Sra. Zora Spanish

VRMS Exploratory Spanish 7/8th grades

Prep Period 2nd Period

jennifer.zora@ridgefieldsd.org   

Email is the best way to reach me.

Mission

To motivate, inspire and enable all students to reach their potential as life-long learners.

Education

M.A. Education    Regent University    Virginia Beach, Virginia

B.A. Elementary Education/Spanish    Northwestern College    Orange City, Iowa

Biography

My varied experiences include working at an orphanage in Reynosa, Mexico and student teaching at a fully accredited  K-12 school in Quito, Ecuador.  I also taught Spanish  Drill Classes as a college work study program during my undergraduate schooling.  After graduation, I  began my teaching career on Bainbridge Island, Washington, teaching 1st grade.  I then moved with my military husband and taught 2nd grade for  2 years in Ridgecrest, California.  After another military move, I received my Master's Degree in Education at Regent University, Virginia.  I then took a break to stay home with my 4 children  and yet volunteered in my children's classrooms and participated on district committees.  I was also employed as a substitute teacher in Hockinson School District for 4 years.  I did long term assignments in the Hockinson High School Spanish classes and 8th grade Language Arts/U.S. History.  I  am beginning my 20th year of teaching--13th year teaching Spanish--3 years at RHS and 6 years at VRMS as well as 6 years in the Battle Ground School District,  One fun fact:  I have taught every grade but Kindergarten and 4th grade!

I am married, celebrating our 34th anniversary,  and I have 4 children ages 24-29.  We are an active family that loves to be outside: camping, hiking, rafting, skiing, serving at our church/mission trips and international traveling (30 countries and counting)!

 I am excited to be the Spanish Teacher at View Ridge Middle School, teaching students the Spanish language and culture that I love.

Intro: ¿Cómo es Sra. Zora? 

Curriculum/Grading (Click on links)                       

Parent Letter Exploratory Spanish

Spanish Syllabus

Welcome Video to Exploratory Spanish  

Google Classroom:  each class has been given a code.  Please ask your student to show you the material learned by the week (La Semana) as well as the Resources section.  Additionally,  students will have  access to our online curriculum:  Señor Wooly, Duolingo attached to their school email accounts and my YouTube Channel.

Essential Questions that involve Language/Culture Competency in an Exploratory Spanish Class:

• How do languages allow people to communicate meaning?

• In what ways do people communicate nonverbally?

• What level of fluency is required to understand and communicate with someone?

• How can learning a foreign language enrich life?

• Why is learning a foreign language valuable?

• Why is it better to communicate with foreign speakers in their own language?

• Why do foreign speakers appreciate people who try to speak their language?

• What unique opportunities and knowledge will you be exposed to by understanding another language?

• How can your current communication skills help you learn a new language?

Units of Instruction:

• Introduction to Spanish 1 (without HS credit): Basic Phrases, Alphabet, Vowels, Calendar, Numbers, Adjectives, Colors, Food, Body Parts, Clothing, 7 most common verbs with conjugation, Spanish holidays, customs and geography.

My Message

Please feel free to email me any comments or questions.  I love to hear from my students and families (See below for my favorite family pictures!)