What an amazing first semester we had in Spanish III. The students finished their novel, Los Baker Van a Perú and started their second novel, Casa Dividida, (level four). The current novel the students are reading is based on true events which developed in the country of Cuba. The students pre-learn vocabulary words, take a quiz, and start reading novel aloud in class. After every student reads a paragraph, he/she needs to translate to English. When the chapter is finished, we move to the comprehension questions – the first set, my students answer in complete sentences. After the first set, I wanted them to give me the answers orally so they can practice the target language.
Along with our Spanish novel, we have been watching the Mexican telenovela, La Fea Más Bella. It is pretty challenging as the actors speak pretty fast and has a ton of Spanish slang. We have been using the Spanish subtitles, but eventually I will take this feature off. The students are thoroughly enjoying this portion of class.
During the month of December, a former student of mine, McKinley Thompson, visited our classroom. McKinley studied abroad in Cuba; she immersed in the culture and practiced her Spanish. It was very special for her to come and talk to us about her experience abroad. I am beyond proud of McKinley – she was one of my top students at Prairie – and her Spanish skills are simple phenomenal! McKinley had lunch with me and we had an afternoon cup of café…we spoke Spanish the whole time and I was blown away at her pronunciation and speaking abilities.
The month of December was exciting and sad at the same time as we knew we were losing Hannah Kinninson; Hannah is heading to college and we wish her the best. My students and I planned a fiesta for her and my heart was touched when I saw Eli made a piñata for Hannah to struck during class. We all brought a treat and the party was fun, but sad for me as I am losing such an incredible student. We will greatly miss Hannah!
I feel blessed to teach this very special group of kids in Spanish III. My students are driven, responsible, but above all respectful to each other and their teacher. I am looking forward to teaching them this upcoming second semester.
A special thank you to my two administrators, Mr. Kimmel and Mrs. Piel for supporting my ideas and their positive encouragement so I continue teaching this class to the best of my ability. Also, a special thank you to my Spanish III parents for their ideas, support, amazing written notes of encouragement, and warm wishes towards me.
Hasta luego.
Hannah's farewell party. We were happy Ayden Marler visited us - Ayden took Spanish I and II with this class.
Eli Marler made Hannah a volleyball piñata for her farewell party.
The students were chuckling as their clothes matched.
Hannah receiving instructions so she could hit her piñata.
We laughed hard on this day.
Finally.....the candy.
The boys discussing their Spanish word while thinking of strategy to earn the most points.
Students playing Spanish Scrabble - Boys against girls - they are incredibly competitive.
Students asked Mrs. Long to take a picture so they could continue the next day.
The girls very proud of their mid-point count.
First Spanish debate - students were all business expressing and defending their points of view.
