Countdown to summer break!

The Daily Agenda is the MOST IMPORTANT PART of our class page. It allows you to follow what we did in class and what was assigned, even when you are absent. I expect you to refer to it often, so bookmark it now!

12.12.11

lunes, el 12 de diciembre

NO AL ENTRAR :)

Hand back al entrars etc

4A/4B listening assessment

Review (packet and game)

Tarea:
Bring a #2 pencil and your Bravos the day of the exam

9.12.11

8-9 de diciembre

Al entrar #41: pg 223 #16 (turn in #31-41)

Discuss 4A-4B writing assessments

Study guides/ finish speaking assessments

Tarea: STUDY for final exam (schedule top left of blog)
Listening assessments next class.

6.12.11

6-7 de diciembre

Al entrar #40:
pg 192 #10

¡A escuchar! pg 73, 81, 82

Reading Assessment (Criterion E)

Tarea:
Begin studying for final exam! Chapters PE, 1A, 1B, 2A, 4A, 4B vocab and grammar (all chapters) **Look left for a link to all vocab lists**

lunes, el 5 de diciembre

Al entrar #39: Choose 3 of 5 fondo culturales. Read and answer the question:
pg 216, 218, 220, 225, or 226
Turn in Extra Credit

Writing Assessment (Criteria C and D)

Tarea: Mi Niñez due Tuesday by the end of HH. No late projects will receive credit.

1.12.11

1-2 de diciembre

Al entrar #38: pg 192 #11 and pg 216 #4
Correct tarea

¡A escuchar! #5, 6, 8, 9 and pg 194 #13

¡A hablar! pg 218 #8 and pg 220 #11

Tarea:
• IMPORTANTE: click here for study guide for assessments next week
Monday- writing- criteria C and D (speaking-B)
Tuesday & Wednesday- reading E (speaking-B )

• Mi niñez projects are due Tuesday, December 6th at the end of HH.
No late assignments will receive credit.

• Extra credit options (complete as many as you like): due Monday
1) 4A and/or 4B crosswords
2) Any of these on line activities: please printout
Activity 1
Activity 2
Activity 3
Activity 4
Activity 5

Indirect Object pronouns
Reciprocal verbs

29.11.11

29-30 de noviembre

Al entrar #37: pg 217 #6

IOP explanation and video (pg 199 odds)
Reciprocal verbs and video

**NUEVO paquete!**

Tarea:
4B pkt 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 10

You may do extra credit only if your homework is complete.
Extra credit options (complete as many as you like):

1) 4A and/or 4B crosswords

2) Any of these on line activities: please printout
Activity 1
Activity 2
Activity 3
Activity 4
Activity 5

Indirect Object pronouns
Reciprocal verbs

28.11.11

lunes, 28 de noviembre

Al entrar #36: pg 197 #17

4B video

¡A hablar! pg 198 #19

Tarea: Mi rutina re-dos due Thursday by the end of HH

21.11.11

IMPORTANT DECEMBER DATES!

Monday, December 5th: Writing Assessments (begin speaking assessments)

Tuesday, December 6th and Wednesday, December 7th: Reading Assessments (continue speaking assessments)

Thursday, December 8th and Friday December 9th: Review (finish speaking assessments)

Monday, December 12: Listening Assessments

Tuesday, December 13
7:45 - 9:14 Period 2 Final
9:21 - 10:50 Period 3 Final
10:57 - 12:25 Period 4 Final & Announcements
*Buses will depart at 12:35

Wednesday, Dec. 14
7:45 - 7:55 Academic Assistance
8:00 - 9:30 Period 5 Final
9:40 - 11:15 Period 6 Final & Announcements
*Buses will depart at 11:25

Thursday, Dec. 15

7:45 - 7:55 Academic Assistance
8:00 - 9:30 Period 7 Final
9:40 - 11:15 Period 8 Final & Announcements
*Buses will depart at 11:25

21-22 de noviembre

Work period for mi niñez project!

