World Language S'MORE!
September 27th, 2023
Who We Are
About Us
Our World Language Team consists of six teachers, four of whom teach Spanish, one Arabic teacher, and one Italian teacher. Read a little more below about us!
Billy Gonzalez-
Hola,
I'm so happy and honored to be teaching my 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. I was born in Bogota Colombia and was raised here in Framingham, Massachusetts. I've been teaching Spanish for over 13 years. Each new year is different and I've enjoyed every minute of it. Feel free to reach out to me at billy.gonzalez@watertown.k12.ma.us. I look forward to hearing from you!
Gabby Wenc
¡Hola! My name is Gabrielle Wenc, and this is my second year teaching in Watertown! I'm so excited to be back this year teaching 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. I love learning and teaching language; I started learning Spanish when I was in the 8th grade which makes teaching 8th grade extra special to me. I'm looking forward to an incredible rest of the year. Feel free to reach out at gabrielle.wenc@watertown.k12.ma.us. Looking forward to hearing from you!
Trisha Speaker
¡Hola! My name is Ms. Speaker and just recently my family and I moved from Berlin, Germany, where we have been living for the last five years. I have taught Spanish from grades 5-12 in school across the nation and around the world over the last 17 years. I am really happy with the students and colleagues here at Watertown Middle School. Looking for to an excellent school year!
Alexandra Lima-
Hola,
I'm very excited to have a fun and successful year while teaching your 6th and 7th grade students. I am new to Watertown, but this is my 3rd year teaching Spanish. If you'd like to get in touch, please reach out via email at alexandra.lima@watertown.k12.ma.us.
Hend Al Talli
Dear families,
My name is Hend Altalli. I am your child's Arabic teacher! Arabic is my native language and I am very excited and passionate to teach your children this rich and amazing language. I've been teaching Arabic for over 10 years. I am looking forward to continuing this great year filled with a lot of learning and fun at the same time for my students. It has been great working with your children on a daily basis to learn more about the Arabic culture and getting the best experiences in their Arabic classrooms. Your children will be able to travel and know about the Arabic world and Arabic culture without leaving the classroom.
Stella Mazzola
Ciao,
I am Ms. Mazzola and I teach Italian. I was born and raised in Sicily. I am so excited to teach my native language and culture at Watertown middle school. Please feel free to reach out via email maria.mazzola@watertown.k12.ma.us
Our Motto
In the World Language Department at Watertown Middle School, we focus on teaching our students language using the path to proficiency. We have a greater emphasis on proficiency over accuracy, meaning that we would rather students be able to get their message across in a conversation, even if it isn't 100% correct. We teach circumlocution techniques to help our students find alternative ways of communicating a message to ensure that they stay speaking in the target language. All languages are taught 90% in the target language. By the end of eighth grade, students will fall into the intermediate mid category.
What We're Doing
Arabic
Sixth Grade: Students in the 6th grade are working on the end of the “My Arabic cuisine” project. They are presenting their project at the end of this week and early next week. They worked on drafts and made the needed edits and practiced the presentation as well. The Arabic teacher has supported the students with their preparation and presentations. The project is a revision and recap for all the reading, writing, listening and speaking activities that the students have learned in the “food ” unit.
Seventh and Eighth Grade:Students in the 7th and 8th grade are working on the end of the “Healthy living and lifestyle” project. They are presenting their project at the end of this week and early next week. They worked on drafts and made the needed edits and practiced the presentation as well. The Arabic teacher has supported the students with their preparation and presentations. The project is a revision and recap for all the reading, writing, listening and speaking activities that the students have learned in the “Healthy living and lifestyle ” unit.
Italiano
Sixth Grade: Students are learning which nouns are feminine and masculine and they are learning how to use definite articles in Italian. Additionally, students are beginning to learn how to order food at a restaurant.
Seventh Grade: Students are learning vocabulary related to the house. They can say the names of rooms in Italian and which furniture goes in different rooms in a house.
Eighth Grade: Students have been working on a project. They created a map of an amusement park and are writing directions in Italian on how to get from rides to facilitates and restaurants. Students will verbally give directions on their maps.
Español
Sixth Grade: Wrapping up “La comida”, students have learned key phrases for ordering food in a restaurant. Students in Miss Wenc's and Mr Gonzalez's class have finished presenting their skits to the class. In Miss Lima and Ms Speaker's class, students will be acting out a food truck festival, in which they sell fake authentic food with student created menus and order fake food paying with fake money, yet having REAL conversations. They are also listening to Spanish speakers describe their eating habits, speaking and writing about their eating habits, reading reviews on restaurants and writing their own reviews, all in preparation for an upcoming assessment. Students will be learning about getting around town and giving directions in our final unit.
Seventh and Eighth Grade: Wrapping up “La casa & Los quehaceres”, students just finished an assessment on the house and chores. We are currently working on conjugating stem-changing verbs, creating skits about a not-so-helpful house helper, and reviewing how to ask and say where things are in the house. In Miss Wenc's eighth grade class, students have been creating a guide to middle school Spanish, which is a review of all of the concepts they have mastered in middle school.
How We Use Google Classroom
Ms. Lima: Students can find daily posts in the Google Classroom which include the objective, agenda, & upcoming dates. Some work is assigned in the Google Classroom but most activities are done on paper. Students also have access to digital copies of all notes and vocabulary under the topic labeled “Resources”.
Ms. Speaker: I use Google Classroom to post links for classroom activities involving technology (Quizlet, Google forms, Book Creator) and to post study guides for upcoming assessments.
Mr. Gonzalez: Sr. Gonzalez uses Google Classroom to post: Do Nows, Can do statements, and all assignments to be completed. If a child is absent for the day they can refer to their google classroom stream for all and any missing work.
Miss Wenc: Students can find almost all assignments on Google Classroom. Google Classroom is organized by unit. In addition to activities, students can find study guides, vocabulary sheets, and any virtual notes given in class. Announcements for upcoming quizzes, tests, and due dates can be found in the stream!
Ms. Altalli: I use Google classroom to post activities related to technology,such as: Quizlet, book creator...Also activities that students should do during their class period ( Class work). Announcement for any upcoming quizzes, projects, and study guides. I also post the sub works when I am absent.