Ms. Verser

Bonne chance! / ¡Buena suerte!

mercredi / miércoles -- Salut!  ¡Hola!  Well, we made it through 2008-2009.  It was a blast!  Thanks for your hard work and effort -- especially at the end of the year.  Thanks to all of the parents for the wonderful 8th grade dance and year-end celebration.  The food and DJ were awesome.  A great time was had by all.

In case you get bored sitting around the house missing foreign language class, remember that you can access the on-line textbook by clicking on our publisher's name in the left sidebar of my blog and then selecting your language under "World Languages" the appropriate level and textbook title.  You will then use your log-in that I gave you back in the fall.  Also, Spanish students can access www.rollingrs.com and Frenchies can access www.laits.utexas.edu/tex/ for additional and interesting language practice opportunities. 

Don't forget about your trusty workbook (assuming that you have not burned it yet).  The pages pertaining to grammar that we did not complete during the year would be a great way to work ahead for next year and to get some review and practice.

Félicitations/Felicidades for correct responses to the last blog question go out to Isabelle N., Christiane K., et Lucette M. who figured out that <<Mon singe peut voler>> would be the correct way to say <<My monkey can fly>> en français and to Anita M. y Guadalupe M. who figured out that <<Nuestro conejo es calvo>> would be the correct way to say <<Our rabbit is bald>> en español.  Excellent work!

I hope that you all have a wonderful summer and an excellent experience in Level 2 foreign language (and beyond) at the high school.  

Bonne chance!  ¡Buena suerte!  Tchao!  ¡Chao!  Madame/Señora Verser

 

Merci beaucoup! / ¡Muchas gracias!

mercredi / miércoles -- Salut!  ¡Hola! -- Thanks so much for the wonderful PTSA lunch, and the fantastic treats from Student Forum during Teacher Appreciation Week.  It was awesome!  I really appreciated everything!

Also, thanks to Spanish students and parents for a wonderful Cinco de mayo celebration.  The comida was outstanding, and the decorations were gorgeous thanks to the after school efforts of Anita M., Lupe D., Imianna S., María del Carmen H., Clara T., Rebeca R., Verónica J., Esperanza J., Eva B., Rosa María B., and Enrique S.  Also, Taco Man reminds you to please bring in those recipes if you have not already done so!   

For my last blog question, félicitations/felicidades go out to Isabelle N., Christiane K., and Alice B. who knew that I was in Nice, France and to Anita M. and Guadalupe M. who knew that I was in Barcelona, España.  This week, I will give dix / diez euros to the first trois/tres students in both French and Spanish who can tell me the phrase that pays.

Français --  Comment dit-on en français... <<My monkey can fly>>??  BONNE CHANCE!

Español -- Traducen en español... <<Our rabbit is bald>>??  ¡BUENA SUERTE!

Don't forget about the Beta Club Induction Ceremony to be held on Tuesday, May 19th at 7:00.  All invitations have been distributed.  We will be working out final details for the decorations and reception in committees at our final meeting this Thursday.  Please remember that attire for the ceremony is business casual -- no jeans or shorts please!

For Olympics, (Wednesday, May 20th - 8th grade) please don't forget to dress appropriately for athletic events, bring your sunglasses, sunscreen and hats for the outdoor events, and your water container.  You will need to stay hydrated!  If possible, donations of 12 packs or 24 packs of water would be appreciated.

For the 8th Grade Cook-Out (Friday, May 22nd), our wonderful PTSA will be providing the entrée and the DJ, but they would like some help with donations of drinks, desserts and chips according to the following plan...if your last name starts with...

  A-L and you are female -- bring a 12-pak of water.

  A-L and you are male -- bring a 12-pak of soda.

  M-Z and you are female -- bring a box of individually wrapped dessert cakes, cookies, etc.

  M-Z and you are male -- bring a bag/container of individually wrapped chips. 

Tchao!  ¡Chao! 

Where in the world is she?

 mercredi / miércoles -- Salut!  ¡Hola! --  Félicitations / Felicidades on surviving the CRCT!  Way to go!  Merci / Gracias to those students who attempted my USATestPrep CRCT practice tests...en français -- Christiane K. and Lucette M. -- en español -- Raquel L., Anita M., Sara T., and Paco L.  Your extra efforts are appreciated.  Also, Lucette M. and Anita M. got the Latin root bonus questions "mal" = bad and "ultra" = beyond.  Outstanding! 

