Mrs. Giselle Leonhardt » Bienvenidos/ Welcome

Bienvenidos/ Welcome

 

Bienvenidos de regreso a la escuela!
(Welcome back-to-school!)

My name is Giselle Leonhardt, and I’m excited to welcome you to a new school year! I have the privilege of serving as one of the 8th-grade homeroom teachers and of teaching Spanish to students in grades 5–8 for the third consecutive year. In my role as homeroom teacher, I look forward to walking alongside your child as they experience the many special milestones of their final year at St. Joseph’s—from Confirmation to graduation.

Spanish was my first language growing up, so I feel incredibly blessed to continue sharing my love of the language and culture with your children. Over the past seven and a half years at St. Joseph’s Catholic School, I’ve held various teaching positions, and it has been a wonderful journey. I also have a strong personal connection to the school—one of my sons is a proud St. Joseph graduate, and my younger son is currently enrolled here.

In Spanish class, students will not only learn how to speak and understand the language but also explore the cultures and histories of Spanish-speaking countries. My goal is to help them feel confident using Spanish in real-world situations.

As a former Catholic school student myself, I truly value the faith-filled education St. Joseph’s provides, and I feel grateful to give my own children the same experience.

Outside the classroom, I love spending quality time with my husband, our two boys, and our three dogs—Leia, Rey, and Hans Solo. As a family, we enjoy traveling, going on walks, eating out, and watching movies. My favorite sport is volleyball, and I’ve had the pleasure of coaching:

  • the 6th/7th grade boys team in 2021,

  • the 7th/8th grade boys team in 2024, and

  • the 5th/6th grade boys team in 2025.

I look forward to a wonderful and blessed year ahead, filled with growth, learning, and joy. I am honored to work with your children and be a part of their journey.


 

Posts

Week of 3/30/2026

5th Grade: This week students will read short Easter-themed passages and demonstrate understanding by identifying the main idea, supporting details, and specific information within the text.

Objective:

  • Determine main idea and key details

  • Use context to understand vocabulary

  • Analyze text structure and author’s purpose

Assignment: Easter reading comprehension packet


6th Grade: This week, students will continue with Capítulo 2A.

Objective:
Students will be able to talk and write about classes, school activities, and their likes and dislikes.

Assignments:

  • Complete activity #16 En la escuela and review the pronunciation of the letter c.                                                                                 
  • Autentico video to complete the chapter: ventajas de dominar las matematicas

7th Grade: this week, students will continue with capitulo 5A 

Objective:
Students will identify and read descriptions of family members and family relationships.

Assignments:

  • Students will write a short paragraph in Spanish about who their hero is (Heroe o Heroina)?
  • Autentico Video to complete the chapter: La familia al fin del mundo.

8th Grade: This week we will continue with Capítulo 7B: ¡Qué regalo!

Objective: Students will listen to and read descriptions of gifts and gift stores. They will exchange information while comparing gifts and prices.

Assignments:

  • Review direct object pronouns and complete the Peterite past tense verbs worksheet.
  • Autentico video to complete the chapter: Madrid de compras

Week of 3/16/26

5th Grade: Last week, students did a great job learning how to form sentences and talk about activities they enjoy, such as playing basketball or volleyball after school. They also practiced describing how often they do these activities using siempre (always), a veces (sometimes), and nunca (never). Students interviewed their classmates and practiced translating their responses from English into Spanish, helping them build confidence with speaking and sentence writing.

This Week’s Objective: Students will be able to read a passage in Spanish about St. Patrick’s Day, answer comprehension questions, and use reading strategies such as identifying the author’s purpose, using context clues, and recognizing cause and effect to better understand the text.

This week, we will work on a Spanish reading comprehension packet about St. Patrick’s Day. Students will read about its history and practice skills like understanding the author’s purpose, using context clues, and identifying cause and effect.

Assignment: San Patricio (St. Patrick) packet.

6th Grade: This week, students will continue with Capítulo 2A.

Objective:
Students will be able to talk and write about classes, school activities, and their likes and dislikes.

Assignments & Activities:

  • Present tense of AR verbs: necesitar, hablar, dibujar, usar, practicar, enseñar, patinar, bailar.  Complete work sheet 65-66.
  • Activity #20 Students will state their opinions and preferences about school.

