General

Literacy Letter:

In your letter this week, describe the most exciting part of your book so far. Be sure to tell what makes it so exciting. Is it because of what the characters do? Is it because of what the characters say? Is it because of what the characters think? Is the excitement due to the conflict in the book? (  . . Or maybe it’s because of all of these things!) Write about specific examples.        If your book is not exciting yet, write about what would make it exciting. Does it need more action? Do you want to hear more dialogue? Do you wish the author would introduce more interesting characters?        As always, remember to state the title of your book, the author, and what you would rate the book! Give lots of details and be sure to write no less than 1 page!

The English 10 page has been updated with the 1984 Novel Unit Material.

It even has your writing prompt for your Parallel Reading a day early!

Wahoo!  I bet you were just waiting for that, right? RIGHT? 

Here are the book options for English 10.  Remember:  YOU MUST HAVE YOUR BOOK IN HAND by THURSDAY (FRIDAY at the ABSOLUTE LATEST!) 

1. Watership Down by Richard Adams
2. Feed by M.T. Anderson
3. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
4. Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy
5. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
6. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
7. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
8. The Dispossessed by Ursula LeGuin
9. Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry
10. The Giver by Lois Lowry
11. The Declaration by Gemma Malley
12. The Road by Cormac McCarthy
13. Z for Zachariah by Robert C. O'Brien
14. Animal Farm by George Orwell
15. Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick
16. Anthem by Ayn Rand
17. How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff
18. The Piano Player by Kut Vonnegut
19. Slaugherhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
20. Extras by Scott Westerfield
21. Pretties by Scott Westerfield
22. Specials by Scott Westerfield
23. Uglies by Scott Westerfield

————————————————————————–

Traduce estas preguntas al español con tu pareja.
(SKIP THREE LINES BETWEEN THE TRANSLATIONS ON YOUR PAPER.)

1.    Do you know the Chemistry professor?
2.    Where do you line up at lunch?
3.    Who explained the history problem?
4.    Did you write a composition yesterday?
5.    Did you ask a question (use the hacer phrase!) to the geometry teacher last week?
6.    Did you get a good grade in Biology?
7.    Where is the stage?
8.    Did you turn in your geography homework?
9.    Who speaks three languages (at school)?
10.    What did you bring to school yesterday in your school bag? (not backpack!)
11.    Is your mom as tall as your dad?
12.    Who explained the reading to the literature class?
13.    Did you know the answer?
14.    Is it permitted to drink in the science lab?
15.    What subjects do you study at Olympia High School?

Podcasting en español, originally uploaded by TheMaxFacts.

Los primeros momentos de practica de podcasting.
¿Cómo fue para tu grupito de dos?

Now's the time!

Register for "The Paw Print Forums" by clicking on this link and register.  Use an email address that YOU CAN CHECK(!) and a username that I will be able to figure out who you are.  I will activate new accounts nightly for the next few days or so.  Please - register in this time frame!  If you miss it, let me know in class that you have registered your account so I can activate it.  (Registering NOW means it will be activated within 24 hours and available for you to use for homework, etc.)

And - HEY ALL YOU SPANISH STUDENTS!  Guess who gets to have their pictures taken next? 

In the meantime, here are a few pictures to share from 1st period:

…a place for you to get the most out of your Spanish - or English! - class as possible!

 Here you will find plenty of practice, classroom presentation copies, etc.

Be sure to check back often as the site develops along the way. This is especially true for all of the English students.  As we work thorugh our course material, helpful tips, resources, etc will be added here for you as well.

Follow the links above and to the right to help you navigate the site.

Why TheMaxFacts, you ask?

It’s a long story, but here’s the Max that inspired it all!

Go Bears!

¡Adelante Osos!

Soon, I suspect, your new course schedules should be in the mail (if not already).  (Do you have yours already?)  

My schedule?  Well.. I *think* it's done, but we haven't received our schedule yet either.  So far, I think I will be teaching this:

1. English 10
2. Spanish 2
3. Spanish 2
4. Spanish 2
5. Conference - no class
6. Spanish 2

That means that TheMaxFacts are going to have to change a bit.  A little added section for my new English class.  And boy-oh-boy, have I found some GREAT online resources!

Have you guys seen this site? 
Type in a vocab term and just watch how fast it spits out an answer for you too! 

