During the month of February, students in Mrs. Efta’s Spanish I and Spanish II classes made masks. After viewing examples of Puerto Rican carnival masks in the Smithsonian museum, the students made their own out of paper-mache and paints. Next, they photographed their masks and used Google Presentation to write captions in Spanish that describe the artistic details of their masks.

This learning project was based upon the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) standards for Communication and Cultures. Through mask-making and writing about art, students exercised language skills in accordance with ACTFL’s Proficiency Guidelines for intermediate and novice listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish. They used creative thinking and technology in new ways. In addition, they had fun learning about Carnival in Latin America through mask-making. Thank you for viewing the PowerPoint of our masks.

The Quiz Bowl teams met last week for an organizational and informational meeting.  Sixteen high school students and eighteen middle school students showed interest in competing this year.  For some of these students this will be their fourth year competing.  The sophomores competed as seventh graders in the first Panhandle Middle School competition.

Edgemont will be hosting this year’s competition on Friday, March 15^th.  We don’t know the exact start time for the competition yet.  We will hold a practice meet with just the Hay Springs students so everyone will be familiar with the way the contest is run.  With this many experienced and enthusiastic students, I anticipate our teams doing very well.

Quiz Bowl participants, the links to study questions are up on the Hawks Library webpage.  Look for the Quiz Bowl link at the top of the page, or click here.

Each year libraries and schools celebrate Read Across America on or about March 1 – Dr. Suess’s Birthday.  Hay Springs School will celebrate on Thursday, March 7^th. However, you can start the celebration early by reading to a child on March 1^st.  The National Education Association estimates that more than 40 million children and adults will celebrate the joy of reading this year.  Join the celebration and read to a child.  Share a favorite book from your childhood, read a new book, or re-read a family favorite.

Read Across America

You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild,
To pick up a book and read with a child.
You’re never too busy, too cool, or too hot,
To pick up a book and share what you’ve got.

In schools and communities,
Let’s gather around,
Let’s pick up a book,
Let’s pass it around.

There are kids all around you,
Kids who will need
Someone to hug,
Someone to read.

Come join us March 7th
Your own special way
And make this America’s
Read to Kids Day.