17.11.11

17-18 de noviembre

Al entrar #35: pg 190#4 and 192 #9

Correct tarea and discuss projects
GramActiva: video and notes

Práctica: pg 195-196 # 14, #15, #16

Tarea:
1) Bring materials for work day next week
2) Check IC for missing assessments?
All assessments need to be made up Monday HH or the grade stays a zero

15.11.11

Mi niñez projects- IMPORTANT if you are traveling for Thanksgiving

The Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving break, we will be working on a childhood album. It will be due December 6th by the end of Huskie Hour.**

**If you choose to do an electronic version, it needs to be placed in the drop box. Please do NOT email it to me, unless I give you special permission. It needs to be placed in the drop box. There are instructions for you to follow.
Click here if you are interested in using iPhoto to create a digital version. (See student sample)

**If you choose to make a real album, please do NOT use original photos. Use xeroxed copies.
esources:

15-16 de noviembre

**Asientos nuevos**

Al entrar #34:


Traduzcan
1) After brushing my teeth, I fix my hair.
2) Before getting dressed, I put on deodorant.
3) In the morning, I shower, I wash my hair, and I dry off.
4) At night, I brush my teeth, comb my hair, and wash my face.
5) I don't like to get up early. I prefer to stay in bed.

Hand back writing assessments
4A video

4A packets (while we finish speaking assessments):
pgs 1, 2, 3 (refer to pgs 82-83)
12, 13, 14, 15 (use new vocab)

Tarea: anything from class not finished. There will be a homework check next class!

2A assessments not completed before Thanksgiving break will remain a zero!

lunes, el 14 de noviembre

Al entrar #33: pg 183 #3

Presentación de las celebraciones del mundo hispano y hablamos de los AOIs

Tarea:
Download vocab lists 4A and 4B
Make flashitas -OR-
Practice on quizlet

11.11.11

10-11 de noviembre

Al entrar #32: pg 86#19 (answer only) AND pg 87 #20

Highlight project requirements:
Circle connector words
Put a box around extension vocab
Underline ser and estar
* specific times
** double verbs

2A writing and speaking assessments

Tarea:
start studying 4A and 4B vocab on quizlet

Click here to access vocab lists

9.11.11

8-9 de noviembre

Entregan los al entrares 21-30

Al entrar #31: pg 81 #9
(Listening assessments for odd classes for snow day)

Hand back quizzes, discuss projects

Flashita practice with double verbs

Ser vs Estar video

Tarea: projects due Thursday by the end of HH
Writing and Speaking assessments next class

8.11.11

lunes, el 7 de noviembre

4th and 8th:
No al entrar
Lectura: Festividades hispanas pg 102, 103, A ver, #2 and #3

Tarea: projects due Thursday, Nov 10th by the end of Huskie Hour
____________________________________________________

5th and 7th:
Al entrar #30: overhead (8 frases)
Reading assessment

Tarea: projects due Thursday, Nov 10th by the end of Huskie Hour

3.11.11

2-3 de noviembre

Al entrar #30: Overhead 8 verbs

Flashitas, practice with double verbs

Ser VS Estar

Assessments: reading and listening

Tarea: film strip project (See details below and download/print handouts!) These are due by the end of Huskie Hour on Thursday, November 1o. This project counts as the 'test' for chapter 2A.

You are going to create a film strip of your daily routine. You'll need to draw a picture in each of the boxes. You must NOT use any words on your filmstrip. Then, on a SEPARATE piece of paper, you will write a story board for your movie. This story board should be TYPED!

The story board must include:

-Each 'box' of your movie will should have 3 sentences minimum. (Sentences copied from these examples do not count toward any of the 3.) Include supporting details that add interest for the reader. At least 8 of the sentences will have a reflexive verb. Two verbs need to be a double verb, one with pronoun attached and one with it in front. "Debo levantarme a las cinco y media OR Me debo levantar a las cinco y media." (See page 1 of homework packet for a list of ideas.)

-2 specific times used "Cada día escolar, me despierto muy temprano a las seis de la mañana."

