Chinese IB
By the end of this course, students can communicate about and identify the main idea and a few supporting details of short written and spoken messages on highly predictable, everyday topics on familiar themes involving personal identity, family, and daily life. They can use simple sentences that have been encountered, memorized, and recalled. Students completing this course typically demonstrate proficiency in Novice Mid to Intermediate Low range in all modes of communication based on ACTFL guidelines. Students in Chinese IB converse, create presentations, interpret authentic materials and play language games in Chinese, building on the information and vocabulary that they acquired in Chinese IA. Most teaching materials consist of authentic and contemporary resources (interviews, news articles, videos, songs); however, themes and grammatical structures align with the integrated Chinese I textbook. After successful completion of Chinese IB, which completes Level I, students move into Chinese II.
Chinese II
By the end of this level, students can participate in conversations and present information on a number of familiar topics using increasingly complex sentences. They can handle short social interactions in everyday situations, write messages about familiar subjects, and recognize the main topic and some supporting details heard or read. Students completing this level typically demonstrate proficiency in the Novice High to Intermediate Mid range in all modes of communication based on ACTFL guidelines. This course explores how traditional medicine and health, unique features of the Chinese educational system, and Chinese extracurricular activities all have a profound impact on daily life for children and adults in modern China. Themes and grammatical structures align with the Zhenbang II (真棒) and Tales and Traditions I textbooks.
French IB
By the end of this course, students can communicate about and identify the main idea and a few supporting details of short written and spoken messages on highly predictable, everyday topics on familiar themes involving activities, foods, clothing, city life and home life. They can use simple sentences that have been encountered, memorized, and recalled. Most teaching materials consist of authentic and contemporary resources (interviews, news articles, videos, songs). Themes and grammatical structures align with the Voces Français Level I series, including narration in present and near future time frames. After successful completion of French IB, which completes Level I, students move into French II. Students completing this course typically demonstrate proficiency in Novice Mid to Intermediate Low range in all modes of communication based on ACTFL guidelines.
French II
By the end of this course, students can communicate about and identify the main idea and supporting details of short written and spoken messages on everyday topics such as foods, daily routines, childhood memories and general health. In addition, students study the French speaking world by creating and imaginary person from a non-European French-speaking country. Students can participate in conversations and present information on several familiar topics using increasingly complex sentences in the past, present, and future. Students completing this level typically demonstrate proficiency in the Novice High to Intermediate Mid range in all modes of communication based on ACTFL guidelines.
German IB
By the end of this course, students can communicate about and identify the main idea and a few supporting details of short written and spoken messages on highly predictable, everyday topics on familiar themes involving personal identity, family, and daily life. They can use simple sentences that have been encountered, memorized, and recalled. Students completing this course typically demonstrate proficiency in Novice Mid to Intermediate Low range in all modes of communication based on ACTFL guidelines. Students in German IB converse, create presentations, interpret authentic materials and play language games in German, building on the information and vocabulary that they acquired in German IA. Most teaching materials consist of authentic and contemporary resources (interviews, news articles, videos, songs); however, themes and grammatical structures align with the Deutsch Aktuell 1 text series, including narration in the present,and future,. After successful completion of German IB, which completes Level I, students move into German II.
German II
By the end of this level, students can participate in conversations and present information on several familiar topics using increasingly complex sentences. They can handle short social interactions in everyday situations, write messages about familiar subjects, and recognize the main topic and some supporting details heard or read. Students completing this level typically demonstrate a proficiency in the Novice High to Intermediate Mid range in all modes of communication based on ACTFL guidelines. Utilizing materials in Deutsch Aktuell Level 2, as well as selected short stories and novels, this course focuses on a variety of topics, such as travel, food, holidays and festivals and high-frequency topics to help students engage in social interactions with German-speaking peers.
Spanish IIB
By Spanish IIB, students can participate in conversations and present information on a number of familiar topics using increasingly complex sentences in past, present, and future time frames. They can handle short social interactions in everyday situations, write messages about familiar subjects, and recognize the main topic and some supporting details heard or read. Using rich authentic materials, students start the year studying ancient civilizations of indigenous people of the Americas, followed by a focus on modern cities and neighborhoods. In the winter, students learn about the Basque region of Spain through a dramatic miniseries and learn about food preparation with recipes from around the Spanish-speaking world. Students also present a “how to” demonstration on a topic of their choice. In the spring, students study human impact on the natural world and strategies used to mitigate climate change. In the final unit of the course, students study the stories of young migrants to the U.S. with a film study. Applying the idea of windows and mirrors, cultural inquiry is woven throughout thematic units as students explore their own practices, perspectives, and products (mirrors) along with those of various Spanish-speakers (windows).
Spanish II
In Spanish II in the Middle School, students study fairy tales, legends, and pre-Columbian civilizations from Mexico and other countries as they learn how to communicate using past tenses. Students then delve into comparing daily routines across countries and how to handle illness and trips to the doctor. Sharing childhood accidents and mischief is a highlight of this unit. Students also learn to follow and explain recipes for various dishes from Spanish-speaking countries and study facets of immigration. The grammar focus during Spanish II is on the preterit, imperfect, and future tenses, commands, and pronouns (reflexive, indirect, direct, etc). As is true of all levels, the course builds on previous coursework and prioritizes the use of authentic materials to guide students towards proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing.