What is Papel Picado?

Papel picado is a decoration made from colorful tissue paper. We'll decorate our classroom and hallway with your examples when they're finished. People in Mexico and Central America use papel picado for celebrations like Día de muertos, birthdays, and other special events. Common designs include:

• esqueletos y calaveras (skeletons and skulls for Día de muertos)
• flores (flowers)
• pájaros y otros animales (birds and other animals)
• corazones y estrellas (hearts and stars)

We'll watch a couple of videos to get us started:
* Intro to "Coco"
* Design examples

Activity

1) Plan and draw your design

Before cutting your papel picado, sketch your design on the back of this paper. Think about what symbols, shapes, and patterns you want to include. You can use common elements or create your own meaningful symbols. Be sure to draw in a way that pieces of paper are connected. If you want to do a face, for example, leave some paper connected to the parts of the face, or you will just have a big hole in the paper.

2) Cut out your papel picado

After drawing your design, you will use scissors to carefully cut out the shapes from tissue paper. Cut out your designs and glue your papel picado to our streamers.

3) Paragraph

Also on the back of this sheet, write a paragraph explaining why you chose your design. What do the symbols and shapes mean to you? Why do you think they are important? You can write your paragraph in English.

Lunes, 24 de febrero

Yo puedo...

I can name some cultural elements of papel picado

Campanazo

Duolingo

Rompehielos

Look at PowerSchool, and write down what you're missing. Only do "missing" grades for now.

Lección

• Notice "papel picado" in the opening scene of "Coco".
• Why do you think this movie's writers chose to tell the story with "papel picado"?

Papel Picado

Link: https://wilkins.dropmark.com/1839807/35884849
Writing prompt and project

Martes, 25 de febrero

Yo puedo...

I can name some cultural elements of papel picado

Campanazo

Duolingo

Rompehielos

Popcorn questions:
* ¿De dónde eres?
* ¿Te gusta viajar?
* ¿Cómo estás?
* ¿Te gusta jugar afuera (outside)?
* ¿Cuántos años tienes?
* ¿Cuándo es tu cumpleaños?
* ¿Te gusta el café?

Lección y práctica

Complete and turn in paragraph & drawing
Complete papel picado and glue to streamer (class)

Para terminar

Gimkit for pesos if time

Miércoles, 26 de febrero

Yo puedo...

I can name some cultural elements of papel picado.
I can say activities I like to do.

Campanazo

Duolingo

Rompehielos

What activities do we want to add to our verb set? We'll add these to the Gimkit set too, and practice.

Lección

Terminar y entregar "papel picado"

Si hay tiempo

Coco

Jueves, 27 de febrero

Yo puedo...

I can read and follow some descriptions of what others like to do.

Campanazo

Duolingo

Rompehielos

Interpretive Reading examples

Lección y práctica

¡Ahora te toca a ti! (Now it's your turn)

Write a short paragraph in your class notebook about yourself following the structure of the examples above. Include:

• Your name and where you are from
  
• Your age
  
• Something about your school (You can use, "mi escuela se llama...")
• What activities you like to do
  
• Your birthday
  

Para terminar

If time, Gimkit for pesos

Viernes, 28 de febrero

Yo puedo...

I can write some descriptions of activities I like to do.

Campanazo

Duolingo

Rompehielos

Dos verdades y una mentira

Directions: Write three sentences about yourself in Spanish in your class notebook.
* Two sentences must be true.
* One sentence must be a lie.

We'll read our sentence aloud and guess your "mentira".

Lección

¿Cuándo lo haces?
Give a verb (activity) you do...
1) en la mañana
2) en la tarde
3) por la noche

Repasar vocabulario
Gimkit, Quizlet Live

Para terminar

This assignment is VERY LATE. It is a Presentational Writing example and a MAJOR GRADE. We have to do assignments like this in a modern world language class.

If you received this paper, you must complete and submit the assignment. There is a late penalty on your grade, but your grade will be better than "0". If you do not turn in this assignment, you could fail middle school Spanish. This is a needless tragedy.

