jueves, el 19 de noviembre de 2009
¡Buenas tardes! ¡Ojalá que todos estén muy bien!
I'm sorry for not posting last week. In the rush to get ready for FAN and
finish the grading for the 2nd six weeks, I missed being able to post a
weekly letter.
Report cards will come out tomorrow (Friday)for the 2nd 6-weeks. We have
already completed 5 grades for this new grading period. Please continue to
check "Deberes" for weekly lesson plans and assignments. It is also good to
check "Family Access" for grades at least once a week. If a student is
absent he/she should definitely be checking both.
I will make a trip to GRACE on Monday morning of next week with any of the
grocery items, listed below, that the kids have brought in this week.
Items needed, on a regular basis, at GRACE include:
cooking oil
evaporated milk
flour (4 lbs.)
instant potatoes
juice (64 oz.)
pancake syrup
sugar ( 2 or 4 lbs.)
The absolute greatest need at GRACE, right now, is new underwear and socks
for children. If your club or association is looking for a project you might
want to consider this.
Rather than having a Holiday Tea for the teachers, the kids have decided to
put a nice plate of cookies in the teachers' lounge on Monday, December
14th. Most of the home-baked cookies, brought in by the Spanish students
that morning, will be placed on holiday plates and donated to the
GRACE "Christmas Cottage" where families in need will be able to select toys
for their children. After choosing toys, parents are given wrapping
materials and a special holiday treat - a plate of home-baked cookies. - I
will get details from GRACE on the type of cookies they are able to accept.
(Cookies with nuts and peanut butter may not be acceptable, for example.)
The Spanish Club and PTSO thank you so very much for your generous support of
the charitable projects we have had this year. At last report, the PTSO was
able to raise $7,500 at Fine Arts Night. With parents' help, the Spanish
Club donated four baskets to the Silent Auction that evening. - I've also
been happy to be able to make trips to the GRACE Food Pantry every two weeks
thanks to the regular food contributions brought in by students.
Have a wonderful holiday! At the Thanksgiving time, we all need to remember
to be thankful for our many blessings!
Sra. Robinson
One more very IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!! Mr. Miller has requested that we let
our parents know that they must be registered with "Family Access" as we will
be going "paperless" in the next grading period. You may request a printed
copy of the student's grades from his/her guidance counselor.
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viernes, el 6 de noviembre de 2009
¡Hola! ¿Qué tal?
What a gorgeous week we've had! Perhaps the new CMS facility will have
windows to be able to enjoy a lovely day?!?
Two activities to note next week are the Veterans' Day assembly on Wednesday
at 10:15 in the main gym and club pictures on Tuesday. The Spanish Club
pictures will be taken at 8:55. Members of Spanish Club should wear either
their club shirt or a brightly colored shirt. We want to look our "spicey"
best!
The main event for this next week is the 2nd and last major test on
Wednesday, November 11th. The Veterans' Day assembly will not interfere with
the testing.
The Spanish Club met this morning. We reviewed "El Día de los Muertos" and
talked about up-coming events and activities. We decided that we definitely
wanted to keep our "Frijoles" project, benefitting the GRACE Pantry, for the
remainder of the school year. GRACE just published a list of what they need
for the holidays. There was a special request for items that run low on a
regular basis. I am listing those items here. If you discover that you have
extra of any of these food items, please send them. I'll probably be making
two trips to GRACE before Thanksgiving.
cooking oil
evaporated milk
flour (4 lbs.)
instant potatoes
juice (64 oz.)
pancake syrup
sugar ( 2 or 4 lbs.)
Thanks for reading. Enjoy this lovely weather and have a wonderful weekend!
Go Dragons!
Sra. Robinson
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viernes, el 30 de octubre de 2009
¡Buenas tardes!
We are finishing the 4th week of the 2nd 6-weeks and your student should have
brought home a progress report on Wednesday. If their average, at the end of
the first 3 weeks, was less than 80% I sent an individual report with them to
be brought back signed.
