Elementary Spanish SAMPLE Currilucum

Below, please find a list of curriculum documents for teaching Spanish as Foreign Language to students, grades preK-8.

NORTH CAROLINA SECOND LANGUAGE STUDIES CURRICULUM

http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/secondlanguages/scos/2004/
grades K-2 and 3-5



HUNTER COLLEGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROGRAM OVERVIEW

http://wizard.4teachers.org/builder/worksheet.php3?ID=34781

Grades one through six program model, time allotments and topics studied per grade, strenghs, needs of students of varying abilities, homework policy VERY IMPRESSIVE PROGRAM with Señora Rincón!



GLASTONBURY, CONNECTICUT FLES PROGRAM

http://www.foreignlanguage.org/curriculum/index.htm

You may find units on animals and weather, family, insects, fruits, Columbus and other Spanish explorers, games and pasttimes
Latin, Russian, Japanese, French, and Spanish



NEW JERSEY WORLD LANGUAGE FRAMEWORKS

http://www.state.nj.us/njded/frameworks/worldlanguages/

Comprehensive document pertinent sections: "World Languages at the Elementary Level: The Optimum Starting Point" & "Teacher Resources"



WESTPORT, CONNECTICUT FLES PROGRAM

http://khs.westport.k12.ct.us/diamandis/Program_K.htm

http://khs.westport.k12.ct.us/diamandis/Program_First_Grade.htm

http://khs.westport.k12.ct.us/diamandis/Program_Second_Grade.htm

http://khs.westport.k12.ct.us/diamandis/Program_Fifth_Grade.htm

Synopsis of overall program goals, individual grade goals, and activities of K-2 and grade five



STATE OF CONNECTICUT WORLD LANGUAGE CURRICULUM DOCUMENT

http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2618&q=320936

Curricular goals, standards, frameworks, and program development from kindergarten up



CENTER FOR APPLIED LINGUISTICS

http://www.cal.org/earlylang/progdev/index.html

Information about current FLES programs in the US, languages across the curriculum

integrating foreign languages and content



SPANISH IN THE NEW ZEALAND CURRICULUM

http://www.tki.org.nz/r/language/curriculum/spanish/index_e.php
downloadable, online edition



ELEMENTARY SPANISH CURRICULUM PROJECT

http://www.d.umn.edu/~ezeitz/Curriculum%20Project/Projectdescription.html

Minnestoa kindergarten through fourth grade, plus suggested materials



TEACHING LANGUAGES IN THE PRIMARY SCHOOL: EXAMPLES FROM CURRENT PRACTICE

http://www.asiaeducation.edu.au/pdf/teachinglanguages.pdf

From Australia, planning effective and sustainable language programs



SEEDS: SUPPORT FOR ELEMENTARY EDUCATORS THROUGH DISTANCE EDUCATION IN SPANISH

http://seeds.coedu.usf.edu/index2.htm

Tutorials, videos, sound files, and thematic lesson plans to improve Spanish of both teacher and student

Themes: Greetings, Sounds of Spanish, Numbers, Colors, Shapes, Animals, School, House, Family, Professions, Food, Body Parts, Months and Holidays, Weather, Countries and Continents many different native speakers

SUMMER PLANS

With the summer months around the corner, students are looking forward to spending endless hours at the beach, park, pool, etc. The last thing on anyone's mind is doing school work. But as a teacher, I'd like to highlight that students have a responsibility during the summer: to maintain the brain active!!! (and I don't mean playing video games)

Clearly, without practice of the language during the summer months, the retention level may suffer. In addition, a noteworthy factor in language retention is parental encouragement, and above all, motivation for learning Spanish. As Robert C. Gardner, from the University of Western Ontario, has pointed in his research on language acquisition, "...attitudes and motivation are positively related to the tendency to persue language study, (and maintain the brain actively engaged)..." (Bilingualism, Multiculturalism, and Second Language Learning)

Here are some of my favorite ways to retain the language learning this summer:

* LANGUAGE CAMPS(throughout the USA and abroad)- Every year, I organize trips to Camp Valle Verde in Mexico and I highly recommend its programmes, activities, location, and caring monitors, and beautiful campus. http://www.valleverde.com.mx/

* SPORTS CAMPS with focus on language learning- I particularly like EduKick, a residential soccer camp for students as young as 8 years old.
http://www.edukick.com/

* PRIVATE CLASSES/TUTOR

* INTERNET SITES- See links for children on this site for an inexpensive practice of the Spanish language

* READING BOOKS/MAGAZINES- there's an array of literature for all levels in Spanish. (see resources for parents/teachers)

I hope these ideas may help you in motivating your child(ren) to maintain the language focus. With this in mind, I wish everyone "felices vacaciones"!