-5 connector words:
first= primero
then= luego
later= más tarde
before= antes de + infinitive form "Antes de ducharme, me cepillo los dientes."
after= después de + infinitive form "Después de ducharme, me seco el pelo."

-5 new vocab words from extended vocab list

-2 examples of ser and 2 examples of estar used correctly

1.11.11

31 de octubre-1 de noviembre

¡Feliz Día de los Muertos!

Al entrar #29: pg 81 #10 (OJO- not all answers are reflexive!)
Correct tarea
Handback cut and paste activities (click here to print out another copy)

Quiz

Video/Fiesta

Tarea:
pgs 5, 6, 7
Reading and listening assessments next class

28.10.11

27-28 de octubre

Al entrar #28: Overhead with 16 sentences ¿Cómo se prepara ella?

Correct reflexive verb packets, turn in cut and paste project

¡A escuchar! pg 27-28

¡A leer! Scanning/vocab activity (double verbs)

Hand back practice essays, discuss connecting words, structure from reading and student samples

Plan fiesta

Tarea:
1) 2A pkt 11, 12, 13, 14
2) Vocab and reflexive verb quiz next class!
3) Bring items for fiesta

Reading/listening assessments next Wednesday and Thursday

26.10.11

25-26 de octubre

Al entrar #27: pg 80 #8

Reflexive verb packets

Cut and paste mini project

Matamoscas

Tarea:
1) Cut and paste project due next class
2) Saber vs conocer retakes Thursday during HH or after school (see previous post for more details!)

24.10.11

lunes, el 24 de octubre

Welcome back from Fall Break! We have a lot to get done before Thanksgiving, so let's get started!

Al entrar #26: pg 71 #3 (We are doing this again, since MOST of you did not finish it the last time)

2B videos (Reflexive verbs and vocab)

Tarea:
1) Study 2A vocab and clothing
2) If you were absent last class before break, you need to get the notes from a friend

3) Saber/conocer retakes are this Thursday during Huskie Hour OR after school. These are the ONLY times you may do this.

First, STUDY and learn the information here.

Then, your "ticket" to retake, is 3 worksheets A, B, C printed off and completed correctly.

Worksheet A (printed off and completed). Write a REASON why it is the WRONG answer. (You may use your study sheet from step one for the reasons.)
Worksheet B
Worksheet C Then, write a translation of the sentence in English.

13.10.11

13-14 de octubre

Al entrar #25: Use page 70 in your text to help you translate these sentences:
1) My friends and I love to play in the snow.
2) The students should study vocab every night.
3) We prefer to swim in the summer.
4) Do you plan to attend the club meeting?
5) I have to rehearse for choir today.
6) We are going to eat pizza for lunch.

Apuntes especiales

Handback 1B chapter quizzes and assessments

Tarea:
2A packet pgs 1-4
For help with page 3, here are some clothing items:
el abrigo.......... coat
la blusa.......... blouse
las botas.......... boots
los calcetines.......... socks
la camisa.......... shirt (with buttons)
la camiseta.......... T-shirt
la chaqueta.......... jacket
la falda.......... skirt
la gorra.......... cap
los jeans.......... jeans
los pantalones.......... pants
los pantalones cortos.......... shorts
la sudadera.......... sweatshirt
el suéter.......... sweater
el traje.......... suit
el traje de baño.......... swimsuit
el vestido.......... dress
los zapatos.......... shoes

2A flashitas (click here for list) and r
ompecabezas (crossword) pg 19 are extra credit (if you have them the Monday we get back from Fall Break.)

11-12 de octubre- PLAN tests miércoles

Al entrar #24: pg 59 #21

¡A leer! Read/answer questions on page 61

Tuesday's classes watched a video for the rest of the period since Wednesday's classes are short.

Tarea: none

7.10.11

lunes, el 10 de octubre

Al entrar #23: pg 59 #19

¡A escribir! pg 65 Steps 1-4
Make sure to include evidence of pre-writing, editing, and a final draft. Due at the end of the hour!

Tarea:
none

5-6 de octubre

Al entrar #22: writing activity 13 (hace + tiempo 3 questions, 3 answers)

Entregan crédito extra
Correct tarea

1B reading assessment
1B quiz A, B, C, D
1B listening assessment

After quiz: pg 70 #1 and 71 #3

Tarea: Enjoy your three day weekend

30.9.11

3-4 de octubre

Entregan al entrares #11-20

1B vocab quiz

Al entrar #21: pg 57 #16
Correct tarea

Hace + time practice pg 58 #18

Speaking practice (vocab, hace + time)

¡A escuchar! pg 18

Tarea:
pgs 8, 9, 18 (pg 19 is extra credit BUT 8, 9, 18 have to be complete)

Extra listening practice is Wed 8:15 during Huskie Hour

1B Chapter Quiz next class (Study and see information below!)

Online practices:
Vocab
Comparisons
Saber vs Conocer
Hace + time expressions

Details of chapter quiz next Wednesday and Thursday:
Parte 1:
A. vocab- completing a paragraph about siblings and their activities outside of school

B. equal comparisons- writing sentences saying activities are just as good as another

C. completing a note using the correct forms of Conocer and Saber

D. answering questions about how long it has been since you and your friends have done certain things.

Parte 2:
A: escuchar- listen as students answer questions about what teens do after school. You'll have to listen for what the activity is, why they like to do it, and how long they have been doing it.

29.9.11

29-30 de septiembre

Al entrar #20: pg 52 #9 (escribe 6 frases por lo menos)
Correct tarea/ pg 15

¡A escuchar! Dictado pg 51 #7

GramActiva videos
-Comparisons: pgs 4, 5 of pkt and pg 53 #10
-Saber vs Conocer: pgs 6, 7 (started) of pkt

Tarea:
1B pkt (4, 5, 6) should be done and 7, 16, 17
Vocab quizlet next class!

Practice links:
Vocab
Comparisons
Saber vs Conocer

28.9.11

27-28 de septiembre

Al entrar #19: pg 50 #4 y #5

1B video

Lectura pg 63 (use pg 10 of packet)

Time for tarea, Act 11, quiz corrections etc

Tarea:
Oops, I assigned the wrong pages on Monday with the substitute. Pages 1, 2, 3, 12, 13, 14 will be checked next class.

23.9.11

lunes, el 26 de septiembre

Al entrar #18: pg 43 #2 y #3

1B packet pgs 1-6 **will be checked next class period**
For pages 1-2, use textbook pgs 42-43 (review)
For pages 3, 4, 5, 6 use new vocab pgs 68-69

Tarea:
1) whatever is not finished in class
2) print new vocab list
3) retakes with corrections and Act 11 in HH Tues, Thur or Wed after school.

22.9.11

21-22 de septiembre

Al entrar #17: pg 33 actividad 23. Contesta las preguntas del mensaje.

1A Speaking Assessments

Afterward:
-make quiz corrections
-complete/re-do Act11
-projects pg 36 (groups) or pg 37 (solo)

Tarea:
1) STUDY and PREPARE for shoe-verb re-take next week during HH or after school Wednesday.
(Must do test corrects and complete Act 11 worksheet satisfactorily in order to retake quiz)


2) Cheer on the Huskies to VICTORY at Friday's game

3) Be safe this weekend

20.9.11

19-20 de septiembre

Al entrar #16: pg 28 #16: Write at least 5 sentences. Use at least 3 shoe verbs.
Correct tarea

Finish vocab section of Quest. Correct.

Assess your assessments- tracking sheet

¡A leer! pg 25, 32, 33, 35

Pg 17 of 1A pkt- crossword/vocab practice

Tarea: Study vocab, speaking assessment next class. (Be ready to talk about the classroom, rules, etc.) Look at Criterion A on your bright yellow rubric card, so you'll know how you'll be graded.

