GHS Spanish Blog

List of Classes Video

2012-01-05T13:36:00.000-08:00

Classroom Items Video

2012-01-05T13:04:00.000-08:00

2011-10-20T06:35:00.000-07:00

Chapter 2B Vocabulary

2011-10-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

http://srabowen.glogster.com/spanish-1-adjectives/

2011-10-13T14:12:00.001-07:00

http://srabowen.glogster.com/spanish1serandtener/

2011-10-13T14:11:00.000-07:00

2011-10-13T14:08:00.000-07:00

Walk the Room

2011-10-11T07:39:00.001-07:00

Ugly Betty

Paris Hilton

Lil Wayne

Edward Cullen

Brad Pitt

Brad Paisley

Beyonce

Albert Einstein

Giveaway Winners!

2011-09-12T16:02:00.000-07:00

The following students were drawn at random for this week's :)

Kiana N.

Georgia M.

Megan B.

Kylie D.

Folded Sheets

2011-09-04T14:42:00.000-07:00

To whomever it may concern:
A folded sheet is a super cool way to PROVE that you are studying. You take a piece of paper and fold it like a hot dog. Then, fold it to the pink line. Then fold the extra part back so that you have a skinny fan like paper. Once you unfold it you will see that you have 6 equal columns. On the first column you write whatever vocabulary you are studying in Spanish. Fill the entire column even if you have to repeat words. Then, in column 2, look at the Spanish in column 1 and write it in English. Skip any that you don't know. Once you get to the bottom on column 2, use your notes to fill in any holes. THEN, fold column 1 so that you can't see it. Looking only at column 2, now write the words in Spanish. Keep doing this until you have then entire sheet covered. By the end, you should know the words much better than when you started!

Giveaway!

2011-09-02T08:32:00.000-07:00

This week's is for 5 points on your Alphabet test :). Please respond to the following questions to enter yourself into the drawing!

1. ¿Cuántos años tienes?
2. ¿Cuál es tu color favorito?
3. ¿Cuándo es tu cumpleaños?

GHS Alma Mater

2011-08-26T06:17:00.000-07:00

International Forum Help

2010-09-21T15:00:00.000-07:00

Acceptable Comments

2010-09-14T05:12:00.000-07:00

You are more than welcomed to post cute comments about how a topic helped you. BUT remember, in order for your name to be entered in the giveaway! you must make comments that will help your classmates understand the material better.

Open House Topics

2010-09-13T13:37:00.000-07:00

Class Rules/Expectations: See expectations page

Make-Up Work: Students are required to come to tutorials the day they are back to school to pick up make up work. Also, it is a GREAT idea to email the school and pick up any work BEFORE coming back.

Communication: My conference periods are 5th (12:36-1:02) and 7th (1:57-2:44). Feel free to call during this time (903-433-1542) or email (lbowen@gunterisd.org) and I will return calls or emails as soon as possible.

Grading Policy: *As per student handbook (page 8) students are expected to turn in work when it is due. Anything after it is requested by the teacher is late. Late work will receive a 50 if turned in the next day. If not turned in, students receive zeros.
*Daily Grades count for 50% of the total grade (quizzes count as two daily grades) and Test Grades count for 50%.

Giveaway!

2010-09-13T12:49:00.000-07:00

This week's is for 2 points on the Alphabet test and a 1 day pass to sit in the "big, comfy chair." Remember, to have your name entered in the drawing, you must comment on the recent posts or send me your "vocaroo" recording.

Week 3 Pronunciation

2010-09-10T07:18:00.000-07:00

Week 2 Verb Pronunciation

2010-09-09T12:07:00.000-07:00

Watch the video to hear the pronunciation of week 2 verbs.

Alphabet Practice

2010-08-31T06:34:00.001-07:00

Go to this site for help!

Alphabet Site

School Is Now InFull Swing

2010-08-25T12:41:00.000-07:00

I think the students are now getting settled into the new routine of being back to school. Spanish 1 students are already doing a great job and Spanish 2 students have surprised me with how much they remember from last year. See guys, you were really learning Spanish! And, you DO speak Spanish now!

Check out this blog every week to find new helpful information as well as items.

This week, every student who tells me that they saw this post will receive 2 points on his/her presentation!

