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viernes, 30 de abril

If you take at the important dates to the left you will see a few things related to the essay response to Cohen. Everyone has the essay, as well as some articles on Immigration from the Southern Law Council and the Graphic Organizer that is due on Monday, May 10. Students will turn the G.O. into a rough draft for Tuesday, May 11. We will have peer editing and then students will turn in their final on Friday, May 14. If students have ANY questions over their DC break and need help: contact me!!

Have a safe trip! See you all May 10th!

jueves, 29 de abril

Today students finished their Aztec myth presentations. We then dived into talking about May 1st - Día de los trabajadores - International Labor. With immigration hot in the news, we focused our discussion on jobs and why certain ones are more respected and better paid.We also talked about the recent immigration law was passed in Arizona and a little bit of the history of the Border Control to put it in context. The students ranked there 25 Jobs and then tried to think of the five most important jobs needed in society. For homework, students are to read an essay on immigration by Richard Cohen and start to think about whether or not they agree with his thesis (or parts of his arguments). Students will use this to write an reaction and share their own opinion. It will be exciting to see what they come up with!

martes, 27 de abril

Finally, we had a full day of class! Students took the Aztec Quiz and had 20 minutes to prepare for their myth presentations. The first group presented today and the other two will present during reading and work time on Thursday.

Leading up to DC, we will talk about May 1 - International Labor as well as immigration and some of the current legislation that has passed in Arizona. Students will be completed a graphic organizer over the DC break to prepare for an essay in response to an article on immigration. Students will be able to form and opinion statement and defend their opinion. More information as well as rubrics and all to come.

Homework: Students were given a refresher on articles and verb conjugation. Complete for Thursday!

martes, 20 de abril

Students are working in class on a piece of Teatro Azteca - an Aztec myth that they are turning into a play. They are working in groups of three. They will be presenting on Tuesday, April 27. Please look below at the previous for quiz answers for Tuesday as well!

lunes, 19 de abril

We covered MUCHO today! We then end of Don Quijote, we are started our final unit in Spanish entitled Celebrations in the Spanish-speaking world. With CRCT and the DC trip, we will be getting into a Quinceañera unit in May along with stem-changing verbs. This week; however, we will do a short unit on Aztec Mythology and Folklore and next week we will do another lesson from ¡Viva la Causa! on immigration (both related to my background in Chicano Studies).

For those who need a review from today here is a breakdown of some of the gods and important figures:

Huitzilopochtli - warrior sun god, hummingbird good, required sacrifices to help him win in battle

Quetzalcoatl - creator of humans, represented by the feathered serpent

Tláloc - rain god (has goggles), child sacrifices were performed in his name as the tears would bring rain

La Virgen de Guadalupe - dark-skinned, Nahuatl-speaking apparition of the Virgin Mary who came to Juan Diego, and old Aztec man bringing together the Aztec religion with the Catholic religion of the conquering

Spanish

Tenochititlan - Aztec city what is now Mexico City

Aztlán - homeland of the Mexica, who immigrated to what is now Mexico City to form the Aztec Empire

Also, here is the Aztec Timeline as well as the story of Popo & Izta.

Please remember, we have quiz on this information on Tuesday, April 27 (spelling will not be important!)

I also shared pictures from my trip to Mexico City of the Basilica of the Virgin de Guadalupe, Tenochitilan, and Teotihuacan.

jueves, 15 de abril

We watched Don Quijote today in class, comparing it to the book we read as well as making comparisons between the imaginary world in Don Qujiote's head to reality.

Remember that the final draft of Don Quijote, la historia sigue is due tomorrow. Don't forget your name and date on the front! As always, I'm available by phone if you have any questions!

Peace,

Laura

lunes, 12 de abril

Welcome back! Today we jumped right back in to Don Quijote. We completed the book today in class which was very exciting! Our first book in Spanish! Congrats to Hati & Ariel for getting the phrase of the week right! They each earned a peso!

Here's what's coming up this week:

Tue - Don Quijote, La Historia Sigue 1st Draft Due - Peer Editing

Wed - Students may turn in a 2nd draft to me for editing

Thu - Students will watch an animated version of Don Quijote, comparing and contrasting the book to the movie

Fri - Final draft of the students' versions of Don Quijote

As always, I am available for questions after school. Tutorial is Tuesday at 4. Have a great week!

