Mrs. Ponton’s Teacher Web Page

 

All classes should have a notebook and a folder to bring to class daily.  Fifth – Eighth graders should have a good Spanish-

English dictionary,at least 50,000 words) to be kept at home to use on homework.  We have dictionaries at school so they don’t need to bring them here.

 Third grade will begin the year studying and reviewing greetings vocabulary.  They will have workbooks at school that they will be working in and they should keep these at school.  Since we only meet once a week our progress will be quite slow.l  They will be given study sheets from time to time that they will bring home so that you can help them learn their vocabulary.  It is helpful if you make flash cards to practice.  It’s important that they keep up with the memorization so they don’t fall behind.  We work very intensively on this in the class, but it isn’t enough time for them to learn it all.  I tell them they should study about 10 minutes a day.  The vocabulary sheets are helpful  but may need some parental help to assure that they are learning the words.  Fourth grade covered through Lesson 4 in their workbooks last year.  We will be reviewing all the material in those lessons but will not go back and fill in the pages.  It might be a good practice to have them bring their books home and do at least some of those lessons as a review.   Fifth grade has completed  through lesson 16 with the exceptions of 12 (a review lesson), 14 and 15.  We will use Lesson 12 as part of our review and then begin lessons 14 and 15 on Clothing.  Sixth grade will be learning to conjugate and use verbs, a vital component in communicating in any language.   Much of their vocabulary for the year will be review so we can concentrate more on grammar and communication skills.   Seventh grade has completed the first 2 units in their curriculum.  We will review what they learned last year and will review those 1st two units.  At the same time we will be working in Unit 3 which is the first unit they will be tested on.  Eighth grade has completed the 1st two Units in their curriculum.  We will review all they learned up to this point and at the same time will be beginning Unit 3.  They will also be reading a simple novel in Spanish this year.  They will be given many handouts throughout the course of the year that they must keep in their possession for extended periods of time while we are working on them.  Please stress the importance of taking good care of them as much of their grade will come from the work in these papers and they will not be given new copies if they are lost.  All students must have a folder to keep these handouts in and must bring it to class everyday. 

 

 

.  Beginning the first week of school the girls’ tennis team will be practicing 3 days a week, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, except for Labor Day or any holiday.  If we have matches scheduled on practice days of course that would be in lieu of practice.  The match schedule is as follows:

 

SCHOOL                          DATE                       TIME                       LOCATION

 

 

Nichols                            Wed. 9/17                3:30                        Nike Base

 

Amherst                           Mon. 9/22                 4:00                       Nike Base

 

Nardin                             Tues. 9/23                3:30                       McMillen (Delaware Park)

 

Nardin                             Mon. 9/29                  3:30                       Nike Base

 

Amherst                         Mon. 10/6                   4:00                       Amherst Middle

 

Nichols                          Tues. 10/7                 3:30                       Nichols

 

 

Be prepared for schedule changes due to weather problems.  Our uniform is our green school shirt and white shirt or shorts.  Please plan on coming to the venues straight from school rather than riding the bus home, except for the Amherst matches which are later, in order to be on time and have a chance to warm up before play.  Thanks to all the girls for participating in a difficult sport, but one that can be played throughout life, and to all the parents for your great support, especially Mr. Neville who has assisted with practices throughout the Summer.  Now let’s show them what we’ve learned.  Go St. Stephen!!!

 

I have been teaching Spanish at St. Stephen School for 17 years.  I teach third grade through eighth grade.  I hold a B.S degree in Ed. From Concord University and a M.S. from West Virginia University. The students progress from basic vocabulary building to more complicated verbal and written communication.  At the end of the eighth grade year, the students take a New York State proficiency examination, which helps determine their placement in high school.   For this exam the students must complete four conversations, each with a different goal, and pass an exam with both oral and written questions.  Our students always do very well on this exam. 

 I also have interests in tennis and music.  I offer an after school tennis program in the spring and summer for both boys and girls, and coach a girls’ tennis team in the fall.  I sing in several musical groups, play in a hand bell choir, and play clarinet in a small church orchestra.

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to their textbook and/or workbook, each student needs a folder and notebook.  Also, all students in grades 5 – 8 need a Spanish – English dictionary (at least 50,000 words) to use at home.