, ve, se siente]
* ¿Con quién va Luis? (Who goes with Luis?) (busca, trabajo, me gusta)
Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally and are given a listening quiz with each story.

Novice I Spanish students did the following MovieTalk discussions this week:
* El gato de Simón: La caja (Simon's Cat: The Box) [no quiere, come, le gusta] 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpCl5O6tTv8
* El gato de Simón: El perro (Simon's Cat: The Dog) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcoNym1Q1Ds
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each video. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. If you are unfamiliar with how MovieTalk helps kids learn Spanish faster, I have provided a link below for more information:
http://martinabex.com/teacher-training/movietalk/

New units

Intermediate Spanish students did the following MovieTalk discussions this week:
*  La muerte no tiene éxito https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJhdjnq3lPw
* Los pulpos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=badHUNl2HXU
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each video. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. If you are unfamiliar with how MovieTalk helps kids learn Spanish faster, I have provided a link below for more information:
http://martinabex.com/teacher-training/movietalk/

Novice II Spanish students are now into their second story unit of the trimester. Students learn different structures in Spanish with each chapter. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally and are asked to act in different scenarios each chapter. Students have completed the following stories with the structures indicated:
* Kevin va a la jungla (Kevin goes to the jungle) (va a, ve, compra)
* El canguro que se llama Charlie (Charlie the Kangaroo) (a la izquierda, a la derecha, camina, corre, baila)
Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally and are given a listening quiz with each story.

Novice I 1 Spanish students have have been utilizing some elementary Spanish and we will be doing some activities next week that will help me learn their interests and personalities so I can work those into our lessons everyday. Their first graded assignment is called "¡Se Busca!" (Wanted!) These grades will be posted on Infinite Campus very soon. Students are writing and sharing descriptions of their hobbies, appearance, age, birthdays, etc.

Mid-September

Intermediate Spanish students have completed their unit on "La hora." The feedback for this unit have been provided to students. The exam for this unit was administered Monday (for Red day) and Tuesday (for Blue day). Tests can be made up for at any time in the first trimester so please encourage your child to take advantage if they are unhappy with how they scored on their rubric. Tuesdays and Thursdays during our Support Study block is a great time for revisions or make-ups. Students can schedule any day of the week (excepts Wednesdays) after school and I can be flexible with my availability. Please take advantage!

Novice II Spanish students have  continued their first TPR unit about a boy named Gabi and his messy locker and the interesting things he finds. The series is called "El armario de Gabi" (Gabi's locker).
* Cuento 3: Los padres de Gabi (Gabi's Parents)
* Cuento 4: La cucaracha (The Cockroach)
* Los cuentos de Gabi Kahoot! and a listening quiz is how we synthesized this unit.
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each chapter. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally and are asked to act in different scenarios each chapter. Grades for this unit have been posted on Infinite Campus for parents and students to access.

Novice I Spanish students have been reviewing their knowledge of cognates, false cognates, and sentence structures from elementary school. We have begun our first MovieTalk unit featuring 3 episodes of "El gato de Simón" (Simon's Cat). Students learn different structures in Spanish with each chapter. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. Our first MovieTalks were:
* Mariposas (Butterflies) tiene, ama, está
* El agua caliente (Hot water) salta, canta, quiere

First Things

Intermediate Spanish students have been learning "La Hora" in class. They have been learning how to tell time in Spanish and ask for the time from others. They are also learning how military time is used in Spanish speaking places and learning vocab associated with time (late, early, in the morning, at night, midnight, noon, etc).

Novice II Spanish students have started their first TPR unit and we are reading a 4-part story series about a boy named Gabi and his messy locker and the interesting things he finds. The series is called "El armario de Gabi" (Gabi's locker).
* Cuento 1: El armario de Gabi (Gabi's Locker)
* Cuento 2: ¡Qué asco! (Gross!)
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each chapter. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally and are asked to act in different scenarios each chapter.

Novice I Spanish students have been reviewing their knowledge of cognates, false cognates, and sentence structures from elementary school. They started this review with the story, "Una vacación en México."
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each chapter. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally and are asked to act in different scenarios each chapter.

Off to a great start!

Welcome back students and families! I am excited to kick off another great school year with your children. Students are learning their classroom procedures and reviewing HOWLs targets this week. Students have been filling out personal interest inventories to help my instruction be tailored to classroom activities. Students are also getting a handle on our new grading system in proficiency and standards. This year has many exciting changes, and we hope to maximize learning using these new structures.

End of the Year Happenings

8th graders have continued their latest unit in "MovieTalk." The themes of this unit are "La amistad" (Friendship) & "La familia" (Family). The following clip was discussed orally and in writing. Students are assessed with a listening or scribing quiz each day.
* La cita (The Date) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QnEWKv5ce4
* ¿Quién soy? (Who am I?) This activity involved students getting into groups and guessing the famous person being described. Students were given participation points and created their own "Who am I?" slide in Spanish to show comprehension.
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each video. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. If you are unfamiliar with how MovieTalk helps kids learn Spanish faster, I have provided a link below for more information:
http://martinabex.com/teacher-training/movietalk/


7th grade Spanish students have begun their second and last novela of the year "Brandon Brown Versus Yucatán." The following chapters were featured this week:
* Capítulo ocho: "Delicuentes" (Delinquents)
* Capítulo nueve: "¡Arrestados!" (Arrested!)
Students will follow the characters as they encounter new fiascos/adventures in every chapter. Students learn different structures in Spanish with each chapter. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally.


6th grade Spanish students began their unit surrounding "La Tomatina" and the "Running of the Bulls." Students are learning about these two important celebrations and Spain and doing an end-of-the-year compare/contrast project that demonstrates their understanding of how Spaniards celebrate special occasions.

Links to Websites

Just a reminder that the following links should be bookmarked by all students:

www.spanishspanish.com
(This website has the toenail game, number scramble, funny body parts. etc)

www.quia.com/shared/spanish
(Quia has Jeopardy [aka Challenge Board], Battleship, Hangman, Who Wants to be a Millionnairre [aka Rags to Riches], etc).

www.bbc.co.uk/languages/spanish
(This is "Mi Vida Loca" the Spanish murder mystery that has 24 interactive episodes.)

www.duolingo.com
(This is like a Rosetta Stone for kids. If students have not created an account, please do so. You need an email address to create an account. You may use your student ID # @portlandschools.org if you do not have your own email. Example:12345@portlandschools.org)

www.learnspanishtoday.com/learning_module
(This is "Build a Burrito," it has not been working lately, but it is a speed game that helps with vocabulary).

www.spanishdict.com

Our preferred online Spanish/English dictionary.

New units

8th graders have continued their latest unit in "MovieTalk." The themes of this unit are "La amistad" (Friendship) & "La familia" (Family). The following clips were discussed orally and in writing. Students are assessed with a listening or scribing quiz each day.
* La nube y la cigüeña (The Cloud & The Stork) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DmLkugdh9s
* El día y la noche (Day & Night)
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each video. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. If you are unfamiliar with how MovieTalk helps kids learn Spanish faster, I have provided a link below for more information:
http://martinabex.com/teacher-training/movietalk/


7th grade Spanish students have begun their second and last novela of the year "Brandon Brown Versus Yucatán." The following chapters were featured this week:
* Capítulo seis: "Chicos aventureros" (Adventure Boys)
* Capítulo siete: "Chichén Itzá" (Chichen Itza)
Students will follow the characters as they encounter new fiascos/adventures in every chapter. Students learn different structures in Spanish with each chapter. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally.


6th grade Spanish students continued their latest unit in "MovieTalk." The following clips were watch this week:
* El gato de Simón: El monstruo (The Monster) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTBjHjRhx_Y
* El gato de Simón: La basura (The Trash) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEvhDTWSRec
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each video. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. If you are unfamiliar with how MovieTalk helps kids learn Spanish faster, I have provided a link below for more information:
http://martinabex.com/teacher-training/movietalk/

Mid-May

8th graders have finished their novela, "Piratas" and have begun their latest unit in "MovieTalk." The themes of this unit are "La amistad" (Friendship) & "La familia" (Family). The following clips were discussed orally and in writing. Students are assessed with a listening or scribing quiz each day.
* Nubes (Clouds) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psZmAsH6I3Q
* Presto (Presto) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4Dnm6dkOVI
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each video. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. If you are unfamiliar with how MovieTalk helps kids learn Spanish faster, I have provided a link below for more information:
http://martinabex.com/teacher-training/movietalk/


7th grade Spanish students have begun their second and last novela of the year "Brandon Brown Versus Yucatán." The following chapters were featured this week:
* Capítulo cuatro: "Un amigo para Brandon" (A Friend for Brandon)
* Capítulo cinco: "Chicos aventureros" (Adventure Boys)
Students will follow the characters as they encounter new fiascos/adventures in every chapter. Students learn different structures in Spanish with each chapter. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally.


6th grade Spanish students finished their second novela of the year called "Tumba." This book features events surrounding El día de los muertos (Day of the Dead). Each chapter will take us into new linguistic and cultural territory with regards to this important Mexican celebration. This week we read the following chapters:
* Capítulo nueve: "Nadar" (Swim)
* Capítulo diez: "Artista" (Artist)
Students followed the characters as they encounter new fiascos/adventures in every chapter. Students learn different structures in Spanish with each chapter. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally.  The following readings were featured this week:

Early May

8th graders have finished their novela, "Piratas" and have begun their latest unit in "MovieTalk." The themes of this unit are "La amistad" (Friendship) & "La familia" (Family). The following clips were discussed orally and in writing. Students are assessed with a listening or scribing quiz each day.
* Una caja de monstruos (MonsterBox)
* El refrigerador (The Refrigerator)
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each video. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. If you are unfamiliar with how MovieTalk helps kids learn Spanish faster, I have provided a link below for more information:
http://martinabex.com/teacher-training/movietalk/


7th grade Spanish students have begun their second and last novela of the year "Brandon Brown Versus Yucatán." The following chapters were featured this week:
* Capítulo uno: Cancún (Cancun)
* Capítulo dos: Consecuencias (Consequences)
* Capítulo tres: El hombre malo (The Bad Man)
Students will follow the characters as they encounter new fiascos/adventures in every chapter. Students learn different structures in Spanish with each chapter. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally.


6th grade Spanish students continued their second novela of the year called "Tumba." This book features events surrounding El día de los muertos (Day of the Dead). Each chapter will take us into new linguistic and cultural territory with regards to this important Mexican celebration. This week we read the following chapters:
* Capítulo siete: "Mapa" (Map)
* Capítulo ocho: "Explorar" (Explore)
Students will follow the characters as they encounter new fiascos/adventures in every chapter. Students learn different structures in Spanish with each chapter. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally.  The following readings were featured this week:

End of April

8th graders have continued their novela, "Piratas" and have completed the following chapters/assignments this week:
* Capítulo ocho: "Determinación"  (Determination)
* Capítulo nueve: "La isla secreta" (The Secret Island )
* Capítulo diez: "Secretos Revelados" (Secrets Revealed)
Each chapter will take us into new linguistic and cultural territory.

7th grade Spanish students finished their short story unit which featured the following stories:
* Tatiana quiere un novio nuevo (Tatiana Wants a New Boyfriend)
* Mi prima Natacha (My Cousin Natacha)
* Martín la mochila (Martin the Backpack)
Students will follow the characters as they encounter new fiascos/adventures in every story. Students learn different structures in Spanish with each chapter. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally.  The following readings were featured this week:


6th grade Spanish students continued their second novela of the year called "Tumba." This book features events surrounding El día de los muertos (Day of the Dead). Each chapter will take us into new linguistic and cultural territory with regards to this important Mexican celebration. This week we read the following chapters:
* Capítulo cinco: "Cementerio" (Cemetery)
* Capítulo seis: "Comunicación" (Communication)
Students will follow the characters as they encounter new fiascos/adventures in every chapter. Students learn different structures in Spanish with each chapter. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally.  The following readings were featured this week:

Beginning of T3

8th graders have continued their novela "Piratas" and have completed the following chapters/assignments this week:
* Capítulo seis: "El ataque"  (The Attack)
* Capítulo siete: "El robo grande" (The Big Robbery)
Each chapter will take us into new linguistic and cultural territory.

7th grade Spanish students have completed their skits and performed them for the class. Grades for this unit will are posted in Infinite Campus. Students also began a short story unit that will take them up to the spring break.