Paz,

Profe Laura

lunes, 29 de marzo

Today we started the presentations for Don Quijote -- students did a great job. We will complete the last presentation tomorrow and start the next Rompecabeza (Jigsaw) round. Students will present on Friday. The rubrics are attached below. There is no homework this week due to the rompecabezas (unless you are working on parts of the project at home!).

Heads up: for spring break, students are to start their drafts for The Stories Continue -- the next chapter in Don Quijote. They are to be written in Spanish. We will work on peer editing when students get back, and they will have a chance to let me read through their work. The timeline is posted under important dates to the left. Students will receive a culture and writing grade for their story. Here is the rubric:

Don Quijote: La Historia Sigue

Have a great day!

Paz,

Profe Laura

viernes, 26 de marzo

Students continued to work on their chapter presentations of Don Quijote. Presentations will begin on Monday so students must be ready with their poster, summaries, quotes, and opinions. Please feel free to review the rubrics here if you no longer have a copy:

Don Quijote Jigsaw (all parts but Visualize)

Poster Rubric (Reading & Culture)

Presentation Rubric (Speaking & Listening)

Have a great weekend! Hope to see some of you at Into the Woods (Break a leg!)

Paz,

Profe Laura

lunes, 22 de marzo

Today we continued to read Don Quijote (chapters 7 and 8). Tomorrow we will read the last chapter together as a class for a while and break into groups of three to read different chapters and share with the entire class.

Homework - on the two-sided page, students are to work on the one with the drawing of Sancho Panza. Students are to label five articles of clothing with articles (el/la).

Have a great day!

Paz,

Profe Laura

viernes, 19 de marzo

Happy Friday! We plugged along for two more days with Don Quijote. We are being introduced to more characters and learning how to get inside of the mind of Don Quijote and the author, Miguel de Cervantes.

Way to go Kai, Ramsey, and Hati with the phrase of the week! There is a new one posted. ¡Buena suerte!

There is no homework for the weekend. Coming up next week, students will starting reading chapters in groups and then teaching what they read to the class. I am excited to see them start to interact with the text on a more personal level.

Have a great weekend!

Paz,

Profe Laura

martes, 16 de marzo

Today we read the third chapter in Don Quijote de la Mancha. Students are doing very well with their reading comprehension and participation. I passed out a sheet with information and some questions on famous writers. For homework, students are the read the remaining boxes and answer questions 3-6. Also, students should color in the country of each writer in their made and do a sketch of their flag. If you need help, feel free to come to me with questions!

Have a great Tuesday!

Paz,

Laura

viernes, 12 de marzo

Crazy week! We got our new windows, are back in our class and have started reading Don Quijote! We will do most of this work in class since it is so challenging, though everyone is doing well. I am very excited as we will read the entire book in Spanish! (an abridge version, of course)

No homework this weekend, have a great one!

Paz,

Profe Laura

lunes, 8 de marzo

We did not have class today due to the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. Please remember to study for your quiz on La Ropa! (clothes)

martes, 2 de marzo

Today we worked on prepositions with Goldy, the mascot from the University of Minnesota. Remember to study you Spanish notes every night for 5-10 minutes so we are ready for the games like we tried to play today.

Tarea: 10 sentences using the prepositions describing the picture.

Paz,

Profe Laura

lunes, 1 de marzo

Today we focused on new vocabulary for the unit -- La Ropa (Clothing). The assignment for today is to write three sentences using the verb llevar (to wear). Here are some sentence starters to help:

En la primavera... (In the spring...)

En el verano... (In the summer...)

En el otoño... (In the fall...)

En el invierno... (In in the winter...)