Follow the directions below.

How to Complete Your "Yo Soy" Poem

1) Write a poem that describes who you are using at least 5 adjectives in Spanish.

2) Include at least one of each of the examples below:

A) "Yo soy ..." (I am …)
B) "Yo no soy ..." (I am not …)
C) "Yo soy ... y ..." (I am … and …)
D) "Yo no soy ni ... ni ..." (I am neither … nor …)

3) Illustrate each adjective so that someone who does not speak Spanish can understand the meaning. The meaning of the adjective is clear from the illustration.

Lunes, 17 de febrero

Yo puedo...

I can ask some questions we use in class.

Campanazo

Duolingo

Rompehielos A

Scenarios: I'll give you a scenario, and you give me the common class question you need to ask in this scenario.

1) Estudiante: Profe, tengo sed. ¿Puedo...?
2) Estudiante: Profe, mi laptop no enciende. Profesor: ¿Está...?
3) Estudiante: Me duele el estómago. ¿Puedo...?
4) Estudiante: Mi botella está vacía (empty). No tengo agua. ¿Puedo...?
5) (Meeting for the first time) Profesor: Hola, ¿cómo...?

Rompehielos B

Check E-Learning Gimkit. You have to have this completed so you can be marked "present" for Friday.

Lección

Complete Gimkit assignment if you haven't, then "Preguntas comunes" practice.

Para terminar...

Add these questions to your notebook and ANSWER them for yourself. You can simply use "sí" or "no".

1) ¿Te gusta tomar café?
2) ¿Te gusta comer chocolate?
3) ¿Te gusta cantar?

Martes, 18 de febrero

Yo puedo...

I can give some activities I enjoy doing.

Campanazo

Duolingo

Rompehielos

A) E-Learning Check

B) Discuss activities (verbs) we like to do here at school and outside of school.

Lección

Keep the list of common activities open in one tab, and the Gimkit Draw exercise in another tab. Toggle back and forth.

Miércoles, 18 de febrero

Yo puedo...

I can give some activities I enjoy doing.

Campanazo

Duolingo

Rompehielos

Introducciones Bingo

Write a classmate's name next to "nombre" in each square where the statement. Use a different name of your compañeros de clase for each square. You have "Bingo" when you have 5 across, up-down or diagonally.
(Btw, you'll have to ask them the question in Spanish to get a response.)

Lección

Actividades - repaso

Jueves, 20 de febrero

Yo puedo...

I can give some activities I enjoy doing.

Campanazo

Duolingo

Rompehielos

Interpersonal questions (popcorn)

Lección

Handout: "Tiras cómicas: Mis actividades favoritas"
Here's a direct link to the comic strip WS: https://wilkins.dropmark.com/1839807/35869619

Para terminar

Gimkit si hay tiempo

Viernes, 21 de febrero

Yo puedo...

I can give some activities I enjoy doing.

Campanazo

Duolingo

Rompehielos

Oraciones: Actividades con emojis
Direct link: https://wilkins.dropmark.com/1839807/35879288

Lección y práctica

Continue with "Tiras cómicas". I will allow you to turn them in today. They're due Monday.

Lunes, 10 de febrero

Yo puedo...

I can speak about myself and ask others questions.

Campanazo

Duolingo

Rompehielos

Practice popcorn questions

1) ¿Cómo te llamas?
2) ¿Cuántos años tienes?
3) ¿Cuántos pesos tienes?
4) ¿Cómo eres?
5) ¿De dónde eres?
6) What else?

Lección

Gimkit: Vote on assignment to do during Interpersonals
Assignment link is on Schoology

Interpersonal Speaking Assessment

Martes, 11 de febrero

Yo puedo...

I can speak about myself and ask others questions.

Campanazo

Duolingo

Rompehielos

Common questions we use in class

Continue interpersonal speaking interviews with speaking partners

Assignment

Link is on Schoology
Preguntas comunes - common questions

Para terminar

Gimkit / Quizlet if we have time

Miércoles, 12 de febrero

Yo puedo...

