Direct Object Pronouns and Personal "a" (Capítulo 5)

First of all you must remember that a direct object in a sentence is the person, event or thing affected by the verb. The main difference between the use of the direct object pronouns in Spanish and English is their placement. While in English they substitute the direct object (and its article) and are placed where the original object was, in Spanish this pronoun is placed in front of the verb, replacing also any article used with the object previously.

Direct object pronouns (DOP's) are words that replace direct object nouns (DON's). Like in English, Spanish sometimes uses a DOP to avoid repeating a noun already mentioned. Example: Felipe compra el sombrero ("el sombrero" is the direct object noun or DON) - Felipe lo compra ("lo" is the DOP). Another example: Vicky tiene el libro - Vicky lo tiene (which is the DON and which is the DOP?). You must be able to recognize which is which, which is a direct object noun (DON) and which is a direct object pronoun (DOP).

Note: In affirmative sentences the DOP's generally appear before the conjugated verb, like in: Adela practica el tenis ("el tenis" is the DON) - Adela lo practica ("lo" is the DOP). Carmen compra los tiquetes ("los tiquetes" is the DON) - Carmen los compra ("los" is the DOP).

In negative sentences, the pronoun is placed between the word NO and the verb. Examples: Pablo no tiene los zapatos - Pablo no los tiene; Diego no tiene las llaves - Diego no las tiene.

When the verb is an "infinitive construction," like "van a escribir" or "van a mirar," the DOP can be placed before the conjugated form. Examples: Ellos van a escribir unas cartas - Ellos las van a escribir. Lidia va a ver una película - Lidia la va a ver. You can also say: Ellos van a escribirlas (notice how the DOP "las" moves to the end of the verb) and Lidia va a verla ("la" moves to the end of the verb too).

As you can see below, the indirect object pronouns agree in number with the corresponding direct object pronouns me, te, nos and os, but not in gender.

Personal "a:" When the direct object is a place, the personal "a" is not required. Example (The direct object nouns are underlined): Susana visita el museo - Susana lo visita ("lo" is the Direct Object Pronoun). The personal "a" is required when the direct object is a person. Example: Susana visita a Cristina - Susana la visita ("la" is the Direct Object Pronoun or DOP). Also, when the DOP is a person (or persons) and includes a possessive adjective, like Yo llamo a mis primos, you use the personal "a." Other examples (Verbo Ver): Veo a mi amiga, veo a mi mamá, veo a mi prima, ¿ves a tus amigos hoy? and ¿comprendes al profesor? (el profesor) - "al" instead of "a el," remember? (Verbo Comprender) etc. But for "Tengo tres hermanos" you don't use the personal "a." With practice you'll see the difference. You very rarely use the "a personal" with the Verbo Tener. There are some examples that you don't need to learn at this time.

To understand the personal "a" and the "DOP's" better, I need you to work on the following exercises: Workbook page 86 - Exercises No. 8 and 9, I also want you to create sentences with the DOP's. Example: Todos los días llevo el perro al parque ("llevo" from "llevar" is the verb, "el perro" is the DON) - Todos los días lo llevo al parque ("lo" is the DOP). And pages 87 and 88.

On Friday, April 4, 2014: You will have a TEST on Direct Object Pronouns, Verbos Tener and Venir, Personal "a" and what we cover up to that date (Lecciones A & B - Capítulo 5). I won't include "El Calendario" and "Fechas" (Dates), and numbers.

Capítulo 5 – “Una Semana Típica"

"Una Semana Típica" means "A Typical Week." We already started this Chapter with "Verbos Tener y Venir." Try to understand these verbs and start memorizing them, please! I also gave you handouts with these verbs and exercises (to conjugate them in sentences). You will have a Quiz on this before the end of this Third Quarter (March 28).

Quiz date: Friday, March 21, 2014. I will add this quiz grade for this quarter, and also give you a Workbook grade. Workbook pages to complete for a grade: From Chapter 4, pages 72-79 (pg. 73, No. 4 only); from Chapter 5, page 81 (No. 2 only, to answer these True and False questions you must read pages 185 and 193 on your LIBROS, to learn about Costa Rica, my country); and also page 82 ("Verbo Tener") and page 94 ("Verbo Venir"), great to review for the Quiz. 