Paz,

Profe Laura

jueves, 25 de febrero

Today we started a new unit: Don Quijote de la Mancha. Students worked with atlas and maps to create their own map of Spain. Students also were passed back their essays, tests, and a packet of recipes of all of the ones from the recipe assignment. Maybe they should prepare dinner tonight? :)

Students have a reading comprehension assignment on Tortillas due tomorrow. Though we have a shortened class tomorrow, we will have a discussion on chivalry in modern times.

lunes, 22 de febrero

We did not have class today due to the field trip to visit our zoned high schools. This is just a reminder that the Viva la Causa essays are due tomorrow and we will also be taking our end of unit exam tomorrow. Por favor, ¡estudia!

viernes, 19 de febrero

Short week - we continued to work on ¡Viva la causa! talking about current boycots and fair treatment for workers. (Check out Food, Inc or visit killercoke.org to check out some of the issues we were discussing). Students also worked on writing a rough draft from their graphic organizer for their persuasive essay. Need the rubric? Click here. In class today, they did peer editing. The essay is due Tuesday, Feb 23 (along with the end of unit exam!). Students can complete a second draft and turn it in to me on Monday morning (or email me with it over the weekend) if they would like me to go over it and provide feedback. Students can also always call me over the weekend with questions.

Have a great weekend! Remember to study for the test! No class on Monday due to the high school field trips!

viernes, 12 de febrero

Today we continued the Viva La Causa unit with a discussion on allies. We read an article written by Dolores Huerta in 1969, and then students pulled out words and phrases that really moved them. Here is the poem we created:

the time is ripe for our liberation

we have suffered even though our ancestors did

sowing the seeds of our truth

we will not stop struggling 'til we die

legislation

yet we are still pilgrims

to leave our peonage, poverty, and despair behind

affliction

legislation had left us naked

Over the weekend, students must complete their graphic organizers for their persuasive essays. Students has three options for essays:

1. Why is the fight that Cesar Chavez and the migrant workers important to the rest of our country? What did our nation gain in the process?

2. Do you think struggles such as the Civil Rights Movement and fight the farm workers faced should be fought non-violently or using violence? Why?

3. The title of the film and of the unit is Viva La Causa, which means “Long live the cause.” what message is the filmmaker trying to send to you?

Wednesday is your last day to turn in the permission form and money for the Feb 23 field trip to Manchu Picchu and El Mercado del Pueblo.

Way to go Shay, Troy and Kai for getting the Word of the Week!

Enjoy the long weekend!

Paz,

Profe Laura

martes, 9 de febrero

We started the series - Viva La Causa - please respond to this question on the back of your notes:

What is non-violence and how did this play a role in the struggle?

Bonus - Look up the lyrics to the song De Colores -- what it is about?

Paz,

Profe Laura

viernes, 5 de febrero

The students worked hard on their recipe projects for our book today. There are couple of changes to the dish list:

Brandon is writing about Oxacan Tacos

Ramsey - Pollo con mole and churros

Troy - Carne Guisada and tres leches

Kai - Empanadas and Flan

Students are allowed to do two recipes and then second one will take the place of the final exam grade (save the listening portion). It is not required, but an option.

Also, great job to Kai and Hati for getting the word of the week!

Have a great weekend!

Paz,

Profe Laura

jueves, 4 de febrero

We are starting a recipe project which is due on Monday, February 8th. For tomorrow, students must look up a recipe for their chosen dish. Here is the list:

Brandon - Tacos

Destin - Arepas

Ramsey - Spanish Tortillas

Dakota - Salsa

Shay - Arroz con Pollo

Hati - Paella

Troy - Tortillas

Ariel - Batida

Kai - Empanadas

We will be creating a recipe book. Students have all day tomorrow to work on this in class and to ask questions. All recipes must be on normal 8x11 pieces of paper so they will fit together as a book.

Also, students will have the opportunity to join the 6th graders on a field to Mercado del Pueblo on Bufford Highway and to eat at an Peruvian restaurant. It is complete optional and students who wish to go must be caught up on their Social Studies and Language Arts work since they will be missing those classes. The field trip is on Tuesday, Feb 23. More details to come.

Have a great day!

Paz,

Profe Laura

lunes, 1 de febrero

Great job on your skits and menus, everyone! I had fun looking through them more thoroughly over the weekend. Back to the grindstone today -- we did possessives and irregular verbs (ver y leer). There is a homework sheet attached to that. Tomorrow we will be doing more with irregular verbs and get ready for a new project for Friday and the weekend.

Paz,

Profe Laura

viernes, 29 de enero

Wonderful job on the skits! It was a lot of fun to see you all act out the problems in your restaurant. I am excited to look over your colorful menus over the weekend.

Way to go Hati on getting the word of the week!

HW: La Comida Hispánica - answer the questions in Spanish, of course. Remember to call if you have a question!

Have a great weekend!

