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The Spanish Departments at Catherine McAuley and Cheverus are hosting ten students and 2 teachers from a sister/brother high school in Santiago, Chile. The Chileans will be living with individual host families in our schools. They will be in Maine from March 2 to March 29. From here they will be visiting New York City, Washington, D.C., and Miami, Florida, before returning home. Cheverus has had this program previously, but this year the Chileans asked McAuley to become involved. This is an exciting chance for all our students to gain experience with another culture and to improve their learned Spanish. We are hoping to have some of our McAuley students go to Chile as they are coming here. It’s a great opportunity for a life-changing encounter. The Chileans will attend the school day, shadowing their host sisters or other McAuley students. They will be in classes daily, as if they were McAuley students themselves, but will not be graded or expected to attain all that our students do, due to the language ability. This will give them a wonderful day-to-day understanding of the life of an American teen. There are various activities planned for the Chileans to experience more of Maine and American culture: Augusta, the State House and Museum; Portland, the Casco Bay Ferry and the Old Port with history; Boston, the Fogg Museum, Quincy Market and the Science Museum; Sugarloaf weekend for skiing, boarding, or just having fun. A variety of the McAuley students will attend these activities, not only the host sisters.
LOCAL STUDENTS GETTING CREATIVE!
Several groups of students submitted videos for the FLAME Video Contest.
All students will receive Certificates of Achievement. In addition, the winning team teacher will receive $25 gift to use for her classroom. Bravo and thank you for taking part in the FLAME Student Video Contest! For more information about the FLAME Student Video Contest, contact Mary Oches at oches4@adelphia.net .
CLASSICAL IMPERATIVES AND INSPIRATIONS Opportunities for Fun, Profit, and Glory MAINE CLASSICAL ASSOCIATION Spring Meeting Saturday, April 30, 2005, 8:30-1:30, Messalonskee High School, Oakland, Maine
FMI: Robin Colby, MCA Vice-President, 13 Western Avenue, Waterville, ME 0491 Email: rcolby@msad47.org OR rdcolby@colby.edu Phone: (207) 872-2640 Sally Cody, MCA Corresponding Secretary, 78 Salem Street, Portland. ME 04102 Email: sally.cody@thornton.saco.org Phone: (207) 773-6579
AATSP NEWS
AATSP had a meeting during the FLAME conference and elected a new slate of officers. They are as follows:
Virginia Stelk has been appointed National Exam Coordinator. Jeremy Willette, who is taking a two year leave to teach in Budapest, Hungary (!) will be shadowing the group until June and helping out with pre-plans for the fall conference via email.
AATF NEWS
The Maine Chapter of AATF had a meeting at the FLAME Conference on March 4, 2005. The slate of officers:
Gail Carville is the Grand Concours coordinator. You can contact her at gmcarville@aol.com Maine AATF now has an Advocacy committee working on four projects:
Laureanna Boucher Award-Sylvie Charron invited members to nominate students for the Laureanna Boucher award. The deadline has been moved to May 31, 2005. For more information see below and visit the Maine AATF website at http://www.angelfire.com/me4/aatfmaine/ We were fortunate to have our regional representative Jean-Pierre Berwald say a few words to us. Julia Shulz described her new program Acces Cinéma Africain, a French language immersion offered in Montreal in collaboration with Vues d'Afrique, the largest festival of Franco-phone African & Caribbean film & video in North America. All teachers present were invited to participate in a group activity to help create a French teacher network. On large sheets of paper posted around the room each teacher wrote which textbooks and/or materials s/he used along with his/her name, school, and email. Thus the teachers could find colleagues who use the same books and have their contact information. This should facilitate inter-collegial support to better use those particular teaching tools. Many went home with a free dictionary as well, thanks to Ray Pelletier! Merci Ray! ***Be sure to visit the our Maine website http://www.angelfire.com/me4/aatfmaine/ as well as the national website www.frenchteachers.org by Catherine Hobby, Editor
