Introducing Spanish into Pre K through Grade 2

     Beginning to study a foreign language at an early age has many benefits: improved pronunciation, increased vocabulary, knowledge of grammar, to name a few. Our youngest students are introduced to Spanish through the use of games and songs. They have learned basic greetings and expressions of courtesy. Sra. Winchell's "assistant", Rosco (a plush puppet), keeps the lessons lively.

     First graders can express feelings and can identify their family members in Spanish. By the end of the second grade, the students are able to recite their phone numbers in Spanish. When learning the body parts, they played the game "Simon Dice", Simon Says. During the Easter season, they used their knowledge of colors and numbers while playing "¿Cuantos huevos hay en la cesta?", How many eggs are in the basket?

Spanish in Grades 3-5

     Students are introduced to reading and writing basic Spanish in the third grade. They learn to pronounce the alphabet, with an emphasis on vowel sounds. They have listened to conversations containing the vocabulary for the weather, months, and the days of the week.

     The fourth-grade curriculum becomes more advanced as the students use a textbook in their lessons. They have learned the "key questions" in Spanish and can tell where they are going. They are now learning how to express the actions of different subjects, changing the verb endings. A greater emphasis is placed on religious and cultural celebrations in the Spanish-speaking world.

     At Easter time they watched a video of a colorful "alfombra" (carpet) being made in Guatemala during Holy Week.

     The fifth grade students have learned to identify the gender of nouns, how to make words plural, and the vocabulary for definite and indefinite articles. In reviewing vocabulary for the numbers, the students played "Las Carreras", The Races, with the class divided into two teams. In reviewing the vocabulary for the months, they watched a video describing monthly festivals in Spanish­ speaking nations.

St. James Middle School Spanish

     The middle-school Spanish curriculum is more rigorous than in the lower grades. Students are taught more advanced vocabulary and grammar (i.e., conjugation of regular and irregular verbs, adjective-noun agreement, etc.).

     Class activities include reading, writing and speaking Spanish. Aspects of the Hispanic culture are also introduced. Students prepare reports on the Day of the Dead and participate in a bilingual Three Kings Day mass. Written and power-point presentations on all of the Spanish-speaking nations are assigned. Upon completion of the eighth grade, St. James graduates are well prepared for high-school foreign language.