The quiz will include "muy" and "mucho." Remember: "muy" (adverb) means very and you use it with adjectives - ie. Estoy muy cansada; él es muy simpático. "Mucho" (an adjective and an adverb) means many or a lot, and you use it with nouns and verbs. When used with nouns it changes with the nouns' gender -whether they are feminine or masculine- and whether the nouns are singular or plural - ie. Mi hermano tiene muchos libros en su mochila; mi prima tiene muchas blusas verdes. So, unlike other adjectives, "mucho/mucha/muchos/muchas" is placed before the noun they modify. When used with a verb, as an adverb, "mucho" remains the same and is placed after the verb - ie. Me gusta leer mucho; yo como mucho (with a noun used as an adjective it would change: yo como muchos frijoles); ella estudia mucho; ella habla mucho. Check the video on "Fave Links" or click here: Muy vs. Mucho. Any questions? Please ask señora Feld.

Verbos Tener y Venir (also check Textbook pages 186 and 204)

 Notice that these verbs are very irregular, and they are also "stem-changing" verbs; which means that their base or stem changes. The stem of "tener" is "ten" and the "e" changes to "ie" in some of the conjugations, as you can see above. The same happens with "venir." The "e" changes to "ie" for "tú, Ud./él/ella" and "Uds./ellos/ellas;" but it remains the same for "nosotros y vosotros." The "yo" form is different, though. It's not "yo teno" or "yo veno," but "yo tengo" and "yo vengo."

Examples with Verbo Tener: ¿Cuántos años tienes (tú)? Yo tengo 15 años. ¿Cuántos libros tienes en tu mochila? Tengo seis libros grandes. ¿Qué tiene el profesor en la clase de español? Tiene un mapa de Costa Rica. ¿Qué tiene tu hermano en su mochila? Tiene dos cuadernos, tres libros y seis CDs. Daniel tiene una revista. Tu abuela tiene una casa muy bonita. Tus padres tienen un equipo de sonido muy bueno. Mi mamá tiene tres hermanas. ¿Cuántos hermanos tienes tú? Yo tengo un hermano y dos hermanas. Nosotros tenemos frío. Tenéis dinero? Mis tías tienen muchas revistas.

Capítulo 5 starts on page 180, and I need you to learn the following vocabulary words and expressions (not all the vocabulary words from this chapter): una semana típica, el dinero, la tienda, los artículos electrónicos, el correo electrónico, el equipo de sonido, la computadora, el disco compacto, el CD, los discos compactos, los CDs, el DVD, los DVDs, la televisión, la radio (el radio), la canción, las canciones, la música, ¡Qué lástima!, la chica entra a la tienda, la película. You can learn the other vocabulary words from page 182 if you wish, or learn to recognize them (but I won't ask you to define them in test or quizzes - we can work with these words in sentences, but you don't have to memorize them). You only have to memorize the ones in this paragraph!

In this chapter, you will also learn the "Direct Object Pronouns" (los pronombres de complement directo), page 194. Read and understand the "Estructura" on this page. I will explain these in class and we will do many exercises to try to understand how to use these pronouns in sentences. So we will learn a new song, notice the differences. First song: me te se - nos os se (Reflexive Pronouns); Second song: me te le - nos os les (Indirect Object Pronouns); Third song: me te lo la - nos os los las (Direct Object Pronouns).

Cap. 4 - Lección B "A mí me gusta..."

In this lesson you are learning to master the expression of "likes and dislikes" in Spanish. I already explained this extensively in class; so my hope is that you understand it really well for the Test you will have Thursday, March 13, 2014. Next week you will have a Quiz, to see if you understand this material. The Quiz will be Friday, March 7, 2014.

You can watch the following "Me gusta" video: ¿Qué te gusta hacer? (click this link)

Indirect Object Pronouns used with GUSTAR:  me  te  le  nos  os  les

•  Use “gusta” with SINGULAR NOUN that follows or with INFINITIVE
• Me gusta el libro (libro is singular noun)
• Me gusta leer (leer is an infinitive)
•  Use “gustan” with PLURAL NOUN that follows
• Me gustan los libros (plural noun)
• Make negative by adding “no”  - no me gusta …
• Use “le” = to  mean Ud., ella, or él
• Use “les” = to mean Uds., ellas, or ellos

I asked you to complete the following homework so far: 1) Translate vocabulary (I and II), LIBRO ¡AVENTURA!, pages 154 and 155 and 164 and 165 (which will be included on the Test); 2) Exercise No. 2, page 155; 3) Exercise No. 4, page 156; 4) Exercise No. 7, page 158 (and review the "Estructura" on this page); 5) Handout on Lección B from the G&V Exercises (on "Gustar"), pages 49-52; Exercise No. 10, page 160 (also review the "Estructura" on this page); and 6) Handout (pg. 53 G&V) on "describing people."

Workbook Pages to complete: 72, 73 (#4 only), 74 and 75. Later, pages 76, 77 and 78. Pages 79 and 80 (optional).

We will review the "Verbos Ser y Estar" again! You must now clearly understand when to use one or the other. Review the "uses" of these verbs and make sure you know how to conjugate them. (Verbos Ser y Estar will be included on the Test)

Mac Lab Assignment (Friday, February 28, 2014)

You will work with a partner and together create a PowerPoint that includes the following:

1. At least six slides (or more). Select a template of your choice. 
2. Put your names on the first slide - Title: ¿Cómo son ellos? ¿Qué les gusta hacer?
3. Select at least six different people (they can be famous or not). It can be friends and family members or you can pretend they are. Try to find pictures online of these people, or find pictures that resemble family members or friends, if you wish, and add to the slides. One person per slide (or two slides per person, depending on how much information you have - you don't want to have too much information on each slide). Presentation is important!
4. Describe these people (use at least three adjectives per description). How are they? (¿Como son?) How would you describe them (in Spanish) using some of the vocabulary from Lección B (pages 164 and 165). You can find other descriptions and look for the right Spanish word online, or ask Señora Feld for help.
5. ¿Qué les gusta hacer (a ellos)? What do they like to do? Come up with different likes and dislikes for them (at least three of each). Refer to them appropriately, like "a ella le gusta nadar," "a él le gusta jugar al fútbol," etc. (or by name, i.e. "a Rodrigo le gusta cantar;" "a Susana le gusta patinar y bailar ballet").
6. Use some of the adjectives you learned in class (in Chapter 4 and others) to describe them and also some of the verbs we learned in class and the Vocabulario I (pages 154 and 155).
7. You can add more slides to describe each person. You don't want to have too much information in each slide; so it's preferable to have more than one slide per person. It should look neat!
8. If you want to add images of what they like, you can do so.
9. Optional: you can also add your descriptions (one slide per student). ¿Cómo eres? ¿Qué te gusta hacer? ¿Qué le gusta hacer a tu amiga? Add you name on the slide where you describe yourself and mention what you like and dislike.
10. Any questions? Please ask Señora Feld.
11. Get creative! ¡Sé creativa!
12. When done, save in your Account (in the Server) with your name, or names, and download in Edmodo.

[You can also have likes and dislikes without a verb, i.e. "a Mario le gustan los conciertos de rock"]

Verbs you can use:

cantar, bailar, patinar, caminar, correr, comer, hablar (hablar mucho, hablar por teléfono, hablar con sus amigas, etc.), ver la televisión, oír la radio, escuchar música, jugar al tenis, jugar al fútbol, jugar al... (check more vocabulary words on page 159 "¡Extra!"), pintar, dibujar, ir de compras, ir de paseo, dormir, estudiar, trabajar, pensar, viajar, bailar (bailar salsa, bailar merengue, etc.), ir al cine, tocar el piano (more on page 159), hacer la tarea, ir a comer en restaurantes, leer libros, leer revistas, jugar deportes, or other. You have plenty of choices...

