On Tuesday night, March 10, 2009, the LOTE Department hosted a Language Celebration for 5th grade students from Kolter, Herod, and Mark Twain Elementary Schools who had applied to our International Language Academy for next year. We had a wonderful turn-out and enjoyed performances by a professional Japanese dance group called “Showing Japan” as well as performances by JMS students. Misty Birtcher, Abigail Hernandez, and Mariah Feijo told about their trips to Japan and Jillian Lim, Julia Klein, and Victor Estrada played “Sakura” while Savannah Scardaville sang the famous song. After meeting together, we divided into language groups and students were able to meet their middle school teachers and sample some authentic cultural food!
Mrs. Yamada and daughter
We received a FLAP grant to help us build up our Chinese & Japanese programs at Johnston Middle School.
By passing the 8th grade Japanese and Chinese, students receive credit for the first year of high school language. They will work on advanced grammar, extensive vocabulary, and the skills necessary to be able to pass the level one Japanese and Chinese.
In 2009 Johnston Middle School students performed at the Chinese Lunar New Year Festival for the first time. They did a wonderful job by singing a Chinese song during the opening ceremony.
The Exploring Languages classes went to China Town for a field trip. Students had a chance to experience the Chinese culture, try Chinese food, and use the language they have learned in the real word.
Japanese students performed at the Japan Festival in April 2009. They sang the Japanese National Anthem with Kolter students, and three students performed the cherry blossom song, “Sakura”, to rave reviews!
The last week of school, students studying Chinese went on a field trip to the Houston Museum of Natural Science to see the Terra Cotta Warriors exhibit from China. Fun was had by all.
News For Mr. Kahale’s class
Dear Parents,
In order to keep you informed about your student’s progress in my class, starting after Thanksgiving, I will require each student to write down their assignment(s) with their grade on a grade tracking sheet. Any time you would like to know their progress, you can can check this sheet. If you have any further questions or concerns, you may contact me here.
Let me remind you that quizzes and test are 30% of their overall grade.
Gracias,
Señor Kahale
Alexa, Sidney,Kierra,Amanda,Sarah
8th graders prepared and presented different projects based on different learning styles
(Mrs. Rodriguez 1st, 5th, 7th and 8th periods)
Ari working on poemAmanda, Sara, Kierra
This month the LOTE Department is responsible for the display case beside the teachers’ lounge. The theme we chose is “Languages, Culture, and Art.” Everyone brought posters of artists and landscapes of their respective countries (Spain, France, Mexico, China, and Japan). We had lots of fun putting it all together. Be sure to stop by and take a look at the finished product.
Some photos of us putting it together:
Ms. Bandercan putting up a picture!
Mr. Kahale stapling "culture"