I can speak about myself and ask others questions.

Campanazo

Duolingo

Rompehielos

Popcorn questions:
1) ¿Cuándo es tu cumpelaños?
2) ¿Cuántos años tienes?

Lección

Repaso: los números, nombres de los meses y días

Para terminar...

Si hay tiempo:
More intro conversation terms, Quizlet live and Gimkit for pesos

Jueves, 13 de febrero

Yo puedo...

I can speak about myself and ask others questions.

Campanazo

Duolingo

Rompehielos

Write your answers to these questions in your notebook (you can write the questions as well):

1) ¿Cuántos años tienes?
2) ¿Cuántos pesos tienes?
3) ¿Cuándo es tu cumpleaños?
4) ¿Cuál es la fecha de hoy?
Answer #4 with "Hoy es..." / "Today is..."

Lección

Licencias - Check in class
Direct Link: https://wilkins.dropmark.com/1839807/35832121

Para terminar

Quizlet / Gimkit si hay tiempo

Viernes, 14 de febrero

¡Hola muchachos! ¡Feliz día de amor y amistad!

Here is the link to a brief Gimkit assignment on common expressions we use in basic conversations:
https://www.gimkit.com/join/67ae9ca57a3851b4890fde5a

Fistopia, $1,000 or 100 questions.

Make sure you select the correct class! (2025Clifdale01 is 1st period, 2025Clifdale02 is 2nd period, etc.)

Interpersonal Speaking Review Handout

Part 1: Questions and Answers

Read each question and write your answer on the line. Answer in a full sentence in Spanish.

Pregunta Tu respuesta ¿Cómo te llamas? ¿Cómo estás? ¿Cuántos años tienes? ¿Cuántos pesos tienes? ¿De dónde eres? ¿Cómo eres?

Part 2: Adjective Practice with "Soy" and "No soy"

Fill in the English meaning for each adjective. Then, use the adjectives to write sentences about yourself.

Español English Español English alto bajo rico pobre joven viejo fuerte débil inteligente amable serio gracioso trabajador (-a) perezoso .

Part 3: Write About Yourself

Write sentences about yourself. Use "Soy" to say what you are. Use "No soy" to say what you are not. Write sentences with "Soy ... y ..." to say "I am ... and ..." and "No soy ni ... ni ..." to say "I am neither ... nor ...".

Escribe sobre ti Tu respuesta Soy... No soy... Soy ... y ... No soy ni ... ni ...

Part 4: Ask a Partner

Work with a partner. Ask them these questions and write their answers in the chart.

Pregunta Compañero/a 1 Compañero/a 2 ¿Cómo te llamas? ¿Cuántos años tienes? ¿Cómo eres? . .

Lunes, 03 de febrero

Yo puedo...

I can describe myself and others

Campanazo

Duolingo weekly assignment

Rompehielos

What's wrong with these sentences?
1) Mi no bajo.
2) ¿Cuántas pesos tienes?
3) La bandera es rojo y blanco.
4) El café is deliciosa.
5) Yo soy no athletico.
6) No yo triste.
7) Tengo no pesos.

Lección

1) Collect ALL "Yo Soy" Poems.

• Must contain NAME and PERIOD

2) Collect ALL missing PESO Drawings

3) Make up missing quizizz, previous e-learning assignments

4) Make sure all students are in Duolingo classroom

Práctica

Miércoles, 04 de febrero

Yo puedo...

I can describe myself and others

Campanazo

Duolingo

Rompehielos

• 2nd row, move desks back a little
• Check Duo classroom enrollment
• Check PS to see what assignments you're missing

Lección

Interpersonal Practice handout:
https://wilkins.dropmark.com/1839807/35759191
Practice with partners

Para terminar

If time, vocabulary review.
Gimkit - use your real name without extra "flourishes". I have pesos for winners if I can figure out who you are.

Viernes, 07 de febrero

Yo puedo...

I can describe myself and others

Campanazo

Duolingo

Rompehielos

Interpersonal Question Practice

• 2 or 3 pairs to practice

New question (you do not have to use this one, but you can!)

