This morning, 7th graders went to the Torrey Pines Reserve in order to study erosion, They were able to experience the impacts of water, wind, rain, invasive plants, animals and humans.

Elsa Devernois is a French children’s books author. She has published about 200 stories in books and magazines. She came to our school on December 7th and 8th to talk about her craft with students in PK2, Kinder, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th grade. Our students had prepared questions which she answered with honesty and humor, encouraging our budding authors to keep cultivating their imagination. This wonderful event was in part funded by the profits from the October book fair organized by the PA.

Students, thank you for shopping at the Chapeau Ticket Store!

On December 14, students were able to use their chapeau tickets at the store run by Diesa Seidel. They enjoyed snacks, sweets, books and were also able to stock on foosball balls and ping pong balls!

On Tuesday December 12, 2017, on the sands of La Jolla Shores!

Thank you again, Mr. Giot and Mr. Moncelet, for this integrated Math sequence! Congratulations to all 5th and 6th graders for their excellent work.

After the mock trial in English, students run a mock trial in French. The comparaison of the two legal systems was extremely interesting, and students enjoyed the learning experience a lot!

Congratulations to Ms. Aseltine and Ms. Addo for this brilliant bilingual project!

This project has been running for several weeks. Carefully crafted by Nicolas Giot (MS Math teacher) and Julien Moncelet (5th grade French teacher), the project involved several collaborative classes (5th + 6th graders together) in class, in order to work on the geometric knowledge. Then came the opportunities to apply it: first, a small scale (in class, paper) – a medium scale (on the blacktop, 2 meter diameter shapes – refer to the last ECHO for the video taken with a drone) – a large scale (on the sands of Pacific Beach on Dec 4 5B/6B – on Dec 12 5A/6A) with 10 meter diameter shapes.

Here are the 5B/6B on December 4th, 2017 at Pacific Beach!

The students from the Spanish elective class in the first trimester worked on food through several activities that include conversational activities, games, worksheets, board games and role play. As a final activity and to bring the language to real life, the students went for lunch to a Mexican restaurant in Chula Vista where they had to order their food, drinks and desserts in Spanish. This was an activity that allowed the students to practice what they have learned, to experience the culture as well as the food.

Los estudiantes de la clase optativa de español trabajaron con el tema de la comida durante el primer trimestre por medio de actividades de conversación, juegos, actividades escritas y juegos de rol. Como actividad final y de manera de llevar el idioma a la vida real, los estudiantes fueron a comer a un restaurante Mexicano situado en Chula Vista. Los estudiantes ordenaron su comida, su bebida y su postre. La actividad permitió

a los estudiantes practicar lo que aprendieron, experimentar la cultura y la comida.

Ms. Patino, Spanish Teacher

BILINGUAL MOCK TRIALS –Of Mice and Men

Preparing and working in class

December 1, 2017 : mock trial in English

Students from both 8^th grade extended studies classes started to study Of Mice and Men from Steinbeck in French and in English in September 2017. The goal of the trimester was to put together the pieces of their mock trial. The Defense and Prosecution legal teams have constructed their opening statements and their direct examination questions for their respective witnesses to help argue their main points about the case. They constructed their cross- examination questions and closing statements and then practiced trial protocols and procedure.

The trial in English (students from the English extended studies class) took place on December 1, with members of the 7th grade serving as the jury and as the courtroom audience. The trial in French (students from the French extended studies class) took place on December 8, with members of the 7th grade serving as the jury and as the courtroom audience.

Finally, students will reflect on the similarities and differences between the American and the French legal system, and give their feedback on their learning experience.

(Ms. Addo, French Teacher – Ms. Aseltine, English Teacher)

Yesterday was a bright sunny day in La Jolla, with many spectators to watch our SDFAS students, parents and staff march along the festively decorated SDFAS float! Our float shined with the colors of international, global education: multi-lingual, multi talented, world ready!