Paz,

Profe Laura

jueves, 28 de enero

Today we took a quick quiz on the food with a reading, writing, and listen component. Every did a WONDERFUL job!! yea! Everyone received a 100% on the listen part, which was very exciting. Tomorrow students will have 10 minutes to get their skits together and then they will be presenting and turning in their menus. Great work! I am excited to see what everyone came up with--I have a feeling they will be very entertaining!

Also, Ariel, Troy, and Shay received wolf bones for coming in on their own during reading and work time to quiz themselves in preparation for the quiz today. Way to take responsibility for your learning, ladies!

Paz,

Profe Laura

martes, 26 de enero

Quick post! Still working on the menus and skits (plan is to have them due on Friday, though you will get 10-15 minutes of work time with your group that day to practice). Quiz on Thursdays and then there will be work time. The homework is the food vocab worksheet. Have a great night!

Paz,

Profe Laura

lunes, 25 de enero

Working on our restaurant menus and skits project in class this week. Will set a finalize due date tomorrow. Remember to study for the quiz on Thursday! I have tutorial tomorrow for anyone who would like extra help (or you can always come in early in the morning).

HW: Table setting worksheet

Have a great night!

Paz,

Profe Laura

viernes, 22 de enero

We started working in our groups on the Menus project which will carry over into the skit project. The homework for the weekend - read the conversation and answer three of the seven questions (of your choice) in Spanish.

Yea to Kai who got the phrase of the week! She earned her peso.

If you would like to work on your menus, don't let me stop you!

Remember to keep reviewing your notes -- the quiz is on the 28th.

Have a great weekend!

Paz,

Profe Laura

jueves, 21 de enero

Just a reminder - if you didn't finish the three sentences about the foods you like, please have it ready for the start of class tomorrow!!

We will start the menu and restaurant group project tomorrow as well.

Paz,

Profe. Laura

martes, 19 de enero

We continued to work on new food vocabulary and then played BINGO for pesos. It was fun and competitive. There was no homework.

Upcoming - we will form groups and work on more restaurant vocabulary and start to create menus.

Please continue to study your vocabulary and notes so that you are ready for your quiz on January 28th.

Paz,

Profe Laura

Silly internet

Of course when I try to be on top of the blog and post right after class, the internet was fishy :(

So, here is the recap:

-Two students need to re-do their Central Plaza homework and two need to turn it in on Tuesday (remember, lunch detention until it is finished)

-All students need to read about Hispanic Foods and write a 5 sentence summary (in English) for Tuesday

-We will continue with vocabulary on Tuesday. Two students who missed class due to stepping need to come in on Tuesday morning to get the notes that they missed and turn in their ¡ya!

Finally, remember our new policy - line up outside the door, place all coats, bookbags, etc in the back and only take your Spanish folder, agenda book, and a pencil to your new assigned seat. Students may only use the bathroom during independent work time, and students who do not complete their homework must spend lunch detention with me until it is completed.

These policies have been put in place due to the lack of responsibility that students have been taking for their learning and actions (referring to Guiding Principle #3). These procedures will remain in place until all students start taking responsibility for their learning.

Have a safe and wonderful three day weekend. As always, call if you have any questions.

Paz,

Profe Laura

¡Vamos al restaurante!

First of all, a big ¡GRACIAS! to Dakota's dad and Shay's mother for driving us all to Mi Barrio, a family-owned Mexican restaurant on Memorial and Boulevard. Second of all, I am very proud of all of the students. They did a great job, tried to use their Spanish, took some risks, and were extremely mature and polite. We had a blast, eat some wonderful food, and then talked about things we would like to learn during our next unit: ¡Vamos al restaurante!

*Tarea: finish La Plaza Central reading -- due at the beginning of class on Friday.

Paz,

Profe Laura

Getting back into the swing of things...

I apologize for not posting - it's been a bit crazy getting back into the swing of things specially with even more unexpected days off! Here is what's going on as we wrap up unit 3:

1/12 - To Hire or Not to Hire due to complete the hiring process we began before break.

Students will have a chance to revise unit 3 exams.

1/14 - La Plaza cultural reading and questions due

1/14 - Mi Barrio Field Trip! We will meet in the cafeteria at 11:45.

Remember - tutorial is Tuesday 4-5 pm

Paz,

Profe. Laura