Progress reports in all classes went home on jeudi et vendredi le 23 et le 24 avril / jueves y viernes el 23 y el 24 de abril (Thursday and Friday, April 23rd and 24th).  Please remember to have them signed and return them to your homeroom teachers.  Any deficiencies also need to be signed and returned to the issuing teacher.

This week, I am returning to my French and Spanish questions.  I will award dix / diez euros to the first trois / tres students who come to me with the correct answers to the following geography related questions.

Pour le français --  Don't forget that your project, <<Nous sommes famille,>> is due vendredi le 1 mai. 

•For the Euro Project on the computers, please click here to access information that will help you with the white section www.ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/the_euro.•

Now for your question.  Tell me where in the French-speaking world I am if...I send you a postcard of <<l'Église Russe.>>  I walk along the lovely <<Promenade des anglais.>>  I check out the artwork at the <<Musée Matisse.>>  Which French-speaking city am I visiting? 

Para el español -- Don't forget about the "Cinco de mayo" festivities planned for martes el 5 de mayo.  Check out the short video on the history of "Cinco de mayo" at www.history.com.  If you need additional recipes, check out www.cooks.com, www.allrecipes.com or www.foodnetwork.com. 

Now for your question.  Tell me where in the Spanish-speaking world I am if...I watch the fountains of <<Montjuïc.>>  I send you a postcard of Antoni Gaudí's <<Sagrada Familia.>>  I walk along <<La Rambla.>>  I ride the <<Funicular Tibidabo>> to check out the attractions at the amusement park.  Which Spanish-speaking city am I visiting?

Bonne chance!  ¡Buena suerte!  Tchao!  ¡Chao!

Carpe diem!

 lundi / lunes -- Salut!  ¡Hola!  It was great to see everyone back at school looking so rested and happy after a relaxing Spring Break. 

For this week's CRCT, don't forget to get plenty of rest.  Also, try to eat a decent breakfast and bring a book or magazine to read in case you finish the tests early.  Please bring a couple of sharp #2 pencils of the wooden variety to take your test.  The answer document doesn't like mechanical pencils.  We will be following a revised schedule during testing.  The testing schedule is...Tuesday, 4/21 - Reading; Wednesday, 4/22 - Language Arts; Thursday, 4/23 - Math; Friday, 4/24 - Science; Monday, 4/27 - Social Studies. 

Also, progress reports will be going home on Thursday, 4/23, and Friday, 4/24, of this week.  Students will receive a blue 1/2 page document that they will carry with them to the classes that they attend on Thursday.  Teachers will record current grades and any important comments.  Students will take this report home to be signed, and then return it to their homeroom teacher on Friday, 4/24.  On Friday, 4/24, students will receive a green 1/2 page document that they will carry with them to the classes that they attend on Friday.  Teachers will record current grades and any important comments.  Students will take this report home to be signed, and then return it to their homeroom teacher on the following Monday, 4/27.  Please check I-Parent to see a detailed grade breakdown.

Félicitations go out to Nicole C., Isabelle B., Christiane K. and felicidades go to Elena M. for the hard work and effort put forth on the CRCT diagnostic practice tests.  Several other students tried their luck with the game Super Graduation Kombat Smackdown.  Nice job! 

It's not too late!  Carpe diem!  Try taking a practice test, try some activities or play some games.  Be sure to click on "E-mail Review" to make your results available to me for viewing so that I can get the first trois/tres people to successfully pass a practice test dix/diez euros.  What a deal!  Click here to access the site -- http://www.usatestprep.com/.  Then, log-in with the username and password that you recorded in your agenda several weeks ago.  If you forgot this information, call Information Center at 770/795-5720, Ext. 8599 for a reminder.  Select "8th grade CRCT."  Then, select "Reading."  Try any diagnostic test that you have not previously attempted.  For cinq/cinco additional euros, check out "Greek and Latin Affixes" in the section entitled "Reading Skills and Vocabulary Acquisition."  Seek out the answers to the following questions...

Pour le francais -- Give me the latin affix for "beyond."

Para el español -- Give me the latin affix for "bad."

 Be a winner like Beckham!  Bonne chance!  ¡Buena suerte!

Tchao!  ¡Chao!

  

 

Bon voyage! ¡Buen viaje!

 jeudi / jueves -- Salut!  ¡Hola! -- I hope that everyone has a wonderful, restful and safe Spring Break.  Homework over the break is to FORGET RIEN / NADA (NOTHING)! 

Félicitations! to Isabelle N. for your recent work on the Reading CRCT practice test.  Nice job!  Hope the extra euros pay off big for you. 