Favorite CDs for Teaching Spanish to Children

Los Algos
This CD by a group from Spain, is a collection of the songs from their TV series for children (Spain). There are 2 CDs. Ages 2-8.

¡Piñata!
Created by Sarah Brachas, a former teacher in Arizona/USA, this CD is a compilation of 20 traditional and some original songs. The lyrics are included which makes it easier to follow along for any teacher/student. The songs are highly recommended for bicultural/bilingual students, but can be used to teach Spanish foreign language also. K-2nd grades.

Diez Deditos by José Luis Orozco
This is Mr. Orozco’s most famous CD! Many years ago, I used this CD to teach Spanish to Pre-K and even my 4th grades were asking for it. The students loved it! A true hit! K to 2nd grades.

Lírica Infantil
Another creation by José Luis Orozco
This one is less famous, but I love it because songs are catchy and it’s great for students in the Pre-K and K levels due to it’s repetition of new vocabulary. It’s a fun way to introduce the language to new learners ages 2-5.

Baby Eistein, Música por todas partes
I think this one is definitely worth the purchase. It’s actually a book with nature scenes accompanied by beautiful music. Students will be able to answer questions such as:
¿Qué sonido hace la lluvia? ¿Unos caballos galopando en un verde prado? ¿Qué sonido hace el mar…las abejas, el corazón...? Newborn to Kinder.

Los Lunis Dame tu mano, el baile del verano
This is the latest CD created by Los Lunis, a musical group from Spain. Children in Spain go ga-ga for them! Their songs are catchy, fun, and upbeat! If you’d like, check them out in www.youtube.com

There are so many great CDs out there, I couldn’t possibly include all. But as I’m thinking of the summer, I thought children might enjoy listening to any of these on their way to the beach, park or wherever the sun may take you!

The music listed here can be purchased:
In the USA,
www.amazon.com
www.lectorum.com
www.spanishtoys.com

In Spain,
www.elcorteingles.es

End of the year culminating activities...

The last weeks of school can be stressful. Students and teachers alike are ready for summer holidays, and in most cases, students’ brains are on “off” mode. Here are some ideas to end the year positively.

• K-6th grades: Mi libro de español/Memory book: a compilation of a year in learning. With the guidance of a teacher/parent, students may include what they have enjoyed learning throughout the year. Topics may include: nombre, edad, preferencias/qué te gusta hacer, la familia, dónde vives, los amigos, el colegio, etc...

• 3rd grade-higher: Libro de autógrafos/Authograph book (adapted from Marty Crutcher’s lesson plan. See http://www.lessonplanspage.com/OEndOfYearAutographBookIdea14.htm)
Use either a stationary program, or even Word (format option for borders and shades, clipart, etc) to design a cover sheet titled "Mi libro de autógrafos" with a cute graphic and a place for their name and date. Then design several pages for the center of the book. Examples are: Mis amigos/Friends in my class, SOLO NIÑOS/BOYS ONLY page, SOLO NIÑAS/GIRLS ONLY page, MI PROFESORA DE ESPAÑOL/SPANISH TEACHER PAGE, and a page at the end of the book for names and summer phone numbers. On each page, students should sign and depending on the level of proficiency in the language, write a comment in Spanish. Optional: check with other Spanish teachers and allow the students to go to other classes or use recess time to get other autographs. This is also a wonderful way for teachers to write one final positive comment to each child. It also gives the child a great souvenir from this year. (Thanks to Marty Crutner for this fabulous idea!)

• Any grade: Poster
(model may be found at http://www.abcteach.com/MonthtoMonth/poster.htm)
Make a poster highlighting all the fun learning experiences you’ve accomplished throughout the year! Photos, samples of students’ best work, and field trips!

• Any grade: ¡Concierto!
Create a mini-concert and present all the songs you’ve taught the students over the course of the year. Invite other classes to be your public. This is a great way to encourage students to be proud of their language studies.