6th grade Spanish students began their second novela of the year called "Tumba." This book features events surrounding El día de los muertos (Day of the Dead). Each chapter will take us into new linguistic and cultural territory with regards to this important Mexican celebration. This week we read the following chapters:
* Capítulo tres: "El Altar" (The Altar)
* Capítulo cuatro: "Diagrama" (Diagram)

Last week of T2

8th graders have continued their novela "Piratas" and have completed the following chapters/assignments this week:
* Capítulo cinco: El Perla Blanca (The White Pearl)
* Supplementary reading #2:  Un cuento de Henry Morgan (A story of Henry Morgan)
This marks the half-way point in our book. The second half of the book will appear on the T3 grading period.

7th grade Spanish students have completed their novela "El nuevo Houdini" and the final chapter grades will be posted by the end of the week. Students have started their newest unit that involve groups of students performing skits of familiar childhood tales. Students are in the beginning stages of preparing for their plays.

6th grade Spanish students began their second novela of the year called "Tumba." This book features events surrounding El día de los muertos (Day of the Dead). Each chapter will take us into new linguistic and cultural territory with regards to this important Mexican celebration. This week we read the following chapters:
* Capítulo uno: "Nervioso" (Nervious)
* Capítulo dos: "Poema" (Poem)

Liks to Spanish Websites

Just a reminder that the following links should be bookmarked by all 6th graders:

www.spanishspanish.com
(This website has the toenail game, number scramble, funny body parts. etc)

www.quia.com/shared/spanish
(Quia has Jeopardy [aka Challenge Board], Battleship, Hangman, Who Wants to be a Millionnairre [aka Rags to Riches], etc).

www.bbc.co.uk/languages/spanish
(This is "Mi Vida Loca" the Spanish murder mystery that has 24 interactive episodes.)

www.duolingo.com
(This is like a Rosetta Stone for kids. If students have not created an account, please do so. You need an email address to create an account. You may use your student ID # @portlandschools.org if you do not have your own email. Example:12345@portlandschools.org)

www.learnspanishtoday.com/learning_module
(This is "Build a Burrito," it has not been working lately, but it is a speed game that helps with vocabulary).

www.spanishdict.com

Our preferred online Spanish/English dictionary.

Thank you for some great conferences!

Thanks to all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade parents and students for some wonderful conferences and engaging discussions. I enjoyed meeting with you and discussing your child's progress in Spanish.

8th grade Spanish students continued their last novela of the school year called "Piratas." Students will follow the characters as they encounter new fiascos/adventures in every chapter. Students learn different structures in Spanish with each chapter. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally.  The following readings were featured this week:
* Capítulo tres: La invasión (Chapter 3: The Invasion)
* Capítulo cuatro: Un secreto feminino (Chapter 4: A Feminine Secret)

7th grade finished their first novela of the year called "El Nuevo Houdini" (The New Houdini). Students followed the character, Brandon Brown, as he encountered new fiascos/adventures in every chapter. Students learned different structures in Spanish with each chapter. Students were asked guiding questions both written and orally.  The following chapters were featured:
* Capítulo nueve: Una foto especial (Chapter 9: A Special Photo)
* Capítulo diez: El nuevo Houdini (Chapter 10: The New Houdini)
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each story. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. 

6th grade Spanish students continued their newest MovieTalk unit. This series of short clips included:
* El gato de Simón: El gato y el espejo (Simon's Cat: The Cat and the Mirror.)
Students are also being assessed by creating their own MovieTalkks using the film:
* El gato de Simón: El gato y e perro (Simon's Cat: The Cat and the Dog)

Students learn different structures in Spanish with each video. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. If you are unfamiliar with how MovieTalk helps kids learn Spanish faster, I have provided a link below for more information:

http://martinabex.com/teacher-training/movietalk/

The Beginning of March

8th grade Spanish students began their last novela of the school year called "Piratas."Students will follow the characters as they encounter new fiascos/adventures in every chapter. Students learn different structures in Spanish with each chapter. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally.  The following chapter was featured:
* Capítulo dos: Una pistola especial (Chapter 2: A Special Pistol)
* Pre-Reading #2: Henry Morgan y los bucaneros

7th grade continued their first novela of the year called "El Nuevo Houdini" (The New Houdini). Students will follow the character, Brandon Brown, as he encounters new fiascos/adventures in every chapter. Students learn different structures in Spanish with each chapter. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally.  The following chapters were featured:
* Capítulo siete: Una reparación urgente (Chapter 7: An Urgent Repair)
* Capítulo ocho: Una cita indescriptible (Chapter 8: An Indescribable Date)
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each story. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. 