LAURIANNA BOUCHER AWARD 2005 ( $300 ) Attention all AATF members! And it is never too late to become a member! (Go to www.frenchteachers.org for application.) This year the Maine Chapter of the AATF is offering a $300 scholarship to a student of one of its members. AATF would like you to encourage some of your juniors or seniors to apply for the scholarship. Purpose of the Scholarship To provide financial aid to students who demonstrate an interest in the study of French or international studies with a focus on the francophone world. Eligibility: Any high school junior or senior whose teacher is an AATF - Maine member. Criteria for participation: 1. A statement from the language teacher on the student's academic performance and character. The teacher should also state that the student intends to pursue studies in French or international studies with a focus on the francophone world. 2. A statement of financial need from the high school guidance counselor. 3. An official transcript of grades. 4. A writing sample (in French, typed). Make sure to include your name, address, phone number and e-mail. This year’s topic: Essay Question (250 - 300 words) in French. Make sure to include all accent marks. Cette année est l’année des langues étrangères aux Etats-Unis (Year of Languages). Expliquez pourquoi il est important de connaître plus d’une langue, pour vous et votre génération.. 5. After receipt of their application, students will be asked to read part of the song “Grand Pré” during a telephone interview. Lyrics are posted on the Maine AATF website at http://www.angelfire.com/me4/aatfmaine/schorlarship.html To hear the song, you can look at the website: www.walnet.org/explosure/montcarmel/grand-pre.html Method of application: All required documents must be submitted by e-mail to scharron@maine.edu or sent by mail in one envelope to: Professor Sylvie Charron, 14 High Street, Hallowell, ME 04347 by May 31, 2005 Selection of candidates: The selection of the winner will be done by the Scholarship Committee of the Executive Board of the AATF - Maine Chapter. Amount of Scholarship: $300 Summer Fare with International FlairACADIAN FESTIVAL June 23 – 26 2005 Maine's Largest Cultural Festival! Events include a re-enactment of the first Acadian landing in northern Maine, traditional Acadian supper, a softball tournament, barge rides on Long Lake, entertainment, cultural displays, a festival parade, "Festival Familial" and much more. The Festival is held each year in conjunction with a huge family reunion, honoring one of the Acadian pioneer families. This year it will be the Dionne family. www.townofmadawaska.com/gmcc_cal.html
La KERMESSE Franco-American Festival June 23-26, Biddeford, Maine **For details and a full schedule of the Festival visit
FESTIVAL DE JOIE A Franco-American Cultural Festival in Lewiston, Maine Many Multicultural Events August 5-6-7, 2005 Festival Location: Railroad Park, Oxford Street Lewiston, Maine
Concert at the Franco American Heritage Center Parade, Bean Supper, Horse Drawn Wagon Rides, Planned Walking Tour of Little Canada . More attractions are continually being added. For more information visit the website www.festivaldejoie.org
NATIONAL FOLK
Richmond, Maine October 7-9
First presented in 1934, the National Folk Festival is the oldest multi-cultural traditional arts celebration in the nation. Musicians and craftspeople from every state in the Union and most U.S. territories have participated in this "moveable feast of deeply traditional folk arts" which is now attracting the largest audiences in its history. A large-scale outdoor event presented free to the public, the National Folk Festival celebrates the richness and variety of American culture. Audiences are treated to blues, rockabilly, gospel, klezmer, jazz, bluegrass, cowboy, polka, (and much more) as well as traditional music and dance from Cajun, Native American, Celtic, Middle Eastern, Caribbean, East Asian, Appalachian, Hispanic, African, and Pacific Island cultures. Material culture exhibits and demonstrations feature the finest craftspeople and explore many traditional crafts. The master craftspeople participating in the National are often asked to take part in discussions and workshops, creating a deeply educational experience. ***For more information visit http://www.nationalfolkfestival.com/
FESTIVAL SANS FRONTIERE The Festival without Borders is a cross-border international Festival that unites Jackman, Maine with St.Theophile, QC. The Festival began in 1990. In even numbered years the Festival is held in St. Theophile. In odd numbered years the Festival is held in Jackman. ***For more information visit http://www.jackman.ws/festival.html
THE ACADIAN VILLAGE Ongoing Historical Society of Living Heritage . The Acadian Village is
registered in the National Register of Historic Places and has been recognized
as a Historic National Landmark. The Acadians were people from France who settled on Acadia, now known as Nova Scotia, in the 16-17th century. In 1755 they were deported by the English Government to all points of North America and Canada. T settle in St. David, in 1785. Open daily 12-5 from June 15 to September 15. For special tours of 10 or more; May 31st to October 1st. Admission $3.50(adults) - $1.50(kids) MEALS: Available to groups *** For more information visit http://themainelink.com/acadianvillage/
Teacher TipsQuestion Gameby Lorraine Giasson; Lisbon Community School; Mill Street, Lisbon, Maine, O4250; 207-353- 4132 Ext. 436 Target Language: Any language , K-6 (first year for all levels) Maine Learning Results: A-3,(Pre k-2); A-4 ( 3-4); B-1,3; B-1,6; C-1; (Pre-k); C-4 (3-4) Teacher Preparations:
Method of Assessment: Teacher observation Possible follow-up: After observing students it will be easy to see which skills need re-teaching and / or review.
