Vision
The goals of Spanish education program at Friends School of Minnesota are
- to enable students to see the value of speaking another foreign language and provide them the means to do so,
- to develop student achievement in the four skill areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing,
- to increase student knowledge of the culture of countries where the language is spoken,
- to support the school’s multicultural curriculum, and
- to demonstrate to students how languages operate.
Linkages
Friends School of Minnesota’s Spanish curriculum is connected to Quaker beliefs and to the philosophy of progressive education. Spanish is taught to give the students the opportunity to learn and communicate in a different language, and to help to develop the multicultural program. The primary sources used to teach Spanish are thematic units in grades K-4 supported by videos, songs, games and books. The primary sources used to teach Spanish for Middle school grades are Scholastic magazines, projects, videos, chapter books, and field trips. In addition, a week-long Spanish immersion unit reinforces the goals of the Spanish program.
Strategies
Students at Friends School of Minnesota develop their understanding and use of Spanish through multiple learning styles. They learn through music, songs, dances, children’s literature, art, videos, theater and games. All of these activities provide them with the means to develop their Spanish vocabulary, understanding and pronunciation. The information given in each activity enhances development of Spanish learning. The Total Physical Response (TPR) approach is used as a regular component of instruction. Movement games, responding to oral directions with actions, and drawing specific objects are examples of TPR activities. Kids are encouraged to speak as they do the actions.
Students are also engaged in conversation at different levels depending on the student’s grades and levels. Students provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, give appropriate greetings and exchange opinions in Spanish (Such as “I like…” “I don’t like…”) (from National Standard 1.1.). Students have opportunities to present information, stories, projects and plays in Spanish to the rest of their class or other classes. Students also practice oral presentations in pairs or small groups.
Cultural information and activities are part of the Spanish classes. Age-appropriate cultural activities such as games, songs, and birthday celebrations are used in Spanish class. Students observe, read about, or experience arts and artifacts of the culture, such as food, dress, toys, houses, songs, artwork, crafts, architecture and children’s literature.
Parents are informed of the Spanish activities and vocabulary through the school’s newsletter, which they can use to help their sons/daughters reinforce their vocabulary and information learned during class time.
Spanish scope and sequence/benchmarks