Remember students, you have to pass the Reading / Language Arts / Math sections of the CRCT in order to be promoted.  For this reason, I am leaving the USATestPrep site as the focus of my blog so that you can try some READING practice tests over the break. 

If you have some down time during your vacation, take a few practice tests, try some activities or play some games.  Be sure to click on "E-mail Review" to make your results available to me for viewing so that I can get you dix / diez euros for your successful test.  I will award the first trois / tres students.  What a deal!  Click here to access the site -- www.usatestprep.com.  Then, log-in with the username and password that you recorded in your agenda several weeks ago.  If you forgot this information, call Information Center at 770/795-5720, Ext. 8599 for a reminder.  Select "8th grade CRCT."  Then, select "Reading."  Try the "Large Test" which is 75% of the actual test length.  Next, select a character and play "Super Graduation Kombat Smackdown!"  I rocked as the Ninja.  I will access results by Friday of each week and get your euros to you.  Bonne chance!  ¡Buena suerte!

See you in a week...Bon voyage!  ¡Buen viaje!

Go to the head of the class!

lundi / lunes -- Salut!  ¡Hola! -- Félicitations to Alice B., Lucette M., and Christiane K. and Felicidades to Anita M. and Guadalupe M. for receiving passing scores on my USATestPrep Reading diagnostic test from last week.  Nice work!  

For this week, we are going to continue practicing with our reading skills for the CRCT.  Click here to access the site -- www.usatestprep.com.  Remember to utilize the username and student password that you recorded in your agenda.  If needed, my "Information Center" extension (8599) will remind you of this information.  Also, remember to click on "E-mail Review" on the left-hand side of the page so that I can see your scores.  Now, click on the tab "8th Grade CRCT" and select "Reading."   

Try to pass the 20 question section quiz for "Information and Media Literacy."  This section comprises 45% of the Reading CRCT.  To access this test, you will need to scroll down until you see the sub-title "Information and Media Literacy."  Next, scroll down a bit more until you see the headings "Question activities," "Vocabulary activities," and "Other activities."  Click on the "20 question section quiz."  I will award dix/diez euros to the first trois/tres students who successfully complete this quiz.  When you're done, try the game "Head of the Class!"  There are other cool games too.  You can do this from the comfort of your own home.  Also, don't forget that you can come in early to try the test in the computer lab.  Bonne chance!  ¡Buena suerte! 

Did you remember to return your signed report card to your homeroom teacher?  If not, please do so tomorrow.  Merci!  ¡Gracias!

Art 101

 lundi / lunes -- Salut!  ¡Hola!  Félicitations / Felicidades to Isabelle N., Lucette M.,  Christiane K. and Juliette P. who knew that the celebrated musher, Martin Buser, was born in Winterarthur, Switzerland and to Anita M., Ernesto S. and Guadalupe M. who knew that musher Trent Herbst has taught elementary school in Argentina and La República Dominicana.  Way to go!

This week, I want you to visit two world famous art museums -- the Rodin Museum in France and the Prado in España.  On this virtual tour, I want you to tell me how many euros and American dollars your visit will set you back.

Le français

For your visit to the Rodin Museum, I want you to purchase a full rate "Twin Ticket" for an all day visit to see the museum, the exhibition and the garden.  How much will this cost in euros and American dollars?  First, find out how many euros the ticket will cost by clicking here to start your search -- www.musee-rodin.fr.  Next, convert euros to American dollars by clicking here -- www.xe.com.  Bonne chance!  Tchao!  

 El español 

For your visit to the Prado, I want you to purchase a "General Entrance Ticket" for an all day visit.  How many euros and American dollars will this cost you?  First, find out how many euros your ticket will cost by clicking here -- www.museodelprado.es.  Next, convert euros to American dollars by clicking here -- www.xe.com.  ¡Buena suerte!  ¡Chao!

Gee! Haw!

lundi / lunes -  Salut!  ¡Hola!  Félicitations / Felicidades to Isabelle N., Christiane K., and Juliette P. in French and Zorro O., Ernesto S., Carolina B. and Guadalupe M. in Spanish who correctly translated the "phrase that pays" from last week.  Pour le français --  <<I think I am going to cough up a fur ball.>>  Para el español -- <<Help me!  The balloon is floating away with my brother!>>   Merci!  ¡Gracias!

Merci beaucoup to the French students and parents for a wonderful food day on Mardi Gras last Tuesday.  We enjoyed some wonderful recipes.  A special "shout out" to our decorators -- Roselyne M., Alice B., Isabelle B., Michelle J., Juliette P., Christiane K. and Renée R. Bon travail!  Also, Spanish students did some "fantasy shopping" in the computer lab last week.  We had some very big spenders! 