7th Grade: this week, students will continue with capitulo 5A 

Objective:
Students will identify and read descriptions of family members and family relationships.

Assignments & Activities:

  • Read the story of a royal family from Spain. Students will need to read the story and write in the correct tener verb.
  • Review Possessive adjectives:  mi, mis, tu/tus, su/sus, nuestros/nuestras. Complete worksheet 13-14.

8th Grade:

This week we will continue with Capítulo 7B: ¡Qué regalo!

Objective: Students will listen to and read descriptions of gifts and gift stores. They will exchange information while comparing gifts and prices.

Assignments:

  • The Preterite of verbs ending in -CAR and -GAR: Students will learn how the spelling of the verb changes in the preterite when it ends in -car or -gar. Students will complete Worksheets 91–92.

Week of 3/9/26

Reminder: 8th Grade Washington D.C sweatshirt order forms are due March 13, 2026.

5th Grade:

Last week, the students did a great job beginning to learn how to talk about their families, including how to list family members and describe them in Spanish. This was new to them, but they practiced using the question “¿Cómo es?” and applied descriptive vocabulary related to La Familia. They did a wonderful job presenting their work and will continue to build confidence in speaking and writing in Spanish.

Objective: this week students will engage in interpersonal communication by asking and answering questions about (tiempo libre) free time activities, and will demonstrate understanding through a short written presentation using practiced sentence starters.

Students will learn to ask and answer the following questions:

¿Bailas? 

¿Qué te gusta hacer? 

¿Con qué frecuencia?

 ¿Cuándo? 

¿Con quién?

 ¿Dónde?  

6th Grade: This week, students will continue with Capítulo 2A -Tu dia en la escuela.

Objective:
Students will be able to talk and write about classes, school activities, and their likes and dislikes.

Assignments & Activities:

  • Subject pronouns review: Yo, Tu, El/Ella, Nosotros/Nosotras, Ellos/Ellas.  Complete Worksheet 63-64.
  • Present tense of AR verbs: necesitar, hablar, dibujar, usar, practicar, enseñar, patinar, bailar.  Complete worksheet 65-66.
  • Activity #20 Students will state their opinions and preferences about school.

7th Grade: this week, students will continue with capitulo 5A - Una fiesta de cumpleanos.

Objective:
Students will identify and read descriptions of family members and family relationships.

Assignments & Activities:

  • Review the ER verb tener :tengo, tienes, tiene, tenemos, tienen. Complete worksheet page 11-12.
  • Read the story of a royal family from Spain. Students will need to read the story and write in the correct tener verb.
  • Review Possessive adjectives:  mi, mis, tu/tus, su/sus, nuestros/nuestras. Complete worksheet 13-14.

8th Grade:

Last week, students took the quiz on the Ave Maria prayer. I will continue completing prayer assessments this week with 8 Leonhardt on Tuesday 3/10/26 and 8 Forlenza on Wednesday 3/11/26. 

This week we will continue with Capítulo 7B: ¡Qué regalo!

Objective: Students will listen to and read descriptions of gifts and gift stores. They will exchange information while comparing gifts and prices.

Assignments:

  • The Preterite of -AR Verbs: Students will talk about actions that occurred in the past and practice using the correct preterite tense. Students will complete Worksheets 89–90.
  • The Preterite of verbs ending in -CAR and -GAR: Students will learn how the spelling of the verb changes in the preterite when it ends in -car or -gar. Students will complete Worksheets 91–92.

Week of 3/2/26

Reminder: 8th Grade Washington D.C sweatshirt order forms are due March 13, 2026.

5th Grade: Last week, our 5th graders did a fabulous job presenting “Mi Casa” (My House) in Spanish! They spoke confidently and did an excellent job designing and presenting their slides. I am so proud of their effort and creativity.

This week, we will continue strengthening our speaking and writing skills. Students will begin learning how to talk about their families, including how to list family members and describe them in Spanish. We will focus on the question “¿Cómo es?” and practice using descriptive vocabulary related to La Familia.

Students will be working with a well-designed chat mat to support their conversations. It includes family vocabulary and helps them answer questions such as:

  • ¿Cómo eres tú?
  • ¿Cómo es tu ___?
  • ¿Cómo se ve tu ___?
  • ¿De qué color son sus ojos?
  • ¿Cómo es su pelo?

