Semana Interesante (An Interesting Week)

¡Hola Todos!

We had a great week this week in the world of Spanish I and II. I am pleased with the progress the students are making and the effort being shown.

A new change in my classes is the integration of technology. I am phasing in more and more use of technology. We have gone to the computer lab off and on, but now I am going to have students use technology in the classroom.

I sent home a BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology) form home with all students. This form needs filled out and returned to me. This is an agreement that students will be allowed to use any device that connects to a WI-FI signal (smartphone, iPad, iPod, tablet, laptop, kindle, etc.) I am planning on implementing days of technology on T days (Tuesday and Thursday). There will be activities for students to do using their devices. I feel it is important to use the technology students have and not prohibit them from using them.

In the world we live in, technology is everywhere and is part of our everyday lives. Asking students to come in and not use these devices is tough. Why not use technology as a tool to enhance their understanding and interest.

Please make sure BYOT forms are signed and returned by Thursday 3/13/13.

Here's the rundown of the past week: I'll start with Spanish I

Spanish I: Finished Mexico project presentations Monday and Tuesday. I am so pleased by the results of the power point presentations by many of the students. They were able to share the interesting tidbits about the Mexican Culture. I love seeing how the different students focus on different aspects of the various topics. That is what makes things enjoyable for me. The students get to see first hand all the aspects that make a culture what it is. On Wednesday, the students were sooooooooo disappointed because they got a snow day. Thursday, students took an open note test on the projects. The test was made up of questions submitted by each individual student. Friday, we graded the test and revisited the battle of the two verbs Ser and Estar. To re-acclimate ourselves, we listened to a song in Spanish and filled the missing words on the lyrics that were provided. This allowed the students to listen to an authentic example and do so in a manner that is more enjoyable.

Spanish II: Found themselves in a world of change. I have "flipped" the Spanish II class. That means, notes are given through power points or videos and done as homework and then students work on activities in class that is focused and meaningful. They also received a syllabus of assignment due dates through April 15. I am forcing the students out of their comfort zone and having them work on communication and not just focus on grammar and right/wrong answers. Communication and proficiency is THE GOAL, and the only way to reach the goal is to use Spanish more and more daily. The assignments are all listed in Schoology as a hub for students to find the assignments and know when the due dates are. Two new areas that have been added: student blogs and google voice messages. Students had to create a blog where they will be posting on various topics as a way of monitoring their growth in their written/presentational Spanish. Google voice allowed me to set up a phone number where I can leave a greeting message. This message is a question asked in Spanish that the students respond to orally by leaving a voicemail message. This will improve their interpersonal Spanish.

What's coming up? That is easy............OGT testing this week for sophomores and practice OGT tests for freshmen. That puts all classes on 2-hour delay schedule. We will be working mastery (75% avg.) of concepts and improving our communication.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns contact me. Leave comments on the blog, email or leave a voice mail for me at school.

Por ahora (for now)

Hasta Luego

Projects, Projects and Did I Mention Projects?

¡Hola Todos!

I am glad to start off this blog talking about how AMAZING the projects were by the students this week. Spanish II completed theirs on Tuesday and Spanish I is in the middle of their slideshow presentation. I have been thoroughly impressed by the talent the students have shown.

Spanish II:
This week has been very interesting. The work the Spanish II's did on their model and brochure projects were phenomenal. I will post some pictures at the bottom of the blog. The details about the city and the structures were outstanding. My seventh period even got another treat during their presentations; Mr. James sat in class that day and got to see first hand the results of the students' hard work.

After projects, we continued our work on the first past tense. We have been working on the regular preterite. Since the WI-FI signal is now strong enough, I received permission from Mr. Masser to have students bring in their own technological device (BYOT). It was a success. We used a website called Socrative the first day. Then on Thursday, we took a quiz using technology. I now know smart phones are very tough to take a quiz on.

Homework on Thursday was non-traditional. I flipped the classroom. I gave the notes through a powerpoint and the students had to read it and take their notes as homework. When they came to class, we did an activity with the notes they took.

Spanish I:
This week has been very project oriented. On Monday, I was out, but the students worked in the computer lab to continue their project. Tuesday, we went to the library to print off an outline of the projects and made sure things were finalized. Wednesday and Thursday were two days of presentations. Friday, we worked on the very estar and prepositions.

All I can say is the projects have blown me away. The students have gotten the point of the projects. I wish I could show some of these, but I haven't found a way to share the slideshows. I may try to have students send me a copy and then I can choose some random slides to show everyone.

What's coming up?
Spanish I: Projects will continue, hopefully, Monday and Tuesday. We will then take an open note test over projects on Wednesday. After projects are over, we will continue on with ser vs. estar.

Spanish II: Will continue their journey through Mexico and the past tense in Spanish.

LIke always, due on Saturday is our schoology post. Schoology is our Learning Management System (LMS). This is where students do a lot of work. Coming soon will be the use of Google Voice. A voicemail system where I can leave a message and students will call and leave me messages using the target language.

Here's to nudging the students out of their comfort zone!

Like always, feel free to contact me via email, phone or comments on the blog. You can also connect to me via twitter (@sadkinsump).

¡Hasta Luego!

The following pictures are of the following ancient Mesoamerican Cities (in order of appearance):
Tulum, Teotihuacán, Tikal, Uxmal, Chichén-Itza, Tenochtitlán, and Palenque