Dear Families,
I am truly delighted to welcome you to what I know will be the most meaningful year of my teaching career. I am confident this will be a year full of learning and challenges—for your children and for me—and I feel very fortunate to share this journey with them.
In the short span of just over forty days that make up a quarter, it’s not possible to learn a new language completely (as a colleague once told me, if I knew the secret to that I’d be rich!). But it is possible to begin communicating at a basic level, to open the door to a new culture, and—most importantly—to spark curiosity and the desire to learn more. These are the main goals of the course, which I describe in more detail in another section of this website.
During my six years teaching middle and high school in Spain, I have learned that close collaboration between school and families is key to a child’s success. For this reason, I warmly encourage you to reach out to me with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your child and my class. I am committed to doing the same.
I wish you and your children a wonderful school year. They are the one true reason that brought me all the way to your beautiful country.
Here's to a fruitful and happy school year!
Victoria Soler
Estimadas familias:
Me hace muy feliz poder daros la bienvenida al curso más especial de mi vida como profesora. Sé que será un curso lleno de aprendizajes y retos, tanto para vuestros hijos como para mí, y me siento muy afortunada de poder hacer este camino junto a ellos.
En los cuarenta y pocos días que dura un quarter no es posible aprender una lengua (como me dijo una colega, si supiera cómo hacerlo sería rica!), pero sí es posible lograr comunicarse de manera básica, acercarse a una nueva cultura y, sobre todo, cultivar la curiosidad y las ganas de saber más. Estos son los objetivos del curso, que desarrollo con más detalle en otro apartado de esta web.
En mis seis años como profesora de middle y high school en el sistema educativo español he aprendido que la colaboración entre escuela y familias es la fórmula del éxito del desarrollo de un niño. Por esta razón, desde aquí les ruego que se pongan en contacto conmigo para comentar cualquier cosa que les preocupe respecto a su hijo y mi asignatura. Yo me comprometo a hacer lo mismo.
Les deseo un feliz curso a ustedes y a sus hijos, que son la única y verdadera razón que me ha traído a su maravilloso país desde tan lejos.
Os deseo un curso feliz y provechoso,
Victoria Soler
The following section outlines the learning goals for Spanish in Middle School (6th–8th grade). These goals are written as “I can statements,” which help students and families clearly understand what learners are expected to achieve at each level. They highlight the progression of communication skills, comprehension, and cultural knowledge as students advance through the program.
I can introduce myself (name, age, and where I am from).
I can say today’s date and my birthday.
I can express how I feel.
I can describe my family and my friends.
I can say what I like and what I don’t like.
I can understand basic conversations.
I can understand simple songs.
I can understand simple teacher instructions.
I can identify Spanish-speaking countries.
I can recognize celebrations in the Hispanic world.
I can learn about foods and customs from Spain.
I can identify important people and celebrities from Hispanic culture.
I can introduce myself (name, age, and where I am from).
I can describe my family and my friends.
I can express how I feel.
I can say what I like and what I don’t like.
I can talk and write about my city.
I can understand basic conversations.
I can understand simple songs.
I can understand simple teacher instructions.
I can identify Spanish-speaking countries.
I can recognize celebrations in the Hispanic world.
I can learn about foods and customs from Spain.
I can identify important people and celebrities from Hispanic culture.
I can introduce myself (name, age, and where I am from).
I can describe my family and my friends.
I can express how I feel.
I can say what I like and what I don’t like.
I can talk and write about my city.
I can understand basic conversations.
I can understand simple songs.
I can understand simple teacher instructions.
I can identify Spanish-speaking countries.
I can recognize celebrations in the Hispanic world.
I can learn about foods and customs from Spain.
I can identify important people and celebrities from Hispanic culture.
Engagement Points
A portion of the quarter grade will be determined by students’ daily work and participation (engagement). Following the system used by other Specials teachers, each day students can earn up to 3 engagement points, based on the criteria described below. The weekly total will be recorded and posted on PowerSchool every Friday.
3 points – Listens to the teacher and follows directions promptly, with initiative and a positive attitude toward doing quality work. Has completed all class tasks for the day. Brings the necessary materials for learning. Is respectful toward the teacher, classmates, and classroom materials. Follows expectations the first time.
2 points – Listens to the teacher and follows directions with effort and a good attitude. Has completed most of the class tasks for the day. Does not bring the necessary materials for learning. Needed at least one reminder to meet expectations.
1 point – Did not pay attention to directions, which affected their ability to complete the work. Does not bring the necessary materials for learning. Did not finish the class tasks for the day. Received a consequence for behavior.
0 points – Does not listen to the teacher, disrupts others, and prevents classmates from learning. Does not bring the necessary materials for learning. Received a detention and was asked to leave the classroom.