In addition, students will complete a presentational writing activity using the same sentence starters from the chat mat to reinforce their learning.

6th Grade: Students wrapped up the second trimester by completing the 1B Quiz. This week, we are beginning Capítulo 2A.

In this chapter, students will identify and read descriptions of school subjects and class schedules.

Objective:
Students will be able to talk and write about classes, school activities, and their likes and dislikes.

Assignments & Activities:

  • Capítulo 2A Vocabulary Worksheet
  • Videohistoria: “Las clases hoy”
  • Practice with new adjectives, including:
    aburrida, divertida, interesante, difícil, fácil y práctica.

7th Grade: Students finished the second trimester by completing the 4B Quiz. This week, we are beginning Capítulo 5A.

In this chapter, students will identify and read descriptions of family members and family relationships.

Objective:
Students will be able to talk and write about family, friends, and celebrations.

Assignments & Activities:

  • Capítulo 5A Vocabulary Worksheet
  • Videohistoria: “Los quince años”
  • Practice speaking about family members, including tíos, primos, abuelo, abuela, hermanos, and hermana.

8th Grade: Last week, students finished strong with their small project for Trimester 2. They also did a wonderful job on their “¿Dónde está?” project, writing about downtown Libertyville and presenting confidently while practicing directions using vocabulary such as una zapatería, una tienda de regalos, and una tienda de electrodomésticos.

This week, students will be taking the Ave María Prayer Quiz. The prayer has been handed out, and we will review it in every Spanish class. The quiz will take place on Wednesday, March 4th, and Thursday, March 5th, 2026.

Week of 2/23/26

5th Grade:

  • Students have been working very hard on their “Mi Casa” project! They are currently creating their house presentation slides using Google Slides and writing in complete Spanish sentences to answer the question: ¿Cómo es tu casa? (What is your house like?). Students are focusing on using vocabulary related to rooms in the house, colors, and family members, while also practicing pronunciation in preparation for presenting.
  • Next week, students will complete their presentations and begin presenting their “Mi Casa” projects in Spanish. I am very proud of their effort, creativity, and growth throughout this project!

6th Grade:

Students have completed Capítulo 1B and have begun preparing in class for the upcoming quiz. We are reviewing vocabulary and key concepts to help ensure students feel confident and ready.

  • The Capítulo 1B quiz will take place on Tuesday, 2/24. Students have the Pear Practice and Repaso de Capítulo (Chapter Review) on Google Classroom to help them study at home.

7th Grade:

Students have completed Capítulo 4B and have begun preparing in class for the upcoming quiz. We are reviewing vocabulary and key concepts to help ensure students feel confident and ready.

    • The Capítulo 4B quiz will take place next week. Students have the Pear Practice and Repaso de Capítulo (Chapter Review) on Google Classroom to help them study at home.
    • 7 Delaney will take the quiz on Wednesday, 2/25.
    • 7 Secketa will take the quiz on Thursday, 2/26.

8th Grade:

Students have been working on their ¿Dónde está?” project in class with a partner. They are practicing asking for and giving directions using vocabulary from this chapter, such as una zapatería, una tienda de regalos, and una tienda de electrodomésticos.

As part of the project, students have drawn a map of our local downtown Libertyville and are using it to ask for directions to different locations. This activity helps students build confidence in speaking Spanish, practice real-world vocabulary, and develop teamwork and presentation skills.

Students will present their projects in Spanish next week, and it’s exciting to see their creativity and language skills in action!

Ave Maria Prayer -The prayer has been handed out, and we will review it during every Spanish class. The quiz on the Ave Maria Prayer will take place on Wednesday, March 4th and Thursday, March 5, 2026.

Week of 2/16/26

5th Grade:  This past week, students completed their Mi Casa packet and have been practicing their vocabulary in preparation for creating their house presentation slides. They will describe their house in Spanish using vocabulary related to rooms, colors, and family members. Students will write and present in complete sentences as they share their work with the class.

¿Cómo es tu casa? (What is your house like?)

Assignment:

  • Students will begin working on the “Mi Casa” slides via Google Slides/ Canva and will have time to work on it this week in class.

6th Grade: Students will be wrapping up on Capítulo 1B.

Objective:
Identify and write about people and things at your school.

Assignments:

  • Autentico video - Nataliz te da tres tips prácticos 
  • 6B definite and indefinite articles worksheet 49& 50
  • Begin studying for the chapter Quiz which will be Tuesday 2/24

7th Grade:

This week, students will continue wrapping up on Capítulo 4B: “¿Quieres ir conmigo?”

Objective:
Students will finish the chapter and begin preparing for the upcoming quiz by completing the Repaso de Capítulo and participating in a Pear Practice study guide.

Assignments:

  • Auténtico Video: Deporte, cultura e innovación

  • Begin studying for the Chapter Quiz, which will take place on Friday, 2/23/26.

8th Grade:

Students have begun Capítulo 7B- Que regalo.

Objective: Listen to comments about stores and talk about where you shop.

Assignments for the Week:

  • Listen and Write: Students will listen to a video about students going shopping in a store and will write about what they think the students will purchase.

  • Activity #8: ¡Qué barato! ¡Qué caro!

  • Grammar Practice: Preterite form of comprar (AR verb) — Worksheets pages 89–92.

  • Ave Maria Prayer: The prayer has been handed out, and we will review it during every Spanish class. The quiz on the Ave Maria Prayer will take place on Wednesday, March 4th and Thursday, March 5, 2026.

Week of 2/9/26

5th Grade:  This week students will continue to work on their Mi Casa packet and will begin to describe their house in Spanish using vocabulary for rooms, colors, and family members by writing and speaking in complete sentences.

¿Cómo es tu casa? (What is your house like?)

New Vocabulary

  • Rooms: la casa, la cocina, el baño, el dormitorio, el garaje

  • Colors: blanco/a, negro/a, azul, café

  • People & actions: mi madre, mi padre, mi hermano/a, cocina, saca la basura.

Assignments:

  • Students will complete a small in-class project.  They will create a slide presentation using Google Slides or Canva.
  • Students will present their home using images from the internet and describe it using phrases such as “Mi casa tiene un piso” or “dos pisos” (My house has one or two levels) and “Mi  cocina es blanca” (My kitchen is white). Students will present their projects in Spanish, allowing them to practice vocabulary, sentence structure, and speaking skills.

6th Grade:

This week, students will continue with Capítulo 1B y tu, como eres?

Objective:
Identify and write about people and things at your school.

Assignments:

  • Review Definite and Indefinite articles El and La which are the equivalent of “the” in English. Homework assignment worksheet 49 & 50.
  • Review word order placement of adjectives. In Spanish adjectives usually come after a noun.
  • Lectura: students will read and understand an article about personality traits. Worksheet page 51 & 52

7th Grade:

This week, students will continue with Capítulo 4B: “¿Quieres ir conmigo?”

Objective:
Students will learn how to listen to and read invitations and responses, as well as exchange information while accepting or declining an invitation.

Assignments:

  • Review the AR verb jugar  - complete worksheet 145 &146 - Due Monday 2/9/26 for 7D. Will be given to 7S on Monday 2/9/26.
  • Lectura: Students will read and compare the lives of two famous athletes and use cognates to understand new words. Worksheet pages 147 & 148.

8th Grade:

Students have begun Capítulo 7B - Que regalo.

Objective: Listen to and read descriptions of gifts and gift stores. Talk and write about items you’ve bought and their price.  Students have begun to review vocabulary words from this chapter. 

Assignments for the Week:

  • Capítulo 7A Quiz: Wednesday, 2/11/26.  We will be reviewing for the Chapter Quiz.   Students have a blooket on The Demonstrative Adjective, a blooket on Chapter 7A and the Pear Practice as study guides for this quiz located in google classroom.
  • Video historia el Rastro - Savvas assignment
  • The Ave Maria prayer has been handed out, and we will be reviewing it together during every Spanish class. The Ave Maria prayer quiz will take place on Wednesday, March 4, and Thursday, March 5, 2026.

Week of 2/2/2026

No School Thursday 2/5/26 - Parent Teacher Conferences

No School Friday 2/6/26 - Teacher In- Service

5th Grade:  As I was out on Thursday and Friday due to illness we will wrap up on “Me gusta/No me gusta.” This week students will be able to describe their house in Spanish using vocabulary for rooms, colors, and family members by writing and speaking in complete sentences.

¿Cómo es tu casa? (What is your house like?)