After the verbs you can add words like "por," "en" and "con." Examples: "A mi amiga le gusta caminar en el parque," "a mi amigo le gusta correr en la playa," "a mí me gusta bailar con mis amigas," etc. Check the textbook and the workbook for more examples or ask Señora Feld. ¡Buena suerte!

Capítulo 4 - "Mi Familia y Mis Amigos"

After the Midterm (on Tuesday, January 28) we will start with Capítulo 4 - "Mi Familia y Mis Amigos." You must learn new vocabulary about families (like padre, madre, hermana, hermano, tío,  tía, abuelo, abuela, etc.). 

PLEASE CHECK THE YOUTUBE VIDEO ON "LA FAMILIA" POSTED UNDER FAVORITE LINKS (or click the link above). Also check Family Members in Spanish and Study Here (click the links). You will see the video (on "La Familia" from el señor Jordan) on Tuesday, January 28th and you are welcome to take notes. You can also review it at home to improve your notes. I need you to translate the callouts or boxes on page 134 (LIBRO). Page 135: do Exercise No. 2 (Pepe y su familia).

Also read the Diálogo 1 and answer the questions on Exercise No. 3 - ¿Qué recuerdas? Also do Exercise No. 8 (reviewing adjectives, remember how to change masculine adjectives to feminine and plural forms). Make sure that you read the "Repaso Rápido" on page 138 before you do Ex. No. 8. You will do Exercise No. 9 in groups, and later work on Exercises No. 10 - "Nuestra Familia" and No. 11 - ¿Quién va a venir...? Study the "Estructura" from page 139 (Reviewing Possessive Adjectives).

Other vocabulary words to add: hermanastro (stepbrother), hermanastra (stepsister), cuñado (brother-in-law), cuñada (sister-in-law). I may mention a few more in class. 

Third Quarter Homework (end of January/beginning of February) - important for the Test of 2/27/14: Workbook pages 61, 62, and 63 - #4 only. You will also work on a "Family Tree." You can draw one, similar to the one on page 134, and mention the names of your relatives (identifying them - hermano, hermano, primo, prima, tío, tía, etc.) - check Edmodo for more information. Also, Workbook pages 65, 67 and 69. I will collect Workbooks the end of February, for a Homework grade.

You will also learn Verbos -IR on this chapter (page 141) - write the "Estructura" in your notebooks. Conjugate the Verbo Vivir and the Verbo Salir - notice that the "Yo" form of Verbo Salir varies ("Yo salgo" not "Yo salo"). The endings of "Verbos -IR" are exactly like the endings of "Verbos -ER (like comer and beber) except for the "nosotros" and "vosotros" forms.

Exercises for "Verbo Vivir:" LIBRO, page 142 (#13, #14). "Verbo Salir:" page 142 (#15). Find four to six more regular verbs that end with -IR (be careful - not Stem-Changing verbs like "preferir" or "medir").

To practice Possessive Adjectives: review page 139 (LIBRO) and do exercises #10 and #11 (page 140). Also, check the handout (pdf) on possessive adjectives in Edmodo. To review adjectives used with "verbo estar," check pages 144, 145 and 148 (Estructura). You have to know how to change the adjectives (which describe a noun) to the proper form. If you want to say "he is nervous" - you should know that this sentence translates to "él está nervioso;" "she is happy" - "ella está contenta;" "they are tired" - "ellos están cansados."

MIDTERM EXAM

Please review the following for the Midterm Exam (you can copy and paste the information below in a Word Document and print it for yourself if you wish) - you should have notes on all this material:

(Abbreviations: WB - Workbook, LIBRO - ¡Aventura! Textbook, G & V or Grammar & Vocab. - Grammar & Vocabulary Exercises, Vocab. - Vocabulary or Vocabulario)