And the countdown begins!

2010-07-28T16:29:00.000-07:00

Only a few more days until we have another great year!

Spanish 1 Final _ Review and Vocabulary List

2010-04-28T06:17:00.001-07:00

Spanish 1 Review
Spanish 1 Vocabulary List

Freedom Writers

2010-04-23T11:17:00.000-07:00

WOW! What an inspiring story. We have been watching Freedom Writers in Spanish 1. This unit is designed to open the students' eyes to a world (or worlds) other than their own. It also helps them to analyze their own situations and have hope for causing a change. So many themes are embedded in this movie. It is a great jumping board for discussion. I encourage you to watch this movie with your child (even though they have already watched it, I would almost guarantee they would watch it again!) and have a family conversation. I have copied and pasted the questions that we will talk about next week. Sit down with your child and see what they have to say. Help them learn some important life lessons.

1. What “groups” are there at Gunter? How would you describe each of these groups? Why do these groups exist? Is it a good thing? Explain. If they are bad, what are you doing to fix the problem?
2. Do we have gangs here in Gunter? Do we have a bullying problem? Are students at Gunter High School kind to each other? Give SEVERAL examples (no names) to prove your answer. If so, how do you fix this?
3. What goals have you set for yourself? Why these goals? Beside each goal tell what you are doing to achieve that goal as well as things that you are doing that are getting in the way of that goal being met.
4. Does your family believe you can do this? Explain. Who is your biggest help in accomplishing this?
5. We have defined a great teacher. Do all of your teachers meet that definition? What are specific examples that prove your teachers to be great or not. No names, just actions.
6. Do you feel that all of your teachers want you to succeed? Why do you feel this way? Give specific examples. No names.
7. Describe a time when an adult assumed that you were unable to accomplish something. Why do you think that they assumed that? Was it fair? If you could have said something in response to the adult, what would you have said?
8. Why should we go to school? What is to be gained? What would be the long-term consequence of not going to school?
9. What is a characteristic that most people don’t know about you? Why don’t people know this? If they knew this how would it change how they treat you/talk to you/befriend you?
10. What events have happened/are happening in your life that have shaped/are shaping who you are/how you live? Go in to as much detail as you feel comfortable. How have these events changed your life? What feelings/emotions do you have because of it? Have they changed your life for the better or the worse?
11. What must someone do to earn respect? Should you have to earn respect or should people be respectful to you before they know you? Explain your answer and give examples.
12. In her toast, one student said that she is fighting wars everyday and one day her war would be over. What wars are you fighting? Why? Do you see these wars ending? Why? How?
13. In the movie, not everyone received an equal education. Think about our school. Are there inequalities that exist? How can you document these injustices and urge school officials to make positive changes?
14. Have you ever been treated to something special or out the ordinary? Why? Describe. How did it make you feel?
15. Do you think it is more important to “protect your own” – (like the students said at the beginning of the movie) or do what’s right?
16. What are some of the qualities of a strong family? Do you have this?

Exemptions - The End of School is Near!

2010-04-22T07:23:00.000-07:00

I have copied and pasted the following from the High School Student Handbook (found on the GHS website).

Students in the 11th & 12th grades may be exempt from the final semester exam in any class. Students in the 9th & 10th grades may be exempt from the final semester exam in two classes. To be eligible for exemption the student must meet the following requirements:

A. An 80 or above for each six weeks during the semester in the class.
B. No "0's" (missing grades) in the teacher's grade book in the class for any six weeks in the semester.
C. Concerning absences with a:
90 semester average --No more than 3 absences
85 – 89 semester average --No more than 2 absences
80 – 84 semester average --No more than 1 absence

D. A student may not have served time in ISS, out-of-school suspension, or DAEP for the current semester. All absences are included for calculation of exemptions except extracurricular and 1 college day per semester for seniors. Medical absences will not be counted if the student was at school part of the day. Three tardies will equal 1 absence.

Monster Art

2010-04-16T12:57:00.000-07:00

We have been learning body vocabulary in Spanish 1. To practice this, the students made monsters then wrote descriptions about their monsters to the class. Here are a few of the pieces of art, plus a link to view ALL the monsters. If you do not see one that your child claims, he/she must have NOT turned one in! Enjoy!