6th grade Spanish students officially completed their first novela of the year and have moved on to our newest MovieTalk unit. This series of short clips included:
* El gato de Simón: ¡Simón quiere dormir! (Simon's Cat: Simon Wants to Sleep!)
* El gato de Simón: El tanque y el pez (Simon's Cat: The Tank & the Fish)
* El gato de Simón: ¡El gato loco! (Simon's Cat: Crazy Cat!)

Students learn different structures in Spanish with each video. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. If you are unfamiliar with how MovieTalk helps kids learn Spanish faster, I have provided a link below for more information:

http://martinabex.com/teacher-training/movietalk/

Have a safe and wonderful February Break!

8th grade Spanish students began their last novela of the school year called "Piratas."Students will follow the charactersas they encounter new fiascos/adventures in every chapter. Students learn different structures in Spanish with each chapter. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally.  The following chapter was featured:
* Capítulo uno: Rumores (Chapter 1: Rumors)


7th grade continued their first novela of the year called "El Nuevo Houdini" (The New Houdini). Students will follow the character, Brandon Brown, as he encounters new fiascos/adventures in every chapter. Students learn different structures in Spanish with each chapter. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally.  The following chapters were featured:
* Capítulo cinco: Una misión importante (Chapter 5: An Important Mission )
* Capítulo seis: Un beso increíble (Chapter 6: An Incredible Kiss)
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each story. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. 

6th grade Spanish students continued with their first novela "Las aventuras de Isabela." This week we read:
* Capítulo nueve: La oficina del veterinario (The Veterinarian's Office)
* Capítulo diez: El perrito, Sam (The Puppy Sam)

Student Survey

Please take the following survey. (It's super quick... less than a minute!)  :-)

Please be honest and read the questions carefully.

https://docs.google.com/a/portlandschools.org/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqzYgt2Ayq8FAt81qYx7acuIZeicNJyIZi2ioiq9G1u2jmCA/viewform

Early February

8th grade Spanish students finished their second story unit of the year. We reviewed our stories via Kahoot, and we did  a pre-reading that will kick off our last novela of the year called "Piratas."
8th grade had another extremely abbreviated week of Spanish due to testing, high school visits outside of the building. We will resume our normal schedule next week.

7th grade continued their first novela of the year called "El Nuevo Houdini" (The New Houdini). Students will follow the character, Brandon Brown, as he encounters new fiascos/adventures in every chapter. Students learn different structures in Spanish with each chapter. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally.  The following chapters were featured:
* Capítulo tres: El carro no funciona (Chapter 3: The Car Doesn't Work )
* Capítulo cuatro: Un accidente horrible (Chapter 4: A Horrible Accident)
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each story. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. 

6th grade Spanish students continued with their first novela "Las aventuras de Isabela." This week we read:
* Capítulo seis: Zapatos para la familia (Shoes for the Family)
* Capítulo siete: Tortillas y helado (Tortillas and Ice Cream)

* Capítulo ocho: La panadería (The Bakery)

Wrapping up January

8th grade Spanish students continued their second story unit of the year. We read the following story. This was an abbreviated week due to school-wide ACCESS/NWEA testing.
* El avión privado (The Private Airplane)
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each story. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. 

7th grade continued their first novela of the year called "El Nuevo Houdini" (The New Houdini). Students will follow the character, Brandon Brown, as he encounters new fiascos/adventures in every chapter. Students learn different structures in Spanish with each chapter. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. This was an abbreviated week due to school-wide ACESS/NWEA testing. The following activity was completed this week:
* Capítulo dos: ¡Adiós! (Chapter 2: Good-bye!)
Students learn different structures in Spanish with each story. Students are asked guiding questions both written and orally. 

6th grade Spanish students continued with their first novela "Las aventuras de Isabela." This week we read:
*Capítulo cinco: La zapatería (The Shoe Store)
*Kahoot chapters 1-5