This past week I heard from several individual and family travelers (10
people) that although they were planning on making the trip to the Yucatan
this summer they would be unable to do so. Family situations and/or the date
were the main reasons they would not be able to go. - I don't believe that
there is enough interest to continue with the plan to go to Mexico this
summer. Therefore, that trip will be cancelled and we will begin planning
for the trip to Argentina and Chile (June of 2011). Our orientation meeting
for that trip will be in early February.
Our next major unit test will be over Capítulo 2A on Wednesday, November 11th.
Es todo para esta semana. ¡Feliz Día de los Muertos!
Sra. Robinson
One more very IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!! Mr. Miller has requested that we let
our parents know that they must be registered with "Family Access" as we will
be going "paperless" in the next grading period. You may request a printed
copy of the student's grades from his/her guidance counselor.
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viernes, el 23 de octubre de 2009
¡Hola, Amigos! ¿Cómo están todos!
First BIG piece of news - We're going to the Yucatán of Mexico, leaving on
June 7th, 2010 and returning on the 16th!!!!! There has been more than
enough interest demonstrated toward this trip to make it a sure thing.
Please go to www.educationaltravel.com to see all the information about the
trip (itinerary, pricing and enrollment procedures). Our username is:
mexico2010 and the password is: robinson. I also have enrollment forms in my
classroom. On the pricing page, of the NETC website, I have asked that
the "payment due by Nov. 1st be changed to Nov. 15th. - Although folks may
enroll for the trip after Nov. 15th, I would like to have all travelers
enrolled for this trip by January 4th so that we can begin making group
plans. Again, all families, friends and students in the CISD are welcome to
join us!! Please call me at 817-949-5456 or e-mail me at
robinsok@cisdmail.com with any questions. - This is getting exciting and I
am very much looking forward to this new adventure in Latin America!
Progress reports will go out on Wednesday, October 28th. If the student is
missing a major test grade or has an average less than 80% in Spanish, he/she
will have an individual progress report as well.
We are beginning a new unit today. In this unit we will begin our first work
with verb conjugations and we will be learning vocabulary to enable us to
carry on conversations related to the classroom.
I have a hard-working bunch of Spanish students. I'm amazed at how
responsible most of them have become with their school work. For those who
have been absent, due to the flu etc., we will get their work taken care of
after they are feeling better. I have been shortening and cutting out
assignments to get kids back on pace, after an absence. The most important
thing is that they be well and fever free before returning to school.
Have a great week! A parent-signed note saying that the student has shared
this copy of "Anuncios" with their parents is worth 5 "pesetas."
¡Adiós!
Sra. Robinson
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viernes, el 16 de octubre de 2009
Amigos-
Here we are at the end of another wonderful week in the CMS Spanish
classroom! I just can't believe how quickly this year is passing!
We seem to be getting healthier but I'm still Lysoling once or twice a day to
keep the germ count down. I'll remind you that students having experienced
an illness must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. The
kids and the teachers are all managing reasonably well with makeup work.
We will have our first of two major tests next Wednesday over Capítulo 1B.
The students have tackled and successfully accomplished most of the work in
this current chapter of study. They have realized the kind of effort that
needs to be put forth when taking a foreign language. They are appearing
much more confident in using the language, as well.
The orientation meeting for June's Yucatán trip will be Monday, October 19th,
at 4:00 P.M. in room E104. Bring a friend and come and join us!
Be bold - wear some pink this weekend!!!!
¡Hasta luego!
Sra. Robinson
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¡ANUNCIO IMPORTANTE!
There is a sign-up sheet on my classroom door for anyone who is interested in
coming to the orientation meeting for the "Pathways to Palenque" meeting on
Monday, October 19th at 4:00 P.M. Sr. and Sra. Robinson will be leading this
trip to the Yucatán of Mexico June 7th-16th of 2010.
