January Extra Credit

If you would like some extra credit this month, check out this opportunity.

This extra credit is open to ANY of Ms. Pinette's students (French or Spanish).
The deadline is January 30th, so please plan ahead! Let me know if you have any questions!

French pan pal package

Chers amis,
Please visit this link to find out what we still need for the package to France before you buy!:
Current package contents

I will update the list as things come in. Note the AMOUNT that we have collected so far.  We can send more than one package of Reese's PB Cups, for example, but I don't want to send 20 of those and nothing else, so use your best judgment or just ask me.

Remember, the deadline is Friday, December 19th.

Thank you to those who have already brought items in!

What's the most popular second language to learn in the world?

What's the most popular second language to learn in the world?

In the WHOLE. WIDE. WORLD?

English, obviously!

But right after that, it's FRENCH.

Surprised? You shouldn't be! It's what I have been trying to tell people for years! See for yourself:
French: the 2nd most popular second language in the world

Obama wishes you a happy National French Week

This letter is the real deal! Our president recognizing the importance of French! 

Día de los muertos

Check out this year's Google Doodle for Day of the Dead!



See other Day of the Dead Doodles from other years here.

The Mexican Hat Dance

This.

That is all.

Hispanic Heritage Month

October is Hispanic Heritage Month!

There are so many incredible Hispanic people over the course of history (famous and ordinary people too!).  If you would like some extra credit in Spanish class, you could learn about one of them!

Here's what to do:

1. Research a famous Hispanic person.  Consider using the following websites:
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/hispanic/history.htm and http://www.infoplease.com/spot/hhmbioaz.html

2. Complete this Google Doc form and share it with me so that I can see it.

Entries are due by the last day of October.

So...who will you learn about?!

Animals in different languages

Did you know that mice don't SQUEAK in French or Spanish? And dogs don't WOOF either! Click here to see what animals say in other languages.

Bienvenue, Bienvenidos

Welcome to French and Spanish at SDMS! 

Students: Please refer to this site often as a resource where you can find:

• homework (over there, on the right -->)
• extra help (also on the right!)
• fun stuff about language in the world we live in (right here on this main page).

Parents: Please visit our class site to double check on homework assignments (on the right -->) and view messages from Ms. Pinette about extracurricular French and Spanish activities (these will be posted on this main page here as they arise).

I hope you are as excited as I am for a fantastic year!

~ Ms. Pinette

Interesting Language Careers You Haven't Thought Of

Not sure what to do with your new-found language skills? Read this article and find some less-conventional careers for people who love language!

This lady loves language

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, this:

Happy Cinco, mis amigos!

Poetry!

Did you know that a real POET is coming to SDMS soon?

That's right!

Now, I don't want to give away any details, but let's just say that all this talk of poetry has inspired me! To tide us all over until the poet visit, why not check out some of your fav childhood poetry by Shel Silverstein en español or en français ?

Cirque du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil is back in Hartford and YOU are invited!

·         Event Date:                                              Thursday, June 12, 2014

·         Event Location:                                       XL Center

1 Civic Center Plaza, Hartford, CT

·         Event Start Time:                                    7:30 pm

·         Event End Time:                                     approximately 10 pm

·         Event Cost:                                              $45

·         Drop-off and Pick-up Location:            Trumbull Street entrance of the XL Center

·         Drop-off Time:                                        6:30 pm

·         Pick-up Time:                                          10 pm

If you would like to attend this event, please complete the form I gave you in class today and return it with payment to Ms. Pinette by Friday, April 4th.

Please make checks payable to WPS ESCROW

If paying cash, exact change is appreciated.

PARENTS: If you would like to attend the show and help chaperone students, parent volunteers are needed. Please complete the form I sent home with your son/daughter today and return with payment. Thank you for your help!

This one is for the parents out there

CHERS ELEVES: This post is for your parents! Get them over here!

Chers parents,

I can't thank you enough for your generosity in providing materials and food for the French fêtes that we have enjoyed this year.  The students are always asking about French food and I am happy to oblige their curiosity because food is a big part of culture and cultural understanding.  We could not, however, have any of these experiences without you.  I am simply overwhelmed with your dedication and generosity!  Thank you so much for this and all the other little things you do to support your sons and daughters at SDMS!

Amitiés,

Mlle Pinette

We are happy!

Check out this cool website about the upbeat and positive song We Are Happy by Pharrell Williams.  You can click on a city in the world and see the people dance it out to this song! Love the positivity!

The song that inspired the website is below.

The Benefits of Being Bilingual

As a language teacher, I have often heard over the years that learning a language in school serves no purpose if you are not going to be a language teacher or live abroad.  So why do we bother? Well, I could write a book about why we should bother, but the following article and infographic do a nice job of explaining.

Why learning another language is amazing (beyond the obvious!):

Here is the original article.

Surrealism in Real Life

Check out this modern surrealist photographer.  She got inspired in middle school.  MIDDLE SCHOOL, people! What do you think of her work?  Here is my favorite one: