Archive for category Spanish

Spanish classes make cascarones!

Apr 20

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The term cascarones comes from the Spanish cascarón which means “eggshell.” Cascarones are hollow, dyed eggshells filled with confetti. Many Spanish-speaking countries make cascarones to celebrate Easter. Once made, families and friends race to break the cascarones on each other’s head. Some (Wikipedia) say that having a cascarón broken over your head brings good luck. Spanish instructor Maya Kehr experienced the tradition as a child growing up in a Latino neighborhood in San Antonio, Texas, but instead of breaking them during Easter birthdays were celebrated with cascarones. Since today was Maya’s birthday–her Spanish classes celebrated!

Tommy Rhodes practiced this same tradition in Honduras, but instead of hollowed eggs with confetti, they use raw eggs–yolk and all!

Speaking Spanish pays off in a delicious way

Apr 4

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Spanish I classes cooked Tortillas Españolas (Spanish Tortillas), which are actually more of an omelet dish than our typical idea of a tortilla. Students earned this privilege by successfully speaking only Spanish for an entire class period and successfully ordering food in a restaurant simulation from the ¨mesera¨ (which was instructor Maya Kehr, pretending to be a waitress). Students cooked in groups of four and were able to enjoy the direct results of their labors!

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Michael Hershberger, Tanner Leyden, Kobi Russom, Grant Schlabaugh, Kirby Shetler

Kaycee Miller, Michaela Gingerich, Anne Buckwalter, Hannah Miller, Celia Hostetler

McKayla Brush, Demi Brezina, Riley Schmieder, Katie Bender

Illegal Immigrants of the Spanish Classroom Simulation

Jan 4

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To help students understand the immigration raid that took place in Postville, IA on May 12, 2008 IMS Spanish students took part in a simulation – Illegal Immigrants to the Spanish Classroom.  If students failed to have the proper pass book they were not allowed in the classroom and were sent to the detention center (the office) until the center could properly process their paperwork.  Until that time, they were trespassing illegally on the territory of the Spanish Department.  Students were to remain seated and quiet as any retaliation would result in further charges. After several minutes the students were told to sign a document written totally in Spanish which many students could not fully understand.  Everyone needed to sign the document to legally enter the classroom.

The IMS Spanish department and JPOG (Just Peace Outreach Group) invite you to view “Abused:  the Postville Raid,” a documentary about the immigration raid in Postville, Iowa on May 12, 2008.  This immigration raid was the largest and most expensive immigration raid ever conducted, causing disastrous effects on hundreds of families and children. Join us on Sunday evening, January 22, 2012, at Iowa Mennonite School, 1421 540th St. SW, Kalona, Iowa at 6:00 p.m. for a finger foods potluck or at 7:00 to view the documentary and discussion.  For more information, please contact Maya Kehr (mayekenk@gmail.com or 574-238-3023), Roger Farmer at 319-653-2547 or email Jane Yoder-Short at yodershort@netins.net.

NEW TEACHER FEATURE – Spanish Instructor, Maya Kehr

Aug 25

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Maya Kehr

Mayeken Irene Kehr (Maya) graduated in December, 2010 from Bethel College, KS and substitute taught in the spring for the Newton School District in Newton, KS. “This is my first official year of teaching, I have been informally teaching for years now, mostly in the form of peer tutoring,” she said.When asked what brought her to IMS she responded, “I guess you could say that God brought me to IMS because it certainly was a surprise to me. When I received the phone call from Tony Miller last December, informing me of the position, my honest reaction was, Iowa??Really?? It was not a possibility that I had ever considered and it was not what I had originally planned  to do after graduation.But I believe God works through opportunities and after a long discernment process I felt that IMS was where I should be at this time in my life. Now that I’m here, I’ve been reassured that it was a sound decision. One of the prayers that I’ve found most precious this year comes from J. Philip Newell: Glory be to you, O God, for the grace of new beginnings in every moment and encounter of life. Glory, glory, glory for the grace of new beginnings in every moment of life.”

Maya was born in San Antonio, TX and lived there for seven years before her family moved to Goshen, IN. She then attended Bethany Christian High School, IN, (where she was voted most likely to return to a Mennonite school to teach) and then attended Bethel College, KS. Maya’s family consists of her parents Bryan and Anita Kehr. Her father is the women’s soccer coach at Hesston College and her mother is the lead pastor at First Mennonite Church in Newton, KS. She has an older sister Hannah who is married to Justin Heinzekehr. They live in Claremont, CA where they attend Claremont School of Theology. Hannah also works for Mennonite Mission Network. Her younger brother, Elias, attends Eastern Mennonite University where he is studying math education.

Maya says, “My first impressions of the community are extremely positive. I’ve been impressed by the faith and kindness of students, parents, faculty and staff. It’s wonderful to work in an environment that is supportive and where students are respectful. I’ve begun to understand how this small, nurturing community cultivates gifts and creates a space where students thrive. I am looking forward to getting to know students and members of the community better. In the context of the classroom, I am excited to put to use all the knowledge I’ve gained in college and to improve my lesson plans and teaching abilities.”

When asked about other interests or hobbies Maya responded, “I enjoy sports of all kinds and competed in soccer and tennis at Bethel College. I’ve recently taken up running and finished my first half-marathon this May. I love card games (Eucre, Rook, Dutch Blitz) and probably get unreasonably competitive while playing such games. I enjoy reading, listening to NPR, cooking and baking. My goal is to bake all of my own bread this year; we’ll see how long that lasts. And of course, I love language. I am interested in the mysterious and eloquent power that words hold.”

Welcome to Iowa Maya – we are happy you’re here!

Spanish class completes unit on food

Mar 30

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The Spanish I class just completed a unit on food and learned traditional food from a variety of Spanish speaking countries. The 1st hour Spanish class made migas, an egg dish from Mexico, fresh salsa, and batidos, fresh fruit smoothies. The 5th hour class made pupusas, a Salvadorean stuffed tortilla, a tomato based sauce and Mexican rice. It was a great experience for learning and eating!

Aliese Gingerich creates final project for Spanish IV

Feb 23

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Modeling the t-shirts are Taylor Fulton, Katie Nisly, Bill Spencer, Emma Yutzy and designer Aliese Gingerich.

Aliese Gingerich, a senior Spanish IV student, used her imagination to create a unique final project. The class has been reading the novel Esperanza Renace by Pam Munoz Ryan about a wealthy young girl who loses everything in Mexico and is forced to flee to the United States to become a migrant worker. Aliese’s t-shirts represents Esperanza’s emotions at different points in the story. She created her shirts with stencils and spray paint and wrote about each one in Spanish. Students turned in a variety of creative ideas for their final projects including movies about the story, writing and illustrating a children’s book and creating a series of unique art pieces that connect to the story.