All friends and families of CMS and the CISD are welcome!
Come enjoy some refreshments while viewing a beautiful video of the planned
adventure to the "Land of the Mayas."
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lunes, el 12 de octubre de 2009
¡Feliz Día de la Raza!
SOMETHING NEW!!!!! Go to the "martes, el 13 de octubre, under "Deberes."
With the homework assignment, I have included an audio practice. Check it
out!!
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viernes, el 9 de octubre
Amigos -
We have had some fabulous donations, for GRACE, that have been brought in
this week. ¡Muchísimas gracias! I will make a run to GRACE next Wednesday,
after school. (Scroll down and you will see the list of most needed items at
GRACE for the month of October.)
Students will be receiving their report cards today in Dragon Den - followed
by team celebrations.
URGENT NEED !!!!! Kleenex
Every 8th grader was supposed to bring two boxes of tissues with their school
supplies. That didn't happen and so we already have a Kleenex shortage.
Core teachers are short and the elective teachers each got about 4 boxes from
them. Please send any extra boxes that you might happen to have at home! :-)
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Don't forget the meeting and presentation for our foreign travel program,
Monday, October 19th at 4:00 P.M. We will look, in particular, at the trip
to the Yucatán of Mexico for early June of 2010. We will view the marvelous
DVD (sent by NETC), answer questions and receive the necessary information on
pricing and enrollment. - In order to make this trip happen, I need at least
12 travelers ready to enroll by November 4th!! (More travelers may be added
later without any problem.)
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That is it for this week. I have one thing left to say - Go Dragons!!!!!
¡Hasta luego!
Sra. Robinson
(Any student who shows me that he/she has written next week's assignments in
his/her agenda will receive 5 pesetas.)
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Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Hi!
The Spanish Club has an on-going project called "Frijoles" to help keep the
shelves stocked at the GRACE Pantry. I promised the parents at Curriculum
Night that I would keep everyone updated on the needs at the pantry. Here it
is for October:
Pasta (spaghetti, elbow and shells)
Ketchup
Coffee
Cooking oil - any size
Canned Meats (Tuna, Chili, Beef Stew, Spam etc.)
Evaporated milk
Instant Potatoes
Kool-Aid
Pancake mix and syrup
Sugar ( 2 or 4 lb. bags)
Kids Cereal
Laundry Soap (single family size)
Salt and Pepper (small)
Apples
Oranges,
Tomatoes
Cabbage
Lettuce
Potatoes
Shampoo
Deodorant
Disposable Razors
Toilet paper (4-pack or more)
The kids may bring in any of the above at any time. I try to make a
GRACE "run" every week or two, depending on what comes in.
Thanks so much for your support of this very important community service
program.
KAR
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viernes, el 2 de octubre de 2009
¡Muy Buenas Tardes!
Well, it's the end of the 1st six weeks and I'm feeling that the kids have
been very successful! The grade averages posted on Family Access will be
their grade for the 1st six weeks.
Thank you, parents, for spending some quality time with your teenagers and
sharing with them about special family members. I have heard some very sweet
and wonderful stories from the kids the past couple of days. Our
compositions will be displayed in the hallway outside the gym for "Fine Arts
Night" on November 17th. (Please see the DT newsletter for information
about "FAN.")
Several of the students are very interested in educational travel to a
Spanish-speaking country. Presently I'm planning two different trips for
this next summer. At first I thought that I would have the kids choose
between the Yucatán ("Pathways to Palenque") and Central Mexico ("Viva
Mexico"). As there appears to be a good amount of interest in both, I
believe that I will keep the "Pathways to Palenque" trip on the calendar for
the week of June 7th, 2010. I will plan a "Viva México" trip for a week in
July. (That area is in the mountains and is such a wonderfully delightful
escape from the Texas heat!!) - An orientation meeting for families and
friends will be on Monday, October 19th in E104 at 4:00 P.M. If I have at
least twelve travelers signed up for the "Pathways to Palenque" trip by
November 1st, we will contract our plans with NETC. I need six travelers for
the "Viva México" trip to further our plans with NETC. (By the way, NETC
will offer us a discount if we get paperwork in within two weeks of our date
setting with them.)
