Curriculum: Spanish and French

Spanish in the Lower School

Lower School children's exposure to language at this early age allows them to develop cultural sensitivity along with good pronunciation and increased vocabulary. During the week, the Spanish teacher sings or tells stories to the whole group, and works with children in small groups during their morning or afternoon work time. Teachers in the Lower School integrate Spanish into the ongoing classroom program. This necessitates a high degree of collaboration between the Spanish teacher and the classroom teachers. Throughout the Lower School, the Spanish teacher reinforces content areas, such as the family, market, or bakery curriculum, which provide a rich source of vocabulary and cultural exposure to Spanish-speaking countries. When young children learn Spanish in this playful and integrated way, they easily acquire vocabulary and simple phrases. They are eager to use the words they know and to learn words that are important and relevant to their lives and interests. They are curious and interested in Hispanic customs, traditions, and celebrations. An interesting effect of the early Spanish program is that children whose roots are Hispanic and who have previously refused to use the language, now feel proud of the words they know and are willing to extend their knowledge from school to home.