16.9.11

15-16 de septiembre

Al entrar #15: pg 24 #7
Entregan actividad 11

Práctica: pg 14 of pkt OR Tic Tac Toe

IMPORTANTE:
Assessments:
1A Reading/Listening
Quest (shoe verbs)- finish vocab next class

Tarea: pgs 13, 16 of 1A pkt

13.9.11

13-14 de septiembre

Al entrar #14: Use pg 8 in 1A packet to answer questions 1-5 on pg 35.

Correct quizzes (tarea pg 8 zapatos)

¡A escuchar! pg 11

GramActiva video y práctica pg 27 #14

Matamoscas

Tarea: Act 11 handout due next class

NEXT CLASS:
QUEST + 1A listening and reading assessments (click on links below for extra practice)
Vocabulary activities
Stem Changing Verbs

Correct your shoe verb packet key (click here) Page 10 words will not be on the quiz!

12.9.11

lunes, el 12 de septiembre

Al entrar #13: pg 29 #17 Use the verbs hago, prefiero, quiero and uso to answer the sentence.

¡A hablar! pg 32 #21

Fondo cultural

Pg 6 of shoe verb packet

Tarea:
pgs 5-9 of shoe verb packet due Tues/Wed
Activity 11 (shoe verb page) due Thur/Fri

Quest + listening and reading assessments Thur/ Fri

9.9.11

8-9 de septiembre

Al entrar #12: Carmen and finish true/false, activities 1 and 2 with groups

Vocab Quiz (A + B recognition, C + D production)

¡A leer! pg 30 #18

Shoe Verb packets- pg 1 + all three shoes

Tarea:
1) Shoe verb packets are due Tues/Wed
2) QUIZ + TEST= QUEST next Thursday and Friday. It will include 1A listening, 1A reading, 1A vocab and grammar (shoe verbs.) Focus on the starred verbs from your notes. YOU NEED TO KNOW THE MEANINGS AND SPELLINGS of all 14 verbs!

7.9.11

6-7 de septiembre

Entregan al entrars 1-10 y 8 cosas que no me gustan. Tarea check.

Al entrar #11: pg 26 actividad 12 Choose 3 of the numbered questions and answer in a complete sentence

Correct tarea
¡A escuchar! 9-10
¡A hablar! pg 23 #5

¡A leer de las escuelas! ¿Comprendiste tú?

Tarea: Study for vocab quiz next class!

1.9.11

1-2 de septiembre

Al entrar #10: pg 22 #4 (conjugate your verb, use new vocab pg 40, and do NOT use tener + que)

Tiempo para:
1) practice 1A vocab (quizlet)
2) work on your 8 cosas que no me gustan

Hand back writing assessments, copy score grid, look at examples

Tarea:
1) 1A pkt 10, 11, 12 (to help you study for next week's vocab quiz)
2) Final draft of 8 cosas que no me gustan
Choose 8 activities you don't like and provide a simple explanation of why, see Patricia's version that we read in class.


30.8.11

30 agosto-1 septiembre

Al entrar #9: pg 15 #2, #3
¡A hablar! pg 14 #1
1A video

Correct verb quizzes

Gustar notes- lectura- Ocho cosas que no me gustan

Tarea:
1A packet **nuevo** pgs 1, 2, 3/study 1A vocab

There will be a vocab quiz next week.

29.8.11

lunes, el 29 de agosto

Al entrar #8: pg 7 actividad 11-
Tell where each student is from


Presentaciones de Para Empezar

Tarea:
1) Make and practice 1A flashitas (quizlet?) **You are responsible for knowing all of these words!**
2) Online quizzes due at the end of Huskie Hour tomorrow! (See last week's post for details)

25.8.11

25-26 de agosto

Al entrar #7: More coping card phrases (and gustar)
Correct tarea

Writing Assessment
Para Empezar (review) quiz

Prepare speaking situations for Monday. (You need to know ALL 4 parts, because I choose!)

