miércoles, el dos de septiembre del dos mil nueve

Good job visiting the blog! Tomorrow when I ask my level 1's "Who read the blog?" or my level 2's "¿Viste el blog?" I want you to raise BOTH HANDS to show me that you really read it!

See you tomorrow!
Profe Nick
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Español Uno (1) & Español Dos (2):

Announcement: Paso a paso texts should be kept in your locker all year. You may be asked to periodically bring them to class if you have a substitute, but otherwise we will not be using them.

Announcement: Most of class will be in Spanish all year long, with the following exceptions. Level 1: our goal is to get to that point by day 10!!! Last year was day 12, but I think we can beat that record. Levels 1 & 2: when we are covering beginning-of-the-year procedures, it will be in English. My goal is never to overwhelm you with Spanish that is difficult to understand. I work very hard to make it comprehensible to even the most beginner of students, so hang in there with me! Your progress this year is going to be amazing.

Procedure: Backpacks belong at the back of the room each day so we are not tripping over them.

Today’s Agenda:

1. Check for books & workbooks. If you still need a Paso a paso text, please get one checked out to you from the office tomorrow. If you still need a workbook, please bring a check for $12.00 to the office tomorrow.

2. Teacher introduction.

This is my 5th year at PCFC. Before teaching at PCFC, I worked as a long-term substitute at the Overlake School in Redmond. Before that, I was teaching Spanish at a school in the Chicago suburbs (where I grew up). I moved out to the area because my husband got a job out here. We love the Seattle area! Just wish we had more lighting storms. I attended the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) as an undergrad, Middlebury College as a graduate student in Spanish (in Madrid), and Benedictine University as a graduate student in education. I’ve heard great things about this class. Your reputation is that of a sincerely caring group of kids. It should be a great year, and I look forward to being your teacher.

3. Receive class syllabus and discuss a few of its sections.
--class rules (1. Show respect. 2. Make good decisions. 3. Solve problems.)
--after-school help on Wednesdays
--class blog

4. Begin to learn some gestures for new vocabulary:

Spanish 1:
agarra = s/he grabs (or “grab!”)
escribe = s/he writes (or “write!”)
dibuja = s/he draws (or “draw!”)
espera = s/he waits (for) (or “wait!”)
entiende = s/he understands
le gusta = it is pleasing to him/her

Spanish 2:
agarra = s/he grabs (or “grab!”)
escribe = s/he writes (or “write!”)
espera = s/he waits (for) (or “wait!”)
entiende = s/he understands
saca = s/he takes out (or “take out!”)
mira = s/he looks (at) (or “look!”)
anda = s/he walks (or “walk!”)

Homework: 1) Find a 1” binder for Monday, or designate a section of a large binder to be for Spanish. We will be having binder checks this year, as staying organized is crucial. 2) Visit the blog…and clearly you did!