This week begins an interesting race that I like to follow every year -- the Iditarod.  This is not a race with cars, but a race with dogs up in Alaska that covers over 1,150 miles of rugged terrain in frigid weather conditions.  The Iditarod begins every year on the first Saturday in March.  It is a race that commemorates the 1925 delivery of serum (or medicine) via dog sled to the residents of Nome, Alaska that helped them combat an epidemic of diphtheria, a life-threatening disease.  Click here to check out the official website - www.iditarod.com.

I will award you with dix / diez euros if you are one of the first trois/tres people to come to me with the correct answer to the following question.  Once you get to the official site, you will need to click on the tab that says "2009 Iditarod" at the top, and then look at the right side of the screen for "Musher Listing" to seek out the answers.

Français - Martin Buser has won many awards for his Iditarod exploits.  Among these were the Sportsmanship and Most Inspirational awards in 2005.  He completed the race that particular year after having a woodworking accident four days prior to the start of the race which resulted in the amputation of part of his finger.  Yikes!  Name the city and French-speaking country where this musher was born in 1958.  Bonne chance!

Español - Musher Trent Herbst currently teaches 4th grade in Idaho.  He has a degree in Elementary Education from the University of LaCrosse and has taught in several foreign countries.  Name the two Spanish-speaking countries where Trent taught according to his bio.  ¡Buena suerte!

The phrase that pays - 2nd edition!

lundi -- Salut!

lunes -- ¡Hola! 

I hope that everyone had a wonderful President's Day holiday last week.  Merci to my French students and their parents for what I'm sure will be a spectacular Mardi Gras cultural experience this mardi le 24 février.  Don't forget to access www.allrecipes.com, www.foodnetwork.com and www.ciakids.com for recipes.  Also, BETA Club members, don't forget about the "PMMS Clean Up Day" this Saturday, February 28th from 10:00 am-12:00 pm.  It will be a fun way to earn some hours.  Thanks to the Sumrell family for all of your energy and effort with this project.

Félicitations to French students Christiane K., Isabelle N. and Lucette M. who came up with <<Quiche Lorraine>> and <<Brioche>> as yummy dishes from francophone countries featured on the CIA website.  Felicidades to the Spanish students Anita M., Enrique S., Ernesto S. and Zorro O. who identified <<Gazpacho>>, <<Paella>>, <<Mole>> and <<Dulce de Leche>> as dishes from Spanish-speaking countries featured on the site.

Today, we are going to offer up the 2nd edition of the phrase that pays.  As always, the first trois / tres people who come to me with the correct translation will be awarded dix / diez euros.

En français -- Taken from French for Cats:  All the French Your Cat Will Ever Need by Henri de la Barbe, translate...  <<Je crois que je vais cracher une boule de poils.>>  Bonne chance!

En español -- Taken from Inglés de Supervivencia by Matz Mainka, translate... <<¡Ayúdenme!  ¡Mi hermano ha salido volando con el globo! >>  ¡Buena suerte!

Tchao! ¡Chao!

What's cooking?

Salut!  ¡Hola! -- mardi / martes -- I hope you had a wonderful President's Day holiday! 

Also, félicitations / felicidades to the following students who were the first to give me the correct answers from my previous blog.  En français -- Isabelle N., Alice B., and Lucette M. discovered that La Côte d'Ivoire is the world's largest exporter of chocolate.  En español -- Ernesto S., Anita M., Sergio K., and Guadalupe M. discovered that the Mayan civilization is credited with the discovery of chocolate.  Great work!

This week, I am going to have you take a culinary tour by visiting the website for the esteemed Culinary Institute of America -- CIA, for short!  (And you thought the CIA was just for spies!)  To do this, click here to go to www.ciakids.com.  Next, click on "World Flavors" at the top.  You will see the maps of several featured places around the world.  Click on the map of the place you wish to tour.  Each country's page provides information about eating habits in that culture and some easy recipes that you might want to try.  Yum! 

In France, try an <<Omelette>> for dinner -- Fantastique!  In la Louisiane, try the <<Dirty Rice.>> Also, I will award dix euros for the first trois students who bring me the name of any other dish from a French-speaking place featured on the CIA site. Oh là là!  Tchao!

In España, try some <<Rice Pudding>> -- ¡Increíble!  In México, try the <<Salsa Fresca.>> Also, I will award diez euros to the first tres students who bring me the name of any other dish from a Spanish-speaking place featured on the CIA site. ¡Qué padre!  ¡Chao!