Bienvenidos

¡Hola estudiantes y familias!

After a most relaxing summer spending time with friends and family, we are back at school in a new building and a new classroom. I am very excited about this new school year: your students of español will be shaping into a more intermediate conversational student, we will be trying out Google Classroom, and the Dojo participation system! Remember to subscribe or check in regularly to see the your students work throughout the year. I hope to see all of you on September 17th for Open House to tell you all about our curriculum and projects ahead. ¡Hasta pronto!

¡Bravo por el trabajo bien hecho!

Queridas familias,

Yet another school year has gone by so quickly, with so many accomplishments. Our 8th graders, having finished their poster for recycling at school, embraced a little story of a lama, whose name is Paco, and his sister, going on a trip to Argentina (or Chile!) They did a fabulous job at narrating in the new acquired past tense, and putting together a great puppet show: here's some fotos of the preparations for the show!

There's an oso perezoso as well! 

The sloth was replaced by a vaca  in this play...

Meanwhile, the 7th graders were busy with their own production of Alonso y Elena van en bicicleta, for which they wrote their own script, sprinkled with connector words, made the props and puppets, and delivered performances maravillosas, did your student share his/her performance with you? Here's a little taste:

                

aplauso¡BRAVOS Y BRAVAS! aplauso

I wish you all a very restful summer vacation, filled with joyful memories...  Guess where Profe is headed!

Artistas españoles y Sant Jordi

¡Hola familias!

In 7th grade we are learning all about Spain, and your students of español know about all about the masters! Ask your student what painting they chose, the author, the time period, and one thing they like the most about it. It was fun sharing their artwork with the class. Bravo, Spanish artist!

On another note altogether, April 23 is a very special day in Barcelona, it is Sant Jordi, the day of the roses and the books. Amongst the many holidays and fiestas, Sant Jordi is Profe's favorite! 

A flamenco performance, and it's all about Kahoot!

Queridas familias, 

What a winter we have been having, I cannot believe there is still nieve on the ground! One thing that made winter go away for one day was a fabulous flamenco performance sponsored by the generosity of the PTO.  We had a most wonderful time having a little taste of Spain, gracias mil! 

The Famenco Dance Project explained wonderfully the basics of flamenco, and some after the show, some lucky students got to flamenco dance, while the rest were learning to clap palmas sordas y sonoras. Ask your student if they enjoyed the show, or whether they were one of the lucky ones to go onstage!

On another note, we are starting new units with both 7th graders: higiene personal y rutina, and el universo y la geografía for 8th graders. But the one new game everyone is talking about is Kahoot!

Does your student of español like to play Kahoot? Which one was most fun? What's their usual alias or nickname? Since the demand is so high, it is a great incentive to keep all the students trying their best to speak only in Spanish! You may try it at home for a fun family game night, it comes in all languages and range of topics...

Mapas y direcciones

¡Hola familias!

After a nice holiday break, 8th graders have been finishing up their unit on Argentina, the past tense, and travelling items. They have just completed a project, a brochure advertising a region in Argentina and its wonders. Un trabajo fenomenal, chicos! Ask your student about their region: how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where/ what to eat and drink.

We also worked on giving directions to a mystery destination in Spain. Students took turns giving out directions and following them. Happily, they all arrived and discovered their mystery destinations safe and sound.  Bravo!

"Pà amb tomàquet" and Inca Kola

¡Hola familias! 

We are finishing out unit on Food ans Perú. What can your student tell you about it? We have been learning geography,  climate,  landmarks and ancient civilizations. A very beloved Paco may also be found in Perú, and his sister Flaca...  As we finish up our unit, your student may also know about traditional ingredients in the Peruvian diet, how to set the table the Peruvian way in español, what meals are healthy and why, or the very famous soda in Perú (here's a hint!)

On another note altogether, your family may give the most traditional receta of tapas and merienda dish a try at home. Note that it is best to use peasant/rustic bread: no sugar, honey or molasses! (It's from Barcelona, not Perú, where Profe is from.) 

Enjoy! ¡Buen provecho!

¡Felices fiestas!

¡Hola familias, felices fiestas!

In Spanish class we have talked about how Christmas and the New Year is celebrated in Spain. You may watch the video below to get a sense of the Spanish traditions during the holiday season:

Ask may ask your student how Santa is called in Spanish, or who else brings regalos to the children on January 6th. What other traditions were discussed? How do people celebrate the New Year?  These logs are from Catalunya, a Northern region in Spain, would you like to borrow this tradition for your family?

Best wishes for a 2015, familias! ¡Feliz Año!