Do you have any tips for resources I should include on the new English page - or a new Spanish Web Resource page?  I'd love to hear your ideas!

OH!  And the exchange kids?  They start arriving next week!  Be sure to introduce yourself to our new International Oly Bears!  Drag them with you to the games, movies or around town.  You'll be happy you did!…And they will too!

Hasta pronto-
Profe Chan 

Es la primera noche de tu vacación y ¿qué estás haciendo?
Pues yo estaba mirando los videos y calificando los examenes, pero ya terminé.
Puedes ver tu nota final ya!  (Wahoo!)

¿Quieres ver un video conmigo?  ¡Mira éste!

 O ESTE

O ESTE

O ESTE

O ESTE

…. well…okay.. I'll post more later … like maybe next week, k?

HAPPY SUMMER, ALL.

Thank you for being Oly Bears!  You guys are AWESOME!

¡Qué vivan los Osos! 

… are online now.  Go check them out now.

-Chan

FINALS: 

• Friday 2 & 3
• Monday 4 & 5 - Graduation at 7PM
• Tuesday 6 & 1
• Wednesday - SUMMER!!!  (If the sun chooses to shine, at least)

Que vida la mía

…are online now.  Click on "Las Notas/Grades" to see yours.

El Mercadito, originally uploaded by MilkaWay.

Look around our community (Thurston County or Pierce County). Have you seen signs in Spanish, store fronts, notices at doctors offices, etc? Here's your opportunity to not only earn some extra credit, but also participate in our community! (Be aware!)

The extra credit guidelines are as follow:

• Take a picture of any community sign or store notice, etc. that is written IN SPANISH ONLY.
• Email the picture to Sra. Chan.
• In your email include the following information about each image:
• a translation of the sign (in English)
• the address/place where you found/saw it
• your name/class period
• Each image shared may NOT be any repetition of a previous image shared. For example, if someone sends me an image of the sign at "Tienda X" and I post it here, no one else may submit that image - nor any images from that same sign/place) for credit.
• Images may NOT be taken from the internet.
• All images must have been taken by you or your family locally.
• You may include yourself in the image if the sign is still legible.
• All images that are granted credit will be granted 5 points. Each individual may submit up to 8 images for this project for a total of 40 points possible (the equivalent of 4 missed homework assignments).
• The images posted/credited are done so on a first-come, first-serve basis based upon the arrival of your email.

Have a question about this assignment?
Post it in the forums ASAP!

Click on it! 
You can move it around! 
(Cool, huh?)
 

Mapa 

BAH!  The forums have imploded.

CRUD CRUD CRUD

Until then:  Your homework is:
1.  the preterit worksheet (except first period who didn't get it yet)
2.  The creature booklets

DUE MONDAY

The Forums are BACK and working!  POST AWAY :) 

Class Notes 2-5-08, originally uploaded by TheMaxFacts.

Page Two

Class Notes 2-5-08, originally uploaded by TheMaxFacts.

Page One

The exams have begun. 

Hopefully the review sessions were helpful for you.  Did you take good notes?  Did the patterns make sense to you?  Do you know where the emphasis lies?  I bet you do!

Final exams are as follows:

Wednesday:  3rd and 4th (even though we have a late start)

Thursday:  5th and 6th

Friday:  1st and 2nd

Grades WILL NOT BE FINALIZED until the END of NEXT WEEK.

¡Buena suerte, chavales! 
-Sra. Chan 

Here's the latest news I have about Finals at OHS (and CHS as they are now on a semester schedule too).

Can't help but SING!, originally uploaded by TheMaxFacts.

Sometimes ya just gotta sing it out, huh?

What are they singing? You just can't help but be curious, huh?

Click HERE to sing along! 

Want to know what this has to do with YOU?
Go to the forums!  Click on "La Tarea". 

The doc says I can return NEXT week!   
This is what I've been doing……

I've been sleeping and catching up on my reading of Calvin y Hobbes en español.
And you all?  ¿Cómo va?
Me gusta este dibujo, ¿y tú?

O este.  
These are Calvin's school photos.

 This will be me next week:

Be well - be healthy - and have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends.

I'm thankful for all of you…. and my antibiotics.

Have some time on your hands?   Need to practice the PSAT/SAT vocabulary?

