Welcome to Ms. Ferguson’s Website!

Above you can find links to specific groups (forensics, study abroad).  If you’d like an appointment with Ms. Ferguson, please visit the forensics page and use the youcanbook.me link to sign up “for a practice”.

Below you can find the calendar of upcoming school events & what we’re studying.  All important documents are attached (with copyrighted material obscured from public access).  Any copyrighted materials that students need will be shared via Google Classroom.  Materials/events are all classified by class.  Units are posted on their beginning date, and if they last over the change of month, they’re posted again the 2nd month.

About Ms. Ferguson

Ms. Ferguson has taught at La Follette High School since 2003.  She began, like many LHS students, starting Spanish classes in 8th grade.  After graduating with honors from UW Oshkosh with a double major in Elementary Education and Spanish, she got her first job teaching at Pioneer Westfield High School (now called Westfield Area High School).  After five years of working there, and loving it, she moved to Madison where she spent 2 years split between O’Keeffe Middle School and LHS.

She has spent considerable time (and money) studying second language acquisition and learning techniques to help students leave our Spanish program with good language proficiency.  Because of this work, she is a popular presenter at state, regional, and national conferences…she even got to present in France in the summer of 2018! She also has been a big part of the Señor Wooly website materials, writing stories and activities for students.

When not teaching, “Profe” enjoys playing sports (soccer, volleyball, curling) and music (violin, percussion). She is also a huge fan of Forward Madison Football Club, and can often be found at their events, or cheering from the Flock End at games.  (Sometimes even leading from the capo stand!)

What have we been up to lately?

We are just about to start unit 2. So far we’ve focused a bit on introductions. Almost every day we talk about students in the class and what they do well (and want to do better), as we explore all the diverse hobbies students have. We’ve also been talking about calendar/dates and wishing happy birthday to all the September & October babies in the class!

Below you can find the descriptions of the units. We will complete roughly 3 units and read one short novel per semester. If you would like to see more detail of what we do, each week the slides used in class are posted on Profe’s Google Calendar, at tinyurl.com/profefergclasses. The calendar is also embedded below.

Unit 1: Somos hispanohablantes

During our first unit, we’re going to be looking at identity and culture, how we connect with others in culturally appropriate ways, and what it means to communicate.

The main topics during Unit 1 are:

1. Greeting others & making introductions
2. Asking & telling names
3. Asking & telling feelings
4. Asking & telling ages
5. Saying the date (especially your birthday)
6. Use language in culturally appropriate ways

What are we doing today? 

Check the calendar on the homepage of the site or by visiting tinyurl.com/profefergclasses

Need to meet with Ms. Ferguson?

You can schedule an appointment by following the link below or using the QR code below or visiting kferguson4n6.youcanbook.me 

About Student Proficiency

Students in Spanish 1 are aiming for a NOVICE MID level of proficiency in all language skills. Here is what this looks like:

Interpretive Communication (listening & reading comprehension) – I can identify some basic facts from memorized or familiar words and phrases, when supported by gestures or visuals in informative texts, fictional texts, or conversations.

Interpersonal Communication (spoken & written conversations) – I can request & provide information by asking & answering a few simple questions on very familiar and everyday topics; I can express basic needs related to familiar & everyday activities; and I can express my own preferences or feelings & react to those of others, using a mixture of practiced or memorized words, phrases, simple sentences, and questions.

Presentational Communication (speaking & writing production) – I can present information about myself, my interest, and my activities; express my likes & dislikes on very familiar & everyday topics of interest; present on very familiar & everyday topics using a mixture of practiced or memorized words, phrases and simple sentences.

How to level-up proficiency?

The best way to bump up to the next level is to try to use more language when answering questions (instead of a single word, try for a phrase or sentence). When listening, the first time, try to catch as much as possible. Then, go back for a second listen and see if you can catch more details than you did the first time. Listening 2 or 3 times is a great way to get more used to hearing people speak!