1. Capítulo 1: Greetings and farewells (common greetings and farewells learned in class). Check Workbook (WB) page 11, No. 1, you must understand what these words and expressions mean. Also: bienvenido, lo siento, con permiso, mucho gusto, perdón, de nada, encantado, encantada, ¿Cómo te llamas? ¿Cuántos años tienes? ¿Qué hora es? mayúscula, minúscula, tilde. LIBRO: Lección A (Vocab. I and II) and Lección B (Vocab. I and II).
2. Capítulo 1: How to tell time in Spanish (WB page 18).
3. Capítulo 2: Definite and Indefinite Articles (WB page 28, # 12 - practice adding indefinite articles to these words too). There are several PowerPoints in Edmodo on Nouns & Definite and Indefinite Articles - please review them. LIBRO: Lección A (Vocab. I and II) and Lección B (only Vocab. I - colors and articles of clothing).
4. Capítulo 2: Plurals of nouns (WB page 29, #14). Also learn the vocabulary from this chapter (common classroom articles and things - Vocab. II from Lección A). Grammar & Vocab. handouts pages 11 and 12 (Mrs. Feld gave you these handouts and all the ones mentioned here, you can also find them on this link - G&V handouts). You must know how to change plural nouns to singular nouns, and singular nouns to plural nouns; with their respective definite and indefinite articles. Example: el libro - los libros, un libro - unos libros; la mochila - las mochilas, una mochila - unas mochilas. Remember: nouns, colors and adjectives that end with an "e" don't change with gender, just add an "s" to make them plural. For nouns that end with a "z," like lápiz you change the "z" to "ces" to make them plural (lápiz becomes lápices, luz becomes luces). LIBRO: pages 52 and 64. 
5. Capítulo 2: Verbos -ar, like necesitar, hablar, estudiar, cantar, etc. (Review WB pages 34, # 7 and 35). Grammar & Vocab. handouts pages 18 and 19, #10. LIBRO: page 67. You must know how to conjugate these verbs and place them correctly in sentences or questions.
6. Capítulo 2: Colors/colors as adjectives and the adjective "nuevo." (WB page 33, #5 and 34, # 6). Grammar & Vocab. handouts page 16. LIBRO: pages 60 and 61. Review the two PowerPoints on Chapter 2 in Edmodo (to review Reflexive Pronouns, Possessive Adjectives, Verbo Ser, Verbos -AR, Negative Sentences, Days of the Week and Colors and Articles of Clothing).
7. Capítulo 2 and Capítulo 3: Question Words - qué, a qué, cómo, cuánto, cuántos, quién, quiénes, de quién, de quiénes, dónde, de dónde, adónde, cuándo, cuál, cuáles, por qué. LIBRO: page 96.
8. Capítulo 3: Verbo "Ir" (to go). (WB page 47 and 48). Grammar & Vocab. pages 29, 30, 31 and 32, #3. LIBRO: pages 104 and 114. You must know how to conjugate this verb and place it correctly in sentences or questions. Also, how to use it with an infinitive. Examples: Yo voy a ir al parque, tú vas a hablar por teléfono, él va a estudiar para el examen de español, etc. Study the Verbo Ir Power Point in Edmodo.
9. Capítulo 3: Verbos -er, like beber, comprender, leer, creer, etc. (WB pages 56, #7, 57, 58 and 59). (Review the Grammar & Vocab. handout pages 35 and 37). LIBRO: page 120 and 121. You must know how to conjugate these verbs and place them correctly in sentences or questions.
10. Capítulo 3: "Introductions" (G & V pages 24 and 25 - LIBRO: page 94), Possessive Adjectives and Reflexive Pronouns (review the latest Quiz and Test, and your notes and the Chapter 2 PowerPoints, as mentioned on No. 6 above, plus the "Possessive Adjectives" PowerPoint in Edmodo). Also the food items (study the two Chapter 3 PowerPoints in Edmodo - "Vamos a la Ciudad" - all slides, & "Las Comidas" - Slides 1-12 only).
11. Verbos Ser y Estar (Verbo Ser, G & V pages 9 and 10, #s 2 and 3 - Verbo Estar, G & V page 21) - Capítulos 1 y 2. LIBRO: Verbo Ser, page 44 and Verbo Estar, page 76. Study the "Ser y Estar" PowerPoint in Edmodo.
12. Days of the Week (lunes, martes, miércoles, jueves, viernes, sábado y domingo) - see No. 6 above.
13. Articles of Clothing (common articles of clothing learned in class) - see No. 6 above.
14. Adjectives: you learned many adjectives in class, you need to remember how these adjectives change in sentences according to gender, and with singular and plural nouns. Examples: La camisa está sucia; la ventana está abierta; el libro es interesante; los libros son cómicos, la chica es honesta, el chico es serio, etc.
15. Foods (Las Comidas) - latest PowerPoint in Edmodo "Las Comidas" (from Capítulo 3, Lección B - Vocab. II, En el restaurante, LIBRO: pages 116, 117 and Capítulo 6, Lección A - Vocab. II, En la mesa, LIBRO: page 234).

You can also review some of the videos (del Señor Jordan) under "Favorite Links" and previous blog entries. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask Mrs. Feld. 

After the Midterm, on our Third Quarter, you will learn new vocabulary in "Capítulo 4 - La Familia" and Verbos -IR (Verbs that end in -IR, like vivir, salir, etc.). We will review the Verbo Estar again and how to use it with adjectives that refer to states of being, feelings and conditions; and the Verbo Ser and how to use it with adjectives that refer to characteristics of a person, animal or thing (LIBRO: pages 144 and 164). 

We will also review the possessive adjectives - indicating POSSESSION (LIBRO: page 139). In this chapter "Mi familia y mis amigos" the possessive adjectives describe the relationship between people. Write the "Estructura" in your notebooks. Example: mi hermano (my brother).

You will also learn, in "Capítulo 5 - Una Semana Típica," the Verbo Tener, expressions with "Qué," direct object pronouns (LIBRO: pages 194-196, exercises 26 to 29); and "dates" in Spanish, and review the days of the week (LIBRO: page 201). You will also learn the months of the year and the stations, and the numbers above 101 (LIBRO: pages 208 and 209).

In "Capítulo 6 - En Casa" - you will learn how to say (in Spanish) the different rooms and appliances in a typical house, and the Verbo Pensar (a stem-changing verb like "querer" - verbs that change from "e" to "ie") and other "e-ie" stem-changing verbs (LIBRO: page 231). You will also learn the demonstrative adjectives on page 238.

My goal is to complete all of "Capítulo 6" before the end of the school year, and all the stem-changing verbs: "e-i," "e-ie," and "o-ue" and "u-ue." (LIBRO: pages 257, 231 and 274). Verbs like: querer, pensar, pedir, poder and jugar, amongst others. If time permits, before the Final Exam, we will cover a few things from "Capítulo 7."

Capitulo 3 - ¡Vamos a la ciudad!

I noticed (when grading your last Quiz) that many of you didn't study or didn't understand the PowerPoint on Possessive Adjectives in Edmodo, so I will include this material again in the test you are having on December 18 . I'll explain it in class when I come back from Jury Duty. Please let me know if you have any questions. You have to understand Possessive Adjectives very well and also how to answer questions like: "¿De quién es la regla?" "Es mi regla" or "Es tu regla" or "Es su regla" or "Es nuestra regla" or "Es vuestra regla," etc.

You are learning "Introductions" in Spanish in this Chapter. I hope you completed the assignments (handout - and Edmodo Assignments when I was out last week). I expect you to take the initiative to study on your own, especially when you are having difficulties understanding something, and to go beyond what I ask you to do (remembering to check this Spanish Blog and Edmodo on a daily basis). When I come back to school you can ask me questions and tell me your concerns. You can keep checking the Aventura Resource Center (link under "Fave" Links - bottom) and review the chapter's material, especially Lesson A, Vocabulary I and II.

If you check the Grammar & Vocabulary pages in: G&V (Aventura RC) you can begin to complete pages 24 - 30 (Chapter 3 - Lesson A). You can complete these pages directly in your computer and then save them and print them for yourself (these are PDF documents). Note (12/4/13): you already have pages 24, 25 and 29, 30 (I gave you these handouts and we reviewed them in class). You can review the other pages (26, 27 and 28).