Then play this game sponsored by the UN.  For every correct answer you get, they will donate a grain of rice.

Get it moving! 

Me pregunto si estos dos estudiantes recuerdan sus verbos reflexivos….. hmmm.

¿Qué piensas tú?

Well, if they don't, they could always read the post below and get a copy of the list of verbs (PDF) and how they conjugate too by just clicking HERE.

Bwahahah!

., originally uploaded by Luis Manuel Guaida.

Here’s a picture you are going to use to write some stories next week. Think about all the information you can learn about these two girls from the picture. You will then be using this information to write a story about the girls.

Don’t worry! More details will come next week.
This is just to get your mind started!

¡Hasta lunes!
-Sra. Chan

Since switching hosting companies in August, several links have been disabled.  If you come across a link that does not work, please send me an email.  

Updates have been completed otherwise as of 8:26PM.

-Gracias 

Los Poemas: viernes, el 21

El terce columna empieza: lunes, el 24

Go Bears!

El fin del año, originally uploaded by TheMaxFacts.

An empty room!
¡Qué tristeza!
¡Qué alegría!

Las notas finales estarán aquí el lunes, el 25 de junio. No antes.

Espero que todos tengan un buen verano y que se cuiden bien.

Nos veremos pronto.

Y para mis “seniors” y otros estudiantes que no regresarán a Olympia, les deseo todo lo mejor que el mundo y la vida ofrece.

Comparte tu corazón con el mundo y recibirás lo mismo.

Con cariño -
Sra. Chan y Max

   
El Gran Plan, originally uploaded by TheMaxFacts.

¿Tienes un gran plan para los últimos días escolares?
Me imagino que ustedes piensan estudiar español, ¿no? ¡Claro que sí!

Después de las pruebas, todos pueden salir cantando "Solo queda una vela, encendida de medio de la tarta…. " Come on - you know the lyrics, right?

Last two chances to get some help:
Monday after school 2:45 - 3:45 Spanish II
Tuesday after school 2:45 - 3:30 Spanish I

Just keep in mind that tutoring can only help if you've done your part too. Come to the tutoring sessions with ideas about what -specifically- you'd like to cover or review.

Buena suerte con los exámenes, chicos.
No se preocupan mucho - pero deben estudiar.

…about your final project? Is your group not meeting? Is the project not coming together the way you planned or would like?  Then PLEASE come see me!

It's not too late to see me!  Get help!  Find a new approach!  Propose and new end-result!  Please!

In addition - Lab THREE will be open after school this week on the following days:

• Monday (w/ Ms. Tuzzolino)
• Tuesday (w/ Ms. Chan)  (until 4PM)
• Wednesday (w/ Ms. Tuzzolino)
• Thursday (w/ Ms. Chan) (until 3:20 - sorry I have a doctor appointment)
• Friday (w/ Ms. Tuzzolino)

Having a back problem certainly makes me slow down sometimes.  More than anything, it has given me a little bit of time to ponder things. 

I found this slide show online today that shows "What the World Eats" in a week.  Basically, Time Magazine asked families to keep track of the food (and the expenses) for one week.  Then they took a picture of that family with ALL of the food that they would eat/consume in one week.  The resulting photographs certainly teach a lot.  I couldn't resist sharing them with you.

Check it out.

Does your home PC use Microsoft Windows?

If you are not the PC guru in your house - GET HELP BEFORE PROCEEDING!

Many of you have asked about video editing software, well, here's a free one offered by Microsoft for all of its users.  It's called Photo Story 3.  You can download it here for free.

HOWEVER _ GET HELP IF YOU DO NOT KNOW YOU SYSTEM CONFIGURATION OR IF YOU DO NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO DOWNLOAD/INSTALL THINGS on your computer! 

UPDATED PAGE:  SPA2 - C9 & 10

UPDATED PAGE:  SPA1 - Las Ketchup 

where language comes from?  Sometimes we can see the connections easily, but other times… ay!  No worries though, it is its own specialty field. But before you can say "Etymologic Fun!" someone has designed an online game to test your knowledge (and/or teach you?).  Try it out!  See how you do.

The game can be found here:  http://www.etymologic.com/index.cgi 

Update - here's another one!