That's about it for now!
Until next week! ¡Hasta luego!
Sra. Robinson
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viernes, el 25 de septiembre de 2009
Queridos Amigos -
I hope that everyone has had a successful week at school and work. Things
are progressing nicely in our study of Spanish. We worked on basic Spanish
conversation, emphasizing questions and answers about preferences this week.
The most major item on the agenda for next week is a unit test, our second
and final one, next Tuesday.
Next Friday morning we will have a Spanish Club meeting at 8:00 A.M. in E104.
This meeting will introduce educational travel experiences to Spanish-
speaking countries. I have absolutely fantastic DVD's of the "Pathways to
Palenque" (one of the two possible trips to Mexico June 7th, 2010) and
the "Argentina and the Falls" (one of the two proposed trips to Argentina for
June 6th, 2011). I plan on sharing them with the kids "on the big screen" in
my room. I just requested DVD's of the "Viva México" and "Argentina & Chile"
trips from NETC. As soon as they arrive, I will set up an after school
meeting for parents and students. At this point I'm looking at Monday,
October 19th at 4:00 P.M. in my classroom. - In order to continue planning a
Mexico trip for June of 2010, I will need commitments from at least 12
adventuring travelers by November 1st. Having seen the two DVD's, I am ready
to pack my bags!!!!! - These trips are designed and are appropriate for the
whole family. Families, siblings and friends are all invited to participate!
I want to place an order for the Spanish Club shirts on Friday, October 2nd.
If a student would like to order a shirt, he/she needs to place that order no
later than at the Spanish Club meeting on Friday, October 2nd. Shirts come
in three colors - jade green, sandía pink or teal blue. They are really cute
and cost $13.00. Checks should be made out to CMS with "Spanish Club shirt"
written on the memo line. Cash will also be accepted.
November 1st and 2nd are known as "Los Días de los Muertos" in Latin
America. We are going to begin preparing for this very special Latin holiday
by writing compositions about a deceased loved one (family member or
friend). This has become one of the favorite annual traditions of this
Spanish class and it gives families an opportunity to discuss and celebrate
the life of a special loved one. I always write a composition with the
kids. In the past I've written compositions about each of my grandparents-
my favorite one being about my ski-jumping Norwegian grandfather. - This is
a very positive and happy celebration. Parents may want to begin offering
ideas to students this weekend. Also, have students find and bring a copy of
a picture of this person.
I am absolutely loving all of my classes this year! Each day and each hour
is "muy divertido." I'm looking forward to many new learning adventures in
the coming weeks!
Thanks for reading! (Any student who brings a picture of the person about
whom they wish to write, by Thursday, October 1st, will receive 10 "pesetas.")
¡Ojalá que todos tengan un buen fin de semana!
Sra. Robinson
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viernes, el 18 de septiembre de 2009
¡Hola, Amigos! ¿Cómo están todos?
First of all, I'd like to thank the parents for coming to Curriculum Night.
Seventy-two of my students had parent representatives on Wednesday night.
That is almost a 70% showing! It was so good meeting all of you. I very
much appreciate the support for your child and his/her foreign language study.
We have two weeks left in this grading period. I sent home individual
progress reports for anyone earning less than 80%. I do need those signed
and returned no later than Monday. An e-mail response saying that you have
received the report, would be just fine.
Our second major test, of two, will be on Tuesday, September 29th. We just
started our first official chapter of the textbook today, with verb
infinitives. We're getting into the real stuff now.
I did notice today that several of my students didn't do their homework last
night and were unprepared for class. Had I taken a grade today (I gave
them "pesetas" depending on the quality of the work instead), they would have
failed this assignment. Their success in Spanish really depends on the
amount of study and practice done during homework time.