• ¿Cuándo es tu cumpleaños?

To answer, we need to know the date (numbers 1 - 31) and our birth month.

Lección

• Days and months practice (Quizlet)
• Number practice (Quizlet)

Para terminar

Gimkit / Quizlet para ganar pesos

Instructions: The paragraphs below are in English. We're going to create "mock interviews" based on the information from the paragraphs. Fill in the missing questions or answers in Spanish based on the information from the text. I've done the first one about Daniel for you.

A) Daniel

Daniel is from San José, Costa Rica and is a student at Clifdale Middle School. He likes his teachers and classes, and is excited to learn new things. He's looking forward to making new friends too. He's 12 years old, smart and funny. He's neither tall nor short. In Mr. Wilkins's class, he's already earned 60 pesos.

Entrevista con Daniel

Pregunta Respuesta ¿Cómo te llamas? Me llamo Daniel. ¿De dónde eres? Soy de San José, Costa Rica. ¿Cuántos años tienes? ¿Cuántos pesos tienes? Soy inteligente y gracioso. No soy ni alto ni bajo.

B) Sofía

Sofía is from Sucre, Bolivia, and is a student at Clifdale Middle School. She is 11 years old, responsible, and funny. She is short. In Mr. Wilkins’s class, she has already earned 40 pesos. Her favorite class is Medical Detectives.

Entrevista con Sofía

Pregunta Respuesta ¿Cómo te llamas? Soy de Sucre, Bolivia. Tengo once años. Tengo cuarenta pesos. Soy responsable y graciosa. Soy baja.

Lunes, 27 de enero

¡Hola, muchachos!

I'll be out today.

1) Work on Duo for 10 minutes at the beginning of class.
2) Continue to work on your "Yo soy" poem. When you've completed the poem, save it for tomorrow. Do not give it to the sub today. I have computer paper on the supplies table at the back of the room.

Here's a link to the checklist, outline and rubric in case you need it: https://wilkins.dropmark.com/1839807/35691135

Martes, 28 de enero

Comprehensive Health Day

Miércoles, 29 de enero

Yo puedo...

I can write about myself using descriptions in Spanish.
I can write about who I am and who I am not.

Campanazo

Duolingo

Rompehielos

Practice popcorn questions

1) ¿Cómo te llamas?
2) ¿Cuántos años tienes?

Lección

Práctica

Viernes, 31 de enero

Yo puedo...

I can write about myself using descriptions in Spanish.
I can write about who I am and who I am not.

Campanazo

Duolingo

Rompehielos

Practice popcorn questions

1) ¿Cómo te llamas?
2) ¿Cuántos años tienes?
3) ¿Cuántos pesos tienes?
4) ¿Cómo eres?

Interpersonal Questions Practice

Reading and Speaking
https://wilkins.dropmark.com/1839807/35732106

A) Assignment Instructions

Write a poem that describes who you are using Spanish adjectives. Your poem must have at least five sentences and include illustrations that show what the descriptions mean.

B) Warm-Up: Pre-Assignment Adjective Review

Use this chart to select adjectives you want to use in your poem. These adjectives should work with "Yo soy..." and "Yo no soy..." sentences. You may also search for new adjectives apart from the ones we have reviewed in class. I've given you an example below.

English Español English Español Funny Gracioso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

C) Checklist

Check off each requirement for your poem below. You can turn in your work when you can check off each box below.

✅ Requirement: Each adjective in your poem is illustrated. A person can guess the meaning of the word even if they do not speak Spanish. All of your adjectives agree in gender if they end in "-o" or "-a." At least one sentence that begins with "Yo soy ..." (I am...) At least one negative sentence with "Yo no soy ..." (I am not...) At least one sentence with "Yo soy ... y ...", "I am ... and ..." At least one sentence with this pattern: "Yo no soy ni ... ni ..." to say "I am neither ... nor ..."