New Vocabulary

  • Rooms: la casa, la cocina, el baño, el dormitorio, el garaje

  • Colors: blanco/a, negro/a, azul, café

  • People & actions: mi madre, mi padre, mi hermano/a, cocina, saca la basura

  • Adjectives: simpático/a

Assignment this for the week

  • Students will begin working on the “Mi Casa” packet in class.

Next Week

  • Students will complete a small in-class project.  They will create a slide presentation using Google Slides or Canva.
  • Students will present their home using images from the internet and describe it using phrases such as “Mi casa tiene un piso” or “dos pisos” (My house has one or two levels) and “Mi  cocina es blanca” (My kitchen is white). Students will present their projects in Spanish, allowing them to practice vocabulary, sentence structure, and speaking skills.

6th Grade:

Students will continue Capítulo 1B.

Objective:
Identify and write about people and things at your school.

Assignments:

  • We will present their written  Assignment – “¿Qué te gusta hacer?”
    Which they will present with their partner. 
  • We will continue to complete this as we did not get to this part last week as I was not in class on Thursday or Friday. Students will begin learning about the definite and indefinite articles using el, la, un and una.  Worksheet page 49 & 50.
  • Next week, students will also learn word order, focusing on the placement of adjectives using the subject, verb, indefinite article + noun, and adjective. Worksheet Page 143 &144

7th Grade:

This week, students will continue Capítulo 4B: “¿Quieres ir conmigo?”

Objective:
Students will learn how to listen to and read invitations and responses, as well as exchange information while accepting or declining an invitation.

Assignments:

  • This week Ir +a + infinitive worksheet page 143 & 144
  • Next week, Review "A que hora"? - Una invitación para el Sábado.
  • Next week Review the AR verb jugar  - complete worksheet 

8th Grade:

Because the quiz was canceled while I was out on Thursday and Friday due to illness, we will spend additional time practicing stem-changing verbs and demonstrative adjectives to better prepare students for the quiz.

Assignments for the Week:

  • Capítulo 7A Quiz: Wednesday, 2/4/26

Week of 1/26/26

5th Grade:

This week, students continued working on an interactive activity in which they interviewed four classmates about which sport they like to play. Students then presented their sentences to the class using the phrase “le gusta.” We will wrap up these presentations next Tuesday, 1/27/26.

Performance Targets:

  • Students will learn and use new vocabulary: refresco, televisión, jugar fútbol, andar en patineta, leer un libro, nadar, and review sports (Los Deportes) such as el voleibol, el fútbol americano, el tenis de mesa, and more.

Assignments This Week

  • Wrap up presentations Tuesday 1/26/26

  • Los Deportes Packet — review and practice with sports-related vocabulary.

6th Grade:

Students will continue Capítulo 1B.

Objective:
Identify and write about people and things at your school.

Assignments:

  • Students will begin learning about the Definite and indefinite articles using el, la, un and una.  Worksheet page 49 & 50.
  • Students will also learn word order, focusing on the placement of adjectives using the subject, verb, indefinite article + noun, and adjective. 
     worksheet Pages 27& 28

7th Grade:

This week, students will continue Capítulo 4B: “¿Quieres ir conmigo?”

Objective:
Students will learn how to listen to and read invitations and responses, as well as exchange information while accepting or declining an invitation.

Assignments:

  • Conjuguemos vocabulario 4B: for 7D
  • Savvas Videohistoria: ¿Te gusta ir de camping? Students will watch and interpret a video about activities and invitations.
  • Ir +a + infinitive worksheet pages 143 & 144
  • Las invitaciones pages 77& 78

8th Grade:

Students reached the end of the chapter and will be preparing for the chapter quiz which will take place next Thursday 1/29/26.

Assignments for the Week:

  • Review the demonstrative adjectives- grade packet.
  • Review vocabulary words and study guide.

Week of 1/19/26

5th Grade:

As I was out last week due to illness and injury we will continue this week with “Me gusta” to say what they like or don’t like.

Performance Targets:

  • Students will learn to ask the questions “¿Me gusta?”, “¿Les gusta?”, and “¿Te gusta?”

  • Students will respond using “Sí, me gusta ___.” or “No, no me gusta ___.”