Spanish Club shirts will be on sale until September 30th. I will place an
order on the 1st of October. They are $13 and come in jade, pink and teal.
Sometime next week I will send more information about the proposed travel
plans to Latin America. Basically, if there is enough interest (12 people
desiring the travel experience)we will go to either the Yucatán of Mexico or
into Central Mexico. The proposed date is the week of June 7th, 2010.
Thanks for reading!
¡Hasta luego!
Sra. Robinson
P.S. A parent note saying that they read this newsletter is worth 2 "pesetas."
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jueves, el 10 de septiembre de 2009
Queridos Amigos -
We will be concluding the first three weeks of this grading period with a
test over the "Para Empezar" section p. 1-15 of the textbook and pages 1-8 of
the workbook. The students will take the test tomorrow in class. Grades
will be posted on Family Access by Monday night, September 14th.
I'm looking forward to meeting all my students'parents on Wednesday night at
Curriculum Night. The event takes place from 6:00- 7:30. I will give a
brief description of the "Spanish I" course and expectations. I will
also have some information on the possibility of two different trips to Latin
America. (My husband and I took four Southlake travelers with us to Peru this
last summer. You will be able to see some of the pictures, that Dave took of
our trip, on a computer slide show in the classroom.)
Progress reports will go out on Thursday, September 17th. Your child will
have an individual report should he/she be earning less than 80%.
We are starting to experience several absences here at CMS. Should a student
be absent, he/she will find all class information in the "Deberes" section of
this website. All "Diario" practices are listed there, as well. Grades are
posted as a "0" until work, from an absence, in completed. Missed work, when
a student is present, will remain posted as a "0" as late work is not
otherwise accepted.
That's all for this week. ¡Nos vemos en "Curriculum Night"!
Gracias -
Sra. Robinson
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Friday, September 4th, 2009
¡Atención, por favor! ¡Buenas noticias!
The books and workbooks have arrived and students are receiving them in class
today. The books and workbooks are fairly large and heavy. Mrs. Rowlands
has arranged for us to have a "classroom set" of the textbooks. Therefore,
students may keep their assigned textbook at home, for use there. Please
make sure that it is covered, nevertheless. Workbooks must accompany the
students to class every day.
Please read the letter below, dated September 3rd.
Happy Friday!!
Sra. R
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jueves, el 3 de septiembre de 2009
¡Buenos Días!
We're getting into the swing of things now. The grades the first two weeks
of school tend to be a bit higher than the usual. Spanish students are
finished with the "housekeeping & material managing" assignments and are
getting into the real course work. Grades will reflect that from now on.
I always send progress reports home for averages less than 80%. Progress
reports will go out on September 17th. Parents and students are, of course,
encouraged to review grades on "Family Access" regularly.
The students are being given a full class period to work on vocabulary lists
today. This is the longest vocabulary assignment of the year and it will be
given two homework grades. I gave them a break from homework last night so
that they could spend the extra time on this assignment tonight. - I do
apologize - as they will very rarely have more than 20 minutes of homework.
We will have our first test next Friday over the "Para Empezar" section of
the book. So far, as kids have needed a textbook, I have copied pages for
them. Our new textbooks are in. The accompanying workbooks, however, have
not yet arrived. I want you to know that students will have all the
materials necessary for test review, regardless of whether or not they have a
book or workbook.
I am very much enjoying all of my classes. The kids are great! They are a
hard working bunch. I'm looking forward to meeting parents on Curriculum
Night, September 16th, from 6:00 - 7:30. I will have about 10 minutes, with
each group of parents, to answer your questions. Unfortunately, I have a
meeting in another location at 7:30 so I will need to leave right at 7:30.
(Most questions that you may have, about Spanish class, are addressed in the
FAQ section of this website.)