Le Stylo Rouge by Cathy Charles, Mountain Valley High School, Rimford, Maine 04276, 207 364-4547, Any language, any level Materials: You could either have students be responsible for bringing red pens to class or you could have a jar of red pens in your classroom. This rather simple, old-fashioned idea makes my life easier and my students’ written homework assignments more meaningful. When I copy a worksheet or workbook activity I also make a copy of the answer key. (You need only make as many copies as your largest section… and they can be used year after year.) Before collecting the assignment I hand out the answer sheets. Student must use their red pens to correct any mistakes they have made. As they do so, it gives me a chance to circulate and answer individual questions. I find students are more often willing to ask question one on one than in front of the whole class. Being “in control” of the red pen seems to give them more interest in correcting their work and reinforces the material being taught. The rule is….you must correct carefully if you want full credit for the homework assignment.
Feel the Object, Give Verbal Clues, Make a Guess by Rossana Pass, Noble High School, (207)676-2843, rpass@sad60.k12.me.us
Objective: to work together as a team to collect as many mystery objects as possible by using the sense of touch and by giving verbal clues in the target language of words related to a mystery object. Duration of activity: about one or two minutes per object. Materials: a dark bag with a variety of random objects with whose vocabulary categories students are familiar. Age of participants: 7th through 12th graders (language learners at intermediate level) Preparation time: about 10 minutes Number of participants: up to four teams of four people Warm-up activity: Students work with a partner, think of interesting appropriate objects they have in their backpack or purse, have the partner close his/her eyes, place one object in their partner’s hands for him or her to feel and guess what it is. Students can also brainstorm together a list of five or more objects related to the ones they got to feel with their eyes closed. Procedure: Each team is to send one player to the front of the room. This player stands up facing his/her group with both hands behind him/her. The teacher places a random mystery object in the player’s hands for up to 30 seconds to determine what the object is. Once the player has an idea of what the object is, he/she begins naming other objects related to the one he/she was given so as to have his/her teammates guess what the mystery object is. Teammates have up to one minute to shout out possible answers. When the player giving clues hears the correct answer, he/she shows his/her teammates the object he/she is holding behind him; the team gets to keep it for the duration of the game. If teammates don’t guess what the mystery object is, the team next in turn gets to make two guesses. If they guess correctly, they get to keep the object; otherwise the team next in turn makes two other guesses. Evaluation: Were students able to use a variety of words related to objects? Were students able to work together as a team to stay focused throughout the activity?