This means you will have at least one of each sentence below:

A) "Yo soy ..." (I am …)
B) "Yo no soy ..." (I am not …)
C) "Yo soy ... y ..." (I am … and …)
D) "Yo no soy ni ... ni ..." (I am neither … nor …)

D) Rubric

Criteria 3 - Excellent 2 - Satisfactory 1 - Needs Improvement Submission On time or early, follows directions, and is original work. Late (-20 points) or only partially follows directions. Very late (-40 points); plagiarized (0 and required redo). Content Uses 5+ adjectives, reviewed structures ("Yo soy," etc.) and other language from class. Minimal errors. Uses fewer adjectives and/or some errors. Limited vocabulary and/or many errors. Clarity Easy to understand examples and purpose of poem. Mostly clear but requires effort. Hard to understand or unclear. Presentation Neat, creative, and well-designed. Neat but lacks content, creativity or details. Missing parts, messy and / or plain.

Martes, 21 de enero

Yo puedo...

I can describe myself using some adjectives in Spanish

Campanazo...

Duolingo

Rompehielos and

Quizizz: Los billetes

Lección

Yo soy

Adjetivos

Adjetivo (English) Adjetivo (English) alto bajo rico pobre joven viejo fuerte débil

Práctica

Number / Color (working with adjectives) Qizlet and Gimkit exercises

Miércoles, 22 de enero (E-learning assignment on Schoology)

Lección

Adjetivos

(We'll use these sentences with adjectives when we return)

• "Yo soy" y "Yo no soy"
• "No soy ni ... ni ..."

Práctica

Read together:
Poema "Yo no soy..."

Jueves, 23 de enero

No se lo voy a compartir con todo el mundo, pero si puedes leer este mensaje, dile "¡Feliz cumpleaños!" a la Sra. Wilkins hoy.

Yo puedo...

I can describe myself using some adjectives in Spanish

Campanazo

Duolingo

Rompehielos

Popcorn questions:

1) ¿Cómo estás?
2) ¿Cuántos años tienes?
3) ¿Cuántos pesos tienes?
4) ¿Cómo eres? ("What are you like?" Answer with "Yo soy..." and "Yo no soy..." Try to use two adjectives if you can: "Soy... y ..." or "No soy ni ... ni ...")

Lección

• Nuevo vocabulario: https://quizlet.com/995959579/2025-clifdale-adjetivos-descripciones-flash-cards/
• Review E-learning requirements

Vocabulary Questions:

• How can I illustrate these words? fuerte, alto, joven, etc.

Práctica en grupo

Gimkit / Quizlet Live

Viernes, 24 de enero

Yo puedo...

I can describe myself using some adjectives in Spanish

Campanazo

Duolingo

Rompehielos

Popcorn questions:

1) ¿Cómo estás?
2) ¿Cuántos años tienes?
3) ¿Cuántos pesos tienes?
4) ¿Cómo eres?

Lección

Poema: Yo soy...
Review Instructions, Checklist and Rubric
https://wilkins.dropmark.com/1839807/35691135

Adjective Practice

(Colors in Spanish)

Remember these rules about adjectives:

1. Adjectives follow the noun they're describing (in English, adjectives come before the noun).
   
2. Adjectives agree with the noun in gender (masculine or feminine).
   
3. Adjectives agree with the noun in number (singular or plural).
   

Some adjectives, like blue/azul and green/verde, do not end in "-o" or "-a." These adjectives will only change with the number of the noun (singular/plural) but not with the gender.

Vocabulary Chart

English Español English Español the chair la silla the door la puerta the flag la bandera the house la casa the car el carro the table la mesa the book el libro the shirt la camisa

Examples - Practice

Now, let's practice!

Complete the chart below. If you have the Spanish phrase, write the English meaning beside it. If you have the English, write the Spanish meaning beside it.

Español English La silla roja 1. El carro azul 2. La bandera verde 3. Los libros amarillos 4. La puerta roja 5. 6. The white table 7. The blue shirt 8. The red car 9. The yellow flag 10. The blue house

Lunes, 13 de enero

Yo puedo...