Click here to find your child's monster (Those who presented on 4/16 have not been uploaded)

April 5th Giveaway!

2010-04-12T09:28:00.000-07:00

Greg H. has won a "I-forgot-my-homework Pass" valid during through April 30th. If he does not forget his homework any through April 30th, it may be turned in for 5 points on a TEST! Greg H. won this pass because his mom signed up to follow the blog! Thanks for your blog participation!

Am I ready for the body, reflexive (★7) and present tense test?

2010-04-09T05:37:00.000-07:00

TEST is April 20th!

To answer that question, here are some skills / knowledge that you should have:
1. Chapter 7 Vocabulary – be studying these, you don’t know when we will have a quiz! You should be able to know Spanish àEnglish and English àSpanish. Be able to label these on a body.

2. Vocabulary – you should be able to categorize the vocabulary based on what verbs they perform.

3. Week’s 1-8 verbs – these should be very easy to recall. Be sure to study them frequently…use flashcards and quiz yourself of a friend. They may not be explicitly tested, but they WILL be part of a question. You will have to know what they mean to answer the question correctly.

4. Present tense – you should be able to change a verb from the infinitive (hablar, comer, vivir) to a present tense verb (hablo, comemos, viven, etc). And…you should be able to do this without looking at the wall. HINT: ♫La forma de yo…♫ THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!

5. Understand what ★7 means and know how to use it with any given verb. This affects all forms of the verb. You should know the difference between a verb denoted with ★7 and those without it. Ex. lavarse ★7 and lavar.

6. Understand what ★1 means and know how to find the yo form of any given verb. You should be working toward memorizing these irregular forms.

7. Understand what ★2 means and have all 3 verbs (ser, estar, and ir) memorized. This is NOT new information…some of it is from August and September!

8. Understand what ★3, ★4, ★5, ★6 means and know how to use it with any given verb. Also, know who this does NOT affect.

9. Know what happens if a verb has a ★1 AND either ★3, ★4, ★5, or ★6.

10. Past vocabulary –They may not be explicitly tested, but they might be part of a question. You may have to know what they mean to answer a question correctly. (You should be able to recognize words that we have learned and know what they mean.)

Extra Credit Items

2010-03-31T11:17:00.000-07:00

Here is a list of items needed to fill the Spanish 1 "prop box." Students can bring any of these items to receive points on lowest quiz grade. Please keep to this list, as I have lots of other foods already...but if it is all you can find, bring it!

fish (the food, not the animal)
chicken (the food, not the animal)
pizza
peach
tuna (could be cans of tuna)
salad
ham
potatoes
french fries
cheese
tomato
broccoli
cereal
spinach
eggs
toast
bacon
carrots
juice
milk
life sized aprons
table clothes that would fit 5x7 table (or 4 desks pushed together!)

March 29th Giveaway!

2010-03-31T09:29:00.000-07:00

This week's is for a 10 points

on your lowest quiz grade! WOW, say what?!?!?

Yes, 1o POINTS...but...your comments will ONLY be counted if they are educational contributions that relate to our tests coming up tomorrow! Today I posted to "practices" (one for Spanish 1 and one for Spanish 2), and answering all the questions would enter you in the drawing...Tonight is the deadline (Wednesday, March 31) since our week ends tomorrow!

Spanish 2 Conditional Practice

2010-03-31T09:09:00.000-07:00

¿Qué harías si...

...fueras un gato?
...tuvieras 4 manos?
...vivieras en Colorado?
...fueras un muchacho/una muchacha?
...pudieras volar?

Answer one or all of these questions in a
comment to add your name to the

drawing.

Spanish 1 Test Practice

2010-03-31T08:51:00.001-07:00

Try out these verbs to see how prepared you are for the test TOMORROW!

almorzar *4, ella =
decir*1, 5, nosotros=
decir*1, 5, yo =
decir*1, 5, tú =
pensar *3, él =
pedir *5, ustedes =
oír*1, 6, yo =
oír*1, 6, ellos =
oír*1, 6, nosotros =

Giveaway! Winner

2010-03-31T08:42:00.000-07:00

Chris P. was the ONLY (how SAD!)

student to comment last week. Since I

2 prizes each week, Chris P. has

won them both!!!