• Any grade: ¡Fiesta de fin de año!
Fiestas are always a hit! Spanish music, food, dancing…but instead of having students bring the typical goodies to class (chips, sodas, and junk food), give them a healthy recipe of a Latin American or Spanish dish and have them prepare it with their parents. This is also a good way to know of ingredients used (in case of any allergies in the class). Of course, invite the parents to your FIESTA!

• 3rd grade-higher- Noticias/Newsletter
Create a newsletter for parents and school in both Spanish/English. This is the time to show off all your work in Spanish class! Topics may also include: plans for the summer, reading lists, resources for parents, and more...
This culminating activity may take 3 weeks, depending on how elaborate you’d like to make the newsletter.

Hope these ideas will help you and your students reflect on a year's worth of fun. If you’d like to add, omit, or change any of these suggestions, I welcome your constructive comments.

Teaching Materials for grades K-4

There are many books and materials available for teaching Spanish in the primary grades. An author whom I have really enjoyed is Violeta Denou, creator of the TEO series.

Each title in the collection contains a teaching guide with objectives and activities to stimulate students' interests, and creativity. The following titles are recommended for ages 5-8.


Teo en tren. Teo descubre el mundo.
Teo se disfraza. Teo descubre el mundo.
Teo en avión. Teo descubre el mundo.
ABC. El Abecedario de Teo.
Teo y las vocales.Coleccion las letras. (5 libros)
Teo en la Piscina. Teo descubre el mundo.
Teo va al circo. Teo descubre el mundo.
Teo y sus travesuras.Teo descubre el mundo
¿Qué hora es, Teo?
Teo juega con las herramientas.


This collection may be ordered online through:
http://www.espaciologopedico.com/
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

CINE INFANTIL

http://nuevayork.cervantes.es/FichasCultura/Ficha49012_27_1.htm

Actividades culturales

Nueva York

English Español

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Fechas

31/05/2008

Lugar

Instituto Cervantes
211-215 East 49th Street
10017 Nueva York
(ESTADOS UNIDOS)

El cubo mágico

Proyección de cine

Cine infantil

El pequeño dragón Elfy y su amigo Kevin se enfrentan a nuevas y fantásticas aventuras.

Ficha técnica

Título: El cubo mágico
Director: Angel Izquierdo
Año producción: 2007
Formato: DVD
Duración: largometraje - 80 min
País producción: España
Subtitulado: Inglés

Entidades colaboradoras

Junta de Andalucía. Consejería de Cultura

Entrada libre/ Free admission

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Instituto Cervantes

Instituto Cervantes at Amster Yard
211-215 East 49th Street
New York, NY 10017
Subway E,V to Lexington Ave-53rd St; 6 to 51st St.
Tlf: 1 212 308 77 20

Benefits of Early Language Learning

Teachers of foreign languages would agree that there are many benefits of early language learning. Learning a language at an early age...

• Has a positive effect on intellectual growth and enriches and enhances a child's mental development
• Leaves students with more flexibility in thinking, greater sensitivity to language, and a better ear for listening
  Improves a child's understanding of his/her native language
• Gives a child the ability to communicate with people s/he would otherwise not have the chance to know
• Opens the door to other cultures and helps a child understand and appreciate people from other countries
• Gives a student a head start in language requirements for college
• Increases job opportunities in many careers where knowing another language is a real asset.
  (Center for Applied Linguistics)

With all these valid reasons, it's inexplicable why are some parents concerned with raising bilingual children. If you're not convinced, take a look at Why, How, and When Should My Child Learn a Second Language? brochure by the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) (www.cal.org/resources/brochures/whyhowwhen_brochure.pdf).

BIENVENIDOS a mi blog: Español para niños

Hola!

I have been inspired to create this blog in hope to transmit my love and passion for the Spanish language and cultures.

I am a native Spanish-speaker, and have been a Spanish professor for over a decade.I have taught at various levels, including private and public institutions as well as college. Throughout the years, I have compiled an array of useful materials that I feel the need to share with educators, parents, and students.

I hope that through my postings, I can create constructive pedagogical dialogues as well interesting exchanges of materials and resources for teachers of primary grades as well as middle school.

Enjoy my blog!