Tarea:
1) Speaking situation for Monday's Sólo Español
2) Online activities.... (Monday is the last day for me to help you log in)

23.8.11

23-24 de agosto

Al entrar #6: more coping card phrases
Correct tarea pgs 4, 5
Cuento #2 y #3

¡A escuchar! PE #3

Práctica:
Actividades y Palabras interogativas
prueba #2AB y pg 10 #15,

Juego: pg 12 ABC

Tarea: STUDY
1) PE pkt 10, 11 (parts of this could be similar to your quiz next class)
2) Writing assessment next class (refer to yellow handout criteria C and D)


**IMPORTANTE**
Some of the quiz scores from the review section Para Empezar will be from activities in your on-line textbook. See the page at the top Online Text Instructions for complete instructions on logging in for the first time.


You will need to complete and PRINT the results of several activities by Aug 30 at 8:40am (Huskie Hour). (A screen capture of the results page is fine too.)

If you have questions about how to access your textbook, please see me by Monday, Aug 29!) You will need to complete these activities as your part of your quiz for Para Empezar (the review chapter):
pg 2 activity 1
pg 5 activity 7
pg 9 activity 14

22.8.11

lunes, el 22 de agosto

Al entrar #5: pg 11 #19

¡A hablar! #18, #21 pgs 11-12

Evaluaciones de los poemas por compañeros

Cuento #2 y#3

Tarea: study vocab pg 2 (20 minutes minimum)
** Para Empezar (review) writing assessment Thursday/Friday. Criteria C and D will be evaluated see yellow sheet from last class for more details.**

19.8.11

18-19 de agosto

Al entrar #4: phrases from your coping card to help you on Monday

Housekeeping: alfabeto, emergencies, purple Mondays (Spanish only!)
Handouts: coping card, mini verb wall, MYP rubric and criteria, SPA 1 review card

Pared de verbos: color code and copy the Big 5 and ar, er, ir endings

Textbook introduction

Tarea:
1) PE 4-5 (use mini-verb wall)
2) final draft of diamond poem. Due Monday. Click here for rubric and instructions. (You may refer to pgs 6-7 in hmwk packet if needed, but remember using only those words can't get a 5.)

16.8.11

16-17 de agosto

Al entrar #3:
¿Cómo son estas personas?
Correct tarea and class policy quizzes

¡A hablar! Introduce compañeros

¡A escuchar! #1 y #2

Tarea:
Study vocab on page 1 (personas y adjectivos) 20 minutes minimum

**I recommend making flashcards on index cards. However, you can also try Quizlet (search Realidades 2 Para Empezar or make your own stack of flashcards with words YOU need to practice)**

15.8.11

lunes, el 15 de agosto

Al entrar #2: Para Empezar prueba PE-1
Entregan (turn in) ¿Quién soy yo? projects

Take class policy quiz

Read lecturas- presentaciones

Introduce your partner:
-¿Cómo se llama el compañero/ la compañera?
-¿De dónde es?
-¿Cómo es?
-¿Cómo está hoy?
¿Qué hace los fines de semana? (no infinitivos)

Tarea:
1) Para Empezar pkt pgs 1-3, 8,9
2) Electronic signature from students and parents
3) Download, print, and study vocab list


11.8.11

11-12 de agosto

Al entrar #1: Parte 2 de "Una lengua extranjera"

Finish "Una lengua extranjera" review: question words, verbs, ser

El alfabeto

Class policies/electronic signatures are needed for coupons

Begin tarea: brainstorm list of adjectives by gender (click on the link and it will take you to our vocab page.)

Tarea:
1) Buy supplies

2) Electronic signatures for class policies

3)
Class policy quiz on Monday

4) ¿Quién soy yo? Divide paper into 4 sections. Upper left: two sentences of what you are physically. Upper right: two sentences of things you are NOT. Lower left: your choice-2 sentences (activities, things you like). Lower right: two sentences that describe your "insides"/character. Click here for rubric. Due Monday.

Click on link for a list of adjectives.