Congrats, Chris!

Back into Action

2010-03-22T13:12:00.000-07:00

School has started back and despite the fact that it was soooo hard to come back, it will be gone before we know it! Buckle up. The drive from Spring Break to Summer Break is a short and quick trip.

Check out the calendar: I have put in test dates for Spanish 1 and 2. Don't forget: Quizzes possible any given (and most) day.

This week's is a 5 points added to a quiz grade. Don't forget that you put your name into the drawing with every meaningful comment, choosing to officially "follow" the blog, or sending me a recording of you practicing Spanish through the "Vocaroo" website - click on the icon on the right side of the blog.

Five (5) points on a quiz can NEVER hurt ya...so come on! start commenting!

2010-03-11T06:41:00.000-08:00

Well, the giveaway! kinda "got away" from me! HA HA HA HA...you must know that I am cracking up over here on my end of the computer! That was too funny! Well, anyways, look forward to the GIVEAWAY! being started up again after Spring Break. I hope that you will look at the "I'm Struggling" page. I have added some useful links.

Look at Me! I finished!

2010-03-11T06:23:00.000-08:00

Cole and Zach were sooooo proud of themselves for successfully completing a 4 sq. puzzle during class today. According to each of them, this was a first. They requested that their pictures be taken with the puzzle and posted on the class blog.

"Look, Mrs. Bowen, I finished!"

"Take my picture, too!"

Spanish 1 - Irregular Verbs

2010-03-10T06:38:00.001-08:00

Are you struggling with the irregular verbs?
Try changing these verbs to the person mentioned.
dormir * 4 - tú
acostarse * 4, *7 - nosotros form (Remember: What is so great about nosotros? Most "problems" don't affect it!)
tener *1, *3 - ellos

See what ya come up with....feel free to comment for a chance in this week's GIVEAWAY!

Need more instruction on the topic? Check out the text book. Pages 164, 166, 202 and 204 all discuss specific verbs that are irregular.

Check out these websites for even more help.
Study Spanish.com - o->ue changes, e->ie changes, e-> i changes

Blog Bug!

2010-03-09T15:43:00.000-08:00

So...I was trying to be "cool" and add a count down "gadget" to my blog. Well, little did I know, this was a trick. If you have recently tried to log on to my blog, you might have been redirected. I think it is taken care of. Enjoy the blog! I will be updating more now that I can actually get to it!

Thanks to one of my parents who told me of this problem. I thought it was just my computer!

Online Grade Book

2010-02-25T06:29:00.000-08:00

Click here to be taken to the online grade book. You can see "live" grades and attendance for your child.

Extra Credit

2010-02-24T07:28:00.000-08:00

Check out the "Extra Credit Opportunities" page for ways to raise your grade.

5th 6 Weeks Extra Credit: Compete in NET OLE Spanish competition.

Giveaway! Winners

2010-02-23T05:31:00.000-08:00

Morgan H. and Ellen B. are last week's Giveaway! winners. Thanks girls for your "commenting" contributions!

Next week's giveaway: A free homework pass.

Journals - Sp 1 and 2

2010-02-22T05:13:00.000-08:00

Great question posed by Payton B of Spanish 2. ALL journals will be due the 25th of February. (Spanish 1 and 2)

Success???

2010-02-19T09:31:00.001-08:00

learning a new skill and being capable of using it
OR
an A on the report card???

This interests me greatly. I have several students who are greatly concerned about their report card grades. (When I was in high school, I was EXPECTED to have all As. I expected this of myself as well.) As a teacher, I think that many of my students are CAPABLE of achieving this a well. I do not think that the all As is a guarantee. And by that, I mean, you will have to WORK to get all As.

I have recently changed my classes to all Spanish. Even Spanish 1. What has happened because of this? 1. My students SPEAK Spanish. Crazy idea...they actually are able to USE what we are learning. Bizarre. (This was there goal, mind you!) 2. Class is more difficult.

From my students' perspectives (at least some of them) their grades are lower. They can't understand why it has to be harder. They want to learn the language, be able to use it (without using it to learn it and without ACTUALLY using it), AND have a perfect report card (SANS studying). {Note: students, SANS means 'without'.)

So here is the question (I should see every student's response on this post!):
Which is more important/valuable?

1. learning a new skill and being capable of using it
or
2. an A in the class

In order to be entered in the giveaway, you must explain why...not just "yes" or "no."

One Semester of Spanish Love Song

2010-02-18T13:44:00.000-08:00

This is HILARIOUS...and I bet my students know what it means!!!

I tried to "embed" this video into the post, but was unsuccessful. To watch it, click on the "One Semester of Spanish Love Song" under "Teacher Tube Videos" on the right side of the screen.

Thanks to Teacher Tube for your educational humor!

Children's Book Assignment

2010-02-17T08:31:00.001-08:00

Don't forget to begin working on your children's book assignment. I will be discussing this after the test today. Instead of a "book" we are going to make a Photo Story Book. This will be fun! I will keep ya posted. (ha ha...get it posted??? I will make a "post" about it!)

Present Tense Help

2010-02-17T08:08:00.000-08:00

Do you need help with the present tense???

Click the picture for the visuals and song that we use in class.

T/F - Matching Homework

2010-02-17T07:31:00.000-08:00

Since we did not get a chance to go over each problem on the homework, here are the answers. You may check yourself and make comments about 1)which ones you missed and ask for clarification on certain questions 2)discuss what made some questions so tricky or 3) give help to others out there with a trick about the homework or 4) respond to another student's comment with helpful instruction.

1. T, x, John es su abuelo.
2. F, cuñada, Lisa es su cuñada.
3. F, tía, JoEllyn es su tía.
4. F, suegro, Eric es su suegro.
5. T, x, Yo soy su hija.
6. F, cuñado, Jim es su cuñado.
7. F, abuelos, Elizabeth y Curtis son sus abuelos.

Vocaroo and VozMe

2010-02-17T06:21:00.000-08:00

Have you noticed the 2 graphics on the right panel of the blog (Vocaroo and the cassette tape)? Well, both are really cool!

With this site you can record yourself speaking and email it so someone. This has many uses, but we will use it to practice our Spanish. Record yourself pronouncing your current vocabulary or grammar and email it to me (lbowen@gunterisd.org) and your name will be added to that week's GIVEAWAY!. The recording must be no shorter than 10 vocabulary words or 2 sentences for your name to be entered into the drawing. Be sure to enter my email address so that I receive the recording.

(VozMe)

You can visit this site and type in a word in Spanish and it will pronounce it for you. Type the word. Hit "genera el mp3". Click on the rectangle to hear it (and can hit the play arrow to hear it several times). This will not enter you into the GIVEAWAY! because I can't see if you visit the site, but it is a great way to hear your vocabulary words (Or even whole sentences, I think) being pronounced.

I hope that you enjoy and make use of this great technology available to you!

Commenting

2010-02-17T06:03:00.000-08:00

Make sure that when you are "commenting" these are more than just "Oh, Mrs. Bowen, you are the best!" I love those (I really do) but we want to make sure that with that, you are also making an educational contribution for your peers to see. You can post study tips, struggles - seeking help, tricks to remembering certain words, ask educational questions, questions about when projects are due, record yourself studying (check out the Vocaroo post!), ask questions to clarify what we learned in class. All such comments will enter your name into the GIVEAWAY! Also(if you become a "follower" of my blog, you get your name put in the week's GIVEAWAY! as well. :~}

Family Example Answers

2010-02-16T23:59:00.000-08:00

Did ya get 'em right???

1. nuestra hermana
2. su suegra
3. tus bisabuelos OR sus bisabuelas (who would you be talking to if you say "sus"???)
4. el hijo de mi tío
5. su primo

Family Quiz, Spanish 1

2010-02-16T10:22:00.000-08:00

Are you ready for the Family/Possessive Quiz tomorrow? You should be able to put names onto a family tree and talk about possession. Here are some examples to test your readiness:

Escribe en español:
1. our sister
2. his father-in-law
3. your great grandparents
4. My uncle's son
5. their cousin

Could you plot these on a family tree?
Big Bird es el hijo de mi bisabuelo.
Ella es la cuñada de mi tío.