(Novice Low- Interpretive Reading) I can identify and use basic words for colors and numbers.

Campanazo (Bell ringer)

We'll continue to try to connect to our Duo classroom.
Those that are already in have to do the next set in the skills tree.

Rompehielos (Ice Breaker)

Popcorn questions:
1) ¿Cómo estas? Questions and Answers (Options Projected)
2) ¿Cuántos pesos tienes?

Warm up (Lección) and Guided Practice

Common vocabulary used to describe money (Colors, numbers, objects)

Spelling and Pronunciation differences:

Colores
* Rojo
* Amarillo
* Verde
* Azul

Group Practice

Gimkit (Draw) practice together

Independent Practice

Quizlet set review

Para terminar (Power down / Class ending)

Practice Vocabulary: Quizlet and Gimkit to practice as a group.

Martes, 14 de enero

Yo puedo...

I can recognize some numbers and colors in Spanish.

Campanazo

Duolingo - Continue to set up our classroom
Complete an exercise if you have your account set up.

Rompehielos (Icebreaker)

Colores:
La bandera de México
La bandera de España
La bandera de Guinea Ecuatorial
La bandera de Japón
La bandera de Estados Unidos
La bandera de Alemania

Práctica

Gimkit

Miércoles, 15 de enero

Yo puedo...

(Novice Low - Mid) I can identify basic features of adjectives in Spanish.
(Novice Low - Mid) I can recognize the common names of things around me.

Campanazo

Duolingo while we complete attendance and housekeeping

Rompehielos (Ice-breaker)

Popcorn questions:
1) ¿Cómo estas?
2) ¿Cuántos pesos tienes?
3) ¿Cuáles son los colores de la bandera de Estados Unidos?
4) ¿Cuáles son los colores de la bandera de México?
5) New question: ¿Cómo te llamas? (How do we pronounce the two 'L's in "llamas"?)

Lección

https://wilkins.dropmark.com/1467026/33532892

Pre-video questions:
1) In your opinion, when is the best time to learn a language? (When you are a baby, a child, a teenager, an adult, etc.)

Post-video questions:
1) Are there any benefits to being bilingual?
2) If a person has an accent when they speak a second or other language, what does this mean? When did they probably learn the other language?
3) Where can being bilingual is Spanish and English help you in your life?

Jueves, 16 de enero

Yo puedo...

I can answer questions using colors and numbers

Campanazo (Bell Ringer)

Duolingo weekly assignment

Rompehielos

Popcorn questions
1) ¿Cuántos billetes tienes?
2) ¿Cuántos pesos tienes?
3) ¿Cuántos años tienes?
4) ¿Cuántos hermanos (siblings) tienes?
5) ¿Cómo estás?
6) ¿Cómo te llamas?

Lección

Adjectives in Spanish (colors)

• Three adjectives that describe who you are.

Práctica

Quizlet Live / Gimkit for pesos

Viernes, 17 de enero

Rompehielos (Icebreaker)

(Reminder: Quizizz covering colores, los billete, y los números on Tuesday. This goes in as a quiz grade in PowerSchool.)

Popcorn questions:

1) ¿Cómo estás?
2) ¿Cuántos años tienes?
3) ¿Cuántos pesos tienes?
4) ¿Tienes un billete de cincuenta pesos?
5) ¿Qué (what) billetes tienes? (De 20 pesos, de 50 pesos, etc.)
6) ¿Cuál es tu color favorito?
7) ¿De qué color es tu carro ideal? ("Ideal" is spelled the same in English and Spanish.)

Lección

More adjective practice
(We'll make copies of this resource. Keep it!)
https://wilkins.dropmark.com/1839807/35650609

Práctica

Gimkit for pesos if time

Martes, 07 de enero

Yo puedo…

• I can give brief descriptions about how I'm feeling.
• I can recognize some common Spanish words from viewing and researching Spanish-language money.

Seating chart

• By class number
• Hand student IDs (7th grade)

Campanazo (Bellringer)

Each day we'll have a Bellringer activity posted here. It will usually be a few minutes for Duolingo. We'll sign up for our Duo accounts tomorrow.

• wilkins.dropmark.com

  • How to bookmark the site. Also Review Schoology course

• Course syllabus

Rompehielos

¿Cómo estás? -- Infographic

Lección (Guided Practice)

Review new series of Mexican Pesos

Independent Practice

Dropmark > Billetes de México

• Review directions and expectations with classroom materials
• Review rubric (on back of worksheet)
• Review purpose of creating our own pesos for class
• Group and independent work

Para terminar (Wrap-up)

• Algunos colores y números

Miércoles, 08 de enero

Yo puedo…

• I can give brief descriptions about how I'm feeling.
• I can recognize some common Spanish words from viewing and researching Spanish-language money.

Campanazo

• Set up Duo account (using @spartanburg3.org email address).
• Make sure your name is on the course roster.
• Complete a set for practice.

Lección

Billetes de México

Si hay tiempo...

First words / Primeras palabras practice

Jueves, 09 de enero

Yo puedo...

• I can give brief descriptions about how I'm feeling.
• I can recognize some common Spanish words from viewing and researching Spanish-language money.

Campanazo

We'll continue to set up our Duo classrooms. Let's see if we can make some progress today.

• Set up Duo account (using @spartanburg3.org email address).
• Make sure your name is on the course roster.
• Complete a set for practice.

Lección

Complete "Billetes de México"

Práctica en grupo

Quizlet Live
"El dinero" Quizlet set
Covers some colors, numbers and images from the new Mexican Pesos.
Gimkit draw (if time)

Viernes, 10 de enero

E-learning Day

Directions for Quizlet review

1. Go to the Quizlet set here: Clifdale 2025: El Dinero Flashcards.

2. Complete these activities: Flashcards, Match, and Test.

3. Optional: Try the "Blocks" game if you want. We practiced on one class and it was fun.

This vocabulary will help us talk about pesos assignments and using pesos in class this semester.

Do this activity early so you can go out and enjoy the snow!

What Does “Novice Mid” or “Novice High” Performance or Proficiency Mean? Why Do We Use This System?

When I (Sr. Wilkins) began learning Spanish in high school, assessments primarily focused on rote memorization and direct or word-for-word translation. You may remember verb conjugation charts, fill-in-the-blank exercises, or sentence translation worksheets. While these activities can reinforce language concepts, they don’t tell us how well students can actually use the language in meaningful ways.

Before we began using proficiency ratings, it was hard to compare language abilities across classrooms, schools, and districts. More importantly, students rarely practiced real-life language skills they would need outside the classroom. To address this, South Carolina adopted a proficiency-based system to better align language learning with the communicative and intercultural needs of our communities, colleges, and workplaces.

What Are Proficiency (And Performance) Descriptors?

The South Carolina Department of Education created a framework of targets and expectations for students. These descriptors outline how students should use the language at various levels of proficiency. You can view these descriptors in the 2019 SC World Language Standards here:

South Carolina World Language Standards (2019)

(Note: If the link changes, search for "South Carolina World Language Standard" for an updated link.)

Example: Novice High Proficiency

Below is an example of a Novice High indicator for Interpretive Reading (understanding information from a text):

- I can understand familiar words, phrases, and sentences within short and simple texts related to everyday life.

Real-life applications of this include:

- Identifying information from a movie description or poster.

- Understanding simple information in a text message from a friend.

Why Is This System Valuable?

Transitioning from a rote-memorization system to a proficiency-based system was challenging for me at first, but now I am convinced of its immense value. It focuses on what students can do with the language, which prepares them for real-world communication.

Resources for More Information

For a more detailed breakdown of proficiency descriptors, refer to the ACTFL Guidelines, which serve as the foundation for the SC framework:

ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines (2012)

Self-Assessment for Students

Students can compare their Spanish skills to examples of English proficiency levels:

- Novice High English Speaker Example

- Intermediate English Speaker Example

Performance goals are all about progress, not perfection.