Love these student posters!

Time for SPANISH!

¡Hola!

We have now moved into our unit on Spanish, which should last 8-10 weeks. Today was the first day that students were immersed in the language, learning how to carry on a basic conversation. It is critical that the entire class is conducted in Spanish, which can be troubling to some students at first. Through the use of visuals, body language, and modelling, students are able to understand and figure out what is being said without the need for translation.

Please support your child by going over the new conversation flashcards with them, and asking them to practice what they are saying in class at home.

¡Muchas gracias!

Tabs are back!

A setting somehow was changed and the tabs at the top of this blog mysteriously disappeared! I have figured it out and they should now be visible. Sorry for the inconvenience!

Don't forget! - Quiz Wednesday

Don't forget that we will have a vocabulary quiz on the words from page 7 (bottom) on Wednesday! Use the flashcards to practice a bit every night!

Some Interesting Words!

Explore more infographics like this one on the web's largest information design community - Visually.

Update on student emails....

Not all students have been issued their spyponder email accounts yet. I have learned that these are being given out in the Digital Citizenship class, and that the teachers are hoping all students will have their emails by the end of next week.

In the meantime, I will post my daily agenda on this blog until all students are able to sign up to Schoology.com. Please see the tab that says "Agendas."

I have also created a tab where I will be putting up vocabulary flashcards. Students can use these to practice with vocabulary on their own. There are also lots of fun games with them!

We're starting our Latin unit on Friday, 9/13! I hope all the students will remember to greet me by saying, "Salve, magistra!"

Ms. Ritz

Welcome to World Language Exploratory!

Welcome students and parents 
to the World Language Exploratory class!

First, let me just say how excited I am to be teaching this class! Today, I met all of my students and was impressed with their enthusiasm and respect for me and for each other. We are off to a great start!

I want to clarify a small point regarding class supplies, as I've already had a few questions... Students should get a 3-ring notebook with pockets. We will be looking at three languages in depth this year, so I would like students to have a place for notes about each one.

Information on grading is available on this website (see the Grading Information tab above), and all students were given a handout today with information on joining our Schoology.com class page, where I will be posting specific information about assignments as well as class notes. If your child was absent today, please see have them see me on Monday.

This year, we will begin with an overview of the languages of the world... How many languages are there? Why does language matter? Why isn't English enough? We will then move on to more detailed study of Latin, then Spanish, then French. In between each language unit, we will spend some time on mini-units about Chinese culture.

At the end of the year, students will be ready to make an informed decision about which language they would like to study for 7th and 8th grade: French, Latin, Mandarin Chinese, or Spanish. And I hope they will be excited to learn more!

Please email me with any questions or concerns: critz@arlington.k12.ma.us. I absolutely love teaching and I love languages... here's to a great year!

Ms. Ritz