¿Adónde vamos en la ciudad? (Vocabulario I)

In this chapter you will learn the verb "ir." Not the verbs ending in "-ir" yet, but the "verbo ir" which means "to go." Please write the Estructura on page 104 in your notebooks and notice that the endings are just like the "verbo estar" (this should make it easier for you to learn). The only difference with the endings of "estar" is that there are no accents, no tildes. Also, please save and study the PowerPoint on "Verbo Ir" that I downloaded in Edmodo (and that I already showed and explained in class - on 12/3/13).

Yo voy, tú vas, usted/él/ella va, nosotros vamos, vosotros vais, ustedes/ellos/ellas van.

You will have a Test (on Wednesday, December 18) on this verb (ir) and I will ask you to complete sentences similar to the ones on Exercise 28 (page 104). I will also ask you how to make introductions in Spanish and how to add the appropriate question words in "question sentences." It will be helpful to review the G & V pages 31 - 33 (Chapter 3 - Lesson B). Any questions, please feel free to ask Mrs. Feld.

The present tense of the "verbo ir," conjugated above, is irregular. The most irregular the verbs in Spanish are, the most common they are. Remember that "ir" (verbo ir) in Spanish means "to go" in English.

Another verb that is conjugated like the verbos "estar" and "ir" is "dar" (to give):

Yo doy, tu das, usted/él/ella da, nosotros damos, vosotros dais, ustedes/ellos/ellas dan.  
So "dar" is not conjugated like the typical "-ar verbs" for the first person singular pronoun (personal pronoun) "yo." Look at these endings: yo estoy (estar), yo voy (ir), yo doy (dar) - they're the same! Check this link for Present Tense of "Verbo Ir" (also under "Fave" links).
So, remember this: "ir" and "dar" are conjugated like the "verbo estar" (same endings except for the "tildes"). You already know that "-ar verbs" are conjugated like "estar" without "tildes" except for the personal pronoun "yo" - like "yo hablo." You can say that "ir," "dar" and "estar" are conjugated like " -ar verbs" except for the personal pronoun/first person "yo". PLEASE TRY TO UNDERSTAND THIS AND IT WILL MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER (when learning Spanish).

Suggestion: write these verbs (all the ones you learned and will learn in this Chapter) on index cards. Have them handy to review and study. I know some of you are not writing the Spanish vocabulary and verbs on index cards or in your notebooks. Print the Blog entries for yourself and highlight the important instructions and lessons.
Also write the adjectives you have learned and the question words (interrogative pronouns) on index cards and in your notebooks too. When you write things down, you learn better!
Remember: you MUST write the "Estructuras" from each Chapter in your notebooks. Read them and try to understand them. We will review this material in class. Also write the "Repaso Rápido" from page 96 (very important to review the question words).

Besides qué, de qué, dónde, de dónde, cuál, cuáles, cómo, quién, quiénes, de quién, de quiénes, I need you to add por qué and adónde. Also add cuándo, cuánto, cuánta, cuantos, cuántas. You must know the meaning of all these question words and be able to create questions with them.

When you complete all of Lesson A you can move on to Lesson B - Vocabulario I "En el centro" (downtown) page 110. Homework: Workbook pages 42 (No. 4 only) and 43.

FOR THE TEST ON DECEMBER 18: please study the G & V pages 24 to 30, Workbook pages 42 (No. 4 only) and 43 (on Introductions), and pages 47-49 (on "Verbo IR"), Textbook pages 94 (Exercise No. 8), 95 (Exercises No. 9 and 10), 104 ("Verbo IR" - Exercise 28), 114 (Exercises No. 8 and 9). Please memorize the "verbo IR." You must understand how to introduce people in Spanish and when to use te, le, and les. Also, the quiz material will be included (Possessive Adjectives and Reflexive Pronouns), study your last quiz.

I won't ask you Chapter 3 vocabulary words on this test, but I will on the next one (and on the Midterm).