9.8.11

9-10 de agosto

SPA 2

Al entrar (warm up):
Essay- Write about your summer, your family, and friends. Then, discuss your previous experiences with Spanish. Do your relatives speak it? Do you travel? Were you successful in SPA I? Why/why not? How do you think this year will be different? How can I best help you, as a teacher? How can you help me, as a student? Finally, tell me about your knowledge/level of comfort and access to technology. Do you have daily access to the internet?

Interest survey

Intros with M&Ms (review colors, tener)

Peace Corp readings (learner profile)

Tarea (homework):
1) Shop for supplies: binder, spiral, index cards,
dictionary (opt)

2) Read the class policies and check out other links

Introduction

One of the first activities we will do in class is an interest survey, as a way to help me get to know you. I think it is only fair that I list my own answers, so you can get to know me too. To get to know the class, click here for a copy of our policies!

1. I like to read mysteries, mainly by Nevada Barr and JA Jance.

2. I don't receive an actual newspaper at home. I typically just read the news headlines on CNN.com etc. Sometimes, I will also watch the news on TV.

3. I like to read People and O magazines, especially on a plane.

4. I enjoy watching M*A*S*H*, news magazine shows (20/20, Dateline, 48 Hours Mystery etc) and anything dealing with forensic science.

5. My favorite class in high school was yearbook. But, I liked Spanish too. It was actually my own high school Spanish teacher who encouraged me to become a teacher.

6. My least favorite class in high school was probably chemistry because I was a senior and had senioritis.

7. When I have free time at home, I like to watch TV, read, go for walks and hang out with my friends. At school, I like to visit with other teachers and try to organize my classroom.

8. I would like to talk to President Obama. I can't imagine being the president during a war, recession and environmental crisis all at once.

9. I would like to talk with Evita Peron from Argentina because I am intrigued with her role in her country's development. (I actually got to go to Buenos Aires four summers ago, and it was amazing!)

10. I guess baking, if that is considered a hobby. I like learning new things about how technology can "improve" my life, and I love to travel too.

11. Well, if I weren't a teacher, I would like to work for the FBI or CIA or be a flight attendant and travel the world for free.

12. This year, I will be taking classes to learn how to be a better teacher.

13. War, homelessness, hunger, people without jobs, and kids who drop out of school all concern me.

14. I would write a book about my students and the funny things they say and do!

15. I would like to become an expert in web design/blogging/Web 2.0 in the classroom.

16. I would like to visit North Carolina/the Outer Banks.

17. If I lived on another planet, I would have to bring my DVD player, books, iPod, my husband, Dr. Pepper, garlic bread, lasagna, gum, snickers bars, clothes.

18. What fruit best describes your personality? (Mine: grapes--sometimes sweet, sometimes sour. Sometimes you just have bad days!)

3.8.11

New Year's Resolutions

No, it's not January. But it is the beginning of a new year of school. Students and teachers all have a fresh start and a chance to do things a bit differently. During the first days back, we will talk about why you are studying Spanish. What are your resolutions for a new school year?

Read the quotes and watch the video below and start thinking about it! Understanding why you are studying Spanish will help you be successful and reach your goals.

"Desire is the key to motivation. But it's determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of the goal, a commitment to excellence, that will enable you to attain the success you seek." --Mario Andretti, race car driver

"The first thing is to love your sport. Never do it to please someone else. It has to be yours." --Peggy Fleming, figure skater

"If what you're working for really matters, you'll give it all you've got." --Nido Qubein, businessman and author

29.7.11

El Verano

I had a VERY busy summer, as I am sure most of you did! I left the last weekend of May and spent two weeks traveling through Europe with my husband. We spent most of our time in Switzerland visiting friends from the United States. One of our greatest adventures was going to the top of the Alps on a cable car. For you film aficionados, scenes from the James Bond movie Her Majesty's Secret Service were filmed here.

I spent the rest of summer doing lots of camping in Arizona, Wyoming and Colorado, of course!

As vacation winds down and we get ready for another school year, think about what was your favorite summer memory.

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See you soon!