Animal Sounds by Catherine Hobby, Lunt School, Falmouth, chobby@fps.k12.me.us Language: French Level: Beginners. Could be done orally with young students who do not read. Objective A fun cultural tid-bit: to become acquainted with the animal sounds “French” animals make. Here is a poem where the animals where the animals make the wrong sounds. 1.Students read the poem aloud. It is more fun if you give the students parts: a few students could be the “narrator” and small groups of 3 or 4 students could make certain animal sounds during the reading. 2. Then, in small groups the students correct the poem and give readings of their new version. La vache fait ron ron Le cochon fait meuh meuh Le chien fait miaou miaou Le chat fait ouaf ouaf L'éléphant fait couin couin Le canard fait hon hon L'âne fait cot cot La poule fait hi han hi han Le coq fait ouin ouin Le singe fait cocorico Le serpent fait béé béé Le mouton fait sisi sisi Mickaël Kevin http://www.freinet.org/creactif/stsimon/contrair.htm
FLAME has a LISTSERV: flteachers!! Consider joining! We’d love to have you! First, what is a listserv? It is NOT an email list! A listserv is an automatic mailing list server. When an e-mail is addressed to a listserv mailing list, it is automatically sent to everyone who is a member of the listserv. The result is similar to a discussion board, except that the messages are transmitted entirely through e-mail. Consequently, the information is only available to members on the list. Description of flteachers: This group, created by the Foreign Language Association of Maine, is designed to be a place where new and not-so-new teachers in Maine can support each other in our endeavor to be the best foreign language teachers we can possibly be. This is a place where you can ask questions, post suggestions, share teacher tips, pose classroom management conundrums, and anything else that relates to the teaching of foreign languages in Maine schools. To be eligible for this group, you need to be a teacher teaching in a school in Maine. Directions for signing on to the listserv 1. go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/flteachers/ 2. Click on Join this Group (blue box in top center) If you are already a member of Yahoo, you will need to sign in first. If not, you can simply click on New User Sign up (in blue). You will find this little sign next to the larger Yahoo groups sign at the top of the page. Follow the easy directions! Then you can sign up. 3. Your request to join will then bounce over to me for approval. I will approve it and then you will be able to post, to read all other posts, to share and chat with colleagues of Maine. Voilà! Please join us! We’d love to have you!! For more information, do not hesitate to contact Catherine Hobby, the listserv moderator at rhobby1@maine.rr.com by Catherine Hobby, Editor and Listserv Moderator
ORGANIST from NOTRE-DAME de PARIS TO PLAY KOTZSCHMAR ORGAN Music from the World’s Great Cathedrals Tuesday, April 19, 2005 7:OO PM Latry is one of the world’s most distinguished organists and is known particularly for his improvisations. He won his position at Notre-Dame de Paris at the age of 23 and has held the post for nearly twenty years. He has performed in more than forty countries on five continents, appearing most often in the United States. This is his first visit to Portland to play on the Kotzschmar Organ. Admission: $15.00 suggested at the door
Meet our Award Winners!ANN SULLIVANFLAME Leader of the Year The FLAME choice for leader of the year goes to an extremely deserving candidate: Ann Sullivan of Messalonskee High School. She exemplifies leadership in her quiet and reserved way and has influenced us all by just being the person she is. She is a solid anchor for our profession and a mentor to many and a model for all of us. Ann continues to grow professionally. She takes courses, leads trips and revamps her class work to accommodate all learners. She touches many and their praise for her is strong. Ann works tirelessly for FLAME and AATF to further world language study in Maine. She has been involved in FLAME for many years and has served as Vice-President, President, and Newsletter Editor. She participates on task forces and is at the forefront of all that is happening in our profession. When some of us think we have had enough, she steps up to the plate and pushes forward. She is a walking history of FLAME and remembers all that has transpired. Never afraid to try and master new skills, she is also the future of FLAME as she is our web master! In short, she is a gift to FLAME!
JEREMY WILLETTE Teacher of the Year
Jeremy has a gift for languages and is a true polyglot: he speaks French, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, and is tackling the impossible: Hungarian! In his sixth grade classes students sample a smorgasbord of Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Russian, Greek and Portuguese. The atmosphere in his classroom is described as lavish yet cooperative and positive, a supportive atmosphere that truly encourages students to explore languages, appreciate other cultures, and excel in learning. Jeremy continues to work with his students on his online dictionary project www.trilingualdictionary.org for which he received a $10,000 award from National Semiconductor for innovative technology and teaching. (Please refer to the December 2004 newsletter for more information on this project. You can also peruse the article online at www.umaine.edu/flame). He travels with students, is yearbook editor and serves on the Civil Rights Team at his middle school. He also serves on the State Advisory Committee for Maine and Classical Languages. He is a National Board Certified teacher in Spanish. Jeremy has a lust for learning as well. This summer he will be spending a few weeks in a village in Senegal to learn language and experience culture. He is taking a two-year leave to accept a position teaching Spanish in an International School in Budapest. He never tires and is already remarking that he will continue with FLAME and State Advisory Committees upon his return.
RICHARD WILLIAMSON Sister Solange Bernier Lifetime Achievement Award
Richard Williamson, Professor of
French at Bates College, is described as “a true treasure to foreign
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