Elementary Spanish News #1 - The Comprehensible Classroom
In Lower Elementary, students are hearing Spanish all through their work cycle - some lessons in math, science, and geography are conducted in Spanish. The students ask a question and I answer in Spanish. They are also starting to use Spanish words in their conversations. Children are like sponges at this age, so it continues to be a great time to be immersed in language education.
Students are reading Spanish books that they will later read aloud to their friends in group.
We learn by repetition and movement. The technique we use is called TPR - Total Physical Response. It uses movement to reinforce our work with words. As I say a command, the students act it out. The group interaction keeps students engaged.
Students are very interested in learning a new language and always ask for lessons. They write their own sentences using the Spanish Command cards and other vocabulary cards. Since everything is so concrete, the lessons are very comprehensible for the students. Some students are translating Spanish stories they have written back into English.
Listening to music and playing games are great ways to incorporate culture into learning a language. We have learned twenty-three songs so far this semester! I can hear students singing Spanish songs all through the morning.
In Upper Elementary, students are using question cards to start conversations. They write their own questions and practice with their friends.
One activity is called "Who Said It?" A student or I will read a passage of a story, and the students record the sentence and name the character who made the statement.
Arranging the action of a story in chronological order is a fun activity to assess how well students understand the action and meaning of the story.
When students have a love for learning, they go beyond the lesson.
Students write their own plays in Spanish, which reinforces their skills in other areas and also provides an opportunity to practice teamwork.
Learning another language is not always a favorite activity for every child; however, exposing students to world languages will improve their understanding of their first language.
Students are reading Spanish books that they will later read aloud to their friends in group.
We learn by repetition and movement. The technique we use is called TPR - Total Physical Response. It uses movement to reinforce our work with words. As I say a command, the students act it out. The group interaction keeps students engaged.
Students are very interested in learning a new language and always ask for lessons. They write their own sentences using the Spanish Command cards and other vocabulary cards. Since everything is so concrete, the lessons are very comprehensible for the students. Some students are translating Spanish stories they have written back into English.
Listening to music and playing games are great ways to incorporate culture into learning a language. We have learned twenty-three songs so far this semester! I can hear students singing Spanish songs all through the morning.
In Upper Elementary, students are using question cards to start conversations. They write their own questions and practice with their friends.
One activity is called "Who Said It?" A student or I will read a passage of a story, and the students record the sentence and name the character who made the statement.
Arranging the action of a story in chronological order is a fun activity to assess how well students understand the action and meaning of the story.
When students have a love for learning, they go beyond the lesson.
Students write their own plays in Spanish, which reinforces their skills in other areas and also provides an opportunity to practice teamwork.
Learning another language is not always a favorite activity for every child; however, exposing students to world languages will improve their understanding of their first language.
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