I do thank you for reading.
Sra. Robinson
(A printed and signed copy of this letter - or a parent note - is worth
2 "pesetas." Bring it to me no later than class time on Tuesday, Sept.8th.)
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jueves, el 27 de agosto
¡Hola, Amigos!
What a super first week of school we've had! I love my students. They are
delightful and willing to work hard!
Next Friday will be our first Spanish Club meeting. It will be at 8:00 A.M.
in the Spanish classroom. All Spanish students are invited to join and they
may bring friends who are not in a Spanish class. You may wish to visit the
"Club de Español" page, of this website, to learn more about that program.
As a community service project, the CMS Spanish classes and Spanish Club make
canned food contributions to GRACE. Anyone desiring to do so may bring a
canned food item to Spanish Club.
Speaking of special programs offered to CMS students - Extended Day will
begin next Tuesday. It is for students desiring tutorial help in the four
core subjects or Spanish as well as for students who would like a quiet place
to study or work with friends after school. It is held on Tuesday,
Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons in the CMS library from 3:50 - 4:50. I
will actually be in there for each session in September. After September, I
will be there on Tuesdays.
Curriculum Night is Wednesday night, September 16th. I'm hoping to meet
everyone's parents at this happy event. It is our only "open house" of the
year. I'll tell you about our curriculum, obviously, and try to answer any
questions that you might have. I will also have some information available
about travel to Spanish-speaking countries.
Any time a student is absent from Spanish class he/she may see the day's
activities, "Diarios" and assignments in the "Deberes" section of this web
site.
Thanks for reading! ¡Hasta la próxima semana!
Sra. Robinson
(A printed and signed copy of this letter - or a parent note - is worth
2 "pesetas." Bring it to me no later than class time on Monday, August 31st.)
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Carroll Middle School
August 24, 2009
Dear Spanish Students and Parents,
Welcome to a brand new year at CMS our Spanish program! I am really excited
to be meeting my new students for the Spanish I course and to see so many
returning for new adventures in Spanish Club. Each and every one of the
students is the reason I love teaching Spanish! Introducing another
language to bright, young minds is an amazingly fulfilling opportunity in
education.
Foreign language is a very rigorous and challenging study. In order for
students to have a rewarding and valuable experience, the high school
Spanish department has certain policies to which it adheres in the
classrooms. These policies are followed in every H. S. credited foreign
language class in the district. The department believes that these policies
will give our students the best education in language and in life.
The Foreign Language Policies are as follows:
Grading Procedure:
25% Quizzes
25% Homework
50% Tests
No late work will be accepted.
No retakes will be given.
No curving will be permitted.
Academic dishonesty will result in an automatic “0” and a “U” in conduct, in
accordance with the CISD Code of Conduct.
IPods, PSPs, Walkmans, cell phones, etc. have no place in the academic
arena. They will not be tolerated in the classroom. Personal electronic
equipment that is in use during class will be collected and turned over to
the front office. The offending student will need to speak with an
administrator in order to retrieve his/her personal items.
Other classroom rules will be followed and conduct notices and detentions
given accordingly.
It is hoped that these policies will help instill responsibility and that
they will prepare students for their own education as they move on to higher
levels.
I have addressed most questions (about tutorials, conference times,
materials, classroom rules, grading etc.) in the “FAQ” section of my
website. Please carefully read over all the information on my website as
well as the student handbook. Classroom rules and regulations will be
explained in class and will also be posted on the wall as a reminder. What
I require, above all other rules, is that you be respectful and considerate
of everyone in the classroom. Please feel free to e-mail me with any
unanswered questions at : robinsok@cisdmail.com
Your first major homework assignment will be to take care of
some “housekeeping” tasks. As you and your parents accomplish these items,
please initial each and sign the
“check off” list at the bottom.
This is going to be un año maravilloso!! ¡¡Buena suerte to all!!
Sincerely,
Sra. Robinson