Ok.. so it took me an hour to figure out how to convert and upload this video.  AY AY AY - Give me some time to get the rest of them uploaded and converted, k?  In the meantime, here's one to keep you satisfied for a bit:

International Dinner was FUN!  I hope you were able to join us!  Just in case you weren't, here is some video proof that students who take Spanish class are risk-takers!  Adelante Felix & Marcela!

Watch THIS VIDEO.

Then tell me what YOU THINK! 

¿Piensas que tus profesores deben ver esto?
¿Estás de acuerdo?
 
Hmm….. I don’t think I agree with the 3Rs = Text Messaging.
Wat do u think?  (Point taken?)
LOL!
Serious, what DO you think about this video and its message?

    Hace un año, tuve un llavero de plata en forma de un perro como Max.  Como era pequeño el llavero, rompió un día el año pasado.  Estaba triste porque me gustaba mucho el llavero.  Era como tenerle a Max en la escuela conmigo. 

    Esta primavera mi sobrina, Valerie , vino con sus abuelos para visitarnos.  Ella me dio un llavero nuevo.  También compró uno para si misma.  Así que nosotras dos vamos a tener llaveros similares.  Cada llavero tiene un dragón.  Mi dragón es morado y anaranjado.  Su dragón es azul y rosado.  Ella nombró a los dragones.  Mi dragón se llama Betsy y su dragón se llama Priscilla.  Aquí está una foto de Valerie con Betsy y Priscilla:

¿Sabes quién es Valerie?  ¿Betsy?  ¿Priscilla?

¿Tienes un llavero especial?

¿De dónde (o de quién) es?

¿Por qué es especial para ti? 

School is back in session….does that just SCREAM "POP QUIZ" to you too?

Bueno chicos, 

¡Casí estamos de vacaciónes ya! 

¿Qué piensan hacer ustedes durante las vacaciones?

Mis padres y mi hermana vienen a visitarnos el viernes.  Yo tengo muchas ganas de verles a todos.   No sé lo que vamos a hacer, pero me alegro de hacer lo que sea con ellos.  Es importante pasar tiempo con familia, ¿no crees? 

Okay, but you really want the study pages for the test tomorrow, don't you?   Here are the study sheets (make sure you get the right one for your class level!).  Don't forget to check out quizlet.com too!

SPA 2:  A to Z of Capítulos 5 y 6  (PDF) 

Spa 1:  A to Z of Capítulo 7 (PDF)

Here are the verb wall challenge submissions. Head to Youtube and give them some proprs with the ratings!

UPDATED PAGES:

It's a new semester!  Tomorrow is one of my favorite days of the year.  We ALL start out FRESH!  Everyone has an "A" and the world of Spanish possibilities begins again.  I LOVE it!  What about you?  How does the beginning of a new term feel to you?

Our next units will be fun to explore. You will be studying:

• SPANISH ONE:  Family
• Cultural Notes:  Spanish Royal Family, Family surnames
• Vocabulary:  Family relationships (father, etc)and descriptions of people
• Grammar Lessons:
• Telling people's ages
• Possessive pronouns
• Verbs!  (Of course!)  Regular and Irregular Conjugation patterns in the Present Tense.

• SPANISH TWO:  Leisure Time Activities
• Cultural Notes:  Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, La Camisa Negra
• Vocabulary: Activities/Sports
• Grammar Lessons:
• More Preterit (Regular & Irregular)
• More Elvis (Sorry, he has not left the building… and is planning to stick around until graduation)
• Saber vs. Conocer
• Estar vs. Ser (intro)

We have great projects that will be ongoing for the semester too.  Podcasting anyone? Don't know what it is?  No worries.   We'll get it started together. The potential for the use of this site and things like Flickr, etc is endless!  I can't wait to get started!  What about you??

For starters, check out this FREE study site!  Say ADIOS to vocabulary flashcards and try this site out!  It was created by a high school language student when he was 15 (just in 2005).   Check this out and make a free account!  Start off the second semester ready to ROLL with the vocabulary from ALL of your classes and/or study for the SAT, etc! 

…a place for you to get the most out of your Spanish class as possible!

 Here you will find plenty of practice, classroom presentation copies, etc.

Be sure to check back often as the site develops along the way. Follow the links above and to the right to help you navigate the site. Be sure to check out these two links too:

Why TheMaxFacts, you ask?

It’s a long story, but here’s the Max that inspired it all!

Go Bears!

¡Adelante Osos!