¡Bienvenidos a la clase de español!
Spanish at Haddonfield Elementary Schools!
The school year has started and the World Language teachers have loved getting to know the students and sharing our knowledge of español!
The Start to Our Year…
In 1st grade, we are beginning the year with our color unit. We will explore the vocabulary of colors and the conversation of identifying colors. We will interview for favorite colors and create a graphic of the favorites of our class.
In 2nd grade, we are beginning the year with our doctor unit. We will explore the vocabulary for various body parts, and also, expressing what hurts, our age, name, and more in a visit to the doctor.
In 3rd grade, we are beginning the year with a review of colors and numbers in order to get ready for our thematic unit: El Calendario. We will review days of the week, months of the year, and seasons.
In 4th grade, we are beginning the year with the School Supplies and important school subjects. We will be able to recognize and explore important vocabulary words in order to talk about different classes. Also, students will have the chance to express what do they have and need in each class. This will be the first thematic unit in 4th grade- Mi vida escolar.
In 5th grade, we are going to recognize and review several actions in order to express what activities we like to do alone or with the family. This will be the beginning of 5th grade and most importantly, whatever we will learn throughout the year- will always help us to build vocabulary and make a connection with other units.
Our Philosophy
At Haddonfield Public School District, the world language study for the elementary students begins in first grade and continues through fifth grade. During the elementary years, the children will be exposed to the Spanish language and culture. They will continue to acquire a second language during middle and high school years.
Your first grader will experience a communicative approach which means that from the time the students enter the second language acquisition environment, the program will be presented in the target language, Spanish. Our vision is progressive and follows the Common Core and The New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards which emphasize communication, culture, 21st Century Skills, World-Readiness skills and technology as major parts of teaching and acquiring a second language. We encourage our learners to acquire and produce meaningful communication that can be used in real life situations in the classroom AND in our global society as well.
Common Core skills are deeply embedded in our second language acquisition classes. We focus on the three modes of communication which are called "Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational." As the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages clearly states, the "Staircase of Complexity" is the spiraling effect of language learning that recycles and builds upon previously learned material in order to build proficiency.
How do we do it?
This communicative approach includes developmentally appropriate thematic units and continued practice by implementing activities in three modes of communication which include interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational. They are standards-based and help your children build proficiency. We believe that language instruction should seek to impart active and practical skills in the art of communication and that true communication is achieved only when cultural patterns are perceived as part of the learning. Since language and culture are bound together, cultural understanding should be developed along with the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Moreover, this approach is accomplished through the use of technology, movement, music, and activities. We provide a multitude of ways to expose the children to authentic language. We are interdisciplinary. Students will be using Spanish to learn language, culture, art, literature, history, numeracy, and culinary appreciation. Remember, languages are tools and we must use these necessary tools in order to communicate! The students will be able to demonstrate what they are capable of doing with the language, and they will improve proficiency levels when producing language throughout the world language program and in real life.
A look into our classes so far!
Second grade working on an interpersonal activity with a partner to practice "el cuerpo" vocabulary!
Second grade practicing the vocabulary from "el cuerpo" with an interpersonal activity!
First grade self-portraits like Frida Kahlo for Hispanic Heritage Month!
It is so beneficial to learn a second language. Here are some reasons why!
Comments? Questions? Concerns?
Señorita Kupersmit
ckupersmit@haddonfield.k12.nj.us
Señor Bayona
Señorita Kupersmit
Email: ckupersmit@haddonfield.k12.nj.us
Twitter: @hsdsrta