  • Students will learn and use new vocabulary: refresco, televisión, jugar fútbol, andar en patineta, leer un libro, nadar, and review sports (Los Deportes) such as el voleibol, el fútbol americano, el tenis de mesa, and more.
Assignments This Week
  • Reading Comprehension: Me gusta el Fútbol — includes an interactive activity where students move around the room to interview classmates and ask “¿Qué les gusta jugar?” to learn which sports their peers enjoy. - We will complete this on Monday and Tuesday.

  • Los Deportes Packet — review and practice with sports-related vocabulary.

6th Grade:

Students have begun Capítulo 1B.

Objective:
Students will read, listen to, and understand information about personality traits such as ordenado, perezoso, and trabajador.

Assignments:

  • Savvas Videohistoria: Students have watched a video about students volunteering codo a codo. They will identify the students’ interests and describe what they are like.
  • Adjectives Worksheet: Pages 47–48
  • Conjuguemos 1B
  • Written Assignment – “¿Qué te gusta hacer?”
    Students will identify and discuss what they and others like to do, as well as describe their own personality.

7th Grade:

This week, students will begin Capítulo 4B: “¿Quieres ir conmigo?”

Objective:
Students will learn how to listen to and read invitations and responses, as well as exchange information while accepting or declining an invitation.

Assignments:

  • Vocabulary Worksheets: Pages 139 & 141

  • Savvas Videohistoria: ¿Te gusta ir de camping? Students will watch and interpret a video about activities and invitations.

  • Writing Assignment – “Una invitación para el sábado”
    Students will work with a partner to create an invitation that includes a location, date, and time. They should practice asking and responding using expressions such as ¿Te gustaría ir? and ¿A qué hora?

8th Grade:

Since I was out last week due to illness and injury, we will continue working in Capítulo 7A: “¿Cuánto cuesta?” This week we will review key concepts, including stem-changing verbs and demonstrative adjectives, to ensure students feel confident before moving on.

Assignments for the Week:

  • Grammar Review: Stem-changing verbs and demonstrative adjectives

  • Savvas Auténtico 1 Video: Un probador virtual

  • End-of-Chapter Work: Begin the Chapter 7A review



Week of 1/12/26

5th Grade

This week, students will learn how to express their opinions using “Me gusta” to say what they like or don’t like.

Performance Targets:

  • Students will learn to ask the questions “¿Me gusta?”, “¿Les gusta?”, and “¿Te gusta?”

  • Students will respond using “Sí, me gusta ___.” or “No, no me gusta ___.”

  • Students will learn and use new vocabulary: refresco, televisión, jugar fútbol, andar en patineta, leer un libro, nadar, and review sports (Los Deportes) such as el voleibol, el fútbol americano, el tenis de mesa, and more.

Assignments This Week

  • Vocabulary Worksheet: Me Gusta — foods they like to eat and sports they enjoy playing.

  • Reading Comprehension: Me gusta el Fútbol — includes an interactive activity where students move around the room to interview classmates and ask “¿Qué les gusta jugar?” to learn which sports their peers enjoy.

  • Los Deportes Packet — review and practice with sports-related vocabulary.

6th Grade 

We have been reviewing material to prepare for the rescheduled chapter quiz on Capítulo 1A: ¿Qué te gusta hacer?, originally planned before the Christmas break. The quiz will take place on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

Students have two review booklets and the Pear Practice study guide set available to help them prepare. All study materials have been posted on Google Classroom.

7th Grade

Students completed Capítulo 4A: ¿Adónde vas? This week, we will be reviewing the chapter to prepare for the upcoming quiz, which will take place on Friday, January 16, 2026.

Students have two review booklets and the Pear Practice study guide available to support their studying. All review materials have been posted on Google Classroom.

8th Grade

Last week, our 8th graders did a fantastic job on their partner presentations and role-play activity as a salesperson and a shopper. This fun, engaging assignment gave students the opportunity to practice real-life conversations—asking for help in a store, talking about clothing items, and finding out prices. Students playing the role of the salesperson also learned how to respond appropriately to shoppers’ questions.

This week, we will continue working in Capítulo 7A: ¿Cuánto cuesta?

Weekly Objective:
Students will listen to clothing choices and write about shopping plans using the stem-changing verbs pensar, querer, and preferir (“to think/plan,” “to want,” and “to prefer”).
Students will also practice using demonstrative adjectiveseste/esta, ese/esa, estos/estas, and esos/esas—to describe items as this, that, these, and those.

