Lower Elementary Students are spelling out words in Spanish, translating the words using English or pictures, and then using those words to make new sentences in Spanish. We write stories together and students personalize them. Students are practicing compound words, "palabras compuestas." As an extension of botany lessons in the classroom, students are learning the Spanish names for the parts of the leaves. Lower Elementary students enjoy playing games and practicing dances from Hispanic countries. This is a great way to learn the language and culture. Upper Elementary We take many of our lessons outside if the weather permits. Dancing, games, we do it all!   One group of students is working on a play that focuses on the verbs baila, corre, salta, lanza, Éste/a, a es, se llama, and tiene; the nouns perro, gato, chico, chica; and the adjectives guapo/feo, gordo/flaco, inteligente/ estupido, rapido/lento. Old...

At our last Parent Association meeting, we asked current parents why they chose Montessori for their child, and why they continue to keep their children at Abintra. Here is a summarization of their responses:  Why we chose and continue to choose Abintra Montessori: Gives the child a voice Creates a self-motivated learner Child is allowed to work at their own pace vs. everyone on the same page Opportunity to teach what they know to solidify the learning Encourages creativity for the family Builds confidence and authentic self worth Child stays engaged and excited to learn Child comes home saying, "I love school" Not 'grade' oriented, more 'goal' & 'process' oriented Child learns time management skills Don’t become approval or appraisal “junkies” Older children are respectful and can interact with adults Teaches them how to think, not what to think Focuses on the individual learning style of child S...

¡Hola! Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Middle School students are working on age-specific exercises that focus on personalization – describing who they are. Lower Elementary students are practicing introducing themselves using the phrase “Yo Soy” (I am). They tell each other their names, ages, genders, and physical descriptions. Other Spanish lessons focus on the difference between living and non-living things, the Solar System, and parts of the plant. We’ve been conducting an experiment where students can see first-hand the change of matter from a solid to a liquid to a gas with just a piece of ice! We take walks to identify different leaves and trees. Our lessons take place both indoors and outdoors. Students are working on putting stories in chronological order. They are also using three to six letter words and writing sentences. Some students are also reading Spanish books. Upper Elementary students are also practicing describing the...