(HINT HINT: This is a great chance to "comment" and put your name in the giveaway drawing!!!)

The answers will be posted at midnight tonight!

Family Terms

2010-02-16T08:16:00.000-08:00

Do you guys have any tricks that you have learned to remember the family terms?

This Week's Giveaway!

2010-02-16T08:12:00.000-08:00

This week, each of your comments put you in a drawing to win (drum roll, please...)

5 extra points on a TEST!!!

Posting

2010-02-16T06:22:00.000-08:00

Hey Followers,
I realized this morning after I worked out (yeah! day 1 down...the rest of my life to go!) that some are unfamiliar with blog world happenings. (My students {well, some of them at least!} have told me that blogging is uncool.) So, I figure they are too cool to follow the blog and get extra credit points...HA HA!

Anyways, back to the point. I thought of some things that you might not know.
1. Please, for your protection, do NOT put first and last name...(I think that is a choice) Just put your first name and the initial of your last name.
2. When you post a comment, it comes to me to "moderate" (I can fix spelling errors etc) before the world sees it. Brilliant idea.
3. Once I moderate your comment I publish it. So that means that what you post will be public for all the other followers to see.
4. About posting specifically on our class blog: I might post about specific topics (preterite, family vocabulary, etc) and your "valuable" comment should be something that has helped you with that topic or something that you struggle with and are seeking help from fellow followers(which could be me, a peer or someone else out in blogger land that knows the answer or a trick).

I have already had someone comment and get her name in the first week's drawing. Thanks, Morgan, for checking out the blog so quickly!

Not Happy with Your Grade? (Spanish 1)

2010-02-15T09:09:00.000-08:00

Calling all Spanish 1 students whose grade needs a little boost!

Extra Credit Assignment for 4th 6 Weeks
Deals with family terms, family trees, and previously learned grammar
Due February 25th
Counts as a test grade. This is no light task, and standards are high. Just because you DO the project, does NOT mean you will get a 100.
I will NOT grade projects that used online translators/friends as a substitute for mastery of information.
Click for instructions. Or come see me for a copy of the information/rubric.

Not Happy with Your Grade? (Spanish 2)

2010-02-15T09:00:00.000-08:00

The extra credit for the 4th 6 Weeks involves a series of steps. The grade will replace the lowest quiz grade earned during the 4th 6 Weeks.

Who: Anyone who is not pleased with his/her grade
What: Extra Credit Quiz Grade
When: Attend 4 days of tutorials BEFORE this 6 Weeks is over
How: Follow the instructions given and take a quiz at the end
Graded: You will receive 1/2 the grade for attending the 4 days, and the other 1/2 will be based on the quiz grade from days 3 and 4 of tutorials. (So of the 200 points, the first 100 comes from attending tutorials and completing each task and the other 100 comes from the quiz given at the end of the process.

Alphabet Help

2010-02-15T08:23:00.000-08:00

Check out this website to help you with pronunciation of the Spanish alphabet!

http://www.spanishspanish.com/alfabeto_ipower.html

Quizzes

2010-02-13T14:02:00.000-08:00

I have told my students that they are to expect a quiz daily. This will be a small, timed quiz dealing with information that we are learning at that point in the schedule. This could cover vocabulary, grammar topics or other learned material. Because these are to be daily, I will NOT post the 'daily' quizzes on the calendar page. I will only put "announced" quizzes that are larger than the daily quiz.

Note: There could also be 'pop' quizzes as I deem necessary.

Just an Idea!

2010-02-13T13:14:00.001-08:00

Hey, why not try to use your family terms during the week?

Extra Points Giveaways

2010-02-13T13:04:00.000-08:00

Beginning February 15th, we will have weekly giveaways. In order to win, you must visit this blog and make a "valuable" contribution (by commenting on a post). Every time you comment on a post, your name will be entered into a drawing. At the end of the week, I will draw two winners.

A New Way of Doing Things

2010-02-12T05:57:00.000-08:00

In the last few months, Spanish I and II have experienced a new method. Spanish Immersion. Many resisted (and still do) but for the most part, this has had wonderful effects on the class. Students are more apt to speak Spanish (in the classroom - because they HAVE to...and outside of class - because they can't get it out of their heads!).

Mission Accomplished!