Glastonbury Public Schools World Language

Grades 6-8 Curriculum

Spanish

Spanish Grade 6

Our curriculum is lively, multifaceted and will help the students take a giant leap toward language proficiency. Gideon Welles has a dedicated fully digital Language Learning Center or Language Lab, a facility rarely found at the 6th grade level. Working in the lab will allow students to practice and improve their world language speaking, listening and understanding skills. The essential question of the year is How do we connect to our world? In sixth grade, we will use an imaginary trip to Mexico to give context to our language learning. In this context, we will:

describe ourselves and our environment
compare school routines in Mexico and in Glastonbury
prepare ourselves to travel
travel and go through customs
explore Mexico City
learn about Mexican cuisine
visit a Mexican market
follow the journey of the monarch butterfly to and from Mexico

Spanish Grade 7

Proficiency Target: Novice-Intermediate

As part of answering the essential questions “What is culture?” and “What is Spanish culture?” students in grade seven will continue the study of Spanish, which began in elementary school. Students at the end of the year can initiate, maintain and bring simple conversations to a close as well as write simple sentences on familiar topics. Students also can recognize pieces of information of what is being said and understand simple readings. Students will expand their cultural awareness of Spain and other regions where Spanish is spoken. Supporting essential questions throughout the year include:

How does the geography of Spain influence the climates there?
How do the varied climates of Spain influence the architecture?
How does the legacy of the “convivencia” manifest itself in contemporary Spanish culture?

Spanish Grade 8

Proficiency Target: Novice-Intermediate

As part of answering the essential question “How do shared traditions shape a community?” students in grade eight will continue the study of Spanish, which began in elementary school. Students at the end of the year can initiate, maintain and bring simple conversations to a close as well as write simple sentences on familiar topics. Students also can recognize pieces of information of what is being said and understand simple readings. Students will expand their cultural awareness of Spain and other regions where Spanish is spoken. Themes throughout the year include:

Geography of Latin America
Food
Music
Cities and transportation

Introductory Spanish

Proficiency Target: Novice

This course is designed for new students who have moved into Glastonbury and who have not previously taken a world language or have only had minimal contact with a world language. Students will be introduced to the vocabulary and structure of the language as well as the culture of the Spanish speaking world. In Introductory Spanish, students learn Spanish language through the exploration of the essential question: How are we influenced by travel? with a focus on Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guatemala and Peru. In this context, students explore:

Similaries and differences between schools in Mexico and in Glastonbury
Preparing for international travel
Foods of Spanish-speaking cultures
Celebrations of the Spanish-speaking world

Introductory Continuing Spanish

Proficiency Target: Novice

Eighth grade students who began Spanish for the first time in seventh grade will take this course. This course will build on the introductory Spanish skills students learned in grade seven. In 8th Grade continuing introduction to Spanish, students continue learning the Spanish language through the exploration of the essential questions: What is culture? What is Spanish Culture? In this context, students explore:

The communities and geography of Spain
Arabic heritage in Spain
Meals and celebrations of Spain
The concept of "convivencia"

French

Introductory French Grade 6

Proficiency Target: Novice

Greetings of the French-speaking world
About where French is spoken
School life in francophone countries
Popular sports and hobbies in France
How to share information about important people in their lives
How to prepare for an international trip

French Grade 7

Proficiency Target: Novice-Intermediate

As part of answering the essential question “Who are the French?” students in grade seven will continue the study of French, which began in 6th grade. Students at the end of the year can initiate, maintain and bring simple conversations to a close as well as write simple sentences on familiar topics. Students also can recognize pieces of information of what is being said and understand simple readings. Students will expand their cultural awareness of France and other regions where French is spoken. Supporting essential questions throughout the year include:

How do I describe people?
What do people do during different seasons?

French Grade 8

Proficiency Target: Novice-Intermediate

As part of answering the essential questions “What connections can we make?” students in grade eight will continue the study of French, which began in 6th grade. Students at the end of the year can initiate, maintain and bring simple conversations to a close as well as write simple sentences on familiar topics. Students also can recognize pieces of information of what is being said and understand simple readings. Students will expand their cultural awareness of France and other regions where French is spoken. Topics explored throughout the year include:

Types of housing
Daily routine
Celebrations
Fashion
Francophone music

Chinese

Chinese Grade 6

Proficiency Target: Novice

Our curriculum is lively, multifaceted and will help the students take a giant leap toward language proficiency. Gideon Welles has a dedicated fully digital Language Learning Center or Language Lab, a facility rarely found at the 6th grade level. Working in the lab will allow students to practice and improve their world language speaking, listening and understanding skills. The essential question of the year is How do we connect with each other? In this context, students will learn:

Introductions
Chinese cultural norms
About Chinese New Year
About foods in China

Chinese Grade 7

Proficiency Target: Novice

As part of answering the essential questions “Who are the Chinese?” and “What is Chinese culture?” students in grade seven will begin the study of Chinese. Students can communicate and exchange information about familiar topics using phrases and simple sentences and can usually handle short social interactions in everyday situations by asking and answering simple questions. Students will expand their cultural awareness of China and other regions where Chinese is spoken. Supporting essential questions throughout the year include:

What do sports preferences teach us about a culture?
How do I describe myself and others?
What are the differences between Chinese and American New Year celebrations?

Chinese Grade 8

Proficiency Target: Novice

As part of answering the essential questions “How do I connect to the World? How does the world impact me? How do I impact the world?” students in grade eight will continue the study of Chinese. Students can communicate and exchange information about familiar topics using phrases and simple sentences and can usually handle short social interactions in everyday situations by asking and answering simple questions. Students will expand their cultural awareness of China and other regions where Chinese is spoken. Supporting essential questions throughout the year include:

How are Chinese autumn festivals similar and different from American autumn festivals?
How do different weather conditions influence people’s lifestyle?
How do I go shopping in China?

Introductory Chinese and Introductory Continuing Chinese

Proficiency Target: Novice

As part of answering the essential questions “Who are the Chinese”; “What is Chinese culture?” and “How are we connected?” students in grade seven will begin and in grade eight will continue the study of Chinese. Students can communicate and exchange information about familiar topics using phrases and simple sentences and can usually handle short social interactions in everyday situations by asking and answering simple questions. Students will expand their cultural awareness of China and other regions where Chinese is spoken.

Russian

Introductory Russian

Proficiency Target: Novice

As part of answering the essential question“What is Russian culture?” students in grade seven will begin the study of Russian. Students can communicate and exchange information about familiar topics using phrases and simple sentences and can usually handle short social interactions in everyday situations by asking and answering simple questions. Students will expand their cultural awareness of Russia. Cultural units throughout the year include:

The Russian alphabet
Russian people, places and products
Getting acquainted
My Family
The city center
Russian speakers around the world

Introductory Continuing Russian

Proficiency Target: Novice

As part of answering the essential question“How do we connect to Russian culture through language?” students in grade seven will begin and in grade eight will continue the study of Russian. Students can communicate and exchange information about familiar topics using phrases and simple sentences and can usually handle short social interactions in everyday situations by asking and answering simple questions. Students will expand their cultural awareness of Russia. Cultural units include:

Likes and dislikes
Music and sports
A trip around Moscow
Russian fairy tales

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