Assignments for this Week

  • Stem-Changing Verb Worksheet: pages 75–76

  • Demonstrative Adjectives Worksheet: pages 77–78

  • Finish the chapter

Week of 1/5/26

5th Grade: Happy New Year! I am excited to welcome the students back to the classroom. We will be learning about Three Kings Day / Día de los Reyes Magos, also known as the Epiphany. The Epiphany celebrates the day that Jesus was revealed to the world. Students will learn the story in Spanish about the three kings who followed the star to Bethlehem to visit baby Jesus.

Objectives: Understand and describe the celebration on the Eve of the Three Kings / La Noche de Reyes, including traditions such as leaving shoes out for gifts.
Identify: January 6th as the day that commemorates the visit of the Three Kings.
Recognize: the gifts brought by the Wise Men: Gold / Oro, Incense / Incienso, and Myrrh / Mirra
 
Assignments:
  • Review the books "The Story of the Three Wise Men" by Tomie dePaola and "Three Kings Day / Día de Reyes Magos" by Marisa Boan.
  • Complete the reading comprehension packet on La Rosca de Reyes, the traditional sweet bread eaten on January 6th. Students will learn its significance: a round bread with a hidden figurine of baby Jesus, celebrating the visit of the Three Kings and shared with family and friends in Spanish-speaking cultures.

6th Grade: Due to the quiz cancellation of Capítulo 1A before the break, it has been rescheduled for both 6th Grade classes. This week in class, students will review the chapter and practice together to help them feel prepared and confident for the quiz.

  • Capitulo 1A Quiz will take place on Tuesday, 1/13/26.

7th Grade: Students will continue with : Capitulo 4A

Objectives: Write and answer questions about leisure activities.  Exchange information about where you and others go in your free time.

Assignments:

  • Activity 17: "Los fines de semana"
    Students will work in pairs or small groups of 3–4 to create a Spanish conversation about their weekend activities, including where they go and who they spend time with.
  • Video: Pequeña Oaxaca

8th Grade: Students will finish and present their dialogues for “¿En qué puedo servirle?” (How can I help you?), with one partner as the shopper and the other as the store salesperson. Afterward, they will begin Activity 11 – “¿Cómo me queda?” (How does it look?). 

This activity helps to build practical communication skills: Students learn phrases and vocabulary they can use in real-life situations, like shopping, greeting someone, or asking for help.

Key Vocabulary for This Assignment: Te queda bien / mal – It looks good / bad. No me gusta mucho – I don’t like it very much.

Assignments:

  • Complete Part 1 of the assignment with Activity 6.
  • Finish Part 2 of the assignment with Activity 11.
  • Present

Week of 12/15/25

  • Please have the students dress warm, coats, hats gloves in case we do go out this week.
  • Thursday 12/18 Christmas Concert at 6PM in the church.

5th Grade: Students will be learning about El Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe and Juan Diego, celebrated on December 12th. This lesson helps students understand an important cultural and religious tradition that is deeply rooted in many Spanish-speaking countries. It also gives them an opportunity to make connections between language, culture, and tradition.

We will also explore the New Year’s tradition of “Las 12 Uvas”, where people eat twelve grapes at midnight—one for each month—to bring good luck in the coming year. As part of the activity, they will write down their own wishes and goals for the new year, helping them practice writing in Spanish.

6th Grade and 7th Grade: This week we will be having a fun week with Roxxem in class which provides practice with new words and grammatical structures in a fun, interactive way. Students get to listen to Spanish music and type out the lyrics which helps them learn to write.

  • 6A & 6B will be taking the Chapter Quiz for 1A on Tuesday 12/16. Pear Practice study guide is in google classroom.

8th Grade: This week Students will complete the assignment of “En que puedo sirvirle?” They are working in partners and one person is a saleman/salewoman and they must help a customer in a clothing or shoe store.  They will let them know what items of clothing/shoes they are shopping for and the sales person will assist them while asking them questions they will answer in Spanish.

Objective: This helps develop Real-Life Communication Skills: Students practice speaking Spanish in realistic, everyday scenarios. They will also focus on words and phrases related to clothing, shoes, and shopping interactions from our chapter. They will present in class with their partner.

At the end of the week they will have fun with Roxxem which provides practice with new words and grammatical structures in a fun, interactive way. Students get to listen to Spanish music and type out the lyrics which helps them learn to write.